Halloween Library Storytime

Here's my ferocious alligator!

We went to our weekly story time at our local library.  Our librarian reads several stories.  Then we have craft time and B. gets to play with balls or crawl through the tunnel.  So fun!  We look forward to heading the library and getting new books each week.   Gotta love the library!

Fun with Permanent Marker

I found these pictures on my camera and I guess I forgot to post them.  B. had a little fun with a permanent magic marker...sharpie to be exact.  She proudly showed me the places that she had colored too.  This seems to be quite the temptation for her lately.  She has already had to go without coloring for a week b/c of coloring on the floor and her doll house.  When I saw the marker all over my frig and her feeding table, I thought I'd be living with the marks until we were able to afford the frig we really want.  But  I hopped on the internet and googled about how to get them off.  I found a mom blog that was able to give me some suggestions as to how to get it off.  The item of choice?  Magic Eraser.  It truly is magic.   It got everything off of her feeding table and removed the black from the frig, but left a little yellow stain.  I was thankful that it wasn't noticeable anymore.   Oh, life with a two year old.

A Dream Realized

I am finally doing it!  For a long time, I have really wanted to write my own bible study.  I absolutely love to study!  After finally getting a weekly schedule together for myself, I have made time to write.  (I recently read this great book called 168 hours: You Have More Time Than You Think by Laura Vanderkam.  It was great reading.  She had some wonderful ideas and really helps you to realize how much time you really do have if you're disciplined.)  My mom and I are starting a blog together to share the bible studies.  I'm pretty excited especially to work with my mom on this awesome project.  I'll be sharing the link as soon as things are up and running.

Brooke's Phrases lately

Just had to record these so I don't forget them.  She just loves the movie Cars.  She call Lightning McQueen---"Lightning the Queen" but her absolute favorite is Mater.

While Tom was outside working on her windows, B. was playing in her sandbox.  Every time Tom got up on the ladder, B. would run over and say, "Be careful, Tom!"  Wonder where she heard that one. :)

The other day Tom was looking for his wallet and b. wanted to help.  He knew it was up on the dresser, so he picked B. up and as she picked it up off of his dresser she said, "I saved the day!"

And then one morning while Tom was getting ready to leave for work, B. made sure he had his lunch and then said, "By Honey."

We went through the drive-thru at mcdonald's to get a smoothie.  When b. heard us order a smoothie, she exclaimed, "A SMOVIE!!!"

Her language skills are increasing everyday.  She's using more and more adjectives to describe her nouns.  Such fun!  And the things coming out of her mouth are quite hilarious at times...at other times not so funny.  So thankful for this little girl.

Fireman B. and Firemonkey George

On Thursday night we went with our friends, to the local fire department's open house.  We even got to ride in the fire truck.  That was a first for our family!  B. had a great time; although, you can tell that she's getting  a little tired in the pictures.

Exploring Our Town with Friends

Our friends were able to spend the weekend with us exploring our great city.  B. and Jillian are best buddies.  B. just adores Jillian, and they had so much fun together this past weekend.  We were able to head around town and see the ArtWalk that was going on and introduce our friends to some amazing local restaurants.  We had a great time staying up late and playing super mario brothers with 4 people....and yes, it got a little crazy with that many people playing at once.
It was so great to be able to catch up with them and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  We're so grateful for good friends.

Click Here to view more photos of the day.

Thinking about Heaven

This past Sunday tears flowed from my eyes as I tried to sing through the song There is a Higher Throne by Kristyn Getty.  It made me think about Matt and what is must be like for him in heaven.  And then singing and thinking about the phrase of Christ wiping away all of our tears....so many tears to wipe away from my life here on this fallen planet.  No doubt fall is always a hard time for me.  The colder weather, leaves turning and the smell of fall always start me thinking about my brother.  October 8th is coming up soon...Friday to be exact.  Even though 11 years have past, the hurt is still the same.  I miss him terribly.  He was the best brother ever...and best friend.  I miss you!!

 

There is a Higher Throne

by Kristyn Getty

There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known,
Where faithful ones from ev'ry tongue
Will one day come.
Before the Son we'll stand,
Made faultless through the Lamb;
Believing hearts find promised grace—
Salvation comes.

Hear heaven's voices sing;
Their thund'rous anthem rings
Through em'rald courts and sapphire skies.
Their praises rise.
All glory, wisdom, pow'r,
Strength, thanks, and honor are
To God our King, who reigns on high
Forevermore.

And there we'll find our home,
Our life before the throne;
We'll honor Him in perfect song
Where we belong.
He'll wipe each tear-stained eye
As thirst and hunger die.
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King;
We'll reign with Him.