Trick or Treat

Tonight we went trick-or-treating with four other families to a beautiful neighborhood in Pasadena. It was so different to have the weather in the seventies and to be walking on a palm tree lined street on Halloween. We planned our route so we'd trick-or-treat at the house from "Father of the Bride" movie. My girlfriends and I sneakily peeked in the windows while our kids got candy...

Here's the stash. Jeff and I sorted the candy out according to type...for tradition's sake.

The Ballerina and Dalmation

It's that time of year

I've spent part of today making Christmas cards for a boutique called LulaMae in Pasadena. (Take the store tour online.) Christmas sales begin Nov.3 so that's my deadline. Of course, my dining room table is a mess with paper, glitter, lace, ribbons, glue, and buttons. I try to design the cards to look "vintage"or "shabby." Cardmaking has been a fun hobby that's turned into a little sales venture... and it all began when my dad saw the cards and told me to go for it! Thanks, Dad. :)

Harvest Party

We dressed Clayton and Emma up tonight for the Harvest Party at Fuller. Clay was a dalmation and Emma, a ballerina. They loved riding ponies, jumping in a bounce house, sliding down the big blow-up slide, fishing for prizes, and eating cotton candy. It was great having Grandpa and Grandma Rack with us to meet our friends and see a glimpse of life at Fuller.

A Day in the Magical Kingdom

Grandpa and Grandma Rack came to visit us this week. We spent a day at Disneyland and got to see some of our favorite characters. I love the nostalgia of Disney...it's simply enchanting! Here are the lovely maidens outside of Cinderella's castle.
Emma didn't know what to think of Mickey's big ears...

We met a few families there who had evacuated their homes (because of the severe California fires). They had brought their kids to Disneyland for the day to escape the reality of their homes being burned. It felt strange to be having fun and laughing...and yet much of California is in sadness today. One million people have been evacuated. We are thankful for a safe place to sleep tonight.

Chicago

My parents flew me out to Chicago for my birthday. We had a great time! I watched Audra's volleyball games, hung out with my family and students at Moody, etc. They even had a birthday party for me! It was so nice to be in Chicago on a beautiful fall day. The leaves almost sparkled in the sunshine and gentle wind. Thanks, Dad and Mom. I love you! We sure missed you, Amanda! We talked about you often and wished you were here.

Autumn Cupboard

I decorated my cupboard from the Shipshewana Auction with some pumpkins and jars to remind me of fall.

Magnolia on Lake

Tonight Jeff whisked me away on a "early birthday" date night to Magnolia for dinner. What a quaint, beautiful surprise. We enjoyed wonderful food, a candlelit atmosphere, some of our favorite music, a delightful server,... I couldn't believe how special it was to stumble upon something like that. It's definitely one of my new favorites. When you come out to visit, we'll go to Magnolia.

Em's Long Hair

As I was combing out Emma's hair after her bath the other day, I was struck by how long it is when it's not curly. (I know hair looks longer when it's wet, but still...). She's not had a haircut in 2 1/2 years (since she was born!). How many of us can claim that??? :)

Fall Fest

Today I took the kids to my friend Carol's house for her fall party. I loved being in her house and seeing her "Martha Stewart" decorations and party. It was wonderful! The kids painted pumpkins and smashed the pinata to get lots of goodies. Emma is sitting on the couch right now with her bag. She's very protective of her treats!

In This Place

"We bow down, and confess You are Lord in this place."

Those were the words to a song we sang at The Junction on Sunday. As someone prayed later, "You are Lord in THIS place, but You are also Lord in every place." That hit me. Even though the restaurant I work at can be a tough, or dark work environment with not many Christians, Jesus is still Lord, and He's seated on The Throne. He is Lord in that place, even if people there don't know it.

I hope you're blessed by this like I was today when I read it: "As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze..." (Dan. 7:9). Beth Moore says, "When God has to go somewhere, He never leaves His throne (because it has wheels on it!)." It's like a chariot throne.

Wherever you are this week, may you know that He is Lord, and He is always on the throne.

Here Come The Irish

Some friends of ours from Elkhart overnighted us their season tickets so we could go to the Notre Dame vs. UCLA game. We walked 2 miles from our apartment to the Rose Bowl with Clayton and cheered the Irish to a 20-6 victory! Both ND touchdowns were scored on our end zone so we got to see a lot of action.

The Huntington

Today we took advantage of Huntington Botanical Garden's Free Day. We enjoyed walking the grounds and seeing many beautiful plants.

Clayton was fascinated by the Venus Fly Trap, and used a tiny blade of grass to trigger its clamping mechanism.

It is fall, isn't it?

Today, wearing my tank top in 86 degree weather, I got out our fall decorations and put some pumpkins on our dining room table. I had just bought them from the grocery store, so they still had stickers on them. Clay proceeded to take off the stickers and throw them away. He said, "I'm just taking off their name tags."

Earlier this week, I baked an acorn squash with apples, walnuts, and brown sugar...yum. The kids were very interested in scooping out the seeds. Clayton decided he really wanted to plant one of the seeds in the courtyard near our house. So, he took it outside and dumped some dirt on it. I assured him that someday when we have a yard, we'll plant special things like that!