David's pumpkins

Dave carved these pumpkins for us today. He's skilled!

A kitty for meA bat for Paige

Scooby Doo for Emma

Beloved Brother Stan

Father, we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to know and love Stan. By Your grace and design he was a man who truly loved You. He took an active interest in the lives of the young people of our church, especially the young men--taking the time to learn their interests. Every Sunday he would greet us with a happy smile, and he would inquire after our lives. He really wanted to get to know us better. And he did such a wonderful job of always bringing honor and glory back to You. Every conversation one had with him he would mention You and the way that You had been working in His life and ours. He was filled with Godly wisdom. His heartfelt prayers on Sunday uplifted the listener. We thank You for the way that You worked in his life; making him more like Your Son each day. And we praise You now for calling Him home.

♫ I like bread and butter. I like toast and jam. ♫

"Fill 'er up!" Thanks to all who voted on my last poll. Dave and I were talking while I was thinking of the poll topic, and somehow he mentioned gasoline. That spurned the whole "toast with gasoline references". He did say afterwards that I should have had a choice for "Diesel--burnt toast". ☺ I've only known of one person in my entire 28 years of life who liked burnt toast: my cousin Jeff. And since he doesn't read my blog I am thinking no one would have picked that choice anyways. But if you would have chosen that be sure to leave me a comment about it. ☺

So here is how things stacked up:

• 2 people like French Toast
• 3 voters enjoy their toast with butter
• 4, the majority, eat their toast with either peanut butter on top or jam or jelly or some combination

I chose French Toast because it's "dee baste". (That's "the best" with a Spanish accent.) Every Monday I join David and his dad for breakfast at Joni's restaurant in town, and I order their French Toast. It's delicious. I also buy French Toast Sticks for at home. If you've never had those, well, they are a great breakfast treat.

Some random toast facts from our family:

• Paige eats peanut butter toast every day.
• Dave introduced me to his special way of making toast: butter the toast then sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar. Yum! I made this for Abby a few weeks ago, and Paige and Emma saw me making it, and they wanted to try it. Their verdict: they loved it as well. Now they call it "Daddy's toast".
• My brother ate a lot of toasted peanut butter sandwiches growing up. This earned him the nickname "Bunco bunco peanut butter sandwich". (I sure hope he doesn't mind me sharing that with the world. Ehhh...) The name stuck, and even now his nephews and nieces call him "Uncle Bunco".

The next few polls have all been suggested by David. ☺

Every little bit counts

I stepped onto the bathroom scale to weigh myself the other night. I should state that I weigh myself almost every day. I like to know where I'm at, so to speak. David, on the other hand, does not weigh himself. Now, he was in the room with me when I was on the scale, and seeing what my weight was--it was the same as it's been for years--David decided to weigh himself after I did. He stood on the scale, waited for the digital reading to settle on a number, looked at the number, paused for a bit, and then he said, "Maybe I should take my watch off."

Asking for prayer

Despite attending church, despite biweekly Bible studies in our home, and despite reading the Word to my girls and teaching them Bible lessons during our home school, I feel spiritually lazy. I know that Pastor has said before that we have periods in our lives that are marked by strong spiritual growth followed by a period of dropping off. Lately I feel as if I'm in the latter category. When this happens to me my prayer life tends to drop off as well, and I start just "riding the waves" of life without much focus on God and how HE'S the one controlling my life, and I ought to be praising and thanking Him or coming before Him on my knees. I tend to think, "Things are okay so I don't need to pray."

Please pray that I would have a zeal for our Father and a desire to bring glory to Him in all areas of my life and also that my focus would be directed at Him and not at the world around me.

Nothing says "I love you" like an funny burn

Last night Dave was watching television while I was nearby using the computer. A commercial came on with loud music playing. I started to "chair dance", and I was really getting into it. I was mostly goofing around and flailing my arms in an admittedly ridiculous manner. Dave turned to look at me, and he said (straight-faced), "Are you having a seizure?"

I'm gifted. ☺

Piano funny

Today Paige had a piano lesson with Miss Ana. Ana was helping Paige with her dynamics and tempo of Paige's arpeggios. Ana cleverly was using animal analogies to aid Paige in understanding how loud and fast she should be playing. When Ana asked Paige what her favorite animal was, I expected Paige to answer with something like a cat or a dog. She said a penguin. ... A penguin! I had to try really hard to not laugh out loud at that.

School funnies

• Yesterday during school Emma and I were reviewing shapes. I drew a shape, and then she said what it was. Square, rectangle, triangle, etc. When we got to hexagon, she promptly said it was a hexagon. Then I drew an octagon. Emma laughed, and said, "ummm...lexagon? Bexagon? Dexagon?" I'd like to see how many sides THOSE shapes have. : )
• Part of our Phonics and Reading program consists of reading comprehension. Yesterday's story was about a boy named Thad who was doing Math problems. He needed some counters to use to help him figure out the correct answer, and he wanted to use pencils. But he couldn't find his pencils in his desk. Then he remembered where he had put them: in a box. Thad replied, "Thanks, Good Lord, for helping me remember." So after I read the story I asked the discussion questions. Normally Emma answers them all and Paige just listens. Well this time Paige must have been paying extra attention as she answered all the questions first, and then Emma would just repeat Paige's answer. On the final question I asked, "Where did Thad find his pencils?" Paige immediately answered, "in a box." Well Emma must have been off in la-la land because after about 2 seconds after Paige gave her answer Emma just said, "Lord."

You'd eat that?!?

My last poll made me laugh heartily when I thought of it. I hope you thought it was humorous and random as well. : ) I mean, who would seriously eat those choices?? I chose an armadillo for no real reason other than it seemed the least offensive. One person would eat a skunk, two would devour a porcupine, and six were divided evenly between an armadillo and a wolverine. I hope to never see any of those animals offered as a menu choice.

Now I want to know: How do you like your toast? ☺

Simple Experiment

My Mom told me about this easy experiment this morning. We had to try it immediately. : )

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

~~ Abby, Emma, Paige...and the wagon also has a mysterious leg. ~~

~~ Paigey Wagey ~~


~~ Emma Noodle ~~

~~ Abba Gabba ~~

~~ Abby and Max ~~

Random tidbits

1. Poll result--->Way to mend those pants, people. I have two pairs of jeans now with holes in the knees. My mother-in-law has fixed one pair, but sadly, they just ripped again AROUND the patch. I have decided just to wear both pairs as is. Here's the clincher: they were both the most expensive pants I've ever purchased, and they both tore. I suppose it's because the fabric was softer and had less spandex which basically means less recovery.

2. Dave and I went to the Twins versus the Yankees playoff game on Sunday night. We lost. Again. Third loss against the Yankees in that series, so now our playoff chances are over. But the funniest part of the evening was towards the end of game, the crowd had died down because we were losing, and it looked like we had no chance of coming back (which we didn't). All of a sudden a guy jumped over the grandstand wall between the Yankees dugout and home plate, and he ran onto the field! He was instantly chased by 10 security guards, and he kept running! They couldn't catch him. He made it all the way to the outfield wall, and was attempting to climb over it when the guards yanked him down. THAT got the crowd onto its feet again. ☺

3. On the drive home from the game Dave and I had to slow down for an animal crossing the road. Here it was a coyote. I have never seen one in the wild before; only at a zoo. Kind of scary, actually, but neat nonetheless.

Another sure sign that winter is coming...

This tree literally dropped 3/4 of its leaves between last night and this morning. They didn't even change colors; they just fell off while still green!

Where do you spend your money?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. -Philippians 4:8

Last night at our Friday night Bible study Pastor Phil presented the idea what we all have "thought money". We are all familiar with the question, "What do you spend your money on?" Well, take that same question and apply it with "thought money". Where do you spend your "focus dollars"? Are you thinking about our Father and His Son? Are you meditating on things that the Apostle Paul described as "true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and are praiseworthy"? Or does your mind flit to "earthly, soulish, and demonic" things? [James 3:15-16]

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. -Colossians 3:2

My elder gymnast

The don't call it "The Great White North" for nothing

We are close enough to Canada that I can call Minnesota by that name.

Maybe El Niño is correct, and we WILL be having a warmer winter. Warmer winters=lots of snow.

First snowfall of the season. Enjoy!

Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers [Division Championship Tiebreaking Game]

After the Twins beat the Royals on Sunday, Daniel immediately went online to get tickets for the tie breaking game on Tuesday night against the Tigers. He got us great seats! And more importantly, WE WON!!

Pictures: [1] Dan, Marja, Me

[3] David

TRUE Strength Comes From One Source

Our Bible lesson in school today centered around Ephesians 6:10: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." This verse always make me think of the hymn that bears the same expression. VERY encouraging words, and it was a good reminder for me considering my last post was about fear of the dark/unknown.

Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage

Your mighty Defender is always the same

Mount up with wings as the eagle ascending

Victory is sure when you call on His name

Be strong be strong be strong in the Lord

And be of good courage for He is your guide

Be strong be strong be strong in the Lord

And rejoice for the victory is yours

So put on the armor the Lord has provided

And place your defense in His unfailing care

Trust Him for He will be with you in battle

Lighting your path to avoid every snare

Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage

Your mighty Commander will vanquish the foe

Fear not the battle for the victory is always His

He will protect you wherever you go

Yes, I AM ridiculous.

I was encouraged to see this past week that I was not the only person to be afraid of the dark. Thank you fellow poll voter! Maybe others think that our fear is irrational, but they just don't know what kind of scary scenarios play around in our heads. There could be an intruder hiding behind a closed door, or maybe a burglar has picked a lock in the middle of the night and plans to rob our house. *shudder* So whoever you are you can rest assured that I will ALWAYS leave a light on for you until you have entered the next room and have turned on the light in that room. I've got your back. *wink*

Four people weren't afraid of the dark at all, and the remaining three were only a little spooked when they were left alone. I think it goes without saying that I don't like being alone at night either.

I should point out that yes, I know that God is with me, and therefore what should I fear? But like I previously mentioned, there are things and people out in this world that are just plain evil, and it's hard not to be aware of them. But when I'm afraid I should turn to Jesus and cry out to Him. Prayer always brings comfort. ☺
~~....~~
Well, on to a more cheerful poll. My favorite pair of jeans (and my most expensive pair) has not one, but two holes in them. What would you do in a similar situation?

Baby bragger

For several months now I have daily pointed out the kitties to Abigail. I usually say something to the affect of, "Kitty!" or "Where is the kitty?" And I make Abby pet them, and I say, "Nice kitty." Etc. etc.

Finally this morning a cat came into her room, and I said "kitty" again, and Abby repeated it! Three times she said it! It sounded more like "itty", but hey, that totally counts! ☺

Normally when a baby does something like this you want to show off their new ability. And usually they fail to perform in front of others. But, during lunch hour I brought Princess Ali to Abigail, and she said "kitty" again, this time in front of David. We were thrilled. And she actually repeated my "kitty, yeah". *beaming to myself*

"New" rooms

Last weekend David moved his drums to the garage. (Silently saying "yay" to myself. *wink*) (By the way, "Love ya, Hon!") Anyways... ☺ Since he moved his drums out of the basement there was left a large open area in their place in the downstairs family room.

Now, since Dave put up the new shelves in the den we have been debating about where we could put the Christmas tree this year as one of the shelves is now in the area where the tree usually goes. Discussing the tree and noticing the empty area in the basement led to an epiphany: We decided to move the computer desk down to the family room in the basement. ☺

So over lunch hour today David started to move the computer desk. It is now situated nicely in the family room, and it actually makes the room look cozier if that's possible considering it's a computer desk.

In the den there was left a large, open corner. David smiled and said, "A grand piano could go here." Yes, one WOULD look fabulous in that space. But...considering we our current piano was FREE I think it will be many years before we get a grand. So Dave moved our piano in the computer's old spot. I like it here much better as it makes the den look more formal somehow, although a grand would make it look especially regal. ;-)