I felt greatly encouraged today by the TEAM Mom program at my church. For a mere $5 fee, I experienced renewal from teachings from the Word of God, babysitting for the wee one, friendship of great women, and a delicious brunch — can’t beat that! I learned this morning that I need more encouragement in my life, more heroes to look up to, higher goals to aspire to. In so many ways I’ve become complacent — in my spiritual life in Christ, in my marriage, in my parenting, in my interactions with friends and strangers alike, in my day to day living. I want to be a better woman, and I’m grateful for people like Kerri K., Carrie M., Indra B. and my mom who push me to follow God’s truths.

Here’s a quote worth considering taken from a handout this morning:

Marriage requires a radical committment to love our spouses as they are, while longing for them to become what they are not yet. Every marriage moves either toward enhancing one another’s glory or toward degrading each other.
– Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III

Last Monday I carved pumpkins with friends. Interestingly enough, Renae had never carved a pumpkin before and Joie almost sliced her pinky off with her pocketknife. But, all’s well that ends well, right? I’ve heard Jo-Jo’s finger is healing nicely and Renae’s first pumpkin looks great (“now gimmee some candy”). I strung some orange lights on the porch, lit a few extra candles out front and now I think we’re officially ready for trick-or-treaters tonight.

Speaking of trick-or-treaters, this little giraffe is one UNhappy camper. Clarification: this is not the costume she’ll be wearing. Sure she looks cute, but the hood is too heavy and Punkins got kind of claustrophobic inside it. She’ll be making the neighborhood rounds in another giraffe outfit, the one I knew was a bit small when I bought it and now it’s really too small so the hood doesn’t fit on her head, but oh well. She still looks adorable in it.

Enjoy the day, friends!

I thought the Internet should enjoy this photo as much as I do.

Jeremy had to dress up in order to get into his office’s Halloween party on Monday. And me? Well, I look like this everyday.

We’re addicts. Thanks to our friendly neighborhood supplier, we’re hopelessly hooked on LOST.

Can’t. stop. watching.

1. This one is for Lincolnites: What do you think of Dish, the restaurant located downtown? I’ve eaten there twice some time ago and both times I thought the entrees were pathetic considering their prices. However, I’ve heard some positive reviews recently, so perhaps management has shifted hands…?

2. How do YOU save money? Any and all tips are appreciated. I’ve discovered that I’m better at spending than saving. Alas, things must change for this stay-at-home mama.

Today, as we left the Sunken Gardens and I began to strap my daughter into her carseat, Livia became fussy and started crying. The first thing that came to my mind almost came out my mouth: Now, don’t get all crabby and ruin our lovely time, Livia. Fortunately, my father’s advice (Think first, then speak, then act) is finally taking hold and I pondered the patronizing words I had wanted to say. Why did I expect anything other than tears out of my 17 month old child? Here I was, taking her from the fresh air and beauty of the gardens, from the paths where she did her Favorite Activity Ever (aka Walking), from the stone wall where she had been handed turkey and cheese and Sun Chips—and now I was strapping her back down in a stuffy car. Of course she didn’t want to leave! Her behavior was normal and it was silly of me to expect anything else.

I’m amazed sometimes at the words coming from my mouth. I am not simply regurgitating phrases my mother and grandmother used; all of a sudden, for better or for worse, I am tempted to use phrases I’ve heard ANY mother use! Think, speak, act. Hopefully this filter will be present throughout the rest of my life… And then I won’t be tempted to reply to crocodile tears with a shrill, “Now Livia, don’t ruin our lovely time!” : p Who talks like that anyways?!

I’m posting links to the following commercials so that I can quit quoting lines to people and simply point them to my blog instead. Watch this one and the fifth and twelfth ones here. Read Jason’s post on how Bob Ebel, the commercials’ director, gets his amazing results.

Identical twins are the most fascinating people ever—and I think the Helman twins are perhaps the cutest ever. Last weekend Mom2 (a.k.a. Jeremy’s mom) and her twin were together after more than a year apart. At a family dinner Sunday I waited patiently to use the bathroom. Lo and behold, the door opened and out popped Carol (Twin #1) and then Karen (Twin #2). Apparently, when they’re together they are really together. Not even a bathroom break can separate these two! *smile*

Aren’t these kids beautiful? And Christie, of course, holding the cotton candy… She’s beautiful, too. : )