Trick Or Treat

Let's Get Fired UP!

Special treats from Mrs Christy - Thank you!

And 1 loooong hour later...

SCORE !!!

Pinecone Bird Feeders

My dear, animal loving daughter has been asking to make pinecone bird feeders for MONTHS, so we finally collected some pinecones on our last trip to the camp. Here is a step by step pictorial in case you want to try it yourself.

Step 1 - Spread peanut butter on the bottom half of your pinecone

Step 2 - Roll the pinecone in birdseed

Step 3 - Yell at your brother for putting his rock in the birdseed

(I don't think this step is really necessary)

Step 4 - Lick your completely safe butter knife clean

Step 5 & 6 - Tie with ribbon & hang

Weekend Here We Come

I love these two...

Signs of Autumn

Dinosaur Train

A few days ago, I heard laughing outside and immediately know something is up. So, I go outside to check it out, and Erin said Luke is riding the Dinosaur Train. She is the conductor of course!

Luke's "new" Tricycle

Now Luke had a new tricyle on his Christmas wish list, having nearly outgrown his smaller one. And although riding his bike was his favorite thing to do, the smaller one was "too hard" to peddle anymore, which usually resulted in Mom carrying it back to the house while he walked.


After a play date at Erin's friend E's house, he adopted their older tricycle as his own. And being the wonderful people they are, Andy & Angie gave it to him, tumping bucket & all!

So in the words of Luke "tank you, you're welcome"

Our Civic Duty

For those who don't get the Livingston Business & Real Estate Journal , Editor Helen Wale Turner hits the nail on the head nearly every month.  And notice my new links on the right, it's now easier than ever to contact our Representatives. (I JUST DID)

Here is an excerpt from October's editorial.

Here's what else I want in a healthcare bill:
• Coverage for pre-existing conditions - after a reasonable period, so people can't take advantage of the system.
• Transportability, so you can take your coverage from one job to another.
• Coverage - but not subsidies - for illegal aliens IF they purchase their own health insurance. (The alternative is leaving them uninsured and they go to the emergency room for every ailment and taxpayers end up paying for their care indirectly). After all, aliens buy automobile insurance; so what's the difference.
• A cap on malpractice suits and reduced paperwork to lower doctors' costs.
• Tax deductible health savings accounts for all.
• But most of all, I want insurance premiums brought under control, and the easiest, most equitable way to do that might be to allow interstate competition between insurance companies which would bring down prices through capitalistic means.

Now, what was so difficult about that? Let’s get it done!

Being Found Faithful When Trials Come

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  James 1:12

Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.  Revelation 2:10

I - Perserverance Is Necessary For Spiritual  Maturity
We have a lot of spiritual immaturity today. God wants us to grow up in the fullness of the stature of the image of Jesus Christ. Tribulation or trials bring patience. Patience brings spiritual maturity. God doesn't immediately answer our prayers, because He wants us to mature in the trial.

II - Perserverance Is Necessary For Personal Victory
Paul is preaching about the wonderful victory we have in Jesus. You have to perservere to know personal victory. You can rejoice in the midnight hour! 2 Cor 4:8-9

III - Perserverance Is Necessary For Spiritual Prosperity
How long should you be faithful? Revelation says until death or the Lord comes. James 5:7

IV - Perserverance Is Necessary For Spiritual Tranquility
All of us want peace in our lives. When you refuse to be deterred, you will find that God always keeps His Promises.

Jesus is the lilly in the valley.

Greenwell Springs Baptist Church
Sunday, October 25

Birthday Number 5

Here are a few pictures to highlight my baby girl's 5th birthday party.

(Thanks Aunt Lynn!)

We hope everyone had a great time! We are thankful for the beautiful day we had and for all our friends and family who came to celebrate with us.

Reviewing her strategy...She said if she lined the candles in a row, she could blow them all out.

It's great to have silly friends!

Too bad veggies don't get a turned up plate like this!

Lip Smackin' Good!

Ready to open presents...

With a little assistance from the always helpful Luke!

Erin may be blogging next!

After all that helping, Luke took time out for a book break with Granny.

Sweet Miss E

Silly Miss A

Erin was right, it was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!

Happiness

Happiness is a decision.

It is not a state of being over which we have no control. We are not the victims of our circumstances, but rather we create our circumstances each and every day. We can be more than the sum of our experiences. You will be that example for your daughter or son. This alone can impact the rest of their entire life.

The happiness principle is applicable to all areas of our lives from our job, to our friends, to our relationships with our families. The tricky part is that we must first become student, in order to become teacher. Truly ask yourself if, daily, you are reminded that you have one life, one chance to be happy, one chance to forgive.

This concept is freeing on many levels. If you are concentrated on being happy, you choose not to let the aggravation of piled up dishes set the tone for the evening (not always easy) you will spend with your family. It also releases you from being the person you DON'T want to be.

clipped from BR Parents Magazine

Washington Parish Fair - Part 3

Thanks Aunt Hannah for the Dippin' Dots !

Everything else is insignificant. Luke is sitting on a REAL DIGGER !

It was such the perfect size for him too!

Erin & Aubrey chose a slightly larger model.

On to Old McDonald's Farm...

I will pet you little cow from a distance.

And Erin would have stayed in the farm all day, feeding and petting the calves.

Notice Luke was not present in the cow petting experience, he wanted no part of it. They mooo'd entirely too loud for him so he watched safely with Dad from outside the barn.

Happy 5th Birthday Erin !

Erin Grace
Saturday, October 23, 2004
7.04 lbs / 20.5 inches

I’m wishing you another year

Of laughter, joy and fun,

Surprises, love and happiness,

And when your birthday’s done,

I hope you feel deep in your heart,

As your birthdays come and go,

How very much you mean to me,

More than you can know.

I love you big girl !

Washington Parish Fair - Part 2

3 Little Monkeys impatiently waiting for the midway to open

Look Eyan, Ducks !

C'mon Aubrey !

First ride of the day - the smiles ended shortly after this began!

Fortunately, we had a sympathetic operator who let my 2 off.

They shook it off quickly - On to the next ride...

Luke was happy to pick a blue truck all his own.

And pink of course, for the girlies.

Nothin' but smiles on the 4 wheelers.

Washington Parish Fair - Part 1

This week we ventured out to the Washington Parish Fair. It was a beautiful day & the kids had a great time.

Here are a few scenery pictures...

Many of the older homes decorate for the fall fair & contest.

In October, when skies are bluer and the air is crisp with Fall’s first touch, the enthusiastic crowds, larger than ever, once again flow through the front entrance into our beautiful fair grounds to enjoy the spectacle of the Washington Parish Free Fair.

Since its humble beginning in 1911 in a local livery stable, this county/parish fair has steadily grown bigger and better each successive year. Today, based upon attendance records, it is believed to be the largest county/parish free fair in the USA. It is the second oldest Parish Fair in Louisiana.

 You can read more about the fair here.

An old cabin in Mile Branch Settlement

One of many covered wagons in the parade