Today's Thanks

Today I am thankful for

my husband's safety every day that he goes to

and comes home from work.

(Dad is the yellow helmet on the far right.)

Wordless Wednesday x2

That just cracked me up... For more Wordless Wednesday,

visit Wordless Wednesday HQ

or 5 Minutes for Mom

At Alex's birthday party a few weeks ago

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Today I am thankful for

blogging friends,

new and old!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

David's talking more & more as time goes by. I have found myself telling him to stop talking (at bedtime) or to be quiet ("inside voice"), but I have still never said I wish he didn't talk so much. It's still sweet music to my ears... even if it's too loud or way past bedtime!

David was in the bedroom one afternoon & started crying. I went to check on him & found him where I had seen Fluff, a large cat, sleeping earlier. I asked him if something was hurting?

David: Uh-huh

Mom: What hurts?

David: I hurt Fluff's teeth!

One day, David remembered an episode of Super Why:

David: Peter Piper

Mom: What did Peter Piper pick?

David: A shell.

As we prepared for MawMaw's 50th birthday party last weekend, David really got into it. He was animate about getting a package of spinning party favors and M&M cookies. When we were at the store, though, he saw a huge pink Mylar balloon in the shape of a crown that read, "Princess" in a pretty script. As soon as he saw it, he said, "Need the big pink balloon for Elizabeth!"

How sweet that he was thinking of his sister!

As he made laps through the kitchen one day, he repeated his Cubbies verse from a few weeks ago, "I am wonderfully made! I am wonderfully made! I am wonderfully made!" Lather, rinse, repeat.

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Count your blessings this week. The tiny talkers in our houses are definitely something to be thankful for!

Read more Tiny Talk at Not Before 7.

MawMaw Turns 50!

How 'bout that! (The shirt was from us!) MawMaw turned 50 on Saturday & we celebrated with a big party at Grana & Papa's house. Grana won the playhouse (below) at this year's PTO carnival!

David kept his distance from the fire pit, but was very intrigued by Dad & Uncle Phil roasting wieners. I think we needed longer sticks, myself!

David just had to have these party favors for MawMaw's party, but they were indeed a big hit with all the kids (and a few adults, too!).

Time to think about what you're thankful for: I am thankful that we've been able to share in so many family birthday celebrations since we've moved back... and thankful for those family members who've had birthdays!

My nephew, Jesse, turned 11 on Sunday. Maybe his dad or Grandpa will get some pictures of that birthday dinner posted this week...

Happy Halloween!

UPDATED to add this link to more photos

from Uncle Bubba:
Trunk or Treat 2007

This year for Halloween,

David was dressed as Super David, with the Power to Help!

(Super Why fans will understand that!)

Elizabeth was a ballerina.

We went to MawMaw's house,

then to Trunk or Treat at church.

David had so much fun!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

David spent some time with MawMaw on Sunday evening. When she brought him home, I had lit the candle in the jack-o-lantern outside. I told David to show MawMaw his pumpkin, so he took her across the yard, pointing at it. When we got to the pumpkin, he took the lid off and looked inside saying, "Jesus is inside the pumpkin."

"What?" asked MawMaw, unsure that she heard what she thought she heard. So I explained that in The Pumpkin Patch Parable, the farmer compares his jack-o-lantern with the candle inside to the light of Jesus shining inside us.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

I haven't tried to teach David the words to the LarryBoy theme song, but perhaps I should...

See more Tiny Talk Tuesday over at Not Before 7!

Thinking about Thanksgiving? My sister has written an eBook called Give Thanks that she's selling at the Homeschool eStore. It has readings for each day from last Sunday through Thanksgiving Day. I've also compiled a list of Thanksgiving books in my Amazon store.

Ride Outs

This is the happy face

I found this morning at 5:15 a.m.

for the first day of ride outs!

What a good husband I have to pose in his new floor uniform for me to document!

It was pretty chilly, so he wore the new jacket this morning, too. Funny thing is that the shoulders, arms & placket all had a very light gray grid printed on them. We didn't realize it was all reflective until I took the pictures and he lit up!

Of course, I am very glad that he will be so visible at night if he's working a traffic accident or something! Here he is heading out the door...

He called this evening to say he did get to slide down the pole! : )

Here's some pics from training.


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)

Pumpkin Carving

Friday evening we finally cut into Mr. Pumpkin. This was David's first time to "help" carving a pumpkin.

David was quick to say, "No... ok!" (which means NO) to touching the slimy insides, but he watched intently and was excited about the triangle eyes & nose!





So what do ya think?
Dad said we should have
made a scary pumpkin.
I told him he'd have to
do his own!

Elizabeth just enjoyed

being outside.

Doesn't she look cute

in that little hat that

Aunt Sissy crocheted?

Photo Tag: Autumn

Won't you join me for a little fall fun this week? Your pictures do not have to include kids or pumpkins - be creative and interpret the theme however you want! If you're playing along, be sure to sign the Linky at the bottom & link back to this post on your post.

On Monday, I could hold out no longer and bought a big pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern with David. Later in the day, Grandpa went shopping too & also bought a pumpkin! Great minds... We'll be carving our pumpkin this weekend.

Please pray for David as he tries to get over this nasty congestion he's had to miss Cubbies and a trip to the zoo because of it.

Thursday's Happy Birthday goes out to Aunt Erin! This concludes our week of birthdays!

Click below to add your photo tag post:

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

To see more Wordless Wednesday photos:

Wordless Wednesday HQ

5 Minutes for Mom

Come back Friday for Photo Tag!

This week's theme: Autumn