Halloween 2016

Every year we go back and forth about whether to celebrate Halloween or not. There are so many compelling reasons not to.....but every year we just cave and say, "Aw, it's no big deal, it's just an innocent holiday that is fun for kids."   As Christians, however, we struggle with decisions everyday that we hope glorify our King and Savior. This year, we decided to sit this one out as a conscience offering to the Lord. Bella was a little disappointed for the first few seconds after we talked but then she shared with me just how scared she was seeing all the gore and evil costumes anyway. Joziah didn't care because he doesn't know any better. Bella decided we were going to have a pumpkin drawing activity and then watch movies instead.   It was a lovely evening AND I didn't have to spend the next 2 weeks listening to whining for candy OR raiding their stash myself.  Win-Win

Joziah's pumpkin

Movies and Pez

8 is Great!

As the kids grow up, birthdays are getting so much easier because my kids are easy to please! Back when I threw extravagant parties, it was my thing....not there's. Birthdays are still a big deal in our house, but the celebrations are less thematic.

Bella wanted her 8th birthday party to be at the Trampoline Park. It was a memorable one because on the way there she got really sick and vomited the whole way (1 hour) to the party. When we picked up her last friend, Curtis got out of the car, wrapped his arms around her and prayed that God would heal her. As soon as we arrived at the place, she stopped vomiting and felt brand new.  She was able to enjoy her party to the fullest, all because of answered prayers.

We surprised her with lunch, balloons and flowers on her actual birhday

Mrs. Hagander, her TAG teacher

Her favorite breakfast

All decked out for school

Caden surprised her right when we got into the classroom with some Lego sets.

Brownies in her class

Joziah helped me make her favorite dinner

Party Prep.....Joziah helped me cut out everyone's names in vinyl on my Cricut so we could make everyone a personlized water bottle.  

Finished Water Bottles

Party Day!  

No more throwing up! Ready to party!

Waiting to watch the safety video

Birthday Buddies

Dodgeball

Always a great big sister

Carter, Scarlett, and Joziah

EG

The only other thing she wanted...rainbow cupcakes in these glasses with skittles

Food!!!