Halloween -- Just A Little Late....

Obviously, I haven't blogged much lately. Honestly, I haven't blogged much in the last 18 months. My blogging history at the bottom of this page proves that fact. I honestly don't know why. I could use the excuse I'm busy. BUT, I'm no less busy than anybody else reading this blog or blogging themselves. We live in a busy society. I could make time. I was thinking that it boiled down to thinking that not too many people read my blog. BUT, every so often, somebody random (but whom I know) comes up to me and mentions they like seeing our kiddos on the blog. SO, despite very few comments, people do read. (And, I'm not complaining about not having comments; I too do NOT leave comments on other blogs very often). Then, I was thinking that perhaps I have felt like I didn't have a real purpose on my blog...BUT, what purpose would I personally have? I'm NOT crafty. I do NOT decorate my house well. I'm NOT a theologian, though I love Jesus and thoroughly enjoy reading my Bible. Not too many people who read my blog want to know what all I learned in the 10 years after college, but before we had a child, in my "professional" job. I'm certainly NOT a parenting expert. Recently, it's become very clear to me that I seriously have some things to work on in that arena (the parenting). As many of you know, Marc and I have lead a small group at our church for a number of years now (I've honestly lost track). This past semester (and this will continue into next semester), the men and women have been meeting separately. This method of meeting alleviates some childcare needs. It also allows women studies and men studies separately. And, though I do enjoy meeting as couples, I personally thoroughly enjoy getting together with just the girls. This past Sunday evening, 5 of the 7 of us girls were there. We had a nice soup supper in homemade bread bowls with a very healthy, girly salad...It's almost too bad that it was 70 degrees that day (Ha). Admittedly, we ate supper, chatted for awhile, laughed HYSTERICALLY at Kelli's story (it's even better when told in person), and took prayer requests from ALL of us. It sounds like a great evening, doesn't it? BUT, we never did get to our study that evening. The "business" side of me cringes that we didn't get that accomplished -- like what kind of organized leader am I? The "heart" side of says, "Who cares....it was uplifting fellowship." One of the conversations we had that evening was about how sometimes blogs (and Facebook for me) are hard to read because the writers are just "braggey" about their kids, lives, events, what they did over the weekend, etc. etc. etc. NOW, logically speaking, one does not need to read blogs or Facebook that may create these feelings. AND, one can do whatever he or she pleases with a blog....in other words, don't punish the author of the blog for doing that. Since that time, I've thought a bit. Yep, I've been the blogger who has probably simply used her blog to brag. Or, perhaps I've been the blogger to make everything seem happy and rosey all of the time. Again, I'm the author of this blog...I can do as I wish. BUT, if I'm intentionally causing somebody else to stumble with feelings of jealousy, is that wrong? Well, I honestly don't want to debate that, BUT I have decided that when I post on this blog, I do want to share our kiddos, family events, thoughts I have, etc. etc. etc. BUT, I also would like to present a "Keepin' It Real" with each post. Believe me, I FULLY understand it's not a perfect world (in fact, Marc and I do NOT use the word "perfect" except for when talking about Jesus Christ). And, we're a part of the imperfect world. BUT, we're clearly commanded in the Bible to be thankful in all circumstances. AND, I have said several times on this blog that Kate has created in me a whole new desire to not only be but also express gratefulness. (Click HERE for one time I said that very thing). With all of that in mind, I also want to say what I'm grateful for with each post. We'll see how this all goes, and understand I'm NOT committing to a certain number of blog posts. Here's Halloween, 2012 (yes, just a little late)....

I've stated many times I am NOT crafty. I do NOT sew. Here's one for you -- I've NEVER been on Pinterest (SIGH...GASP...OH NO)....So, for Halloween, I rely on already made costumes or my mom's ideas. This year, it was "already made" costumes for both kiddos. Luke was Thomas (fancy costume purchased from Wal-Mart). Kate was a ladybug (CUTE costume purchased from Carter's).

We ONLY trick-or-treated around our little neighborhood. So, we went to a whopping 5 houses. Our neighbor took a photo of our little family.

A little blurry here, but you get the point....

And now -- "Keepin' It Real" -- 1) The obvious: It's December 7, and I'm just NOW posting about Halloween....2) Luke was not into dressing up this year. We had to majorly encourage it and somewhat make him dress up....3) Luke did NOT want to smile for our family pic at our neighbor's....If you scroll back up and look at the family pic, if you haven't already noticed, Luke's scowling....I told my neighbor that this would've been a wonderful family pic had Luke smiled....4) I look at these pics and am reminded about how much I want to lose some weight (this is ongoing for me)....5) AND, the best of all -- if you look closely, I put on one brown flip-flop and one black flip-flop (accidentally) that evening....Yep, I walked all over the neighborhood like that....

Why I'm grateful -- 1) I didn't spend a lot of time OR money on Luke's costume....2) We have AWESOME neighbors who are wonderful with our kids....The neighbors and the fact that we have a quiet street FAR OUTWEIGH the end of our street (intersection) and the traffic that is there....3) We live in an area where it's safe to trick-or-treat....4) God gave us FABULOUS weather for the day....5) Kate was an "easy baby" that evening....6) We got to trick-or-treat as a family....