Last Friday we took our youth group camping at Falls Lake. It had rained all day, up until we left for the campsite. Praise the Father for no rain while we were there! It wasn’t that bad (all bundled up). I think I had on about 5 layers. The temperature was great in the evening. At night it got down in the 30’s with such a strong winds though. We left Colt with some dear friends. I didn’t think he would fair quite so well – we didn’t have the right clothes for him. Kylie, on the other hand, never made a peep. She was nice and toasty. . . and content, as usual. 
The view was beautiful. . . . creation praises the Father by itself.
The campsite. We had 16 teens and 4 adults. Everyone really did have a good time!
We stayed around the fire. . . a lot. The kids played several games and didn’t seem to be as sensitive to the cold.
Until the next camping trip! The kids already want to plan another one! I told them we definitely would – maybe in the summer 🙂
Happy Sibs :-) and Chrch?
And for those of you who know our “energetic” 3 year old. We have started to “practice chrch” at home. We shall see on Sunday if this has been beneficial.Haas Family
Not sure if this was technically a “reunion” or not. . . but it could have been! I counted at least 35 people and that definitely was not everyone that should have been there (note: this was just immediate family – i.e children, grandchildren and great grans of Gma and Gpa Haas).
David, Colt, Kylie, and I went down on Friday night and we all camped out in various parts of Gma and Gpa Haas’ home. It was . . . interesting. We bonded. We stayed warm. haha.
For those of you who don’t know, Uncle Andre and Aunt Christy brought half of their clan all the way from France! Aunt Beverly travelled a ways too, from Kansas City. So it was quite a big deal for everyone to be together. It was a lot of fun. Lots of laughter. The kids had a ball too!
Laughing Kiddos
Colt love his little sister. . . and she loves the very sight and sound of him – obviously.
Fall Family Pics
We decided to take the tripod and attempt at some family photos the other day. David had declared a “family day.” So it was fun. Here are some of my favorites ~
Danger Zone
Let me just blog about my afternoon for a minute here. . . Took the kiddos to the park, REALLY looking forward to the fact that they nap at the same time in the afternoons. Don’t get me wrong, I love being their Mommy and wouldn’t change it for anything – these kids are so awesome and precious! BUT, most of you moms know that time to take a shower, read, nap, or doing anything without interruption is only when they are sleeping.
So, we get home. Fixed Colt lunch. Picked up Kylie to feed her as well, only to notice something wet on my hands and pants where she was. Smells kind of poopy I think to myself. But I didn’t notice that she had pooped. She didn’t stink. Until I practically stuck my nose in the mess searching!! Oh dear. Indeed, she HAD pooped.
I have only read about these disasters. This was my first experience. There was poop in the carseat. Poop piled in her onesie and pants. Poop covering her leg and foot. Poop squished in between her toes. Poop all over the changing table. Poop on the wall now. Poop running down the OUTSIDE of the bathtub. Poop everywhere. (I feel like I could write a book with the Cat in the Hat style repetition going on here).
That was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. to me, to say the least. Colt thought so too.
She’s clean now. Mess is cleaned up as well. Laundry is in the dryer. All poop removed before staining. . . I didn’t really do much that I had LOOKED FORWARD to doing while my children napped at the same time today though.
If I had been thinking I would’ve taken pictures, but then. . . maybe I was thinking clearly when I didn’t? Oh well. I will sympathize more when I hear these stories in the future.
Beautiful Fall Day
I decided to get some pics today on our way to the park. I think we go to the park every day. At least it feels that way. Colt loves it though. He always finds a “best friend” there. haha. Today when we left he said, “Mommy, those were my bestest friends EVER!!”
I use it as a time to meet other moms and share the Good News while Colt is playing with the other kiddos. Never fails!
Anyways, Colt is such an awesome brother. If I am cooking or can’t get to Kylie and she is crying for something. . . he will go talk to her and have her smiling and laughing in no time. He talks in this funny little voice and says things like, “Hey sissy blissy. Hey sweety girl. You don’t need to cry, brother is RIGHT here and I will never leave you. I love you baby sister!” All the while smothering her with kisses and such. She REALLY smiles at the very sight or sound of him. Gets the best of me. So precious.
He’s trying to get her to smile in this first picture. Unfortunately Smiley Kylie Joy was about to pass out in the stroller for naps. . . no smiles caught on camera today! But priceless moments nonetheless.
I could just eat her. . . she is so sweet and beautiful to me.
Looking at all of the Halloween decor people had put out, Colt said, “Mommy! Look at that BEAUTIFUL ANGEL!!” I had to get a picture. . . because this does NOT look like a beautiful angel to me? I’m just glad it doesn’t seem that this will give him nightmares or something.
I could just eat her. . . she is so sweet and beautiful to me.
Looking at all of the Halloween decor people had put out, Colt said, “Mommy! Look at that BEAUTIFUL ANGEL!!” I had to get a picture. . . because this does NOT look like a beautiful angel to me? I’m just glad it doesn’t seem that this will give him nightmares or something.
Understanding the Story
We are 3 weeks into a 10 week session at our chrch focused on understanding the Story of the Word, and then making it known! If you have kiddos, this resource is along those same lines, “The Jesus Storybook B,” and is phenomenal! We have read it through many times with Colt and he continues to love it. It’s part of our bedtime routine, teaching him the Story of the Word:
“The B isn’t only about you and what you should be doing. It’s about the Father and what HE has done. . . . The B is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back His lost treasures. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves His palace, His throne – everything – to rescue the ones He loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is – it’s true. There are lots of stories in the B, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how the Father loves His children and comes to rescue them.”
— Sally Lloyd Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook B
Anyways, I love that we are able to teach this to Colt at such a young age. I think most kids, and/or adults, learn individual stories from the Word. . . rather than learning the Story OF the Word.
Going back to the study at chrch. . . I LOVED pages 32 and 33, showing Jesus in the Metanarrative –
“Jesus is the true and better Adam, who passed the test in the garden and whose obedience is given to us.”
“Jesus is the true and better Abel, who though innocently slain has blood that cries out for our acquittal not our condemnation.”
“Jesus is the true and better Abraham, who answered the call of the Father to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go into the void not knowing whither he went.”
“Jesus is the true and better Isaac, who is not just offered up by his Father, but actually sacrificed by his Father.”
“Jesus is the true and better Jacob, who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserve so that we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace to wake us up and discipline us.”
“Jesus is the true and better Joseph, who at the right hand of the king forgives those who betray him and sold him and uses his new power to save us.
“Jesus is the true and better Moses, who stands in the gap between the people and the Lord and who mediates a new covenant.”
“Jesus is the true and better rock of Moses, who struck with the rod of the Father’s justice now gives us water in the desert.”
“Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent sufferer who then interceded for and saved his friends.
“Jesus is the true and better David, whose victory becomes his people’s victory, although they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.”
“Jesus in the true and better Esther, who didn’t just risk losing an earthly palace but lost the ultimate heavenly palace and who didn’t just risk his life but gave his life to save his people.”
“Jesus is the true and better Jonah, who was cast into the storm so that we could be brought in.”
“Jesus is the ultimate lamb, the ultimate priest, the ultimate king.”
NOW, do you see how the Good News is integrally tied to the Word’s storyline??
If you want to check it out:
Fireman Colt
Here is what Fireman Colt, I mean “Fireman Jim” (as he calls himself), says: “Good Citizens! I am Fireman Jim, and I am here to save the day!” (Makes me smile and even laugh a little. . . good citizens? Where does he get this stuff?)
He is loving watching the leaves change colors and begin to fall this year. . . he’s growing up on me:-( sniff sniff. He wanted to go take pictures though, so I brought my camera too! Would have loved to have a picture of this (below) – us taking a picture of each other. Priceless.
Of course, the Fireman Jim needed a hose. . .
And I let him spray some water for a few minutes. It had been raining too – so he had some help putting out the “fires.”
Mission COMPLETION! The “good citizens” were saved! This is such an awesome age – 3! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little guy! He is becoming such a great little buddy. . . I love doing stuff with him, teaching him, watching him learn, and love life! He’s got to be the coolest kid 🙂 — besides his sister. I have nicknamed her “Smiley Kylie” and thought about changing her name to “Kylie Joy SMiles” – she is so awesome too. Just so thankful, and really enjoying them ~
Fall Festival
While in WV, Sarah invited Colt to come to preschool with her on Friday to their Fall Festival. They had a lot of fun. They climbed a tree with the help of Uncle David, and Colt even won the “Cake Walk” game. He let Sarah pick the cake though – she picked the sunflower (you will see it in the picture below). There was a clown there to wrap up the festival. I thought he did great. You can probably tell by Sarah’s expression that she did not agree.
Thankful for my little family ~