Book Review - "The Shack"

Ok, so I just finished reading this book and it was amazing, yet heart wrenching, yet humbling, yet life changing! Wow, I recommend everyone read this book but make sure you have a box of tissues near by for it will pull on your heart. You can't help but see life so differently afterwards. Let me know your thoughts afterward. Some quotes that really impacted me were these:

"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved."

"The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love."

"To force my will on you is exactly what love does not do, says Jesus".

"Judging requires that you think yourself superior over the one you judge."

"Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors."

This world is full of tears, but if you remember I promised that it would be Me (God) who would wipe them from your eyes." "When you start to sink, let Me rescue you."

Oma visits

Oma visits to celebrate the November birthdays. And of course, she always brings a new game to teach us. Here she is with Eddie playing "Go Again" which uses the letters from Scrabble...we always love having her come visit where we relax and play.

Birthdays

We waited for Oma to arrive to celebrate two special birthdays. Connor turned 2 and Kaitlyn turned 4. Connor wanted his car off his cake and that was all...he had zero desire to blow out the candles so Clayton volunteered.

Kaitlyn finally turns 4...she's been talking about celebrating her birthday since the day she turned 3....so all she wanted were lots of balloons and candles on her cake. She is really into dress-up so she got a new dress that she loves to put on..."I'M BEAUTIFUL" she says and then she spins around. So all week I've gotten lots of fashion shows...too fun to watch.

Havin' a little fun

Ok, so I'm a bit behind on blogging...we went to the Portland Children's Museum to see the new "Bob The Builder" exhibit. It was a lot of fun...we could not get the kids out of the exhibit for a long time but eventually we made ourselves to some of the other fun areas. The kids had a blast and Connor didn't have me hold him the entire time so my shoulders were joyful for the rest. Enjoy the photos.

Clayton was trying to tell us he was hungry
Connor could have stayed there all day playing with this one...he loved watching the balls roll

Just a hangin'

Clayton was waiting for the balls to come through

Clayton pushing buttons

Kaitlyn just had to get a picture with JJ

Connor enjoyed the puzzle table

Halloween Fun

So Matthew and I got dressed up to take the little ones out for fun and candy. Connor refused to put on his costume and preferred to stay home with sissy. Kristina got dressed up as a fairy princess to greet the many children at the door, and I mean many. Our street is very popular and kids come by carload to collect candy. I was worried about taking Kaitlyn out because of those that like the scary decor. She did pretty well until we got to a scary house. She would tell us "I'll stay with you Daddy". So Matthew stayed with her while Clayton and I got her candy. Clayton was pretty brave and had so much fun greeting his friends. We were so thankful that the rain cleared up earlier in the day which made for a mild, clear night. Connor was happy to see me once I washed my face. Enjoy!

Fall is my favorite time of year. Today while we were driving I was just thinking of how much God truly loves us. Especially to give us such beauty in the various colors of Fall. We've had such an awesome Fall with amazing colors and mild weather. The blue bird comes to our house almost daily and likes to eat the dog food we have outside...he's gorgeous and has such a large wing span...the blue is so amazing. May your hearts be touched by God's beauty as we approach Christ's birth.

check out the bee on my never ending blooming rose bush