Ladies and Gentlemen; Boys and Girls

It's no fun to be sick on Halloween! But, Diego has never been good at picking great dates to be sick.

Today when he woke up and we realized his fever had returned, he burst into tears.

102 degrees this morning.

He knew it meant he'd miss his second Halloween event tonight.

So, I said, "It's okay, we'll still have fun today! Let's put on our costumes."

We've been wearing them all day long.

To the doctor's office where they checked him (again) for strep and took some other cultures.

Then on down to a nearby shopping area for photos.

We were supposed to do photos with Finley and Evie today, but scrapped that idea for fear we'd expose everyone.

 Hopefully we'll be able to still get together for a photo shoot for the entire circus company on a later date because the outfits are only too-too cute altogether!

But it's a beautiful day!

And it was good to be outside and walk around. It lifted our spirits!

Sick? So what! We're rocking circus costumes in a shopping center!

In the meantime, we'll be stopping by to visit a couple of kid-less people after our naps which are in full costume of course... ever seen a tattooed strong man take a nap? It's completely adorable!

Our ring master is ever mindful of the fact that today is not his nap day and therefore, is just resting on the couch watching movies. 

Forget school! It's totally not happening today. And I don't care because I'm completely exhausted! 

Happy Halloween!

Linking up today because our day certainly has been made lovely!

Whoo-Whoo?

Whoo's ready for Halloween?

We're not. And we're supposed to be dressed tomorrow, so it looks like I'll be up late sewing tonight. But our owls are ready! And were super easy.(Can you tell which one was done by my 5yo and which was done by my 3yo?) Everything we had on hand: tp rolls, paint, and a sharpie. Go here, here, and here for more owls!

Linking up with Along for the Ride for Craft Saturday!

Tonight

I'm thanking God for a sister who was willing to open her home to me and my littles during our unexpected arrival at her doorstep. "Surprise, we're here to hang indefinitely today!"

I'm thanking God for keeping my family and neighbors safe in a hostage situation that took place a block away from my home.

I'm thanking God that my little ones are tucked away snug in their beds and don't have an inkling of all the ugly sin that swirled around them today.

I'm thanking God for a reminder that, although our immediate neighborhood is a relatively safe "historic" district, a block or two in any direction there's a physical and spiritual battle that is raging.

I'm thanking God for providing us with a home that's so close to so many in need. In need of truth. In need of love. In need of life.

I'm thanking God for the reminder that we were given this home for His use, His purposes, His ministry. Not sure what that means for us right this minute. But, I'm sure He'll point out more ways to use this place for His glory.

I'm thanking God for holding us in His capable hands, for guiding us safely out of our neighborhood for a while this afternoon, and landing us safely back in our own comfortable beds tonight.

The Paul and Barnabas of It

I relate to Paul on a lot of levels. I love the black and whiteness of him. I understand his zealousness... sometimes misplaced. I get the struggle of head knowledge without heart change. I feel his call to the Gentiles... that took at least eleven years to come to fruition. Even though he knew the entirety of the Torah... he still had much to learn.

Then there's Barnabas. Awesomely, encouraging Barnabas. Yea, don't relate to him as much. I struggle to say positive, encouraging things. Especially to my family. But I have met my share of today's Barnes, and you know what? I always leave their presence feeling uplifted and ready to go back out and do more for the Lord. I've wanted to be more encouraging like them, but at the end of the day, I've always chalked it up to different personalities and left it at that.

Until a few days ago when I read my BSF notes and was struck with the question: "Would your family describe you as providing gracious, strong, and spiritual leadership?

Um, maybe not. Especially the gracious part.

Here's how Luke describes Barnes' visit to the Gentile believers:
When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

My notes described his visit as gracious: "He recognized and appreciated God's work in them."

Here's where it hits home for me. So often with all of my kids, but especially with this boy, I'm so busy looking at the present and future that I never look at the present compared to the past. I see a current sin struggle and we battle it out together. Me, with admonition, discipline and prayer. And him, with prayer, self-control, and spiritual formation. Then, when he's past that stage, I quickly move on to the next sin that pops to the forefront.

While all this is good and part of parenting, to help them through their sin struggles, I rarely go back and help my kids remember how they've grown in the Lord. "Look at how far Jesus has brought you at this young age. Look at what wonderful things God has already done in your life and how you've grown in Him!" I don't say that. I don't often recognize and appreciate the Lord's work in their lives.

But my kids don't always need a Paul in their lives... remember John Mark? Mark needed mercy and another chance. Barnabus was willing to give him that. Paul? Well, he was still a little rough around the edges in the mercy department. Was it just personality? Maybe, but God doesn't want us to remain just like us. Instead He wants us to become more like Him. And God, well, God is rich in mercy! And the God who eventually restored Paul and Mark's relationship, He can make me an encourager and full of mercy!

(t-shirt: thrifted... not quite vintage, but i still love it!)

Teaching about Differences

If you've been around for a while, you may remember this post in which I asked for advice on teaching my children about people with differences from a biblical perspective. My thought on all of this was that hopefully I could teach my kids appropriate information and behavior before they got into a situation where they embarrassed themselves (or me) or hurt someone else with words or actions.

Well,  a little over a week ago Diego noticed that one of the other coaches on another team was a little person.

Diego: I don't understand. I'm so confused. That man over there is a grown up and but he's short like a kid. Why?
Me: Um. I don't know, buddy. That's just the way God made him. He's not much shorter than I am. (Which is true because I'm five foot-nothing.)
Winning conversation, right? To be honest, I was just hoping he'd drop it and wouldn't carry the conversation on any longer. The last thing I wanted was for my kid to point out the man and talk loud enough that others could hear him. So I was grateful when that was enough to satisfy him.

However, I had been praying for opportunity to educate my kids about differences between people (physical and otherwise) and God was not going to let me drop the issue that quickly. So of course, when I opened the kids' Bible a couple of days later, we encounter the story of Zacchaeus.

It starts the story by telling how Zacchaeus didn't have friends because of his funny name or because he was short (because, of course those aren't good reasons to not like someone). Nope, no one likes him because he's a thief. In the end, Jesus goes to visit him because Jesus is an awesomely gracious God who loves us even if we're terrible people who steal. In light of the love and grace of Christ, Zachaeus repents. He gives back the money he's stolen plus more! God uses Zacchaeus to bring glory to Himself, just like He wants to do with everyone!

Diego and I spent some time talking about the coach and Zacchaeus... how God loves them just like He loves us. That God made them in His image just like He makes us each in His image. How God can use anyone to further His kingdom and bring fame to His name. So, there you have it, my first biblical perspective view of differences pulled straight from scripture. Who'd have thought? I know, I know... cut me some slack. I'm a slow learner.

Anyways, I'm super excited because I'm soon going to have a guest blogger who is an incredible mom to three and she will be sharing more on this topic! I am thrilled to hear her heart and insight on the subject... so stay tuned!

Hope your Monday was Marvelous!

Small Business Organization {Friday Favorites}

Or maybe I should say lack thereof. Really.

Between Jesse's business paperwork, my etsy stuff, oh yeah and all this other stuff like schoolwork, and bills, this is what my desk looks like.

Did I mention that the school room is also my main office space. Oh yeah, and the playroom/laundry room? This room does too many jobs! And my desk shows it!

Right now, all most of my etsy stuff is in laundry baskets and tubs in my vestibule. Which is good because the kids really don't go in there and mess with merchandise.And is not good because this is what my vestibule (i.e. the first thing visitors see) looks like.

I seriously need organization. And I seriously need hours by myself of focused time so that I can get this put away without the kids messing with it while I do so.

So, when I saw this sweet treasury (that features my calculator!) I flipped! So awesome and so what I'd love my small business to look like one of these days... cute stuff that keeps me organized and makes me smile when I look at it. So, while I didn't create the treasury this week, it is definitely a favorite treasury for me because it inspires me to get organized once and for all. (Hopefully.)

Any organizational tips you'd love to share with me? I'm all ears!

Have a Fabulous Friday!

The Class Clown

Yea, this little guy would be in so much trouble if he weren't home-schooled. Anything for a laugh!

He tells me, "I'm special because God made me funny." It's true. He brings much joy and laughter to our lives!

Sometimes, his funnies are like a bright mirror showing me my own actions and faults.

Diego: Mom, I'd like a chocolate milk.

Me: I'm sorry you can't. You already had one today.

Diego: Okay, then I think I'll take a venti milk.

(Perhaps, I ought to cut back on the ventis?)

Sometimes he's so funny it hurts. 

(Like when he tries to give me a hard beso to make me laugh but bumps my nose in the process.)

I firmly believe he stores up funny things just to say for those times he's about to get in trouble.

"Diego, I told you to get the dust pan and sweep up that mess five minutes ago!"

"I can't sweep up that mess because I might accidentally eat a piece of trash and get sick."

Say what!?!

Diego, you're "be-dic-lee-ously" funny and lovable. I treasure the times I have with you.

Thank you for making me laugh!

Linking up with The Anderson Crew today:

Little Man

Can you believe Little Man is almost One? 

Neither can I.

Stop growing up so fast, little guy!

I mean it.

Love, your Mami

Shirt: Old Navy hand-me-down Bowtie: Vintage

Linking up with Hart + Sew:

And Mama Loves Papa:

Battling Hurt Feelings

Hello all! Hope you're having a lovely day... today I'm over at DondaLee's guest blogging about my battle with letting my hurt feelings rule my actions. Read my post here... and while you're there, register to win the $20 shop credit to my etsy store! 

Hope you're having a Wonderful Wednesdsay!

Counting

I told Jesse this evening that I should have headed back to bed as soon as Diego threw up this morning. It's been a completely exhausting day. Physically and emotionally. We've been pushed, pulled and stretched. But we've definitely grown. And at the end of the day, we can say that we love our church more and that God is calling us to more than we thought. We're not quite sure what, but our hearts are open to the Holy Spirit's prompting. So, I guess I'm glad I didn't go straight back to bed... but I'm definitely ready for bed now!

Blessings... and good night!

stuff i learned

How was your weekend? Mine, not too bad. Other than some burned bacon and a girl who's fighting her naps. Here's a few things I've learned this past week. 

• Cruz is finally getting his eighth tooth... after having an odd number in his mouth for two months.

• Going to the pumpkin patch is so much fun, and so tiring! You can see our trip here at my sister's blog.
• Diego is getting better and better at drawing. Take a look at his mole!

• Advent Conspiracy has been developing new promo videos, like this one:

  

 All of a sudden, I'm looking forward to Christmas!  

• No one in my immediately family (besides me) likes split pea soup. It's really unfortunate.
• Diego's soccer team this year does not have the same level of coaching as his team last year (read this as: we never practice as a team and his coach doesn't even give direction to the boys as they play). His team is not improving while the others in their league are. At the beginning of the year, they were all pretty much even but now they are getting creamed weekly. By the end of the game, he was near tears from sheer frustration. He plays whole-heartedly and does not even hear encouragement from his coach at the end of the game. This makes the mama bear in me want to appear. Right now, I'm praying about what we should do (if anything) about this scenario.

• My nephew goes down for a nap much better when I remember to give him a pacifier. *duh!*
• I'm loving this song: All I Have is Christ 
• Diego has overcome his allergy to pumpkin! Which means we are enjoying baking so many yummy things with it right now! (We especially are enjoying pumpkin bread pudding with caramel sauce. *swoon*)
• Eliana's heart is becoming more tender toward the Lord and she is beginning to ask more questions about salvation and sin. I'm praying for the day that her eyes will be opened to the gospel and that the Holy Spirit will allow her to grab hold of the gift of grace!

• Absolutely loved my pastor's sermon on Sunday, I am being challenged on so many levels in his series on joy right now.

• DondaLee's is giving away a 20 dollar shop credit to my etsy shop this week. You should go and enter right now!

How was your weekend? What has God been teaching you? Hope you're having a Marvelous Monday!

Squirrels

You have to love them... 

whether they come on the most awesome vintage clothing find of the year.

Or they're just the silly kind that make you laugh,

collect things like rocks and pine cones,

and still like to stick that tongue out every now and then.

I'm particularly fond of this little squirrel. Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of children!

"Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD."

headband: mama-made with a vintage buckle

sweater: vintage thrifted

jeans: target

shoes: stride rite thrifted

Linking up with Mama Loves Papa:

 and Hart and Sew:

Go check 'em out!