Happy Halloween

new offices

We moved our offices to the church campus,
which is fabulous for so many reasons.
One of the greatest things is that I now have an office,
complete with walls where I can hang things!
Here is my cute new office.

i heart fall

Fall is great for so many reasons.

Here's a few of my favorites:

my momma's birthday!

Evan's birthday!!

GREEK festival with les

carving pumpkins with my girls!

fuzzy boots

foodie friday

In honor of the holidays and all the fabulous food that I plan on eating, I have decided to dedicate Fridays to my favorite recipes. Please feel free to add your favorite recipes in a comment or on your blog. If there's one thing this girl loves, it's FOOD!! :o)

I am starting with my new favorite food in the whole entire world:
Pumpkin Crunch (or pump dump, if you are lesley)

1 can pumpkin
1 lg can evaporated milk
2 t pumpkin pie spice
1 t salt
4 eggs
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup crushed pecans
2 sticks butter

In a bowl, mix the first 5 ingredients. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan. Top with the cake mix, then pecans. Thinly slice the butter and lay across the cake mix/pecan mixture. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes, or until golden and crunchy. Top with cool whip! Enjoy!

It's basically a dump cake with pumpkin pie in the bottom. Oh my word, I can eat the entire pan of this!!!

family photos

My sweet friend, Emily, took family photos of us last night. They turned out SO good!

I love...

*hearing "i love you, mommy"
*sonic raspberry lemonade
*early morning workouts with kelly
*putting my cold toes on micah's warm legs
*laughter
*monday nights with whitney & lesley
*office giggles with sara
*hillsong
*anything pumpkin
*middle school students
*lunch with beth
*john mark & caroline together
*wendy, amy, callie & kristin
*blog friends
*chronicles of the king
*emails from kellie
*facebook
*Sunny's blog
*VS sweatpants
*pictures
*cold pillow cases
*lazy saturdays
*road trips

In my life, be lifted high
In my world, be lifted high
In my love, be lifted high
--hillsong

blog party gift

I have to give a shout out to sweet Natalie for her awesome blog party gift! She made this adorable halloween sign and some precious fall cards of John Mark for us to send out. Thanks, Nat! This was such a fun idea! I hope we continue the tradition for Christmas!

more pictures

Saturday morning we decided to take a little hike down a nature trail we had found. It was beautiful, and hearing Micah explain things in nature to John Mark... well, let's just say that even I learned things. :o)

our hiking trail... i'm kind of obsessed with this picture

I think this is quite possibly the sweetest look

fun with the self timer

Micah's artsy picture of John Mark and me walking

again with the self-timer

he was asking us if he could jump

tired, needing a break for the walk home

you might be a mommy if your ipod has episodes of mickey mouse clubhouse on it...

a few pictures

view from the deck

sitting on the dock

checking out "big boats" at the marina

eating ice cream at the buss stop

snuggling with daddy early in the morning

the leaves were BEAUTIFUL!

family pic at the lake dam

riding the train in eureka springs

standing with daddy on the train

home sweet home

We just walked in the door from a long weekend in Arkansas.
It was a fabulous, relaxing time.
I have a million pictures and stories to post.
But for now, I sleep.

how can i keep from singing?

I have been overwhelmingly reminded of His love in recent days.

I went on two very different retreats over the weekend-
one with the staff I work with,
the other with lively 7th and 8th grade students.
Both of these retreats were beautiful reminders.
THIS is my calling- to glorify Him.
whether that is making copies for Amy,
filing PO's or mailing postcards...
whether I am laughing with friends,
crying over hurts or praying fervently...
whether I am teaching 7th grade girls,
worshiping or sitting in silence-
this is where I belong.

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
--Chris Tomlin

bloggy buddy

Lauren, your gift is in the mail!