Happy Reformation Day!!

Oh yes, I know there's that *other* holiday today, but we just don't really like all the evil associated with it. So we usually don't acknowledge it, except we do go to the annual Harvest Party, so I guess in a way we do, but we don't do the trick or treating stuff. Anyway, we had so much fun today and made memories in a different way. Today is Reformation Day. What's Reformation Day? Well, since you asked, on October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany; this is what is considered to be the beginning of the Reformation. So since I love an excuse to have a party with my kiddos, we thought it would be fun to celebrate this year.

Some of the kids dressed up in middle ages costumes:

First, we played games. We played pin the theses on the castle door:

And the winner was: Then, we had sack races. Nick was declared the champion:

Followed by hot potato (not sure if this would be a medieval game, but it sounded like it could? Rebecca won!):

And finally a 3-legged race, but no picture. You'll just have to take my word, it was hilarious. Nick and Joey won that one.

Then, after that, I opened up a "shop". The kids have been earning "points" for the past month, for getting chores done in time, and getting school work done, and extra jobs. So they got to spend their points on candy, soda, little toys, nail polish, etc. After that, we watched a movie on the life of Martin Luther. Oh, and at dinner time they will all be getting a faith-building gift (either a Christian book or a new Bible).

So that was our Reformation Day celebration. Life is short and I only get these kids for a short time, so we just gotta have some fun sometimes!

Fall Festival

Last night was the annual Fall Festival. There were lots of carnival games, music, bounce houses, obstical courses, animals to pet, candy of course--you name it. A good time was had by all.

Cara Nick the ninja

The soldiers (Samantha and Joey)

Rebecca

Jackson the dinosour

The whole group

"Marianne and Elinor Dashwood"

Cara Update

Cara's mouth is still quite sore and her cheeks are very swollen still. So I'm asking anyone who reads this to please pray for her quick healing. She has been looking forward to the Harvest Party tomorrow and doesn't want to be Marianne Dashwood with "chipmunk cheeks," as she put it. I think the pain is a bit better today but the swelling is not, so anyway, I just wanted to ask for a few prayers. I know it is not all that big in the scheme of things, but it is to her, and I know that God cares for even the little things. Oh, and she also has a cold, and it's really no fun to have a cold when you are not even supposed to blow your nose.

Thanks ahead of time for the prayers!

Bye Bye Wisdom Teeth

This morning, Cara got her wisdom teeth yanked out. Ralph took the day off so he could drive her (so I wouldn't have to take all the kids down and invade their office). She took a valium about an hour before her scheduled appointment, which made her loopy, and off they went. Ralph said it only took about 15 minutes, and remarked how he wishes he could make $2000 in 15 minutes! And here is how the princess is feeling right about now:

Poor girl.

She just hopes it's all better for the annual visit to the Harvest party at the Nazarene church this weekend. She and her friend have put much work into their Elinor and Marianne Dashwood costumes (Jane Austen characters for the uninformed).

In a totally unrelated note, Jackson has started calling Joey *Goey*. He used to say his name right but has changed it and refuses to change back. He just smiles a goofy smile if you try to correct him. He knows the right way; guess he just prefers Goey. Silly boy.

Let's Reach Out

Lonely people everywhere

Searching for the Truth

Living such empty lives

And not knowing why.

~

Let's reach out to the lost

And let's tell them about

The King of Kings.

Let's reach out to them all

Let them know

Jesus died for all the world.

~

Broken lives all around us;

Hopelessness in their eyes.

They don't know Jesus

Died to heal their lives.

~

Let's reach out to the lost

And let's tell them about

The King of Kings.

Let's reach out to them all

Let them know

Jesus died for all the world.

~

Won't you tell your neighbor

Won't you tell a stranger

Won't you tell all the world

About Jesus Christ?

~

Let's reach out to the lost

And let's tell them about

The King of Kings.

Let's reach out to them all

Let them know

Jesus died for all the world.

9 Things About Cara

1. She loves the Lord .

2. She's very passionate (and opinionated!) about the things she believes in, and hard to sway once she's made up her mind.

3. She's a huge help around here.

4. She prayed for Jackson for 2 years and considers him *her* baby.

5. She wants 20 children! (Whom she plans to homeschool).

6. She still sits on my lap. :-)

7. She plans to wait for God to find her a husband, not be out looking. :-)

8. She loves anything Jane Austen.

9. She's much more mature spiritually than I was at her age.

9 Years Old!

It's hard to believe it, but Joey is 9 years old! Sunday we headed down to Grandma and Grandpa's house to celebrate. We had chips and pizza and cake and cookies. Joey thoroughly enjoyed his day and so did the rest of us.

We got back yesterday from a wonderful trip to Pismo Beach. Ralph's favorite part was that we could drive right on the beach (and do "doughnuts")......

The kids did alot of exploring, building sand creations, and body surfing. Jackson spent his time destroying the sand creations....Back at the campground, they did alot of scootering, ripsticking, playing chess, coloring, playing cars.....lots of things that don't require any electronics. Yea!
And one day we went to a little petting zoo. I have done about 10 loads of laundry since we have been back....That is the price I pay for going away. Lucky I have helpers!

Today the girls were fooling around, dressing each other goofy:

Tomorrow after church we head down to Grandma and Grandpa's to celebrate Joey's birthday. So life is busy and full and good!

Headin' Out

We are leaving in the morning for Pismo Beach (our last camping trip of the year). Today we have been madly packing and preparing food for the trip. Danny will be here, though, holding down the fort. He might have to do a load or 2 of laundry if he wants clean clothes and he has to fix his own meals, so pray for him, as he's almost as "helpless" as Ralph when it comes to fixing his own food. He even pays Samantha a small weekly fee to make his lunches, so this week he'll have to do that for himself too.

:-)

(Oh, PLEASE, don't feel too sorry for him, I got him all kinds of convenience foods. All he has to do is warm them up.)

We plan to be lazing around on the beach all week, while Danny slaves with his schoolwork and job. Poor guy.

I better get back to work.

Oh Lord, I want to follow You

I woke up yesterday with a list of things to do.

I didn't have much time to talk to You.

I said a brief, "Good morning, Lord," and then I hurried on my way.

I just had so much to do today.

~

Things didn't go right on my crazy, busy day.

I felt my roaming heart begin to stray.

Then I cried in sorrow as I fell upon my knees.

Knowing You would hear my broken pleas.

~

Chorus:

And I said, teach me what it means to follow You.

Show me all that You would have me do.

Mold me, shape me, form me

Into the child You want me to be.

Oh Lord, I want to follow You.

~

I woke up this morning with a list of things to do.

The first thing I did was talk to You.

I gave You all my troubles and I asked You for Your grace.

Help me day by day to seek Your face.

~

You told me to take up my cross and come and follow You

And if I do You'll give me life anew.

So take my life and use me til You call me home someday.

Help me die to self, oh Lord, I pray.

~

Chorus:

Jesus, teach me what it means to follow You.

Show me all that You would have me do.

Mold me, shape me, form me

Into the child You want me to be.

Oh Lord, I want to follow You.

Oh, Jesus, help me follow You.

Green Belts

Nick and Danny were promoted to green belts tonight!

Here is a picture of all those who moved up in belts:
and one of the whole class.

Danny's 9 Things

1. He loves the Lord and wants to serve Him.

2. He's smart.

3. He's funny and goofy sometimes, but you have to know him well to see his goofy side.

4. He's a hard worker.

5. He's dependable.

6. He'll make a great husband and dad some day. But not too soon. :-)

7. He loves karate and chocolate, not sure which comes first.

8. He's our fix-it guy around here.

9. He's very kind to Jackson, and Jackson adores him.