More fall favorites

Halloween night - costumes - parties - this is one of my favorite things - I absolutely love to see my kids anticipate what they will dress up as each year and watch them get excited about it. Well, in this case, Matt and Jacob had to be forced... but hey, the rest still love it!

Matt and Sherry are sooooo cute - a construction guy and Minnie Mouse....

My two favorite girls in the world!

Gone are the cute, traditional pumpkin faces - now we have stargates, Mac symbols, video game symbols and "puking punkins" (courtesy of Ryan).

A drive to Matt's campus

Today we decided to enjoy the fall colors and take a drive to the campus Matt will start attending in January. Beautiful drive, beautiful campus. We are so excited for Matt - he is going to UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore Campus) to major in financial economics. Since we didn't get the usual "parent weekend" or anything, we decided to drive and see the campus ourselves!

I thought this was the neatest way to send an acceptance letter!!

Matt will soon be walking the trails of this campus, studying his heart out, and starting a whole new chapter of his life...

I LOVE FALL!!!!!

Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the colors, the weather, the decorations, and it is the time of year I got married (hmmm, that explains it!). I can't wait for Starbucks to bring out my all-time favorite - pumpkin spice lattes!! I can't wait to gather leaves with the kids, pick out pumpkins and gourds, and eat roasted pumpkin seeds. I can't wait to go to the Amish Market and buy their delicious pumpkin roll and bake molasses cookies. I love the scent of pumpkin candles, I love the crisp, cooler air, and I love my trips away in the fall with my husband for our anniversary... aaaaaah yes, I certainly do love fall.

This is the beautiful fall display that Hannah made for our table this week.

The focal point of the table...

I love getting out all the fall decorations for the house!

Did I mention that I love fall????

The blessing of house guests

Doug Wilda, Keith (a church-planting intern), Gene Emerson and Matthew Williams

Aaron Campbell

This week we have the honor of hosting Gene Emerson and his whole gang of pastors (five in all) who are here for the Pastor's College. They have come to hear CJ Mahaney teach. This is probably the fourth time we have had these five guys stay with us, and each time is such a blessing to our family. My children sit at the dinner table with five godly, wise, kind men who also happen to be hilarious! It is a joy to watch them relate to each other and to my children as well. I am so grateful that they continue to come back... This year we got to celebrate one of their birthdays! Danny made his famous filet mignon and we had cake and ice cream afterwards - what fun memories! Hannah made a beautiful fall arrangement on the table, and when we lit the candles it was stunning!

I thank the Lord for bringing these opportunities to put before my children examples of men who have devoted their entire lives to serving our amazing God, to caring for His children, and to reaching those who are hurting or lost and need the knowledge of Jesus' love for them. I am grateful to be able to serve them in this small way...

Farewell Faithful Friend...

Yes, it looks like my husband is sobbing, or down-hearted... but he was actually cleaning out our van before we turned it over to my brother. We had to say good-bye to our faithful red van, after many years of memories and trips and laughter and paint smears and food on the floor and long drives to faraway places and accidents (well just the one) and rocks being thrown at us while driving and carpools, and on and on and on... Funny how a hunk of metal can be something we get attached to, huh?

Sweet "little" Ryan

Have you ever seen a plate of chips so beautifully garnished or had them served with a kiss? I was working at my computer today and Ryan came to bless me with a snack! He brought me this little plate of chips all decorated with a garnish of lettuce and grapes! It was soooo sweet! He certainly is learning a lot from his Dad... What a VERY blessed mother I am!!

Love ya Ryan!!!

Happy 40th Margaret!!

Happy 40th dear sister!

Quotes on Sisterhood

There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me. ~Mary Montagu

Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister. ~Katherine Mansfield

I know some sisters who only see each other on Mother's Day and some who will never speak again. But most are like my sister and me... linked by volatile love, best friends who make other best friends ever so slightly less best. ~Patricia Volk

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert

Cathy -

Thank you for being such a wonderful, caring, generous, loving and supportive sister for all of your 40 years. (well, maybe not the first few!! haha) In every situation I have faced, you have been there to rejoice with me, laugh with me, or cry and pray with me.

I know that I can share absolutely anything with you and you will still love me anyway. You put my foolish fears to rest, make sense of confusing circumstances, and empathize with my weaknesses. You have taught me how to cook, how to decorate, and so much more. (I still can't cook or decorate, but I am still learning from you!!)

You are always generous towards others, looking for ways to bless them, and putting their interests above your own. You love the unlovable, reach out to unbelievers, and are a blessing to all of your friends. You go out of your way to make sure others have a special meal, or a special anniversary (even sneaking to the hotel to decorate rooms!) and have much compassion for others hurts.

You love your boys and you try to make their childhood memories full of fun. I know they will remember all the laughter and silly things you make them do!! You cook wonderful, healthy gourmet meals every day, and you go all out for their birthdays. You use your talents to serve your church, and take on more than you should.

My prayer for you this season is that as you have refreshed others, you will yourself be refreshed. That as you seek Him, He will fill you with an awareness of His love for you as His precious daughter, that He will fill you with grace to accomplish all that He has called you to do. That you will wake up each morning filled with lightheartedness, joy and peace. That you will find your joy complete in Him...

Wish I was there to help you celebrate this day!

Love you lots!!

(p.s. Jacob made the video for you!!)