Halloween 2011

Just wanted to share some treasures from our family memories!

Robin, Spiderman, BatWOman, & Batman

We got to trick or treat to their Great Uncle Curt and their Great Great Uncle Joe:

Moments & Memories

I can remember walking through the field next to our house, picking flowers for my mom. I remembering thinking it must be VERY special to her that I brought them to her. When I was done mowing the lawn the other day, Matthew came walking up to me from that very same field with a flower that I could tell he thought would make me feel very special. I couldn't help but treasure that moment!

My Great Accomplishment...

I thought it just might become noteworthy in our lives that THIS is THE very first badge I ever sewed on anything for my boys. Joe received this badge by memorizing scriptures for Awanas at Adobe Christian Center! I'm so proud of him... But, I wasn't as proud of myself when I was informed this was an iron on badge! HA HA HA BUT, in my defense, the people who did iron on ended up telling me it's good to sew because they come off in the wash! THAT was a close one! :)

My funny Joe!

Joe just said,"This is Grandma" When I chuckled, he said,"Are you laughing at the dimples?" :) Yeah, that's it, that's what I'm laughing at. lol My boys makes me laugh!

Kindness, MY tough lesson!

One day last week, we had a morning where the boys just weren't getting alone (OK, not just one day last week... but one in particular stands out). Joe was struggling with being kind with out expecting something in return.  I had a talk with him about how we are kind because that is how God has called us to be, and although it would be NICE if someone was kind back... it doesn't always happen that way.

I dropped Joe off at school, and went about my errands.  I found myself at Target and Costco through out the morning. As I was walking down an aisle, a lady completely crashed her cart into me. Even though it was "her fault" I decided to say, "Oh, sorry." I completely expected her to say something like, "Oh no, I'm sorry." Instead, she looked at me with an ugly look and kept walking past me. Then, as I was at the checker, he dropped my Costco card when handing it back to me. Instead of saying he was sorry, he made a comment that made it seem like it was my fault. As I left the parking lot in my car, I noticed a big truck that was really struggling to get in the lane I was in, so I stopped traffic and waved him in... Again, I had an expectation of acknowledgement... I thought he'd wave, maybe flash his light on and off, possibly a head nod at least. NOTHING. Each of those instances frustrated me. Lately I've been treated with less than common decency when I've gone out... When the truck thing happened...IT HIT ME, it hit me hard. "We are kind because that is how God has called us to be, and although it would be NICE if someone was kind back... it doesn't always happen that way." OUCH... I had to relearn that which I had just taught my 6 year old earlier in the morning.

I believe there are a lot of hurting people in the world... I believe the devil has surely taught selfishness well... There is darkness all around us and people are showing that more and more in their behavior. SO, most likely kindness will not be reciprocated, BUT... what better setting is there to stand out as the Light of the World?

I was convicted and I pray that my mind/heart is reminded to continue to act in Kindness EVEN WHEN others are not kind to me... maybe, just maybe, the Lord will be able to use that for His glory and impact on lives! I know this is a struggle for me... not being kind, but being kind because it's what I'm called to... not because of any one's reaction or any glory I might get... so, my heart is challenged to grow!

(Some Pictures of the handsome boy that's always keeping me learning, by being his mom!)

1st Sleepover With Jack & Char!!

We went to Steve and Christina's house for dinner... When it was getting close to time to leave, Joe asked Aunti Christina if he could spend the night. Sooo, an impromptu sleepover occurred. They had SO much fun... and then got to wake up and go to Train Town and Lunch at Black Bear with Uncle Steve! (Yep, he took ALL 4 little ones!)

Matthew's Scab

Matthew put his elbow up infront of me and showed me where his scab used to be. He told me, "I was healed because I asked God for that while I was sitting on the toilet pooping." :)

Becoming Open... in Full Color.

Recently, Matthew and I have been picking a "Favorite Flower" on the way to drop Joe off at school. As we walk, we stop and take a picture of our daily pick.  A couple of days ago, the Lord used the morning flowers to impress something on my heart...

I saw a closed flower early in the morning. It hadn't yet opened itself up to the sun. It hadn't yet reacted to the warmth of the light.  Sitting next to it was a flower that was fully open and exposed to the light. It was so beautiful, so colorful, and smelled so good. (I didn't snap a pic, these sunflowers are just as an example.)

This is the moment where my heart was touched. How many times have I been slow in reacting to the Son in my life? How many times have I tried to maintain my control and didn't live in complete surrender to His affects on my life?  How many times was the fragrance of the Lord that should flow from my life quenched by being closed off to Him?

I am praying today that the Lord will show me the areas of my life where I am not in full surrender to Him, the areas where I haven't reacted to Him as I should, and the areas where all the colors He's creating inside me to bless others aren't being shown.  I want to leave a fragrance of the fruits of the Spirit flowing in my life.

I don't know that I'll look at morning flowers the same again.

(Note:I didn't take the picture...I got them from the Internet, fabiovisentin.com, so I could get my thoughts done on my blog!)

Matthew just shyly asked, "Do I look gorgeous?" lol

Matthew came to tell me there is treasure EVERYWHERE!