Click Here For Free Blog Templates!!!
Blogaholic Designs

"Because I Said So"

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween

Jack-O'- Lanterns carved.
Halloween supper with
Halloween Pasta because it's just so stinkin' cute.
 Dwight, Cosette and AJ wanted to be Nintendo characters. AJ was Toad.
 Dwight was Mario.
Cosette was Princess Peach.
I love this picture (although it's missing the older kids which makes me miss when Gabriel, Garrison and Grace were little and dressed up for Halloween).

Sweet Candy

After eating some Halloween candy (early) AJ asked me, "I wonder which tooth is my sweet tooth and which teeth are my normal teeth? How do you know where your sweet tooth is in your mouth?"

Reformation Day

Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason, and not by Popes and Councils who have so often contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot, and will not, recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me.


1 A mighty fortress is our God,
A trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from ev'ry need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On earth is not his equal.

2 With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.

3 Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpow'r us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

4 The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Let these all be gone,
Our vict'ry has been won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Saturday, October 29, 2011

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

By: Martin Luther *

Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;
Curb those who by deceit or sword
Would wrest the kingdom from your Son
And bring to naught all He has done.

Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known,
For you are Lord of lords alone;
Defend your holy Church that we
May sing your praise eternally.

O Comforter of priceless worth,
Send peace and unity on earth;
Support us in our final strife
And lead us out of death to life.

*Luther wrote this prayer at a time of political and religious unrest. Yet we can look back and see that God listened to the prayers of His people and preserved them. This serves to remind us that we can sing this prayer joyfully, remembering the promise of Romans 8:

38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I love that Dwight, Cosette and AJ are learning this hymn in chapel. It is truly beautiful. Tonight, as I heard Cosette singing it in her room, I am thankful for Martin Luther and for being Lutheran.

World Series Champions 2011

St. Louis Cardinals
Friday, October 28, 2011

Go Cardinals!

It's been a crazy week of World Series games for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. Being a Cardinal fan since birth (I really had no choice in the matter) watching the games just comes with the territory. Last night though, Game 6 was a little intense. Ok, a lot intense. I couldn't even sleep when it was over. Amazing baseball.
Even if the Cardinals lose Game 7 tonight and aren't the World Series Champions for 2011. Game 6 will probably go down in history as one of the best world series games ever and that's enough for me.
Go Cardinals!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Return To Pooh Corner

When Dwight was just a little baby, he really took to music. He could be screaming his head off (which was often it seemed) but as soon as someone started singing to him, especially Gregg, he would calm right down. Dwight still loves music and still loves to sing. It's a beautiful thing.
 Return To Pooh Corner by Kenny Loggins was one of Dwight's favorite lullabies. I still tear up when I hear it because it reminds me how much Dwight has grown since those tiny baby days when I would rock him to sleep.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fall

Every leaf speaks bliss to me,
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
Emily Bronte

The fall colors (and weather) are finally showing up in Billings. Bring on the warm soup and hot chocolate.
Monday, October 17, 2011

Grace

Back in September, Grace was reading this Art & Antiques Magazine. We were at brunch so I asked my mother-in-law to take the picture. I love this picture so much. I love that Grace loves to lounge at her Grammie's house. I love that she is reading an artsy magazine because it shows the two things she loves the most in the same shot-reading and art. I love the position of the woman's face on the cover (not planned at all). I just love the whole picture. I just love Grace. The End.

Mimi Time

While I've been held hostage at our little classical Lutheran school for the past 6 days substitute teaching (and it's not over yet), AJ has been enjoying some extra Mimi time.
Harvesting Carrots
Cleaning Carrots
Eating Carrots

A Tea Party with Homemade Donuts and
Gingerbread Spice Tea
 Playing Shut the Box
Playing at AJ's Store
A city bus ride
  to the Western Heritage Museum
 which used to be the old Parmly Billings Library a long time ago.
AJ always has a good time with his Mimi. Thanks Mimi.
Saturday, October 15, 2011

All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins: Our first game is called Well Begun is Half-Done.
Michael: I don't like the sound of that.
Mary Poppins: Otherwise titled Let's Tidy up the Nursery.
Michael: I told you she was tricky.


[Mary Poppins measures herself with her tape measure and reads what it says]
Mary Poppins: As I expected. "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way."
 
Mary Poppins: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!
 
Mary Poppins: Close your mouth, please, Michael. We are not a codfish.
 
 
Mary Poppins: [singing] Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.
 
Mr. Banks: Just a moment, Mary Poppins. What is the meaning of this outrage?
Mary Poppins: I beg your pardon?
Mr. Banks: Will you be good enough to explain all this?
Mary Poppins: First of all, I would like to make one thing quite clear.
Mr. Banks: Yes?
Mary Poppins: I never explain anything.
 
 
Mary Poppins: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.


 
Mary Poppins isn't even in this scene (although she does get mentioned.) I tear up every time I see it-especially 2:50-3:50.

 

 
Thursday, October 13, 2011

Cardinal Baseball

I love the St. Louis Cardinals. Going to Cardinal games as a little girl every summer was such a thrill. Last night as I watched the Cardinals play the Brewers in the National League Championship Series, I actually got a little nostalgic. I miss going to the games and I miss home.

This is what I grew up watching at every game. Ozzie Smith was known for his famous flip every time he went on the field. He was incredible to watch. I still have his autograph.
Jack Buck was the voice I grew up listening to on the radio.
Monday, October 10, 2011

Luther On Tap, Jr-The Flood

Animals going on to the Ark, two by two. God preserves life in pairs. Gregg pointed out that some people think these verses say something about marriage.
So, Gregg asked the kids tonight, "What is marriage?" AJ, with little hesitation blurted, "Punishment."
Hmmm...that's not in the text.
Friday, October 7, 2011

Leftovers

After surveying the fridge, I decided there were plenty of leftovers to eat for supper tonight.
As AJ was happily chowing down on pancakes and mashed potatoes (not mixed together of course) he exclaimed, "This is the weirdest supper EVER! Awesome!"
Thursday, October 6, 2011

Working at the car wash...

Montana weather is funny. Last Saturday it was around 90 degrees and we were HOT. I decided it was the perfect day to wash our Suburban and I knew just who to ask for help.
Today it's 55 and rainy outside. One way to look at it? At least it finally feels like fall around here.

Baby Dwight

Dwight (10 months old)
OK, I'll admit it. I've been a little emotional and sentimental over Dwight turning 10 this week. There is something about my kids turning double digits that brings out the worst in me.
Look at this cutie. He's just so sweet.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Happy 10th Birthday Dwight

Dwight turned 10 yesterday and wanted a TRON birthday theme.
(On a side note-I blame the TRON influence on Gregg and my oldest son Gabe. Gregg loved the original TRON movie and watched it with the kids one night last fall. They instantly thought it was the coolest movie ever. Then Gabe, took the kids to see TRON Legacy and they instantly thought that was the coolest movie ever.)
As popular as Tron Legacy was last year, there really weren't any Tron party supplies anywhere. So with the help of the Internet (for the decorations on top of Dwight's cake) and lots of glow sticks, we were good to go.
 Boston Creme Pie
 I love World Market. I had to have these. So cute.
Tiny cakes and tiny presents
 Our Tron table
 Beef Stroganoff-not so pretty to photograph but it's what the birthday boy requested for his birthday dinner.
 Tron Cake-Now you see it...
 now you don't
Happy 10th Birthday Dwight. We love you so much.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Double Digits

Happy 10th Birthday Dwight! We love you so much!


Monday, October 3, 2011

Pictograph Cave State Park

Today was a teaching day for me. It was also a field trip day. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
 Paintings known as pictographs are still visible in Pictograph Cave, which is the largest of the three caves.
 It was a long hike up to the first cave.
 The scenery and rock formations were so beautiful.
 Here is an example of one of the paintings found in the cave. They are often of animals, warriors, and even rifles that document the story of the Native Americans.
 One of the walls of the Pictograph Cave
 After the hike, "recess" was in order. The kids had a great time running around, climbing in trees, posing for pictures
running and hiding in teepees
 making their own "pictographs"
and just enjoying the gorgeous day.