Holes and Gofers and Dogs and Kids

We have gofers!

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We have dogs!

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Our dogs love to chase gofers!

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Gofer mounds are a nuisance!

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But

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The dog holes created from chasing gofers are MUCH MORE impressive. (and a much much bigger nuisance!)

But I guess they aren't a nuisance to everyone around here.

Halloween Happiness

Happy Halloween!

Last night was our town's trick-or-treat festivities.  We "tricked" a few houses and received a few "treats".  Not that the kids need any sugar...but...hey.  We finished the evening at our church's Fall Festival.  As soon as Ryan saw the inflatables he was ready to dump the trick-or-treating scene in favor of some high-bouncing, adrenaline-pumping fun.  However he's not about to dump his bucket of candy.  In the years past he always left his bucket in the...ummm..."care" of his parents, completely oblivious to the gradually dwindling stash of chocolate.  Not this year!  He immediately came home and stashed his loot in a "special" place where no hands (big or small) can oblige.

Evan was a bit confused by all the activities last night.  His concern was felt with a little bit tighter grip on his mom and dad at each house.  Our little socialite seems to be a daytime-only dude.  I don't blame him.  Things (and people) look so much different at night.  I'm sure the excited screams and squeals of all the little monsters, princesses, superheroes and story-book characters added to his confusion.  On the bright side...he left his bucket in his parent's hands, completely oblivious.  Mmm...mmm...mmmm!

This year we have a...

...cute little skeleton

...and a super macho fireman!

And today we decided to mix holidays a little.

This and Last

Sometimes its good to do a little reminiscing. This year and last.  Two great kids, growing so fast.

2010

2011

2010

2011

 

Speaking Cars

This little guy, since he was, oh say...

...about THIS size, has loved cars. Oh wait! Not just loved cars but LOVED cars.  Just today as we were pulling into the drive after picking him up from school this was the conversation:

Ryan (out of the blue):  "Mom I'm very disappointed in you."

Me (somewhat surprised since we had not exchanged more than about 3 words on the drive home):  "Why are you disappointed in me?  What did I do?"

Ryan (very seriously):  "Well...I really wanted to go to Wal-Mart and buy a car.  That's why I'm not very happy with you."

Me:  "Well...sorry."

Slide Races

Ryan and I raced.

I think he won!

Painting Fun

The boys finger-painted the other day.

TOGETHER!

Do You Know My Daddy

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all.

Yeah He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves 

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

How He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all.

Yeah He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves us
O how He loves

--David Crowder Band

Evan, my beautiful, sweet, innocent young son often comes running with arms opened wide and high.  "Hold me".  An innocent plea for love and acceptance.  Comfort.  A plea that leads to a joyful rise to the level of my lips for a gentle kiss.  (His...quite sloppy and wet.)  His head then blissfully rests for a moment or more on my shoulder.  His face snuggles deeply in the softness of my chest.   "I love you Mommy" are the words of his heart, unspoken.  Oh how I love him.  I love both my boys with a love that can't even be described. 

Do you know that love?  More importantly do you know my Daddy?  Some just know God as their "Father", a stately and reverential knowing.  But you can truly know him as your "Daddy", a common and comfortable, pick-me-up-and-hold-me kind of knowing.  Can you crawl up in God's lap? Can you know Him, trust Him, love Him like a child toward his mom?  He wants that.  God wants you to know Him.  His arms are opened wide, beckoning you.  God's love is like a hurricane.  His grace like an ocean.  Will you let His love consume you?  Your Daddy wants you.  Know him.  Love Him. 

I can run to my Daddy with arms opened wide.  "Pick me up".  "Hold me" I say.  I lay my head on His shoulder, bury my face in His chest.  "I love you, Daddy." are the words of my heart, unspoken. 

L...O...V...E...!

I Just Can't Keep Him Out Of The Shower!

Chester's Party Barn

Ryan's little school class went to Chester's Party Barn in Piedmont this week as their fall field trip. Ryan and I went together and had a GREAT time!

Angels

Tonight I'm very thankful this angelic-faced little boy has a guardian angel who's been working overtime.  The cat flushed a spider out of the bedroom and across the floor.  Of all things that could have happened, Evan managed to take off running and stepped on the spider.  Of all other bizarre and crazy things, that stupid, scurrying arachnid was none other than a black widow spider.  Thankfully Evan was not bit and continued laughing and playing unhindered by the the danger that was once creeping underfoot.  I, on the other hand, couldn't shake it that quickly and am just now, several hours later, relaxing.