Pretty pictures

You may see these in a Christmas card soming soon! which one do you like best? Vote now or forever hold your peace!

Halloween

Here are pics of the kids before going trick or treating. Amy-hippie, Aaron-Alphonso Soriano(Cubs player), Annie-Statue of Liberty, Andrew- Bob Sanders(Colts Player). Andrew is sure that he looks "just like" Bob Sanders. Now, Bob Sanders has black skin and dreadlocks. He was upset with me for not letting his hair grow so he could look more like him. Joe finally stated the obvious and said"But Andrew, Bob Sanders is black." He replied "Dad, nobody looks at skin color, only their hair." Sweet innocence, I hope he stays that way. He also doesn't like us calling people black, because they are really brown, he says. Too cute. We had a fun time, only went to our neighborhood, the Estridges(we are their only trick or treaters!), and a few houses when we dropped Amy off at a friends house. Joe and I have successfully picked out our favorites, and they have hidden the rest. The dog got a couple Reese cups, not bad, compared to Easter!

I voted!

Joe and I waited an hour and a half to vote. We did our civic duty. Luckily, we don't have to worry about getting persecuted when we leave the voting place, it is a true freedom we have. A very long line. When I picked up Andrew at school, there were few people at that polling place. My friend Linda didn't have to wait long either. I am going to try and post some pictures of Halloween, in another post. This is Annie's patriotic get up. Isn't she cute?

It is a beautiful day, one of the last of the season, so we are going to try and take some family pics outside after school.

Monday Menus

Monday-Amy's

Burgers on the grill(with Daddy's help)

Mac and cheese

salad

Tuesday

Tacos

Wednesday

Chicken Marsala

Pasta

green beans

Thursday

Chicken parmigiana

garlic bread

salad

Friday

Homemade Pizza

Weekend

Potato soup

I was sick this weekend and am now exhausted after working today, so I am hitting the hay early!

First, Here is a picture of Amy and friends at a recent bonfire. I thought it was a cool pic-looked like fun!

Politics

who am I voting for?????

I can get cynical, skeptical and analytical. Ask my wife, I can even do all 3 at once..... however I always seem to come back to who I trust.

Not who I trust with my wallet.

Not who I trust with my retirement savings.

Not who I trust with my insurance.

Not who I trust with my kids education.

Not who I trust with my career.

Not who I trust in a bailout.

Not who I trust in a war.

Not who I trust to make a good speech.

What I have learned in my short 39 years about politics is that all men are fallable and my God is sovereign. They can promise a lot in a series of 30 second commercials.

So I return to trust. I trust God and God alone. Men (including me) will fail. We will break promises. We will let people down. We will be shortsighted. We will overlook our own miscomings and enlarge others.

So I try to vote as knowledge and information allows. Who is going to use their position to make a difference in the way my Savior would approve? I know, that is very difficult question to answer. However, mine is only one vote and it is how I muck through the wonderful process.

"Oh God, once again I ask for your direction." Pray with us as Tuesday approaches.

Joe

Friday Five

This a link from my friend Sarah Wilcox's blog. Again, I would do that nifty link thing, but I don't know how. Look over at the side and click to get to her site.
1. Who frightens you: people at haunted houses. I don't like scary.
2. Who surprises you: my kids. They are always do things that surprise me and delight me.
3. Who calms you: Joe. He always knows what to say, ans how to say it to calm me down and give me peace. Ultimately it is directing me to the ultimate Peace giver!
4. Who inspires me: People who follow their passion. Like the Wilcox's. They moved to China to follow their passion-wow, not many people have the guts to do that. Inspiring and Brave, not safe!
5. Who admires you. Not sure about this one.

Voting

Derry Prenkert had a good post today about Christians and voting. If I knew how to do that nifty go to here thing I would do it. (BTW someone could always comment how to do that to me-just saying) We as Christians sometimes vote out of fear of who may get into office or who may not . I remember the election when Clinton looked like he was going to win. I felt sick, "what is going to happen to this world?" I thought. He seemed like such a weasel to me. (Hmm....) Anyway, I remember Joe reassuring me that God is control no matter what. I believed him and was reassured. As I have grown in my faith, I REALLY believe that and have a peace about elections now. God knows who will be elected, He cares for all those little babies who are killed every day. We must do our part- vote for who we think is the right candidate, based on our beliefs. Many men have given their lives for freedoms like this one- it should not be taken for granted. Yes, God is on the throne and will remain there. What a peace to know there is a constant.
On a lighter not- we survived the Clinton years!