Halloween 2008

The girls were both excited about dressing up for Halloween this year. The school they go to had a Halloween parade so everyone could see all the costumes. It was quiet a show. Then off to classroom parties. I remeber these fun days from my school days and was thrilled to be a part of them for my children.

Off to the Pumpkin Patch - Round Two

This morning I got to go with Abbie's class to Papa's Pumpkin Patch. We had a blast. I have such a connection with her class. I have been reading to them weekly since they were in kindergarten and have not missed a field trip EVER. Abbie reminds of this every time there is a field trip. I dig these kids!

Fall 2008

The Abshires had a blast today. After church we spent the day hanging out around the house and working on our front porch decorations for the fall. As you can see from the pictures, it is a family affair. We have done these fun legs stickin' out of hay a couple of times, and learn more every time we do it. Aaron is the stinkin' genius that had us work backwards this year and it went fabulous. We all laughed and joked as we worked on this. The big joke was how big Mama's bottom looked, in the haystack, folks. Yeah, real funny ~ ha ha! Mama is a pretty good sport though! As we had supper and shared our favorite part of the day, our table was unanimous that our day together was a blast. Abbie ended with a worship song we all sang this morning at church, which is also on our hearts as the day ends:

"How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing"

2 I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalms 9:2 (ESV)

Off To The Pumpkin Patch

Rock Star

I have been given a gift with "A Friend Of The Heart". The Lord has truly blessed my life with my girlfriend Keri. It is the kind of friendship that is so safe you never have to worry that you are misunderstood because she knows me inside & out. She has held a ton of positions in my life over the past 10+ years.

She has been my travel buddy (pre-children),

a birthing coach (alongside Aaron) for all three children,

my nurse during Abbie's pregnancy (IVs are NOT her specialty),

my advocate at Doctor's offices when I couldn't even sign paperwork,

my soft shoulder to cry on when the world doesn't get me,

my support when I have wanted to just give up,

my biggest cheerleader in anything I do,

my quiet support at the back of a room,
my compete opposite in so many ways (yet it just works),

my faithful friend (in spite of myself),
and soooooo much more.

I share this because it is her birthday tomorrow. It is a time to celebrate her precious birth that has been such a blessing to me. So she & I started celebrating today!!! We went out and did something that neither of us had EVER done, which is always better to do with your girlfriend. We had our toes done, "Rock Star" fashion. If this is Greek to you, you are not alone. Keri & I looked at each other like we were dropped into another world. It is this fancy gel stuff you have put on your toes. Like my wording there? Well our toes are looking awfully pretty! We both laughed and said we were probably going to run into walls cuz' we're checkin' out our toes!
We are both easily impressed!

I tie this together by being thrilled to celebrate Keri's life of 35 years (oh, did I just say that?) and her friendship. If Keri were a "Rock Star", I'd be her biggest fan!!!!

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Eccl 4:9-12 (NLT)

That third cord in our friendship is Jesus, who is at the core of our friendship. It is our prayer that He be glorified in our lives and in our friendship, because we are nothing without Him.

Thank you Jesus!

County Fair Time

Kayanna Hope had her first field trip at school. Of course Mama wanted to tag along! They went to the county fair and had a blast. We missed the pig races but got to smell ALL the lovely animals. In case you were wondering, there are no scented candles at the fairgrounds!
Just good ole' manure & livestock!
We had a great time.

Fireproof

Last week we sent an email to a lot of our friends regarding a new movie that was released last weekend. We had posted the trailer for Fireproof on our blog and even our Facebook account (we were just a little passionate about it). If you didn't check out the trailer, we strongly encourage you to. We went and saw the movie last Saturday. It was a great movie. We were so glad they touched on so many issues in marriages. You will be affected by this movie. You may just hold your spouse and praise God for what He has given you. You may look at the ways you treat your spouse and desire to make changes. It may send you to your knees in intercession for another couple.

Christ must be the foundation of our marriages.

Romans Chapter 12 (the whole chapter)
12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor

The investment into our marriages is absolutely priceless.

Invest largely in this covenant relationship that you are in.

The Love Dare Book from the movie Fireproof

Here is the movie review from Plugged In

A Devotional that is emailed to us each day

Dee Dee

A couple of weeks ago Mom called me (Liz) to ask a favor. Papa Bill has a job that takes him out of town during the week. So, Mom was wondering if we could take care of Dee Dee, their mare. Of course I didn't hesitate with my answer ~ "YES" and "YOU BET" and maybe a "NO PROBLEM!" Man, twist my arm! Dee Dee is 3 1/2 years old and is so friendly. She is one that Aaron can ride, which plum tickles me to death. I will make sure that Baby Girl (my mare) doesn't get too jealous of the new mare at the sables. So for the next couple of months if we're not at the house, we are probably out either cleaning corrals, grooming horses, or actually getting to ride together. Yippee!

So let me introduce you to Dee Dee.

Family Time

We have recently enjoyed a visit with Grandma Cavey, from Ohio. Amongst chasing children, eating, and fighting for air time, we managed lots of hugs & kisses. Abbie & Hopie remember their Great Grandma well. They always talk about her and Great Grandpa. We are planning on a summer trip back to Ohio next year. Lighting bugs are a HUGE hit with all of us. Not to mention seeing both sides of our families!

We love our Grandma so much! She is a pretty special lady!