In the midst of the Halloween festivities, it seems like this past weekend was a heavy one not only for me and members of my family, but for many of my dear friends.

I'm glad we have each other during these hard times, but more so, I'm glad we have One who watches over us all.

Prayer is a mighty source of power friends.

I love you all and wish you nothing but the best for the week ahead!

Constant in Our Thankfulness

It's November 1st.

That means, all the fun Halloween decorations are put away and the costumes are all boxed up - now there is room for the Harvest Decorations!

But these coming months are more to me than just pretty decorations

and eating lots of yummy food, especially this year.

These months are particularly special, as there is much that has happened this past year and much that is still presently going on around us that has caused me to become focused again on the love I am surrounded with.

Sometimes, I forget there is always blessing to be found, even in the midst of the darkest times.

Recently, Hard times have tested our faith :: Good times have tested our faith :: Our families have grown together in number and in spirit :: We are battling alongside loved ones whether through personal issues or through bad health :: We are all dealing with growing up and growing older in our own ways ::

My families on both sides have always been fairly close knit, both in proximity and in relation. Family gatherings are always jam packed with aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents and everyone knows everyone's business for the most part.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm glad that we can all be there to help hold each other up. We don't need to carry each other, we can leave that to Someone else - but we can be an encouragement to each other :: we can pray for each other :: we can love each other unconditionally.

I want to be constant and diligent in each of these things - toward each member of my family, and I especially want to be constant in my thankfulness.

There is always a blessing to be found - there is always a reason to be thankful.

Happy Halloween!

We're always looking for a reason to throw a party or have people over to our house, so what better time for a party than Halloween!?!

This is what happens when the BIG KIDS decide to dress up!

He-Man and She-Ra welcome you to their haunted house!

If you make it through the Eerie Acres graveyard, the owl lets us know WHOOOO has arrived!

The Beautiful Bride kept an eye out for guests as well!

Watch out for the clown on the way in!

The living room was CRAWLING with spider webs and ghouls. . .

and in the dining room was our friend Freddy!

If you dared to venture into the dark hallway, you just might loose your head!

THE REAL SCREAMER was waiting for you in the dimly lit bathroom.

The strobe light REALLY set this lady off!

After a few late nights, the He-Man and She-Ra costumes didn't turn out TOO bad. . .

The Princess of Power

BY THE POWER OF GRAY SKULL!

(By the way, YES we had a smoke machine and everything!)

Our GHASTLY FEAST

Some Boiling Brain Punch

or some jiggly jello

POO STEW

(Ham and lentil soup)

and to top it all off, a little DIRT DESSERT

OUR DELIGHTFULLY SPOOKY GUESTS

Laura and Craig were "Green WITH Envy"

Chelsea the Pirate and her date

Char the Pregnant Nun (literally, well at least the pregnant part)

and her dashing Cowboy Brad

Mark the IRON MAIDEN

Nick "The Thrilla" Przybilla

Bethany and Josh as JUNO and BLEAKER

Sarah and Jason

Convict and Police

We played an awesome game of Pictionary

And everyone really got into "Catch Phrase"!

A great time was had by all!

Happy Halloween!

A Haunting We Will Go

My husband is a very creative and energetic man. When it comes to costumes and dressing up, we both like to go all out, and we really get into character and have a fun time.

You might recall the attire for the Ocho de Mayo fiesta. . .

SO, for Halloween this year Brian thinks he has the best idea ever!

Of course, I'm left to figure out how to make it happen. . .

The Materials:

The Machine:

The Objective:

I'll let you know how it turns out tomorrow!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Joyce!

Today is my Grandpa Walter's 81st Birthday, and he is still going strong! If we could all be so lucky!
Happy Birthday Grandpa, we love you!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

Today is my brother Brad's 26th Birthday.He's in Peru.

Now THAT is a party.

Happy Birthday Little Bro!

A Baby Shower for Charlotte Weeda

Since most of my friends have moved out of the "getting married" category and on the the "having babies" category, I thought, why fight it? Let's ALL celebrate!

Baby Weeda is going to be coming to town at the end of November, so to help Char and Brad get ready, Danica and I threw her a shower this weekend!

It was so much fun!

She got a lot of wonderful presents!

Even Trek had a fun time!

Lucy and Alanna had fun playing the games -

they both won the "Who has the Most Ribbons" game, and were awarded a HUNNY POT full of goodies!

Delicious chocolate mint cupcakes made by Char's friend Jen.

We had a great turnout!

Grandma Pieren even made the drive over from Hillsboro!

Char and her mother, Mary who drove down from Washington.

Thanks for coming everyone!!

Baby Weeda is going to be surrounded by lots of Love when s/he gets here!

:: Thanks Chels for sharing some of your photos too! ::