BOO!

NEIGHBORHOOD BOO

The air is cool, the season fall

Soon Halloween will come to all

The spooks are after things to do

In fact, a spook brought this to you

“Boo” is a shield from witching hour

Just hang it up and watch its power

On your front door is where it works

It wards off spooks and scary jerks

The power comes from friends like you

Who will copy this and make it two

Then others here along our street

Will say hello to all they meet

We’ll all have smiles upon our face

No one will know who “Booed” whose place

Just one short day to work your spell

To make this project work quite well

And don’t forget a nifty treat

Like something neat or something sweet

Please join the fun; let’s really hear it

And spread some “Boos” and Halloween spirit!

DIRECTIONS

1. Enjoy your treats.

2. Tape your “BOO” ghost sign on your front door.

3. Copy or print a “BOO” sign (it can be found at this site: http://blonde-designs.squarespace.com/blonde-designs-blog/2009/10/13/neighborhood-boo.html)

4. Take a treat, a BOO sign, and this note and secretly deliver to anyone in the neighborhood who does not have a “boo” on their front door.

4. Then watch how far this spreads by Halloween!

** If you mistakenly get “BOOED” twice just re-do it again please! **

Feel free to copy and paste the above text into Word and print and share as you wish.  I loved this tradition of the "BOO" in our Kansas neighborhood, and I was glad to see that we have it in our new neighborhood also.  I adapted the poem from the above web-site.  It is a fun way to spread fall cheer to neighbors...adults and kids like it...the kids the most of course! :)  Off to "BOO!"  Have a great day!

Butterflies

I love Mother Teresa, she was a wise woman who loved others and loved God deeply.  I also love butterflies.  So this photo/quote spoke to me.  Each time I see a butterfly it makes me smile.  After my mother in law died I also had a new view of butterflies.  To me when a person passes away their spirit can still return to our Earth to visit the living.  I tell our children at times when we see a butterfly it is "Grandma Susan" coming by to see them and say hello.  We see butterflies at the sweetest times.  I rejoice in seeing a butterfly, and knowing that this life is not the end.  We transform.

Simplify

It's "Simple"...(from The Message)

Proverbs 13:7
A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.

Proverbs 15:16
A simple life in the Fear-of-GOD is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.

Matthew 7:12
“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

Matthew 18:2-5
For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.

I hope you have able to "simplify" things in your day today. Make your day uncomplicated by trusting in Him. :)  The link below offers some good advice to Simplify Life with Kids...

http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/03/99-ways-to-simplify-life-with-kids.html

Smiles

Smiles refresh.  Smiles reflect.  Smiles respond to the inner happiness that has to get outside.  Bryan and Addison are both unique in what makes them smile.  Bryan is at the silly stage, wearing a big top cupcake silcone baker on his head.  Addison is smiling because I asked him to assist me in cleaning out the junk drawer.  He like me, is an early riser and likes to tackle projects of organization.  Both boys make me smile daily.  Thank you God for the gift of smiles and sons.

Joy Pops

As we grow in our capacities to discover the joys that God has placed in our lives, life becomes a glorious experience of discovering His endless wonders. unknown

God has awoken me early again! I have two little ones in bed with me this morning. We had a "snuggle party" last night since my husband is out of town. I guess that makes for a crowded but sweet night. I will crawl back in bed to try to sleep again in a bit. Today, I reflect on yesterday and the joys God placed in my life...
went to a room mom meeting...lots of rules and regs, but a blessing to be a part of your child's education,
went to work...sweet to see little children learning the English language who have been struggling just a bit interact more with me and their peers,

went to the dentist...thankful to have insurance & the care of professionals,
gave some clothing to Goodwill...the ability to share,
picked up our son at preschool...seeing him happy after a day of play/learning,
picked up our older son at the bus stop...walking with a preschooler...takes some patience to get a short distance when he wants to walk vs. sit in a stroller,
saw a baby black bear in our very own backyard...God's creation is marvelous,
shared popsicles with the roofers working on our roof...our son has learned how to share and love those who serve,
went to football practice...talked with a mom who has a son with autism...we all have a challenge to face,
went to McDonald's for dinner...fast food isn't necessarily fast, but it does make you smile,
snuggled with my boys on the floor in a pile of pillows to read stories...they are little for such a short sweet time.

Praise God for your gifts today! I'll be on the look out for my new joy pops!

Generations

There is divine beauty in learning, just as there is human beauty in tolerance. To learn means to accept the postulate that life did not begin at my birth. Others have been here before me, and I walk in their footsteps. The books I have read were composed by generations of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, teachers and disciples. I am the sum total of their experiences, their quests. And so are you. -Elie Wiesel

Thankful to be able to spend time with our parents and children.  Connecting the generations is special for my memories and theirs.  I see God's grace in time spent with family. 

Mommy and Bryan Day

Today we played Play-doh, had water fun time--making "potions" with the dried/used washable kid's paint from Crayola, photographed some of our fall decor, and walked the neighborhood...Bryan rode his tricycle, and I walked.  We saw beautiful things at the park, and there was a cool breeze!  Fall in Florida...love it!

College Game Day

College Game Day by ESPN goes to Tallahassee tomorrow.  More importantly we go to Tally too!  Love our Seminole football days.  Glad that Daniel and I have season tickets this fall.  What a blessing...date nights in our capitol city with friends and fans!  What to wear today?  I'm thinking Garnet and Gold of course!   Hope our FSU Seminoles can CRUSH the Clemson Tigers tomorrow night!  Looking forward to a good game.

Sleep

Sleep how precious rest is.  For a mom...how fleeting it can be.  I went to bed early, but at 2 a.m. Bryan entered in the dark hallway in the shadows...he had a bad dream.  Laid with him until 2:20 a.m. when he fell back asleep.  I tried.  I couldn't.  I did some computer work for about an hour, and then went back to sleep until 5 a.m.  Awake again.  Morning risers are an interesting breed.  I am one of them.  Early to bed for me again tonight!  You never know what the night or morning will bring!

"God, of Your goodness, give me Yourself, for You are enough for me.  And only in You do I have everything."  Julian of Norwich

1 Corinthians 13 Remix

The link below caught my attention on Pinterest or Facebook this week.  I thought I would create one from my perspective as a wife.  Katie Loveland talks from a parenting perspective.  How to show love for Moms...

http://www.lifewithjack.com/2012/05/1st-corinthians-13-for-moms.html


My new remix for Wives...

1st Corinthians 13 for Wives

by: Jennifer Cook

If my husband speaks in the tongues of men or of angels, masters how to juggle work, my worries, and his own, but does not learn to love, he is only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If he has the gift of foresight, graduates college, earns a promotion, and has faith that can move mountains-but does not have love, he is nothing.  If we give all we possess to the poor (or at least tithe to our local church, support the fundraisers for children, and give snacks to the homeless), but do not have love, we gain nothing. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy another couple's lifestyle or possessions.  
It does not boast about accomplishments.  It is not proud of the way my husband may love me better, earn more money, or serve the Lord in greater ways than your husband.  It is not self-seeking-hoping that you’ll notice how smart, talented or good-looking my husband is. 
It is not easily angered by perceived slights or misjudgments, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth that marriage is fueled and driven by God’s grace. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.  I will fall painfully short of God’s best for my husband.  When I use words that hurt my husband, they will be forgiven; where there is knowledge about the best way he could do something, it will pass away. For we know in part and we act incompletely, but when we are fully grown, what we thought we knew about marriage will disappear. When I was a new bride, I thought, spoke and reasoned with immaturity and without grace. As our marriage grows, I ask God to give me the wisdom to put these childish ways behind me. 
For now we see our married future as a reflection in a mirror; one day we will behold our mature selves face to face. Now I know in part; then we shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Photo by: Rochelle Stone Photography

Jennifer Cook is a part-time speech language pathologist and stay at home mom/housewife who lives with her husband and two active boys in Florida. Daniel and Jennifer are college sweethearts who've "grown up" together. Jennifer enjoys blogging about her faith, family, and community. Please feel free to pin/share anything on my blog.  

Boys

Boys are ...

bois·ter·ous

adjective...

rough and noisy; noisily jolly or rowdy; clamorous; unrestrained

 

Watching Addison, Bryan, and Jackson interact over the last few days we see this adjective in action!  They have made us laugh, prompted us to discipline, and been wild together!  It has been great to see them interact even though they fight a lot, cry, and get in each others' personal space.  At 6, 3, and 2 years of age, they are young, learning about correct behavior, and Addison likes to "parent" the younger two.  Bryan and Jackson are close enough in age to want the same exact toys, foods, etc.  They are all 3 a bundle of energy but especially the younger ones.  Addison is learning to behave more "civilized."  He is patient and loving to his younger brother and cousin.  Glad to have boys for sure!  It is a blessing to see our boys and their cousin play and fight together.  Life is like that...we play and we fight.  

 

Today, let's pray that our World is full of more peace.  A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones, (Proverbs 17:22)  I hope we have merry hearts and mend our broken spirits with the LOVE of Christ.  Share His love with others today...even yourself. 

Weekend Wrap Up

This weekend has been quite wild.  I'm thankful for a quieter day today, and rejoicing that tomorrow will be another family day.  The schools here have a holiday for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah.  Glad that we can relax after the busy days and nights we had on Friday and Saturday.

Quick recap in a flash:

Friday, drove to Winter Park to spend some time with Jackson and Jackie.
Friday afternoon, cleaned house to prep for house guest, Jason Arthur.
Friday evening went to Olive Garden for family dinner out.
Friday late night outing for my friend Megan Bobiak's birthday...not use to starting my outing at 9 p.m...in bed by midnight.
Saturday woke at 5:30 a.m. to see Jason and Daniel off to FSU game.
Left the house with both boys at 7:00 a.m. for 7:30 weigh in at Pop Warner football game.
Addison was one of the team "captains" this week so he went out for the coin toss.
The Patriots won the game...undefeated!  So cool...it was their homecoming so their were special posters from the cheerleaders to each player.
Back home for quick shower then off to Winter Park again with the boys.
Dad watched the boys while the women went to a bridal shower for Kathleen Cook (no relation...just a long time friend).
Saturday afternoon to Monkey Joes...chaos in a building...jumpy place with arcade games.
Saturday quick dinner with the boys and my parents.
Home to Longwood for a good night's rest.
Sunday...we didn't do church since Daniel was out of town, and Addison has a bit of a cough/head cold or allergies.  We laid low, and we played outside all morning.  Enjoyed some time with the neighborhood boys too.  Daniel returned at 12:30 p.m., and we'll be off to Winter Park again for dinner tonight.  Tomorrow, glad we are staying in Longwood for the day.  Jackie and Jackson will come out to visit us at our house.  Below are some photos from the weekend.  Whew...I'm tired just typing all this!

God is as great in the minuteness as He is in magnitude. unknown

My Husband, Grandpas, A Bear, and our Boys

Today I saw many "Grace Glimmers..."

Daniel and I woke up early together so we had the chance to have dueling lap tops on the kitchen table, talk time, and morning drinks before starting our day.  I love my morning time with my sweet husband.  He is truly my friend and the love of my life.

Later in the morning my dad and father in law arrived to share Grandparent's Day with Addison.  A special lunch at his school today.  I drove them to meet up with him, and he was excited to share that time with them since in Kansas he didn't have his grandparents to come to the Grandparent's Day at school last year.

Bryan and I left the school and headed to Publix while the others ate.  We had a great surprise on our drive...a brown bear was in a tree!  People were huddled around it taking pictures with their camera phones.  It was 11 a.m. broad day light!  Not sure why the poor cub was in a tree, but I was excited that I had my camera.  I put my flashers on, put the car in park, and rolled down the windows so Bryan and I could see it too from a safe distance.

Publix shopping is always a pleasure, and we headed home to have lunch and bake chocolate chip cookies, Bryan's favorite food!  We picked up Addison at the bus stop, walked home, and played outside for an hour.  Now it's quiet time.  Love the days with my boys!  Thank you God for these indescribable gifts.

Smiles

Smiles are day changers.  They are so warm and joyful!  My husband and his father headed to the Florida State football game yesterday to have a father son night.  My mom (a.k.a. Granny) came over to have a mother daughter night with me and spend time with the boys.  There were smiles in Longwood and in Tallahassee.  Our boys ran to greet my mom out of the front door when she pulled up yesterday, and they were so happy that she was coming to spend the night at our house.  Daniel and Dan were having a grand time in Tallahassee reportedly from the texts Daniel and I exchanged.  Smiles abounded.  I am thankful for those.  We wake up each day unaware of what it will bring.  I hope today you find some smiles!

Daniel and Dan playing beer pong together at the Leon County Civic Center, Tallahassee, Tail Gating before the FSU-Savannah State Game...rained out...final score 55-0.  Seminoles, sunshine and smiles pre-game time!  I have to admit I was a bit jealous that my father in law learned how to play beer pong before me!  I'm behind in my "life experiences!"  Perhaps another day...

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...

Last night was full of glimmers of Grace.  I had the chance to have one on one time with Bryan while Daniel and Addison headed to football practice.  I had a stomach ache, but Bryan perked my spirits with his little actions and words that only a 3 year old can muster.  We took a walk to visit the "twipwets" (triplets).  Bryan continues to ride his tricycle with great speed, wearing a helmet of course.  Last night he had to sport his new soccer cleats...even though he doesn't play soccer yet.  I found them at a local consignment store cheap and they are the next size up for him.  Watching him ride in cleats was classic...he didn't have any trouble!

After our visit to the "twipwets", the 7 month old triplets that live down the street, they are too cute!  Their parents are amazing!  We returned home to play indoors.  Bryan wanted to take a bath in our big master bath.  He was doing tricks that reminded me of yoga moves, and throwing his wash cloth and toys to catch or not catch was worthy of calling mom to watch!  When bath time was over, he found my guitar propped up and began to play and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in his nakedness.  Too precious.  I loved it!

Later, he and I enjoyed some "tackle time" and "Superman" flights.  He is all boy, and I think we will enroll him in soccer or tennis this fall/summer.  He has a lot of energy to burn just like his big brother!  Off to football this a.m.  I'm serving snow cones, Addison is playing a home game, and my mom and father in law will join our family to support the Patriots!  It should be a fun day full of more glimmers of God's Grace.  Have a good weekend!

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Go out and be salty and lit with the light of the Lord!

Hope

Hope was displayed to me when we saw flowers sprouting on the cactus that we barely water.

Hope was again displayed to me this morning when I saw Daniel taking the time on an early morning to teach and allow Addison to "help" fix our wall clock...it needed to be re-mounted because it was falling out of the wall.  My nail jobs are not quite like a man's nail jobs!  It is wonderful that Daniel takes the time to teach our sons about tools.  They all love it!  Men with hammers, nails, and a laser level...fun way to start today!

Hope you have a fabulous Wednesday!  It's a short work week!