"Black Friday" Poll

My answer right now is we will probably go shopping on Black Friday, but you never can tell with a toddler and a baby. I can tell you one thing - I will NOT be at any store at 4, 5, or even 6 a.m. Even if my children are awake.

The Shack

Read it. That's all I can or will say. Visit The Shack for more info. Talk to me about it when you're done.

Have any book recommendations for me?

Med School Update - 11/08

13 weeks of med school down...4 to go until Christmas! Still too many to count until being done!

Stephen did very well in his first core of classes, finishing in the top 30% of his class. Anatomy did not start out as one of his favorite classes but he would prefer that to what he has now - up to four hours of lecture at a time!

His courses now are about cellular processes. I am amazed at how much information is presented to them in such a short period of time and even more so at how much they can retain. I guess that is why Stephen was called to be a doctor and not me!

He is still commuting every day but not minding that too much. We're saying our prayers that the weather continues to be nice as long as possible.

We are blessed to see Stephen as much as we do - he leaves every morning around 6:40 a.m. and is home by 5:45 p.m. I have heard many horror stories of students studying 8+ hours a day and we are so glad he is an efficient student :) He and his study group do an awesome job of making family a top priority. Jeremiah loves his time to play trains, blocks and chase with Daddy and we eat dinner together every night.

After his first test for the new core this weekend, we are all looking forward to a "short week." Oh, and I think he is a little excited to go the Nebraska-Colorado game with his dad on Friday. I have to say, I'm a little jealous, but we'll do some shopping and take a nap and I'll be just fine!

Thanksgiving Plans Poll

I love to hear what people are doing for the holidays so please post what you are doing after you answer the poll!

I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time this year! I am so excited! Stephen's parents will be here with us - a small gathering but very significant to me nonetheless!

I might be going a little overboard on the food, but I don't know when I'll get to host again so I want to try it all! I will post my menu as soon as it is finalized!

If you are hosting, I would love to know what your menu looks like! Also, I love to hear family traditions so share your favorites!

Happy 80th Birthday Grandma!

Today is my grandma's 80th birthday and, even though she doesn't own a computer, I want to wish her a very blessed birthday! She would probably kill me if she knew I was putting her picture up here, but 80 years is definitely reason to celebrate!

So Grandma, thanks for all the love and laughter over the years. We wish we could be there to help you celebrate. Have a great day, but stay out of the ice and snow - that means you too, Grandpa! See you at Christmas! Love you guys!

Meal Poll

Dinner - hands down. I love the variety of choices. I love cooking it. I love sitting around the table with my family. The only thing I don't love is cleaning up afterwards :) I guess that would be the same with any meal!

Hands and Feet

The boys and I made these turkeys from our hand prints and footprints on Wednesday (can you tell which one is mine?!). I thought it was just a fun craft to do with Thanksgiving coming and all, but apparently God wanted to use it in another way.

Through many avenues this week - conversations, reading, worship, crafts with the kids - God has been showing what He really wants in my life and, I believe, in the life of every Christian. We are His hands and feet here on earth. As a very wise friend of mine said, "It is our job to bring a little bit of heaven here to earth for other people." I believe prayer is the most powerful tool God has given us, but it is our hands and feet that will do the work of Christ and truly change this world. He is asking us to pray AND move.

One of my favorite worship songs (the one playing when Joshua was born) has the most powerful prayer in it:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into Eternity

Along with this, my prayer for this week is that God would show me how to use my hands and feet to serve Him and those around me. And those turkeys on the fridge will be my reminder.

Prayer

As you all know, we elected a new president yesterday. For the past four years, I have been part of an online group called the Presidential Prayer Team. I wanted to pass along the prayer they have posted on their site and encourage you to be praying for our country and our president - current and elect - in these difficult times. Prayer is so powerful and has never been so important.

Give thanks for the outworking of God’s sovereign will in our nation through the votes of citizens as seen in yesterday's election. Praise God for answered prayers as there were no major incidents and results were known with certainty. Pray for President Elect Obama to seek God and His will in every decision and plan that he makes, and pray for his safety as he travels and makes plans.

Pray for President-Elect Obama that he will be awed before God with the responsibility he has to seek His face as he prepares to lead the nation. Pray for a swell of support in prayer for him as he makes plans. Pray also for Senator John McCain, that he will have God’s grace as he returns to his former responsibilities.

Continent Poll

My vote: Australia. Preferably during the Australian Open tennis tournament. It looks like a very interesting country and I love the way they talk :)

Costumes

Fall fun - Part 2

I am so thankful for safe options to trick-or-treating at Halloween. I am not real fond of going house to house to get candy from people I don't know - maybe I'm paranoid but that's just my opinion. We has two great alternatives to that this week.

On Tuesday, our doctor's office hosted a trick-or-treat event for all the kids. All of the staff dressed up and we walked around the clinic getting candy from all of them. They also had a real live race car there for kids to look at and get in.

On Friday, our church hosted "Trunk-or-Treat" - an event held in the parking lot of the church in which people decorate the trunk of their car and hand out candy from there. I love the fact that we know all of the people and my toddler doesn't have to walk very far to get all the candy he could need for the next year! It was also great to be surrounded by Christian messages and trunk decorations on what has turned into such a dark and creepy "holiday." Inside the gym, there were games, food, door prizes and a costume contest. No prizes for costumes here - Joshua was one of four or five lions and Jeremiah was one of at least three football players - but Joshua did win a door prize!

Jeremiah and Zeke

Future Huskers!

One tired lion!

Fall fun - Part 1

Stephen's parents stay at a campground here in town every time they come for a Husker game. This campground is fantastic. They have pancakes on Saturday mornings, a cute playground, a swimming pool and really friendly people. Last weekend they hosted a Fall Festival. Jeremiah jumped in the bounce house (he LOVES to jump). We all went on a hayrack ride. Jeremiah and "Mi-ma" ran through a maze and searched for lollipops by flashlight. "Papa" competed in a pumpkin rolling relay and there was marshmallow roasting. If you are visiting and you like to camp, you need to stay at this campground.