Today

Many people have asked why we do not celebrate or take part in anything to do with H.alloween. Not even a pumpkin with a face on it! Well, I read a blog today that really puts it the best and you can check it out here.

And basically, the bottom line has to do with that the day has so much to do with things that are not of God. It is a day that Satan uses innocent looking pumpkins and cute little ghosts to run free...it is also a day that has close ties to witch craft and S.atanic worship. While and I am not as well versed or studied as Mrs.Fink is, I do know that those types of things are what I personally want to stear clear of and I also do not want to raise my children in it either. I appreciate my husbands firm stand in this area...and if you really do want to understand better...please check out this blog.

May you prayerfully consider if this is truely something that a born again Christian needs to be a part of...

The Lamb Story

I had promised this over a week ago! Some sweet person (I do not even know) heard about one of our miscarriages and sent this along with a very nice card...

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In the summer time, when the grass in the lower valleys dries up and withers, the shepherds seek to lead their sheep up the winding, thorny, and stony pathway. The sheep are reluctant to take the hardships; so they turn back and will not follow very far. The shepherds make repeated attempts, but the timid sheep turn back. Finally, a shepherd reaches into the flock and takes a little lamb, and places it under his arm, and then he reaches in and takes up another lamb and places it under the other arm. Then he starts out up the precipitous pathway; soon the mother sheep start to follow, and afterward the entire flock. They ascend the tortuous trail to green pastures.

The Great Shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, has reached into the flock, and He has picked your lamb. He did not do it to rob you, but to lead you out and upward. He has richer and greener pastures for you, and He wants you to follow. Will you follow Him? You will, if you catch a glimpse of Him.

From Death of a Little Child
by J. Vernon McGee

Thankful Thursday

Today's "thankful Thursday" is going to be short and sweet.

I have been reminded {often} lately at how Thankful I am for honest people. I guess I am finding out that being honest is either a trait that people either like in your or hate in you...

Honesty is something that I respect in people...I appreciate someone that will tell me the truth. Even if that means hearing that it is my child being the naughty one, or my fault that someone missed a very important something.

Thank YOU all the honest people out there! You make this world a better place!

♫ Tradition ♫ TRADITION ♫

So because our daughter was born at my FAVORITE time of year...her birthday weekend brings a traditional drive up the Canyon to look at the colors of Fall! Actually I missed my first Fall drive up the canyon as promised by my husband because we were in Galvaston dipping our surprise newborn Princess' toes in the Gulf! So with peak color being close (we were about 2 days early this year) to her birthday every year...here are the pictures of Gods beautiful creation!

A few quotes I've come across lately

Here are a few quotes I have come across lately that I feel are worth mentioning...

Do not repeat anything you will not sign your name to. ~Author Unknown

Your life may be the only Bible some people read. ~Author Unknown

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. ~French Proverb

The only exercise some people get is jumping to conclusions, running down their friends, side-stepping responsibility, and pushing their luck! ~Author Unknown

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. ~James D. Miles

Dignity consists not in possessing honors, but in the consciousness that we deserve them. ~Aristotle

To know what is right and not do it is the worst cowardice. ~Confucius

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. ~Will Rogers

It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to. ~Author Unknown

It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. ~Noël Coward, Blithe Spirit

What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient. ~Bodie Thoene, Warsaw Requiem

I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character, and that therefore what one has done in the secret chamber one has some day to cry aloud on the house-tops. ~Oscar Wilde

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. ~Norman Vincent Peale

When you choose the lesser of two evils, always remember that it is still an evil. ~Max Lerner, Actions and Passions, 1949

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience. ~Doug Larson

Take care that no one hates you justly. ~Publilius Syrus

You never stand taller than when you are on your knees...a framed piece on my wall!

I take a firm stance in what I believe, but at the same time admit when I am wrong. Not to say that I am perfect, but just because I am with one group of people one day and another group of people the next doesn't mean I will change my beliefs according to who I am with...

Date with Grandma!

The week of the Princess' birthday, my mom came out on Thursday evening so was here all day Friday. I still had to work, but she took advantage and had the first ever Date with Grandma. They kids thought it was about the coolest thing ever! They went to eat, to the park, and finished up with a little shopping...the kids still tell people about their date with Grandma!










*Since I was working, it was my mom who gets credit for these pictures!

Storybook Island

On Labor Day we went to Storybook.Island as a family. It was something that I had been wanting to take the kids to all summer and that was the last chance as it was the end of their regular season! Sooooo glad we went, they LOVED it!


The bridge just as you are entering, apparently someone mom knows recognized our kids from pictures that my mom has showed off at work...if that ever happens I would love to meet you!


For someone who has Pumpkin Patch Daycare it is only right to take a picture inside the pumpkin house, right?


Noah's Ark


101 Dalmations, yes...our children are riding dogs!


I believe the highlight of their day was riding this train. Storybook Island itself is free, but the train cost $1 per ride...well worth it as they STILL talk about the day the got to ride the chu chu train!


This allowed us to talk about Jonah being swallowed by the big fish...


This is something we will do again, my only regret is not taking a picture of Jack & Jill...I would say the nursery rhymes (if I remembered them) as we walked up to each display and you will often hear Princess asking, "Who fell down and bumped his crown?" To which I respond, "Jill" and she then says, "No! She was tumbling AFTER!" Great memories! If you are a f/b friend there are more pictures of this day on my f/b page!

Family Hike

Back in August we went on a family drive up the Canyon and then hiked a little around Roughlock Falls. I love being around the Hills, it is beautiful no matter what time of the year you are here! The kids enjoyed the free rides in our new backpack carriers and it was just an all around great family day. The kids were starving (we still cannot figure out when they ride how THEY get so hungary!) after we were finished and we told them that since we had been in nature all day it seemed only fitting to eat grasshoppers, leaves, and honey for super....the Princess was not too impressed with that. We ended up at D.Q. instead!


Family shot!


View from the top of the falls...


Roughlock Falls


The Hills


Looking back at the Falls


On our hike


I have always loved the Aspen? Birch? trees...I just love everything about them!



If you are interested in booking a room at the H. Hotel...let us know! We would love to have you!

Thankful um *Thursday*

So I really need to officially change it to Thankful Friday because most of the time it actually comes on Friday! One of these days I am going to start pre-posting and then lovebeingmama will be back to daily posts! I have heard your requests to get back in the swing of things...and I will work on getting better~

But for today...I have to give some thanks to my Husband. I have been totally bogged down with the Patch lately and just exausted at the end of the day and he has been such a blessing! Even though he works hard all day he still musters up enough to help make super (and sometimes do it by himself) and he helps with major house cleaning, laundry, dishes, etc etc.

But this week especially, I must be fighting something off because by 6 I am wiped out...plus we had a feverish little girl for a day and a half so a good night of sleep was lost. That evening he took it upon himself to not only completly scrub the kitchen clean, but also to cook supper for the family! It was so appreciated, I was able to focus on the Princess and doing what needed to be done to get her fever down!

This isn't out of the norm for Handsome to help out. He respects the fact that I work from 7 to 5:30 and realizes that while I am at home all day, I cannot possibly keep up with all the stuff that needs to happen around here with so many little ones under foot that need me.

I really do not know how I could have found a better guy, he is the best and I love him more than words can even begin to explain!

Boo's Birthday Shoot

This year we tried something different with the kids' birthday pictures, and we have enjoyed the result. Instead of taking them to a professional, we went to a local park and made some special family time out of it! While his birthday isn't for another 2 months, we thought we would take some pictures while we still had nice weather and pretty colors around! Here is the fruits of our labor:



He really enjoyed throwing the leaves in the air, but couldn't throw them AND look at the camera!



This one is just precious to me...when did he become my BIG boy, he has always been my BABY!










So innocent...most of the time!






He is so sweet, he really tries to make sure that he doesn't favor Daddy over Mommy or vice versa...I think that is precious!




Very possibly my favorite shot of the day!

GAP model right there!




It was a fun day, I cannot believe my babies are/are going to be 3! It just doesn't seem right!