Being Thankful

November is a great time to emphasize gratitude with your children. This year we decided to focus on one thing we are thankful for each day of the month. We write it out on a cut-out and place it on the pantry door in our kitchen. This is a place that we will see many times a day. I love having this reminder every day!





The heart that is constantly overflowing with gratitude will be safe from those attacks of resentfulness and gloom that bother so many persons.
-A.W. Tozer

Enjoying Every Season

I haven't always been the biggest fan of fall because it means the cold weather is coming soon. I hate snow. I hate feeling swaddled with clothes. I just plain hate the cold weather. I also hate racking leaves. (As you can see by the tremendous pile in our yard!)
This year I have decided to look at this season with new eyes. Maybe it's because we have a toddler who is experiencing fall for the first time. Maybe God is just trying to teach me to enjoy every season of life instead of only enjoying the ones that I like.
I never realized how much your attitude can effect your outlook. Normally, I would look at the front yard and be upset because we have to rack leaves. Now, I am looking at the leaves as a chance for Michaela to play. To watch the dog run through the front yard. To explore the leave and to feel the texture. To teach her about God and the beautiful creation He has made.
Today I am thankful for a new attitude. I am thankful for the different seasons of life we get to enjoy...no matter how much we may not like them.

Michaela's First Vote

Everyone needs to vote when they have the chance. I think it is something that parents need to instill into their children at an early age. Hence, Michaela's first voting experience. I know she probably didn't understand what we were doing but I know in the coming years she will.

I didn't have my camera with me when she actually filled in her ballot and placed it in the box. We were at Aunt Gail and Uncle Matt's house. I did take some pictures of the ballot and the 'vote collector'.

Trunk-or-Treat

Halloween was the first holiday that we were celebrating for the second time. Can I just say that time goes by way too quick?! This year Michaela was a lady bug. If I haven't told you, my child does not smile for pictures any more. I'm lucky if she even looks at the camera! She has not interest in pictures at all. Hopefully we can change her mind about that!

This is the back of the costume. I loved the wings!

Despite the look on her face I believe she had a good time.

OK. I have to admit something. As soon as we got home, I dumped out the candy and sorted it. It brought back found memories of my childhood!

No Matter Who Wins

10 PREDICTIONS NO MATTER WHO WINS THE ELECTION

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed teaching and healing.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL!

Lightbulb Moments

Every day that passes, I feel Michaela slipping away from a baby to a little girl. It seems that in the past few weeks, she has grown so much. Her language is improving vastly every day and her motor skills are becoming more precise as well.
This week she finally understood the concept of a few of her toys that she has played with for months. It almost seemed like a lightbulb went off in her head.

This is a simple wooden stacking toy. She used to turn it over, take the rings off and crawl away. On this occasion she finally understood that she is suppose to put them back on! After she would build the stack she would look at me, smile and clap for herself. I am so proud of her for figuring this out all by herself.

You can see the look of concentration on her face.
If her tongue isn't out, the mouth is at least open!

It isn't quite in the correct order but we can take baby steps to get there.

This fun little toy is always on our fridge. Typically she would play the music and dance. Put on this day she finally understood that the pieces to the animals go in the barn. She even matched them up correctly. Once she learned to do this she repeated this over and over again. Clapping for herself at the end every time!

This was her first match!
I never knew it was possible to be so proud of your children for the smallest accomplishments!

I am so thankful that God has given us Michaela. It has been such a blessing to watch her blossom and become a toddler.

Our first Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we carved Michaela's first pumpkin. It was actually a first for all of us. We had a pretty good time. Don't be fooled by the pictures though. She got very bored in between all of the steps so Mommy had to keep her entertained. I think next year will be more enjoyable for us.

She is watching Daddy cut off the top.

She only used the scoop a few times. She didn't really like the texture of the guts.
She is definitely a girl!

She got to help Daddy draw the outline on the pumpkin.
While Daddy cut the pumpkin, Michaela and I talked about the seeds. Then I let her work on transferring the seeds from one bowl to another. This actually kept her occupied for a while.
But of course, that wouldn't last!
She is learning to be such a great helper. She helped us clean up all of the pumpkin leftovers.
Here she is with her first pumpkin. If only we could get her to smile for pictures these days!The final product...