You all need to move to Coeur d'Alene!

Here is one of the top 10 reasons all of you should move to Coeur d'Alene:

Proof

Here's proof for Debbie who didn't believe me when I told her our gas prices.

New Car

I'm one of "those" people who really likes driving a minivan. Unfortunately, my last minivan had a lot of issues and was in the shop frequently, so we decided to sell it for cheap and invest in something more reliable. We've been a one car family for about 6 weeks now while we researched and saved money for another car. God provided for our needs once again and we were able to get something a lot sooner than we anticipated. So this past weekend I picked out my new minivan! It's a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. It's almost identical to my other van on the inside, but it only has 16,000 miles. This one better last me for years and years!

Seasons

Fall is definitely here and it's spectacular as always. The leaves have turned color and are falling off the trees at alarming rates. The air has turned crisp and sometimes downright cold. It gets dark too early and stays dark too late. Oh, and the most obvious sign of all . . . Costco has put out their Christmas decorations!

So I thought I'd just post a short update about this "season" in our lives. It's funny how our lives really go in seasons too, huh? As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, "There is a time for everything." Right now our season and our time is as a family of two. It has truly been nice to be able to slow down a little bit, focus on each other as a couple, and focus on some other important things like our relationship with God and with others. Speaking of that, 2 weekends ago Miles & I had the incredible privilege to borrow a friend's condo at a nearby ski resort town and get away for a spiritual retreat. We practiced the discipline of silence during part of our time away (yes, even silence from speaking to each other) and it was a very sweet time with God for both of us. We were right at the base of a mountain and it was absolutely gorgeous. I don't know if you've ever seen Tamarack trees at the height of fall, but they provide beautiful fall colors and can be quite breathtaking.

I've also been able to spend a lot of time with the girls from my small group. It is such a privilege to watch them grow in their relationships with Christ and to be a part of their lives in so many other ways. Last weekend one of the girls hosted a spaghetti dinner at her house just to provide some "hang out" time. After dinner we played on the Wii and I got my first stab at "Rock Band." Boy I feel old when I try and play video games because I'm usually so inept. As evidenced by me getting so into my role as drummer that I hit myself in the eye really hard with the drum stick and almost gave myself a black eye! Yep, I'm talented!!

This weekend we get to attend an adoption party for our very dear friends who just finalized the adoption of their foster son. He is 1 1/2 years old now and has been with them since birth. We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate this occasion with them. They're also going to dedicate him at church this weekend and I've told my friend that I am already prepared to cry during the entire dedication service. God is so faithful, no matter what season we are in.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to continue biting my nails as I anxiously await the final results of the election.

Blast from the Past

Today I babysat Grace, the last foster baby we had, who left in July. A friend of mine is doing respite care for Grace, and had to work today, so I offered to watch her. Mostly it's because within a week or two Grace will be moving to Washington state with an aunt to whom the State is giving custody. It was nice to see her again and have some closure. She is now 6 months old, and although she still looks so much like the little baby girl we had, she is obviously more alert and advanced. As you can see from these pictures, she still enjoys sticking her tongue out. She was teething today, so she slept for 3 1/2 of the 7 hours she was at our house. But during the times she was awake, we had fun together! I also had the privilege of spending some quiet moments rocking her, and prayed over her and her life. Precious moment.

Apples!

On Saturday Miles & I went apple picking at a local farm. We picked a bunch of apples and then today I had my first attempt at making a homemade apple pie. We just ate some of the results and it was pretty good! Thanks to Debbie's (formally Bev's) easy apple pie recipe. Now I have to figure out what else to make because I still have quite a few apples that I need to do something with this week.

I'm a Grandma

One of the girls from my small group had a baby girl today, so I think that makes me a "small group Grandma." This was not a planned pregnancy, but the girl is committed to doing her best with her new role as mommy. I am just amazed by the other girls who have surrounded her with love and support rather than judgment. After all, isn't that what Jesus modeled for us? It makes me realize how much I desire to see "my girls" make good decisions and honor God with their lives. But also how much I am not in control of the decisions they make and need to pray for them on a daily basis. If you think of Mandy and her new baby girl, Lily, please pray for them. And pray for me. I SO DON'T want to make this a situation in which I am angry because Mandy has something I have been praying for, but really want to surround Mandy with love and support, and guidance as she pours her life into this new little baby girl. I know God has a plan for us that is good and wise. And I trust Him to reveal it when the time is right.