October in a Flash!

Can you really believe that is already November? October was so busy and went by so fast!! And because of that I am having to do a "October Recap" Post because it flew by before I got to write about any of it!!!

On Friday night.. 2 weeks ago a group of us got together and carved pumpkins!! we called in the"Pumpkin Maina" It was loads of fun. I love doing holiday related crafts and activities, so I was all excited about this!  However, there is something about the pulp in the pumpkins that makes my hands hurt and get all red.  So I decided to paint my pumpkins.  Here are some pictures of that evening.

Ryan and Janine

Leslie had just had surgery earlier that week so she took on the job of cleaning out the seeds so we could roast them later! WAY TO GO TO! 

Kevin did a realistic face

Giant Pumpkin Seeds 

Molli didn't carve pumpkins but she carved zucchini

Kelsey carved in the kitchen

I decided not to carve so I had been looking on Pinterest and here is what I did!

David and Ryan are serious about their pumpkin carving! 

Amber & Candace teamed up to carve!

Molli made me laugh out loud when she started carving fruits and vegetables!!

These were the pumpkins of.. Ryan and Janine... David... And Candce and Amber!

 

***** I forgot to tell you all about my Carido Fusion Class on Thursday!! it was so crazy fun!! In the Spirit of Halloween we all decided to dress up in 80's Work Out Attire and come to class ready for a fun time!!   There was a prize for the best dressed and... yes! I won. It was a pumpkin and ginger spiced candle that now sits on our end-table/filing cabinet in our living room! haha.


We all thought that we would have an easy work out... WE WERE WRONG! The spandax that I was wearing was thick and it made every movement I tried to do 100 times harder!! I was sweating so much by the end of that class and sure I wasn't going to be able to walk the next day!!

Then on Sunday October 30th we were hanging out at my parents house because thats what we usually do... its Family Day and Football Day... we don't have cable or satellite television so we go to my parents to watch.  And we like the Amazing Race too!  So inbetween the football game and the Race we decided to carve more pumpkins.

To be completly honest, I really wanted to carve them just so we could eat the pumpkin seeds. And I would have been able to eat some of the ones we had from the last carving party but I left them at Leslie's....Stupid me!... 

And as I was geting ready to post some pictures of those cute pumpkins I realized that I took them with my phone and don't have my iPhone cord with me so I will have to fininsh this post later tonight.. lame haha.

********** Updated with Pictures now :D

Shea (my sisters boy friend) carved this one!!

David carved this one

This is the one I carved... look He has teeth!

And Finally.... but not the least... Monday October 31st was HALLOWEEN!    

David and I volunteered at our church for our annual CANDY RUN and this year it BIGGER than ever! The church was divided up into eight different zones... 1 Enchanted Forest, 2 Star Wars, 3 The Farm, 4 Pirate Ship, 5 Candy Land, 6 Land of Oz, 7 Up (the movie) and 8 Mario Cart.

I am not sure how many people we estimated would come....but I am sure there were more than what we thought! I have never seen that many people in our church EVER!!! It was so neat to see Faith filed with people from the community.  I can't wait to see/hear how many people did show up!  

**************** UPDATE!!! I talked to the staff at faith and they said the people counting at the doors tallied up 1900 + kids that came through our church doors on Halloween!!! HOW AWESOME IT THAT!  and when you think about it..that doesn't include the adults that came with the kids... so they are estimating that we had 5000-7000 people come though!! Woo HOO!!! ****************

 

David and I were stationed in the "Family Farm" Zone! Dave dressed as a "farmer who's pigs got out in the middle of the night so he ran out in his long johns!" HAHAHA... 

I dressed up as a Fairy... And I know you are thinking that there are not fairies at the farm but here is the back story.  When I had first heard about the CANDY RUN I was under the impression that the whole church would be decorated like the "Enchanted Forest" So I started looking at fairy costumes and got really excited about that....then when I heard that the High School ministry would be the Family Farm I still wanted to be a fairy...

Yes.. it would have been less work to just wear some jeans and a flannel and be a cast member at the farm but I was already committed to a fairy! Also, we had  another party to go to after the Candy Run and I didn't want to be a cow girl there.... ok enough about that... Here are some pictures from the Farm!

Frankie on the Banjo... we had a barn band!

Jake on the Guitar

David and I outside at the Petting Zoo (part of the Farm)

The Barn Band!! They let me sing along too :D

On of my favorite costumes.. Lions, Tigers & Bears...OH MY

Brenden, Savannah and Kim... friends we go out to dinner with after church. They looked great! 

 The Place was packed and I still can't believe how many people came through there last night!  David and I left the church at 7:00 so we could make it to our other party! 

This party was going to be a surprising one for my good friend Emily! Her wonderful boyfriend planned it all out and it was the night he was would ask Emily's hand in marriage!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT... We all got to Orrin's house before they did so we could witness the whole thing. 

Orrin had carved pumpkins on Sunday that spelled out  "WILL U MARRY ME" and set them in the yard... so when they walked up to the house he pointed them out and got down on one knee!! Emily's hands were full and she was so shocked!!! 

When they came in the house we all cheered! I think it was a bit overwhelming for all of us to be there but it was really fun too!!! Emily ran off into Orrin's room (probably to process what happened) and then started call/text EVERYONE and let them in on the Good NEWS!  IT was such a fun way to Celebrate Halloween and get us all excited for the months ahead! They plan to tie the knot on June 3rd, 2012! I cant wait! 

This is an instagram photo I took with my phone of the pumpkins and cake! SUCH A CUTE IDEA

So this is the really moment! as you can see... a stupid tree kept me from getting a really good shot

Right after!!!

Emily is Engaged... and SO EXCITED

Beautiful Ring that Orrin picked out!!

Emily Telling everyone about the news

Katie Emily and Me

David found Orrin's Gnome beard and tried it on!

The Happy Couple

Becky made this wonderful cake that tasted ..oh so yummy!

THE GNOMES

Kelsey and Jim!

Becky and Katie

Halloween Help!!!

I can't believe its already the end of October!! CRAZY where has the month gone! I was thinking about what I am going to dress up as for Halloween and I am completely uninspired by what my theme has to be.... Let me back up a bit.

Our church is hosting a free "CANDY RUN" for the community to take their kids to a safe place for candy..  which is something we do every year... BUT this year its like 100% bigger and better than ever! Our church building will be split up into Eight different sections of Themed FUND! there will be an Enchanted Forest and a Candy Land... Star wars and Mario might even make an appearance.....

But the section that David and I will be helping out with is.... "At the Farm" Don't get me wrong.. we have a lot of cool things planned for our section, but as for the costume aspect.. I am left with not much to go on.  I want to come up with something fun and creative and something different than a "cowboy & cowgirl" so any thoughts you have please let me know!

Pumpkin Patch!

SO I have been super busy this week between working, baby-sitting, and the craziness of life! I have had a great week and a lot of it has to do with my wonderful husband!

On Saturday I had to work my usual shift at the coffee shop and David decided that he would take me out on a date day!.. I LOVE HIM!... I was giddy all morning waiting for the the date to begin!

I made us some coffees and we hit the road... David decided to take me do Red Lodge. For those of you reading who are not familiar with the town.... its a little ski town about an hour out of Billings! IT is really cute and has lots of great shops to look at. I always look forward to our road trips. I think it has something to do with the extended amount of time with my wonderful husband!  We had an amazing hour of uninterrupted time to talk.... Can you guess that one of my lovely languages is "quality time"?  It was a chilly day so I got to sport my black and" p-coat"and boots!

When we got into town we had lunch at Bogarts. Its a cute little restaurant on the main street that is based on the famous actor..Humphrey Bogart.    And while we were waiting on our food we decided to Google Mrs. Bogart and found out some really fun facts about his life! David and I are always wanting to learn new things... We also had a differeance of opinion about what the first Disney Movie ever maid was.... I thought it was BAMBI... I was wrong(I hate having to admit that) and Dave was right..The first Disney film to be produced was Snow White in 1937!

When I was growing up my sister, Arianna, when to that movie in the theater! It had to be one of the times the re-did haha! But my memeory of seeing this movie then was looking over and seeing my sister with Wide Eyes, standing up watching the preview for the" Hocus Pocus" (trailer I couldn't find the same one but her is one anyway) and during one part ... The Red Head Witch gets really big on the screen and says that" BOOK" Thats when my sister (age 2 1/2 or 3) looks really close at the screen and then is so scarred! haha.... looking back now its really a funny memory. And I wish we had a picture of that moment! but we don't...

Anyway... Back to our Date (can anyone say bunny trail?)

After lunch we walked up and down the streets going into the little shops... we went in to the Swanky Fork and I love the color of the stores walls.... They are like a deep blue..almost navy blue but not quite. I hope to paint one of my kitchen walls that color!! If I do I will be sure to post that process!

If you asked us what we did in Red Lodge our answer would have to be..."check out all of the stores bathrooms" hahaha between both of us I am pretty sure we saw most of the public bathrooms there! haha we must have had too much coffee and water..

When we heading home we got in the car and did a U-turn from our parking spot to go the other direction.... Ops! And that U-turn happend to be illegal and a office was there to watch the whole thing... So we had to sit and wait.. but the officer was really understading because we really didn't know it was illegal. And we only got a warning! Thank you Jesus! .... David made a comment about how its fun when you get warrnings because you can talk about it but not feel so upset because of the ticket.. I am not sure if I totally understand that but I do know I was much happier knowing we were only getting a warning!

On our way home we decided to stop at the Laurel Pumpkin Patch!  And I would have to say I had so much fun!  We ran out in the pumpkin patch and looked for the perfect pumpkin to bring home with us!  Here are some pictures of our fun Day!

haha the pinecone on the window looks like its part of my hair!

I love this bench!

We liked how this door was painted!

Look at this one

Look at this little guy!

I can't find the perfect one yet

These ones are cute

 We found our pumpkins and are now all set for our Pumpkin-Mainia on Friday!! Hope everyone had a great week! Please keep praying for our friends in Ethiopia and stay up to date with what they are doing here

Ethiopia: please pray

I have had mixed feelings this week... and I think it is all because our church sent another team of people to Ambo Ethiopia... And I am not going this time. Don't get me wrong... I am so happy that the others are going and getting to experience one of my favorite places and see the faces of the orphans that many of our congregants sponsor.

BUT... there is a part of me that is broken inside because I am not going. My heart can't help but feel that Araque will think I don't love her because I didn't come back... or that the kids will forget about me! Is that silly? Maybe.. but I have to wonder. And will Araque connect with another person on the trip and then forget about me?

I guess this is another place where TRUSTING GOD comes into the Picture. I know that I LOVE these kids and nothing will ever ever EVER change that!! And there is always a reason for everything... GOD knows why... I Don't... and That is OK.

So I am praying for our Team these next two weeks... Praying that they are SAFE, Praying that GOD prepares their way and breaks down any walls that will keep them from doing GOD's work.

This trip will look a lot different than the previous ones.. in that instead of spending 100% of work time at "NEW HOPE" Orphanage, the team will be helping out the community of Ambo by rebuilding the Four Square Church.  They will see the orphans but not as much as we are used to... So I will also be praying that the kids understand this change and adjust to this transition well. Pray that they don't feel "unloved" or "neglected" or "unimportant".... That they understand that God's LOVE is Bigger than US and HE has called our church to help the lost and the poor EVERYWHERE!!

Some really neat things are going to happen though our partnership with the community of AMBO ETHIOPIA and I am so glad that I get to be part of it!  For example: In this past year... Faith Chapel has been able to find Sponsors for the Orphans so that each child has 3 sponsors and that fully meets NEW HOPE's Budget!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!

GOD has a plan for this Community!!!  Then next BIG thing the orphanage is praying for is a new school building.  They are facing the problem that many of the girls are a grade away from finishing the program and will then have to be forced to leave the orphanage.... but if there is another school building the orphanage can offer more classes and higher grades so that the girls can stay and complete their schooling before they have to leave.... (I'm not sure if that makes sense...?)

What they have don't once the boys have grown up... is they leave the orphanage and then move into a community home with a "house-mom" and go to public school (or high school)... and that seems to be working out well.... but the girls would not have the same opportunity (I don't think).... So I am asking you to PRAY with me and ASK GOD to provide a way for the School to become a reality!

GOD is BIG enough for that... we must trust HIM and BELIEVE that HE really can make anything happen!

Matthew 7:7 ~ Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.
John 15:7~If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 

If you wish to follow along with our Mission Team in Ethiopia you can read their blog here
 its a live feed (if they can connect to the internet) of what they are doing... join me in praying for them these next two weeks!

Group picture in front of the orphanage October 2010

Tuesday FUN

Well its Tuesday Again!! And I am babysitting.  This morning we went on a wonderful fall walk!! look at these beautiful pictures... I love how fall is so colorful and the temperature is mild !! It totally puts me in a crafting mood!

From my earlier post you will remember that I have been Crocheting like crazy this past week and I even was able to make a Puffy Slouch Hat by following this Pattern. It turned out really cute... but I think I used a larger gauge yarn than she did because mine is so BIG! haha and maybe its because I have a small head that it looks so big.... So then I decided to try it again but just decrease it by a few stitches.... Bad Idea ... i can't even get the hat on!! So i think I will stuff it and make it a really cute throw pillow! haha I will update this post with pictures sometime soon So you can all see it.  maybe it will turn into a really fun mess up!

Today while Babysitting I decided we needed to do a cute Halloween Craft...

Earlier this year... sometime around Spring.... I cleaned out all of my craft drawers and put together a bag of "stuff" for the kids I babysit!  It was great... because 1) i got rid of lots of things I never used... and 2) I have a great pile of craft supplies when we are in the mood to make something on Tuesdays! it was a WIN WIN decision.

Back today... I dug through the bag and found some pipe-cleaners, googly eyes, and then some paper cups from my Bridal Shower... hehe..

Because Halloween is right around the corner I decided it would be fun to make "cute" Scary Spiders!

• First I poked 8 holes around the lip of the cup... 4 on each side for the legs.
• I wanted to have him decorate the cups with spots or mod podge scraps of paper on the cups to make them cuter... but Jantzen isn't really Big on crafts....
•   Then I cut 4 pipe cleaners in half to make the legs and inserted one into each hole in the cup. 
• I twisted the legs together on the inside of the cup so they wouldn't fall out
• Then I had Jantzen put on the googly eyes and then we drew faces!!

This was a really quick and easy project....HOPE YOU LIKE IT

Crocheting Headbands

So its been like an entire WEEK since I have blogged any thought!... and its all because I have been Crocheting in every spare second!! I was inspired by a few friends pictures. They are all crocheting blankets by using the Granny Stripe pattern... you can see that here at Attic 24. Its a pretty good tutorial to begin if you are interested in trying it.  BUT to be completely honest I am not sure I have the patience to make an entire blanket!! I really like changing it up because I get bored of the same thing over and over again, but maybe one day I will try it because how awesome would it be if I said... "yeah I made that!!" haha....

But the project that has been consuming my time the last week is making the really cute Ear Warmer Headbands that are all the "rave" on Pintrest lately. I didn't have a pattern because I couldn't read it if I had one anyway... that is on my list of things to learn... So I just started with a basic foundation chain that was the size of my head and then went around changing the stitch to a larger height in the middle so the headband would be smaller where it buttoned at the base of the head/top of the neck.... Really I just made it up as I went and they turned out great!!.

I have the opportunity to sell them at a Craft Show coming up in November... and I really hope they do well, and that people here in Billings like them!

This is the first flower I was able to make correctly.. haha I finally followed a pattern!

This is one of my Instagram photos of my work space!!