Pictures

Our history sentence for last week went like this:

"In 1517, Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation by printing the Ninety-five Theses that made Pope Leo X excommunicate him.  Later, John Calvin joined the Reformation."  

So today we remember and celebrate the impact of that brave act.

We also say Happy Birthday to Aunt Catrina!!

And we have pictures to share from our trip downtown last night.  I know I might be just a little biased but really, I don't think we could have done any better than our own

Luke and Leia

Superman

(I could eat him up.)

and a little mouse.  Or maybe a rabbit?

Lucy has to be wondering,

"Where's mine???"

Oh, to be so cute.

Cruise Control

There has been a flurry of activity around here this afternoon.  I'm sure it had nothing to do with the treats Granny and Grandpa dropped off earlier this morning!   Or maybe it does.  At any rate, we're all enjoying a few treats.  I think I'll just put it on cruise control for the weekend then cut these kids off Monday morning from the candy.  We'll see.
We spent a lot of time figuring out costumes.  Kayla was going to be a cowgirl but changed her mind to Princess Leia.  And by golly, she is a cute one!  I think we've about got her put together so pictures will follow sometime this weekend.  Samuel has gone from Superman to a fireman to Batman. Then, tonight in the car, he said, like he was giving in, "O-vay Kayla, I will be a ewok."  That made me laugh.  So maybe we'll try and dress him up as a cute little squishy brown ewok.  Lucy will be a mouse.  Easy.  And Jack, well, we're still in negotiations on that one. Have a good weekend!

Mo' Mocha?

This afternoon I got out my Joy of Cooking cookbook.  Kayla and I made a chocolate cake with mocha icing for home group.  

Apparently, it was too tempting for someone.  Can you see the path the little finger left in the icing?

The laughter and running little feet gave him away...

Brian gets credit for the title...

Weather and Books

It is sooo windy outside right now!  Sounds a little scarey.  This morning felt like spring- the air was heavy but cool.  The breeze was nice.  And it just had that spring smell in the air.  Do you know what I mean?

I've had a hard time getting into a good novel lately.  Mostly, there hasn't been a lot of extra time to read for fun.  And it's not easy to come across good books.  Things seem to be leveling out some now so I'm on the prowl for a few good ones.  I love seeing what other people are reading.  Actually, I picked up a novel yesterday called Family Happiness that I saw on one of your blogs- thanks!

I did just finish a good book called Queen of Palmyra.  I put it on hold back in July and just got it!  I think it can be hard to recommend books- you never know what someone else will think.  I'm always afraid of offending someone.  There is a little language in this one and the subject is not light.  It's set in Mississippi in the 60s.  Racial tension is thick and my heart broke for several of the characters.  But, the author draws you in and leaves you thinking about the characters long after you're done.  To me, that makes a good story.
 

I had to put this up.  Sam always enjoys his desserts and Kayla's birthday cake was NO exception!

Blueberry Cobbler

I love fall-ish desserts like apple pies and cobblers, especially this blueberry cobbler.  Back in Charlotte when we moved to the house in the cul-de-sac (one of our favorite spots) my friend Mary brought us this yummy dish.  Hospitality right to your door!  It's so delicious and easy, too!  Isn't it nice to have a personal connection to the recipes you use?

                                  Mary's Cobbler
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 stick of butter, melted
fruit
Pour the fruit into your pie dish.  Mix the flour and sugar.  Lightly beat the egg and mix it in with the flour/sugar until crumbly.  Cover the fruit with the egg/flour/sugar mixture.  Pour the melted butter on top and bake for about 45 minutes at 350.

A Joint Effort

I have to put in a word about this birthday cake.  First, let me say that my mom decorates cakes.  Not professionally, just for our family.  She always made our birthday cakes growing up.  They were always so pretty.  She made her own wedding cake and even ours.  Truly, beautiful work.
I somehow missed out on that gene.  She just has a knack for things like sewing, decorating, etc...  So, when I go to do something like my children's birthday cakes, I really want them to turn out well.  I have an idea in my head but it just doesn't usually work out quite right.
I got some advice on making this cake, with the doll in the middle, the cake being her skirt.  However, my cake was about three inches too short!  Can you really just have her skirt come up to her thighs??  Of course not!  A little panic.  I was thinking out loud about how to fix this. Jack came up with the idea of putting the cake on top of marshmallows.
"Mom, am I a genius?"  "YES!"
A friend suggested the big campfire marshmallows.  So off we went to the store, then home with the marshmallows.
I couldn't figure out how to get the cake to stay on top without it toppling over.
"Brian, please help me.  Now."
He can almost always make things work.  And he did!  Even thought of tying pretty ribbon around them to keep them more stable.  Add a few sprinkles and a cake and...
Voila!  A beautiful cake for some sweet little girls!

Happy 7th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Kayla!  She's 7!

I think this has been the year of the endless birthday!  

A birthday supper with Granny and Grandpa,

a birthday visit with Mimi and Papa,

a  sleepover with three little friends, 

a birthday lunch with Daddy,

and lots of happy birthday wishes from friends and family.

This has also been the American Girl birthday: both Felicity and Julie from grandparents.

Of course the most special thing about this birthday is our birthday girl.

We are so thankful for our Kayla!

Toodles

 Oh, how we love this girl!  She's getting way too big.  Walking around furniture.  Babbling away.  Waving.  Eating big girl food.  She even has a nickname, which I don't think I've mentioned.  The kids started calling her "Toodles."  And it stuck.  She responds to it.  Not sure where it came from but it makes me laugh.  Even Kayla's friends call Lucy Toodles!

Stumbling

Brian's teaching a Sunday school class on Philippians this fall.  This week we were into chapter 3, verses 12-14 in particular.

"Not that I have already attained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.  But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus..."

You know how it is when you've heard verses over and over but one day, they hit you in a different way?  Maybe because I've struggled with my own heart on this lately, on keeping my eyes focused.  I just didn't realize that was part of the problem.
One lady made a comment that went something like this:  "I've heard that the easiest way to lose a race is to look back at all the people around you."  In other words, taking your eyes off of the goal is a sure way not to get there.  I do that all the time.  Comparing myself to other moms, wondering what someone else thinks of me,  trying to figure out what another person would do in my situation, etc...  And my eyes are no longer on the prize, the Lord Himself.  I have allowed my joy to be snatched away and discouragement to take its place.  I've made other people the gauge for how I'm doing instead of God's word.  I've cared more about my own comfort, ease, and self than I have about what God thinks.  And I've stumbled.
But praise be to the Lord that He does not leave me there.  And that no matter what, I cannot lose Him.  He has secured the goal, the prize, in Christ.  He is the prize! 


It has been a few hours since I wrote that bit.  It's now mid-afternoon.  So far, we've had a good day.  We went for the nicest walk after lunch.  The breeze was perfect.  Sam and I spotted a wooly-worm crossing the road.  We stopped to watch it.  
Samuel asked "Where is that baby woowy-woom going?" 
"I'm not sure.  Do you think it's a baby?"
"Yah- he's looking for his mommy and daddy."
We watched that worm for a while.  Even had to turn around and go back to find him once.  


It's been a busy day and the house sure shows it.  I'm not sure where to start!  But- I'm going to try and keep my eyes on the prize and let the rest fall where it may.  
First things first. 

10s

Our sweet Lucy is 10 months on 10-10-10!

Mommies

Today Kayla gave a short presentation at CC about a job she would like to do when she grows up.  She's always said she wants to be a doctor or a nurse.  Every trip to the library includes picking out doctor and nurse books.  A few days ago she said she might like to be an astronaut with her friend Emma.  But, what she finally decided on was...a mommy.  Part of me braced myself for her answers when I asked her why? and what does a mommy do?  I know full well I am not the best example for her.  She was kind, though, and I loved her answers.

Mommies get to have babies and play with babies.

Babies are so cute.

Mommies take care of their families.

They make their dinner and clean their clothes.

They love their families.

You have to shop for your family.

You get to have a good little girl helper to help with dishes and things.

You get to have people to love.

That last one's the best.  For sure.

Pumpkins

I can't believe it is still quiet in the house.  6:40 and no one else is up??  Aaahhh...I love these dark, cool mornings.  I am tempted to get a jump on the housework that is calling my name but I think I'll put it off until later.  Quiet like this doesn't come often.
Last Friday my good friend Michelle called and asked if we wanted to go to the pumpkin patch.  Yes!  She is expecting her 6th pumpkin any day now and I think she needed an outing.  He's due tomorrow actually.  Can't wait to meet him.
So we worked for a while then headed out.  The weather was just right for hunting the best pumpkin.  Sunny, breezy, and just a little chilly.
It made me think back to when Kayla and Jack were closer to Sam and Lucy's ages and we could just take off and go.  Life seemed a little more carefree back then.  All these new stages bring their own joys but I still always enjoy thinking about the ones that have passed us by.

This big pumpkin is Kayla's.  Our friend Nathan has been taught well to be a gentleman and carried her pumpkin for her.  Sammy thought this little one was perfect for Lucy.  I agree!

Book Sale!

my finds

This weekend was the annual book sale at the local Y.  Of course that gets my heart beating a little faster.  As does walking into a small room full of mothers and young children and strollers but not for the same reasons.
So although it was hard to really look, I did find a few gems.  Brian and Jack went later and found a few more.  We had fun looking through each other's piles.
It's been very quiet around here...