Yummy

Nate's coworker gave him this carmel apple as a gift.  After Elyse finished her plate at dinner she asked if she could have something else.  Nate decided it was time to dig into the apple.  As soon as Caleb saw the M&M's and chocolate on it, he scarfed down his dinner.  I wish I would have taken pictures of us eating it, but it was just too enjoyable that I couldn't stop eating it.  It was by far the biggest and most delicious carmel apple I ever have eaten.

Black and Blue

My first shiner and I gave it to myself by hitting the corner of a dresser :(

 

New Batteries

bring an old toy out from storage + replace the batteries =

hours of play and a happy Mama

 

Dad's Tea Party

Thanks to the time change on Sunday, our kids all needed to take good naps.  Not only were they more tired than normal after lunch, we had bible study that night. We knew Caleb and Kallen would not be a problem, Elyse is pretty much done taking them so she was going to be a challenge. Therefore, Nate made a deal with her, if she napped, he would have a real tea party with her. She napped, and he did not disappoint. Their special tea party consisted of blueberry tea, cookies and lots of smiles.

I VOTED

As many of you know, when it comes to politics, I really don't care to discuss, hear about it or watch it.  However, for some strange reason, I have had a very heavy heart on today's election and amendment bills.  Therefore, Nate, the kiddos and I headed out to the polls.  Today was by far one election where I wanted my count to vote.  I really hope you all went out and voted too!  Happy Election Day.

Orphan Sunday

November is National Adoption Awareness Month and today is specifically Orphan Sunday, a day recognized around the world. A day to be reminded of the 18.3 million orphans worldwide. A day to take a moment out of our extremely blessed and fast-paced lives to think about those in a different place in life than us. A day to remember the children...but more so...that 18.3 million means 18.3 million stories, hearts, faces, names (some unnamed), birth mothers, birth fathers, and potential adoptive families.

My family and I got to take part in one of the most powerful and emotional experience that I have been through at church today.  Our church put together a video capturing the beauty of being an adopted family.  Then at the end of the video, everyone revealed their matching shirts that said, "Adopted." stating we are all adopted into the family of Christ.  I hope to be able to share this video with you, but for now, you just get to see us in our shirts.

James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."


 

21st Century Boys

By the way, the picture was NOT staged