Trick or Treating

Tonight was a lot of fun. My parents came out to spend the evening with us. We started out at a shopping center going to stores. Then we took a break & grabbed some good 'ol In-N-Out Burger :). Then it was off to some neighborhoods to do door-to-door trick-or-treating.

Josiah didn't remember anything from last year's Treat or Treating so it was neat to watch his reaction to things. It took him a while to get into the whole idea of knocking on people's doors. Once he got the hang of it, though he had a great time. After he got the candy from each house, he'd just look into his bucket for about 5-10 seconds, just starring at what he got as if thinking, 'whoa, that's some good candy...can I please eat it all now?' It was quite funny.

Josiah was Buzz Lightyear. He pushed a fake button on his costume & would say, 'To infinity & beyond' and then run! He told us several times through the night that he was having fun & he thanked us for taking him; very sweet! We're glad he got a couple of his favorite candies: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. That brightened his eyes.

Meghan was a strawberry for her first Halloween. She did great at keeping the hat on. I must admit taking her up to the doors to get candy felt weird, but what can I say...I wanted candy :). She did great out with us...being in her stroller or being held. It looked like she enjoyed the time. Next year will be fun when she'll be walking.

I think my favorite out of the shops vs. neighborhoods is the neighborhoods...for now. We ran into a couple scary houses that we passed by. We didn't encounter any scary people who were out to just be creepy & scare kids. We'll see as the years go on if the kids get scared or not. There was just something about being in a neighborhood that felt more like real trick-or-treating. Plus it was quieter & the candy was way better :).

Hope you all had an enjoyable evening!

Sleep...or the lack of...

I do not react well when my kids wake up early (in the morning, or from naps). Something about feeling like I 'deserve' more sleep, or more time alone :). Shane reminded me this morning that they don't do it on purpose. They don't know it's early & are certainly not doing it to irritate me. I really have to watch my attitude when it happens, though. I get so frustrated & feel ripped off. What is true: They are watching how I respond to them, especially Josiah. He knows that God wants him to make the right choice. He knows that God wants him to be kind to others & treat them with love. So, when I react wrong to him, it is not a good example. I want to respond the way God wants me too! More than anything, I want them to see the kindness & love God shows me, through the way I relate to them. Oh boy, is it hard at 5:45 in the morning to just be ok with getting up for the day & entertaining a 9 month old. What to do with her at that time...I have no idea :). But, the more important thing is how I treat her. I can't get frustrated with her when she has not done anything wrong. The heart issue: I want what I want! But if I can't choose the right response in a little circumstance, such as being woken up when I don't want to be, then how am I going to respond in a real issue that happens that I don't like? I should respond right! So, ideas for what to do when the baby won't go back to sleep that early? *First and foremost for me: Pray for the right attitude...for God to be pleased by the response I've chosen. *Read scripture *Read a book *Watch a movie Any other ideas?

The kids are growing up!

Josiah is now 3 1/2. The "1/2"...whoa, that means he's on his way to being 4!!! His favorite things right now are... *playing the 'Fusion Frenzy' game on xbox *making up songs to tunes he already knows, based on events in his life :) *puzzles! He's amazing at these. His favorite is the 63 piece Mickey one. *playing with his cousins! *reading his Bible (well, we read it to him, but he LOVES the stories). He is still testing boundaries, of course :). When I raise my voice at him in frustration of his disobedience, he has started asking, "Mommy, do you still love me?" In which I respond, "What do you think?" He in return says, "Yes!". Though it can feel sad that he's even asking me that question, I use it as a great way to relate it to God. "Mommy loves you & will always love you, even when you choose wrong things...just like how God treats us. God loves you so much, no matter what you do!" Here are a few pictures of Josiah: Josiah playing 'Rock Band'.

Josiah & I took a "Little Chef's" class through the city. We made food together.

He doesn't fall asleep places very often, but this time he did while watching a show.

He likes to hold his baby sister. Look how big she's getting!

Meghan is 9 months old now. She is growing up too fast! Something with the second child. I blink & she's almost a year! Where did the last 9 months go? They were spent taking care of 2 children :). With much fun, laughter, and frustration at times.

Some things Meghan likes: *playing. She does great at playing by herself.

*getting into things. She's more destructive than Josiah was!

*making a break for the stairs! I have to keep that gate up!

*snacks! Food, not so much. Crackers or pretzels make her happy.

Here are a few pictures of Meghan:

Getting into the cubboard, chewing on a pack of gum!

There's just something' about bath towel pictures :)! Our big girl at Chuck E . Cheese. She liked the rides...even though they weren't moving! She pulls herself up in her crib now :).

What God is teaching me...

Life has been hard the past few months. A couple months back, Shane got a pay decrease at his full-time job. Though this was hard, we knew that by cutting back in our budget, we would be ok. Then about a month ago, he lost his part-time job. My first reaction: Fear. I thought, "What are we supposed to do now?" I ran all the worst case scenerios in my head of what life is now going to look like...'How are we supposed to make it?"..."Where are we going to have to move to?", etc. When life throws a curve ball, your thoughts are the first to go downhill. Thankfully, the fear didn't last long!... What has helped take away this fear? God! As I dug into His word, The Bible, I was reminded of His complete love for me...and His promise to take care of me... *Matthew 6:24-33. Talks about how God takes care of the birds...how much more does He love me? I do not have to worry that He won't take care of me! *Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." *Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid." *Psalm 25:3 "No one whose hope is in You will eve be put to shame." *Psalm 26:3 "For Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in Your truth." *Psalm 10:17 "You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them & You listen to their cry." *2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself & God our Father, who loved us & by His grace gave us eternal encouragment & good hope, encourage your hearts & strengthen you in every good deed & word." The emotion I've been feeling the most lately: Sadness. I am really sad that Shane lost his part-time job. It was one he had for 4 years & enjoyed watching him in that role. Of course it is natural to be sad & perfectly fine! But, I also have to move towards being okay & trusting God to help us through it. God has reminded me that He has a perfect plan for our lives and it might not line up with the plan We thought was perfect for us. A fear that can creep up about God's plan: What if it's not a plan that I like? In reality, that may happen. But He created us, He knows what's best for us & will do only what is best for us. He will not rip us off, He will provide enormous blessing to His children! I can be confident in that! So, what to do now? I have a choice. I either complain & live in fear of the unknown, or I choose to trust God and Pray!!! *1 Thessalonians. 5:16-18 "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." *Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers & requests. With this in mind, be alert & always keep on praying for all the saints." It does not mean that all my fear & sadness are gone & will never come back. There are going to be days when I feel those creeping back into my mind & heart. But I have God's word to hold onto & remind me that I can trust in the God of the universe who Created Me and loves me so much. Because I am His child, He will provide! So, Shane and I will continue to pray. Looking back over our marriage & the life God has given us, we have seen His hand work in His perfect timing. There have been many times where we haven't understood why situtations were happening or why it was taking so long, but God was faithful! Through it, we've learned to trust Him more & handle things the way He wants us to. This is just one more way we can say to God, "I trust You!" I know You love us & will take care of us. Thank You, God for being loving & faithful.