Pumpkin Patch 2011

We headed to the annual pumpkin patch in our area this past week. Brayden's annual picture we take on the little bench didn't happen...they didn't have the bench!  Crazy after 3 years that it wasn't there!  Oh well!   It was still fun being out in the cool, crisp air taking some family pics with the pumpkins.

Are You My Mother? - read by Brayden

One of Brayden's favorite books is "Are You My Mother?"  Here's he is reading it...

Veggie Tales

We told Brayden we had a surprise for him, so we hopped in the car in an unknown direction (to him).  We pulled up to Lifeway Christian Bookstore, and we look in the backseat, and Brayden had the biggest grin on his face!  He couldn't wait to get out of his car-seat to go meet Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber from Veggie Tales.  

He ran into the store and to the back corner

and grabbed a mini version (plush) of Bob & Larry.

He ran back to the front of the store to show them

themselves as Little Bob and Larry.  It was hilarious.

 He is really into Veggie Tales now,

so he was so excited to meet Bob and Larry!

Noonday Collection Show

There is this new organization called Noonday Collection that I am absolutely head over heels for.  For awhile now, God has been placing on my heart oppressed women around the world...trafficked women and those in oppressed countries.  When I was introduced to Noonday Collection, I was blown away.  This is a company that sells goods produced fair-trade by women (and some men) in several countries around the world.  They are simply trying to make a sustainable income, and the founder of Noonday has partnered with them to help make that possible.

Another amazing part of the company is that when you host a Trunk Show, ten percent of the proceeds go to a family that is adopting.  My friend, Erin, approached me and asked if she could do the trunk show to benefit my brother-in-law's family who is planning to adopt for a second time.  It was so exciting to see how God worked through this Trunk Show to help provide in their adoption fund.

Beautiful Noonday jewelry

Pictures of my cute nephew who is adopted

Jewelry...plus a family pic of Michael and Heidi with Harrison

We all had to wear some of the beautiful jewelry 

from Noonday for the picture!

Erin made cute little party favors for everyone with yummy sugar cookies

with a tag that said ways that everyone could pray for Michael & Heidi

as they prepare to adopt a second child.

Want to order Noonday jewelry, scarves, purses, or household items

to support these women around the world to create sustainable income,

order here: Noonday Collection

Easy-Peasy Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

The applesauce was out in our house, and my little guy was requesting some, and I remembered the good-ole days of baby food making, and whipped up some applesauce.  It's really easy and only takes a few minutes.

This makes one bowl of applesauce:

2 apples

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Ziploc Zip'n Steam bag

Magic Bullet or blender

Cut up apples into small chunks and place in Ziploc bag.  Sprinkle in cinnamon.  Microwave for 2 minutes.  

Place apples into Magic Bullet or blender and blend until smooth.  If you like chunky applesauce, you can just mash with a fork. 

This makes super yummy cinnamon applesauce.  I was amazed he was eating 2 apples in one bowl of applesauce...awesome!

YUM!

Be Present

We love to paint in this house...and finger (hand) painting is even better!

Painting with a piece of celery makes a fun stamp.

While painting, Brayden asked me to do my handprint.  At first, I was like, "No, you just do it."  Then I realized that so often I just sit back and let him do his thing, and I miss out on an opportunity to really do things together.  It's in those moments that fun and memories are made!  I want him to look back and always remember me really being present...not just there...but really in the moment.

Be present.

Panther Pride

We went to a high school volleyball game to watch some girls play who are in my Life Groups at church.  Their mascot is a panther, and when it showed up at the game, Brayden was so excited.  He ran over to the Panther and yelled, "Hey, Panther" about 10 times until he turned around and noticed him.  He walked right over next to the Panther and sat down.  The Panther put his arm around Brayden and sat there for a good minute watching the volleyball game.  I was cracking up!  It was so cute!

Homecoming King...for a minute

 Brooks and Shelby are two of our high school students in our ministry,

and they won Homecoming King and Queen at their school.

Brooks was so nice and let Brayden be "King" for a minute.

Brayden thought it was so cool!

Growing Up

Well, we finally did it!  We took the rail off my "baby's" crib!  I know some might say we should have done it awhile ago, but I was holding out as long as possible!  He stayed in his crib, so I was perfectly content with containment!  But, nonetheless, it was time.  

We took the front rail off his crib, since it's a convertible bed.  Once it was off, I realized, "Uh, I don't have toddler-sized sheets or blankets!"  So, improvising happened.  I pulled out our old OBU blanket and popped it on top of his crib sheets for the time being.  It will work!  He's been loving his "new, big boy bed."  

The first couple days, he jumped in bed and didn't budge 'til naptime was up.  Lately, he's been realizing the freedom that this no-rail bed has going on.  A couple days ago, I walked in to him wearing a hat, no shirt, a tie, and his Elmo slippers.  Trying to stay composed while trying to get him to nap, I busted out laughing.  Creativity, I tell you.  Love it.

The last couple days, he's been very creative in his naptime endeavors.  He's been known to be found rocking away in his rocking chair, nightlight on, and reading books...sneaky!  My favorite so far though has been when I walked in on him sound asleep.  He was propped up on his giant Panda stuffed animal and rockin' his train conductors hat.  Oh, and when I pulled back the covers...you better believe he was wearing his Elmo slippers too.  

 Precious.

Mimi & Papa Come to Town

 

Last weekend, Mimi and Papa came in town for a visit.  It was beautiful weather, so we spent lots of time outside.  It actually felt like fall...which it rarely does here in Houston...so we ate outside on our patio a lot.  So nice!

Shiloh loved it too!

 The Houston Zoo was one of our outings.  

It's one of Brayden's favorite places!

Loving his time with Mimi and Papa...

He goes, "Hey, Mom, get my picture!"

I guess he's used to me asking him to pose!

Checking out the monkeys with Papa

"Hey, that's my Daddy's name!"

There's a really cool underground viewing area of the lions.

This was the closest they've ever been to the glass...

and (hopefully) the closest we'll ever be to one!

 "Hey, you!"

 Scoping things out...

 ...going in as close as he can get!  

 He loves the zoo; what can I say?!  He went over to the big monkey

in the gift shop; plopped down, and gave him a big hug!