Our Thanksgiving Tradition

Christine and Reagan

Livy and Andrew

The Sauer Family

Steve decorating our annual jello salad.

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Our tradition every year is that we go to my Aunt Judi and Uncle Paul's house. This year more family were able to come into town so it was extra special. My dear cousin Aaron, his wife, Nicole, and their two boys, have been in town all weekend and we have had such a fun time with them and the rest of my family. I am so thankful for my family and feel extra blessed to have them. My cousin, Aaron, makes me laugh like no other. He is so funny. So, there isn't anything extra-ordinary to write about; just a wonderful weekend with wonderful people.

The joys of a little girl in her polka-dot jammies.

A little behind......

Better late than never. I wanted to post some pictures I loved from Halloween. Steve, Christine and Drew were in Mexico; but we had so much fun trick or treating with family and friends.

Livy and Avery-little princesses

Jaden was a ninja but looked more like a terrorist.

Luke and Jake were constantly being asked for a "Double, Double."

Livy and Coley be precious.

Her dress was not overly comfortable-she hasn't learned that beauty is pain.

A good big brother

Tonight Livy wasn't feeling well. The sweet part is that, for some reason, all she wanted was Andrew. I was proud of him because he was in the middle of doing something he really loved but he stopped because she needed him. He got down on the floor and played Littlest Pet Shop with her and cheered her up. It's little things like that that just warm my heart and help me get through the more challenging times.

Respectable Sins

That's the name of a book we're reading in our home group. Let me just tell you that I've only read three chapters and am already feeling about an inch tall-which is a good thing. There are so many areas that I want to grow in spiritually. My biggest struggle right now is that I feel like I have a lack of Zeal for God. I feel like a lukewarm Christain right now. My friend Andrea lent me the book 'When I Don't Desire God.' by Jon Piper. I have it next to my bed right now and am planning to read it soon. So my prayer to God right now is "Lord, please help me love you and have a passion for You." On kind of a side note, this morning I was reading a Psalms to the kids before school and I randomly choose Psalm 139,

"Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold O Lord , you know it altogether."

The funny part is that when I was reading my book tonight the same Psalms I had read in the morning was being used as an example in the book. It's very convicting to remember how well the Lord knows us; he knows what we will say before we say it. He knows our thoughts (even when we're able to hide them from others.) My prayer is that I will seek to please Him more than other people and that I will choose to lay aside my selfish desires for His will.