5th Annual BYOP

Our 5th year to have BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) and this year, we had a new little man with us and it was hosted in a new house! Oh, and I'm fairly certain this was the first year that it was actually chilly outside for our event! Talk about a perfect pumpkin carving night. 

Ian had the biggest pumpkin...of all time. 

The best wine to pair with pumpkin carving and Halloween. 

This little man was smiling big time for his Aunt Ellen

We had the usual pumpkin chili (recipe found here), homemade pumpkin hot chocolate, pumpkin bread, and better than everything cake and it was all amazing and I definitely ate entirely too much.

And with all of our pumpkin food, we had a cute little baby pumpkin booty

Per usual, we carved pumpkins and as you know, Stranger Things has been on the forefront this weekend so, as you might imagine, mine may or may not have been related. 

You can tell we're definitely getting older because the gusto when it came to carving the pumpkins wasn't quite as present as years past--haha. It might have had something to do with staying up late the night before. Now, we wait for the day with Russell and Ann Hatten carve the pumpkins and we oversee! 

Melissa wasn't sure what would be going on with Russell so she decided to paint her little pumpkins. How cute are they? Little donuts with sprinkles!

And our final products:

e11e (Elle, Eleven, Stranger Things--get it?) and a skeleton carving

 

I really cannot believe this was our 5th year to have another successful BYOP!
Thankful for friends, family, and fun traditions that we can carry on throughout these ever changing years. 

"In A World Full of Tens, Be an Eleven"

Last night was a night we've been waiting for--for quite some time now! 

STRANGER THINGS 2 was released by Netflix and we had a watch party that was epic. 

Before watching, we ate together and we had a few "Stranger Things" themed foods--mainly Eggos and chocolate pudding. 

Let me be the one to tell you, if you google recipes using eggos+stranger things, your mind will be blown. There are so. many. options!Jason and I decided to go simple and make S'mores Eggos using nutella and marshmallows and it was DIVINE! Seriously, you'll want to try this. 

After eating, we made our way and started on one of the greatest shows of all-time (no, I'm not being dramatic)! We were only able to watch the first two episodes at the party but, Jason and I finished them up today and...YES, it's as good if not better than the first season. AHHH! I just love it. 

So now that my Stranger Things tank is full, I am going to share with y'all some of the best apparel or accessories I've seen and/or gotten:

This blu ray/DVD combo that can only be found at Target--I literally went and got it today and it's as awesome as you would imagine. Get it here.

This outrageously cool shirt that I found at Target. Is it not the cutest? Get it here.

I don't own this one from Target...yet! Get it here. 

And this is just classic--I'm telling you, Target has it going on. Get this one here. 

While I was getting the blu ray today, I had to keep myself from getting this Monopoly as well--I mean come on! How fun would this be? Get it here. 

And since Eleven is my favorite character--I can't forget these two shirts from Walmart:

Get this one here. 

And I'm pretty sure I'm going to get this one for myself--looks so classic. Get it here. 

So now that I've made you want to spend all your money and spend the day watching season 1 and 2---well, don't be a mouth breather and go! Go and get it done! 

"The Why's & The When's"

This past Sunday we had our Women's Conference at the church and it was fantastic. 

Mrs. Pauline Rogers was the speaker and not only did I hear her testimony and about her lifetime work that she is so passionate about, but I also learned a neat story about our family through it all as well. 

I asked my Mom to share the story of how she and Pauline met and their relationship:

"I met Pauline Rogers about 28 years ago and our paths have crossed ever since.  Steve and I were serving the congregation of Altawoods Presbyterian Church.  A group of ladies from the MS Correctional Facility were coming to our church to do a program under the work of Ms. Wendy Hatcher. We were in the fellowship hall visiting with ladies when Pauline (a prisoner) asked if she could hold my little baby.  Ellen was maybe two months old.  I will never forget the feeling inside of me.  I was thinking "This tall prisoner wants to hold my little bitty baby, and I do not even know why she is in prison."  This happened right after I had walked through the darkest time in my life.  Our second baby, Adam, had died and we had waited about 6 or 7 months to get pregnant again. Finally, a healthy baby girl had been given to us, precious little Ellen and here was this lady in prison wanting to hold her.  Not having the courage to say no, I handed Ellen over to Pauline.  She enjoyed her so much.  Pauline had this beautiful smile on her face and it was a sight to see.  Some months later I went to see my OB/GYN and who do I see in the office...Pauline.  Dr. McMillan, who was my doctor, had made the decision to hire Pauline as a maid at my clinic after she left the prison and through the years had trained her as a nurse.  She worked at the clinic for 27 years and many times when I would go, I sought her out and we would give each other a hug.  She later took over the prison ministry that Wendy Hatcher began and once again we would be in contact with each other about the prison ministry for women and their needs for Christmas.  Only The Lord knew the bond we would develop over the years from that one afternoon when a "tall prisoner lady" asked to hold my little bitty baby girl, Ellen."

I loved that story. 

As Pauline spoke to all of us that morning, she really focused in on the fact that we ask a lot of "why?" questions. "Why" causes us to ask baffling questions. All throughout The Bible people ask God "why?" The disciples, the men who were closest to Jesus--right under His teachings every day, asked "why?" Even Jesus on the cross asked "why have You forsaken me?"

So, how do we transition from the "why's?" to the "when's"

"When" is used often throughout the scriptures as well. "When will it change?"

"When" requires an action--it deals with a plan, it deals with a decision. 

When the prodigal son came home. When Jesus died on the cross. When the thief was on the cross next to Jesus. When you are converted. When you love Jesus. 

God has a reason behind each "why" and each "when" that we have throughout our lives. 

Pauline watched her Mother kill her Father.

She spent 6 years in prison for stealing.

While in prison, she met Wendy Hatcher--a tiny woman whose presence demanded respect--a woman who you wanted to respect. 

When she was released from prison, she lived with Wendy for 3 years until she met her husband. 

Wendy helped to answer many of the "why's" that Pauline had as she become her "when"

It was just so neat to hear how The Lord worked in Pauline's life while she was in prison and how even to this day, she is working with women who have been in prison and trying to help them start on their "when's" 

Here is a link to Wendy's book where you can read more about her and her life story/mission--I haven't read it but, definitely look forward to doing so!

"Good, Good Father"

Yesterday's sermon was good--like, really good. 

Dad was preaching on Luke 11:1-13 and had two main points:

1. When you pray, assume the WILLINGNESS of God (vs. 5-10)

According to Psalm 121:4, The Lord never sleeps, never slumbers--He is always there. 

He does not need to be pestered into listening to our prayers, He is gracious, He is always willing to answer prayer, anytime. 

In this passage, we have The Lord's Prayer and this is what we're praying when we recite it:

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name."--for His preeminence--start with God, not ourselves.

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven."--for His program--that we will live under His authority. 

"Give us day by day our daily bread."--for His provision--we are acknowledging that we are dependent people and need what only He can provide. 

"And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us."--for His pardon--forgiveness. "The entire life of a believer is to be a life of repentence"--Martin Luther

"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”--for His protection--not if, but when we are pulled down the wrong path. 

2. When you pray, assume the TRUSTWORTHINESS of God

Trust is a major component of any relationship. 

Our demeanor towards a person totally transforms when we know that we have someone we can trust, someone to love us completely. 

If we cannot trust someONE, we can always trust THE ONE, our Heavenly Father. 

Throughout time, one of the most transformative relationships you can have is with your father--our earthly father's should be reflective of our Heavenly Father and how He loves us. 

If these imperfect fathers can give good gifts to their children, how much MORE will our Heavenly Father give us good things?

God has already graced us with the ultimate good--His Son and our salvation--what can He do that is possibly better than what He's already done for us?

He is willing and He can be trusted. 

This line right here is what really struck a chord with me: "If these imperfect fathers can give good gifts to their children, how much MORE will our Heavenly Father give us good things?"

My Dad is a good Dad. 

I am so incredibly thankful for my Dad and the constant love, support, and guidance he has shown to our family. 

I have childhood, teenage, and adult memories that all involve him--intentional time that was carved out specifically for spent together (and is still being spent together to this day).

My Dad is a good, good Dad. 

I will not ever take for granted the parents that I have and the feeling of security and love they have instilled in our family. I know that not everyone can relate when I say how much I love my parents and how good, merciful, and full of grace they have been to my siblings and me. 

I've learned that truth in a very tangible way since becoming a teacher in a "high needs" school. 

I have many (most) students that walk into my classroom each and every day that do not have "good" parents or "good" feelings when talking about their parents. They do not have parents that show interest, that help them, that tell them they are cherished, safe, and cared for. 

But even so, even when we do not have earthly fathers that are good and even when the best fathers do all that they know how and we at times still feel unloved, we can rest assured that our Heavenly Father loves us. He cherishes us. He helps us. He is interested in us. We are safe in Him. We are secure in Him. He cares for us, for every part of us. 

"Good" Dad or not, you are a child that is cherished and valued more than you can fathom and that is "good". It's hard to wrap my head around the fact (and it's a sure-fire fact) that the God of the universe, the very one who knit together the skies, the lands, and all that's within it loves us (YOU) and is willing and trustworthy. 

Praise God for earthly Fathers that show us how much we need the love of our Heavenly Father and how sometimes, that's all we have

and

Praise God for earthly Fathers that reflect the love of our Heavenly Father and give us the tiniest tastes of his never-ending, never-stopping, unwavering, humungous love for His children. 

I want to end with the lyrics to Chris Tomlin's song, "Good, Good Father"

I've heard a thousand stories of what they think you're like

But I've heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night

And you tell me that you're pleased

And that I'm never alone

You're a good good father

It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are

And I'm loved by you

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide

But I know we're all searching

For answers only you provide

'Cause you know just what we need

Before we say a word

You're a good good father

It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are

And I'm loved by you

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Because you are perfect in all of your ways

You are perfect in all of your ways

You are perfect in all of your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable

I, I can hardly speak

Peace so unexplainable

I, I can hardly think

As you call me deeper still

As you call me deeper still

As you call me deeper still

Into love, love, love

You're a good good father

It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are

And I'm loved by you

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You are perfect in all of your ways

It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are

And I'm loved by you

You are perfect in all of your ways

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

What I'm Loving Right Now (13)

Fall is in full swing and I am a happy camper!

October is my favorite. 

Here are some of the things that I'm loving during this October:

We went to our annual fair visit and it did not disappoint!

 It's so incredibly nasty while simultaneously being incredibly awesome. 

I love it. 

 and that my friends is the very reason I go to the fair. 

For the corn dogs (and the taffy) but, mainly the corn dogs!

 There have been some crazy beautiful, huge, full moons here of late. 

Pictures never do it justice. 

This sight on my walk last week

This stunning sun rise in the school yard. 

Early fall mornings are breathtaking. 

 The THIRD Harry Potter Illustrated came in and per usual, I am floored by the talent and creativity of Jim Kay. These books are so beautiful!

 This sweet picture of my Dad and Grando (his Dad)--Tuesday would have been his 100th birthday. 

Just think, in about 70 more days, Dad will become Grando himself and little Ann Hatten will have the best Grandparents around!

This little boy and his sweet, fun faces. 

This is such a sweet season of life with all of my friends/sister having babies. 

I love seeing these families grow and these women I've grown up with take on new roles as Mom's!

 I had these two as my dates for a wedding Saturday. It was such a sweet wedding for a girl who's been in our church since she was little bitty. 

I ended the weekend showering this long time friend for her upcoming wedding! 

Hurry up, December!