Octoberfesty-Central Oregon Style

Our sweet friends hosted a very fun party at their home last week. The boys had a fabulous time, they made some spiderwebs complete with spiders, mixed up a nice concoction of goodies to make flubber-gak stuff. The kids all played awhile outside and even got to hunt for eggs under those chickens. It was great fun for all!




















































And another visit to the local punkin' patch with some fun friends. After a very chili September we've had beautiful fall days for October this year. I am always glad for moderate weather to help us enjoy these fall days.

What on earth is a 'tag'?

That's what I asked my friend, Sarah today when she sent me a note saying I've been tagged. So I checked out her blog, and now I know.

It's a game. And I am wayyy too serious and analytical these days (could it be I'm not blogging enough?) so I need to play a game...and not Sorry.

The Rules:

1. To link the tagger and provide the rules on your blog

2. Share 7 facts about yourself

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving names as well as links to their blogs

4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs

Seven amazing or interesting facts about myself:

1. I have two sea urchin spines in my thigh.


I had 77, got them in Mazatlan, MX. A sweet friend was faithful to pick most of them out, but alas, I'm left with two. They've been there for...um neigh 15 years, think I'll live.

2. When I was a girl, then a teen, I used lay in bed in the mornings and daydream about waking up in the most beautiful home, married to a wonderful man. I live that dream.

3. I had my bellybutton pierced once. I have crazy stretch mark scars around it- a bit of an asterisk- to prove it.

4. Several times daily I sneak chocolate chips out of a bag in the cupboard.

5. I never get tired of being with my family. Almost never.

6. I think my balance is tipping a bit on the introvert/extrovert scale. I'm finding I need more time with God and alone, and less with friends.

7. I once cried for a long time after killing a misquito. I must have been...10. Poor bug- didn't have a chance (to eat my blood!)

Okay, game is on, ladies!


1. Karyn
2. deb (though I know it's a lot to ask in these days)
3. Cathy
4 julie
5. Mandy
6. Julie O
7. hilary

* I chose the friends that I wanted to learn more about...so don't get your panties in a wad if you don't see your name here...just do it anyway!

Little Critter says....

"Mom, my nose isn't working right."

He has a cold.

A little sadness over here

Scooter sleeps...

This afternoon I took the boys swimming. When we got home, Peanut promptly ate a banana, climbed up in my lap and fell asleep.

Peanut sleeps...


I couldn't help but wonder if that would be the last time one of my boys would climb up in my lap and fall asleep. Oh, Mama Mia, I'll miss my little boys. Don't grow!

Critter sleeps...

Wordless Week (We're busy people!)

Tonight at our house....

We got to have our favorite Salem family over almost all day today! Good fun!

Women Of Faith; Recap

As some of you know I had the privilege of attending Women of Faith Conference last weekend in Portland. I knew I would have a great time, as I was going with fun friends and getting to room with three of them. I also knew the conference would be great, and that I wouldn't get much sleep. All three of those things were accurate. I had a great time with friends, eating, chatting, chatting and laughing. I loved the conference, laughed, cried and enjoyed eating up wisdom from others.

I LOVED Anita Renfroe, Kristin blogged a fun performance of Anita's. This woman is hilarious. I got to meet up with Cathy there too, (she scored us some awesome seats so we didn't have to sit fearfully in the steep, high nosebleed section) Cathy blogged about Mandisa, who was amazing to see in person. The whole thing was fun.

I wanted to share with you some of the great wisdom tidbits I brought home with me to chew on. Quotes, scripture and observations...they are my fragmented notes in context of a bigger message, bear with me. ;)

• "Emotions don't have brains" We are foolish to be led by our emotions. They're completely unreliable and wavering. We need to be grounded by The Word
• Thoughts on the election and economy;
  
  "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government wil rest on his shoulder. These will be his royal titles; Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6
• If I want to move freely through life I must choose to grieve the losses in life, and grieve the "what could have been's"
• When we grieve, it releases us, and it's a decision to heal past pain.
• You can't heal a wound by saying that it's not there. (Jeremiah 6:14)
• Grieve the loss--embrace the reality

These are some highlights of my notes...things that spoke to me. Of course there was so much more, these are the highlights for me.

The overall experience was a 9.8...not quite a 10 b/c I came home too tired and feeling sick. I highly recommend going, and do take a friend! It's so worthwhile!

Ode to Susie

My dear friend East-Coast-Susie has requested to "see" where we live. What we see from our place. What a fun project this has been for me! I have gotten quite carried away, a very fun project! I am so inspired by looking around at all God has made and maintains, and echoing the thoughts from Julie's blog today, that God is so big, and His creation continues to sing His praises, throughout all the crisis in the world, in our homes, in our lives. Take a minute to read Julie's peace bringing thoughts.

Back to my nature show; I'll share with you, dear Susie, my home here on the West Coast. Most of the photos are taken within 60 miles of our home. You'll see some snippets of our family, of course- I tried to stay on track. (You know me and photos ;)

Enjoy!