Nothing but treats this weekend!

What a fun weekend! We were able to spend the whole day together as a family on Saturday and it was such a treat. We took Kate to breakfast on Saturday morning and sitting outside in the beautiful weather I felt like it was one of those moments I'd just long to remember years from now.

Kate's Halloween pajamas from Granny.

Getting ready for a fun-filled day.

Kate woke up from her nap on Saturday with crazy hair. Her hair is really curly, especially when she first wakes up. She's catching a little ESPN Gameday here. You know, when you've been asleep, you have to catch up on all the scores you've missed.

We went to our friends' Ben and Lindsey's house to trick or treat.

I'm ready...what are we waiting on?

Trick or treating with Dad.

Watching the big kids and learning the drill.

Helping the guys with the grill after trick or treating.

We went to a pumpkin-carving party on Friday night. This is our Tim Tebow Superman pumpkin.

Calling all prayer warriors

For anyone reading who is willing to pray, our friends' little girl is in serious need of prayer. Some of you know about Sarah Kate Moore. She's the little girl who was born a few months before Kate and had to have a heart transplant a few months after she was born. Sarah Kate will be 2 in a few weeks and she has spent most of her life in the hospital - either in Boston or in Baton Rouge. Y'all, I cannot emphasize enough how this whole family is in need of prayer. Here are some specific ways you can join us in praying for them:

• Pray for Sarah Kate. She was readmitted to the hospital last night after being home less than 48 hours. She has a very high fever and high levels of infection in her body.
• Pray for her parents (Eric and Lindsey), her siblings (Madeline and Wesley who is one month old), and her grandparents. They are weary, just plain worn out.
• Pray for her doctors. Sarah Kate's had some of the best medical care available in her life and the doctors seem to be at a loss for answers and solutions. Every time they seem to get one thing under control, another problem arises.

Thank you for praying!

Bible study girls

I've mentioned my Monday night Bible study before, so I thought you might like to see the girls. We were missing a few, but we got a good shot a few weeks ago thanks to Ashley Beth (far right). Ashley Beth is our resident photograher. She is amazingly talented. You can see more of her work here. We've been meeting together for a little over three years now and God brought us together in a special way. Most of us go to different churches of different demoninations, but our sweet friend Delaney (who's now living in Georgia) introduced all of us. I'm so grateful for the friendship God's given me with these ladies and the chance to grow alongside each other. We've done several studies now (mostly Beth Moore) and we are currently finishing up her study of the book of Esther. Pictured from left to right are Shawna, Lindsey, Aimee, me, Kelle, Natalie, Heather and Ashley Beth.

More Fall Festival

Here's the whole gang at Fall Festival.


With Kate, checking out the rabbits.

Thank you God for miracles!

Some of you may remember me sharing at the beginning of the year about my friend Katye. Katye and her husband, Rusty, lost a baby last year the day after Christmas. Two days before their due date, they went in for a routine appointment only to discover their little boy Scout had died. Katye carried Scout for 9 months and never got to bring him home. I've been amazed this year at Katye and Rusty's ability to mourn deeply for Scout with the faith in God that there were still good things to come for them. Yesterday evening, Katye gave birth to a little boy, Deacon. Deacon is a perfect beautiful baby boy. As I looked at the pictures of them last night smiling and holding their baby boy, I was reminded that only God has the power to turn our mourning into laughter. Be encouraged that even in the very darkest times of life, God has not forgotten us nor will he ever forsake us.

I'm bringing home my baby bumblebee

Last night was Fall Festival at church. Hopefully we'll be able to get some clearer pics next Saturday for trick-or-treating. But here's the bumblebee in her debut.

A little chilly - had to start the evening with a sweater.

Ready to check everything out.

As usual, Kate's favorite thing was the animals in the petting zoo. I think she thought the goats were dogs. Yesterday I turned on the Dog Whisperer (TV show) for her and she was memorized. Future vet? Dottie would be so proud :)

The Scariest Halloween Monster

Halloween usually conjurs images of ghouls and goblins, but the scariest monster threatening my house lately has been the H1N1 virus. Being 22 weeks pregnant and having a small child, I've been worried about what might happen if the virus attacked our house. You hear all kinds of things on the news, but it's often hard to know what to believe. Kate and I both got the vaccine this morning, so I'm feeling a little less worried now. But the whole thing made me think about fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." While I pray for God to give us wisdom in making tough decisions about vaccinations, protecting our children, etc., my fears cannot overshadow my faith in Him for our future. I have to learn to trust him more and worry less. Any other moms struggle with this? If you want, leave a comment and tell me how you cope with worrying about your children. I should have some Fall Festival pictures this weekend (it's tonight at church). Kate was supposed to be a ladybug, but we had some costume shipping drama so now she's going to be a bumblebee. Should be fun!