Pre Oct. 31st Festivities

Basically, today rocked! I have been looking toward October 24th for a month or so now. Every day I measure time according to its proximity to the 24th. See, me and the old ball and chain finally wised up and made a date day. WHOOOO! Dates are hard to come by when family is no where near. Anyways, we both arranged to have the day off , shipped Emmers to daycare and Jaxson to school. Where did we go? The temple and lunch...perfection.

I am so thankful for The House of the Lord. I love how the world can feel like it is falling apart but the moment I walk through those doors I feel an instant peace in my soul. I feel my burdens are instantly made light and my soul can rest. The words of How Firm a Foundation have never rung more true.

 How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word;
What more can he say than to you he hath said?
Who unto the savior for refuge hath fled.

 

Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

 When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress

 

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes:
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never - no, never, no, never forsake!”

 

I have truly felt of late that all Hell is attempting to shake me to the core. Today, I knew with a surety that though all hell may endeavor to shake my soul, I can find peace and protection in my savior. What a beautiful feeling. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the Great Plan of Happiness. I have been blessed with a great husband and awesome kids!

 

 

 



This day was also awesome because.........we rocked the pumpkin carving.

 

 

These two boys were a bit excited. Dear Andrew.....love the face!

 

One must concentrate when cutting. Jaxson thought his dad was pretty cool!

 

 

I feel the need to show that we do attempt to involve Emilee, but she would rather not.

 

First, he started with a spoon. I often get the feeling he does not like to get his hands dirty. ( His pants though are a whole different story)

 

 

"Hey mom.....do you think I could just use my hands?" Ummm, YEAH! I applaud messes!

 

 

It was painstaking work sifting out all those seeds! I decided to channel my mother and make some sweet/spicy pumpkin seeds.

 

 

~ Andrew tells me this is the quintessential Joni face ~

 

I will now quote the almost 7 year old. "Mom look, I am making the guts poop!" BHAHAHHAAH!  I probably should not laugh at bathroom humor but it cracks me up! I had to get a pic so that I could remember it! (Also, I am pretty sure I saw Andrew crack a little smile)

 

A "gut mountain."

 

 

The pumpkin was just calling for a good SHANKING!

 

SHANK

SHANK

SHANK

 

Not bad....not bad!

 

 The lights make it all.

 

Bring on the CANDY!