"The Pumpkin Gospel"

A few weeks ago Auntie Jenna gave Josie and Caleb a book called "The Pumpkin Gospel." It's a parable about how carving a pumpkin is like the process that God goes through when we cleans the "mushy gushies" out of our hearts when we receive Him as our Savior. It's a wonderful book! Ever since, Josie has been wanting to carve a pumpkin. So, we finally went and got one. As we carved it, we talked about "The Pumpkin Gospel."

Daddy cleaning out the "mushy gushies"...

The "mushy gushies" are stinky!

"Carve a tross, please."

The story finishes by telling us that when God cleans out our hearts, he puts His light inside of us to shine for everyone to see. Isn't that a wonderful parable!

Home Improvement

This weekend we embarked on a huge task. Wesley with the help of our friend Gabe, put windows into our living room. Those of you who have been to our house may remember that our living room had no windows and with it's low ceilings, sometimes had the tendency to feel like a cave. I guess I should really say Gabe put the windows in while Wesley followed directions. Gabe and his wife, Melendy are absolutely AMAZING! They know so much about home improvement and have such beautiful servants' hearts! They totally blessed us this weekend! Take a look at how awsome it is!

Before windows.....

Taking down the siding....

Hey, guys! Can I help?

Awaiting further intructions...

Almost finished product....

Almost finished on the inside...

We still have to finish the trim on the inside and outside, but I'd say for one day of hard work, Saturday was a very effecient day. I'll try to remember to put a picture of the final product up when we get everything together. We are LOVING our windows! It is so nice to have our room full of natural light!

We are so thankful for friends like Gabe and Melendy! They truly serve out of love and definitely know how to work as unto the Lord!

"Will You be My Flower Girl?"

A few weeks ago, a very good friend of ours came over for lunch. She brought with her something very sweet--a bouquet of cookie flowers for Josie. Mary Margaret asked me if she could give something to Josie. She handed me a card and I knelt down to read it to Josie. It said, "Josie, your family is so special to me, will you please by my flower girl in Caleb's and my wedding? Love, Mary Margaret."

Thank you Mary Margaret and "Big" Caleb for thinking of our daughter! We love you guys!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

I absolutely love Wesley Brooks. He is the earthly love of my life! I was so overwhelmed this morning that I decided I HAD to boast in the LORD because of HIS amazing gift called "Wesley."

I will not attempt to brag on Wesley because of anything he does of his own power, but I know he would not want me to if I tried. He would be the first to tell you that without Jesus he is nothing but sinful man (and some days I might be the second). And that is the first thing I'm thankful for about him--his heart to increase Jesus and decrease himself.

We were talking last night about how busy we've been, but by the end of our conversation we concluded that we could redefine it as "life to the full." Let me explain. Last week I had two nights in a row that I needed to do some very important stuff and he took great care of the kids without complaining--even when Caleb had been diagnosed with Pneumonia. Then this week (yes, it's only Wednesday) he dropped everything to go help paint a friends' house who's family is about to go be missionaries in Europe; followed by leading a downtown Bible study called Brother's Keeper for homeless men and women.

Now, don't think for a second that he is neglecting his family. Once again, we give God praise and glory for how HE is the sole provider of a precious commodity called time. Wesley told me last night how even though his job might not be the most "prestigious" he couldn't ask for anything better because he realized that he couldn't participate in all the opportunities God gives him if he still worked in a big accounting firm. For example, he works until 4 and then last night was able to come home and play with his kids for a a couple of hours, eat dinner and then go lead Bible study. He had kind of an "AH-ha" moment. He said, "What in life is better than that? Who would WANT to work those extra few hours anyway if they didn't have to? Prestige has a price, and I'm not willing to pay it."

But, I can go on. He is a real man's man. He loves to fish, hunt, play and watch sports, BUT never puts those in front of his family. I know most men would say they don't, but Wesley really doesn't. He doesn't rush home from church in fear of missing the Cowboys, and if he misses all but the last quarter, he's ok with that. He understands that relationships are eternal and no one will remember the score of a game 20 years from now. I don't mind him watching sports or going hunting because he's not obsessed with them! He gives me no reason to be jealous of those things.

One last thing. He truly loves our family. He loves our kids and he's in love with me! We laugh because I tell him that he's a picture of God's grace to me and I know that can sound weird. What I mean is, he is a reminder that God gives us things we don't deserve because I don't deserve Wesley. I don't deserve to be his wife and yet I have the privilege to be just that.

I feel sorry for all these women who think that "submit to your husband" is a bad word choice for what God really meant in Ephesians 5 because there is such a freedom in it. Wesley (because of God's grace and mercy in his life) is learning to love me like Christ loves the church. Why would I ever want to be "liberated" from that?


THANK YOU, JESUS! THANK YOU, JESUS! THANK YOU, JESUS! YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD GOD! I WILL PRAISE YOU AND BOAST OF YOUR LOVE, GRACE, MERCY, AND POWER ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE! PRAISE YOU!

Even "Bigger" Hair Day

Well, after talking to our friend Whitney, I was inspired to use sponge curlers on Jo's hair. So, last night after her bath I covered her head in rollers. I honestly had no idea what the outcome would be. What do you think?

Wesley and I were in complete shock. I had no idea this would be the outcome. Because I'm not really a "fru, fru" type anyway (which there's nothing wrong with that if you are), I quickly calmed these crazy locks with spray conditioner. Subsequently, Jo went to church with straight, damp hair.

It is cute, but seeing as how it resembles more of a Richard Simmons wig than my daughter's hair, I think I'll wait for Halloween to do this again.

Oh, one more thing. I think we have officially gone overboard with the hair stuff. When Wesley picked her up from Sunday School this morning the teacher told him that Josie was "really into hair today." When Wesley asked her what she did in class today, instead of telling us about the story and lessons she learned, she told us, "I played with Addy's hair."

Hmmmm. No more hair talk for a while. I think it's becoming a distraction.

"Big" Hair Day

I've been avoiding it for a while now, but I finally gave in and took Josie to get her hair cut. I had waited for several reasons, but one of them was because I honestly didn't know how she'd handle it.

I pictured two scenarios: 1.) she sits perfectly still and behaves like an angel or 2.) has a melt down the instant we show her the chair. So, I talked to her about getting her hair cut for the last couple of weeks, prepping her as to what to expect.

I also have been trying to "fix" her hair better lately, so I actually talked her into letting me curl it with the curling iron yesterday. It was so cute.

Well, I think I created a monster. She is now absolutely obsessed with her hair as well as brushing others'. (She was brushing my hair this morning and told me she was going to brush it "long like Beth Moore's". I thought Beth would be so proud.)

Anyway, like I said, I've created a monster. Just watch this video.

What did I tell you? This was only a minute and a half of at least 30 minutes of the day.

We did end up going to get her hair cut today, and of course I took pictures and kept the traditional lock of baby hair.

Here she is before we got her hair cut (after I washed the hand soap out) and at the salon with our long-time friend and hair stylist, Stefanie.

As you can see, scenario #1 was the outcome! Praise the Lord!

I think my next conversation with Josie will be about the flaw of vanity.

September in Review...Where Did it Go?

These are a few pictures and videos from our fast and furious September...

Cutie in a box.

One Sunday afternoon we heard music outside. Could that be what we thought it was? Yes, it was! The ICE CREAM MAN! We grabbed some cash and ran outside. We were a little bummed when it wasn't the classic white ice cream truck we remembered as kids, but the ice cream man and his wife still brought the goodies! Josie really didn't understand until she saw the ice cream! She requested "pink" so she got the Pink Panther.

Caleb is really enjoying the real food these days--and so is our checking account. He loved the pot roast, potatoes, and carrots.

Every time Josie asks for a sandwich, she requests that it be cut in the shape of a "tross".

Chillin' with Dad.

This is one of my favorite songs from The Sound of Music. I think Caleb likes it too.

Thanks to Aunt Jenna for the baby bouncer! It provides lots of fun for all of us.

Too Funny Not to Post...