Halloween Alternative

October 31st is my Mom's birthday and fall is my favorite season. Yet we do not celebrate Halloween. This year we are throwing the party for my Mom & Sister and of course it falls on the 31st. Over the past few years we have not been home so we did not have the challenge of trying to figure out 'what to do' & 'what not do'. This year we felt led to do the following...

Carve our pumpkin with the name of ~ JESUS

Let your light shine :)

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

We will have a big bowl of candy outside on a self serve table with our JESUS pumpkin and this sign above posted. It is meant to represent TRUTH and LOVE...not to offend or hurt anyone.

My friend Leigh Ann at Devoted Living had a guest post at Impress Your Kids that is wonderful about this topic. Check it out here.

B.P.S.- Bull Riders Weekend

This was a neat craft to hammer designs into the leather key chains.

Great try Mia!

Nice try Madeline!

Mia- the rodeo clown :)

Madeline wanted to clear her glasses :)

It's a race...who will win?

Mom/Grandma relaxing in these comfy, camo recliners.

Daniel Boone coon hat...only $3.95

Just love our country girls :)

It felt so good to just sit a minute...aaahhhh :)

Will E. Bite from Gatorland was there again too!

This was really cool...I think it was called a fishing rocket?

A Hit...Despite the Adversity!

The garage sale was a success. The girls did very well with their sales...a few cents from $30.00. Madeline made sure to give every potential customer the rundown on what she was selling...whether they wanted to be informed or not. :)

Here are the leftovers that will be donated...not too much left.

I would have loved to sell more of the girls clothes, I am grateful for what did go though.

We are selling the girls STEP 2 picnic table w/ umbrella. Anyone interested that is local...we'll make you a good deal!!

I'll probably Craigslist the bigger items.

This was my sister's table...just one leg needs to be stained is all.

It was a gorgeous day, high in the 60's. The only challenge we had was during peak traffic time. We realized that someone stole all 6 of our signs that were up. We must make some pretty cool signs...the sale we had back in May someone asked if they could buy them. We said no, but you may borrow them. They did and really did bring them back! It was a bummer because these were the signs we had purchased for Roy's business with a poster board over them. I just hope we don't see them up this weekend in our area...not sure what we'd do.

Scenery Change

For a while now we having been driving 30 minutes to go to church. The Lord has called us in a different direction recently though. We have joined a church, still 30 minutes away... however, it is due west of us vs. due east. This drive is full of views of the open country vs. the hectic city route we used to take. We are very grateful for this peaceful drive twice a week and also look forward to all the plans the Lord has in store for us all planted in this new church home.

The girls are preparing right now for a Christmas Pageant they will be in...we can't wait!! :)

~ Smoky Mountains ~

Click here to view these pictures larger

Here are some beautiful shots from my mom & aunt's trip to the Smoky Mountains a couple weeks ago. Oh, how I miss it there! I have one question...when can we move?

Glorious...so Glorious!!

His work is honorable and glorious, And His righteousness endures forever.
~ Psalm 111:3


I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.
~ Psalm 145:5

A Lovely Giveaway

They’ve had a big surprise in the works that is finally unveiled: the Daughters of His Story Paper Doll Series of Historical Women in Christ’s Kingdom from their new home business website, Noble Rose Press. This is Emily Rose and Breezy, creators of these fine sets.

There are three Daughters of His Story sets of paper dolls, each containing two historical women:

• Collection One features two ladies from the Reformation: Katharina von Bora (hospitable wife of Martin Luther the great reformer) and Idelette Calvin (caring wife of John Calvin the great theologian).
• Collection Two features two ladies from the 1700’s: Abigail Adams (encouraging wife of our second president, John Adams) and Sarah Edwards (diligent wife of Jonathan Edwards the great preacher).
• Collection Three features two ladies from the 1600’s: Pocahontas (peacemaking ally of Jamestown who married John Rolfe) and Priscilla Mullins (faithful pilgrim who came to America on the Mayflower and married John Alden).

They can be purchased individually or in a bundled set. Just visit My Home Sweet Home for the giveaway and the details on how to enter. It is very simple and you'll enjoy these gals & their blogs too.

Favorite This... Favorite That...

My favorite pic of my Hubby~ reminds me of our dating days :)

Favorite season~ Fall

Favorite backyard friend~ the squirrel (on the BBQ grill)

Favorite time to watch the kids~ while playing music

Favorite Puppy~ Molly

Favorite Candy~ Smoky Mountain Taffy Logs from Gatlinburg, TN

Lunch...Just Us Girls!

We had a nice lunch on Monday at The White Wolf Cafe in the Lake Ivanhoe area. The food was great and the company even better.

Aunt Jan :)

Mom & Darlene

Madeline

Mia & me

It was a neat place that also buys & sells antiques. It was very popular at lunch for the marketplace...just a bit noisy. No complaints though...we still enjoyed our sister time together!

A Sweet Surprise

We had planned to visit Holyland on Tuesday. It was free for everyone that day. I got a call from one friend who was on her way and caught in some serious traffic on I-4. Another friend said that they closed before they opened the park because they were full. However, if you go in person you can get a rain check to come back on another day by the end of the month. We did go and fight the traffic to get the rainchecks for the four of us. My friend, Michelle who we had planned to go there with us was trying to figure something else for us to do. She called me back and said..."Do you want to go to Disney?" I said, ABSOLUTELY!! So we were very surprised and blessed to be able to go with our sweet friends to the Magic Kingdom for the day. We had so much fun!!! Here are a few pics from the day... (Okay, a lot of pics...lol!!).

Michelle & Sarah

Me, Mia & Madi

Such beautiful fall decorations!

End of the parade

so pretty :)

Line at 'The Jungle Cruise'

Big Thunder Mountain- wait less than 5 minutes

The girls first time to ride alone (without Mom or Dad)

Splash Mountain- only 10-15 minute wait

Cinderella

Sleeping Beauty- Michelle's favorite :)

Belle

~SEE YA REAL SOON!~

Disney's newest addition to the vacation club...Bay Lake.

Monorail in...ferry out!

Monorail in the background.

We had such a blast Michelle & Sarah...even despite the heat!!! Thank you so much for blessing us with such a fun day. Love you all... :)