CSUN Reformation Party

Jesse and I have a long-standing tradition of celebrating the Reformation! Each year our college Bible study has a Reformation Party where we dress up, eat yummy fall food (we brought pumpkin snickerdoodles), carve pumpkins, sing some songs, and talk about what happened during the Reformation. Now that we have kids, Jesse and I don't really think about OUR costumes, but just get the girls dressed up! I had fun looking back at the last two parties...here's some fun photos from the past...2010 party and 2009 party. I won't bore you with digging up more history :)

This year Mimi and Papa stopped by before the party to check out the cowgirls!

Maddie brought her little horse so she could "ride on the range".

Here's some of the creative costumes!

The guys all hung out by the fire pit.

Joyce with Savannah

Sweet Savannah had no idea Hannah the bat was going to eat her up!

Thing 1 (Sarah) with squirmy Savannah.

By the way, Savannah decided to take her first steps at the party, too!

Ha ha!

Madison loved helping carve the pumpkin. They carved a cowgirl...pretty impressive!

We were thrilled to see new believers and unbelievers at this party. As we drove away last night Jesse and I talked about how exciting it is to see this study grow in love for the Lord, for each other, and for the lost.

Good Reads

I have to say I love Friday mornings when I get together with Rachel White to talk about life and the book we've been reading. It's such an encouraging time as we focus on what God is teaching us and how we can excel still more. We've read The Excellent Wife over the last 2 months.

The last time I read this book, I was engaged. So, after being married five years, this book spoke to me a bit differently. I was thankful for all the Scripture throughout the book. I want to have the Bible convict/instruct me as to what kind of wife I should be, and not just some one's opinion. This book certainly is rooted in Scripture!

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you may also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." I pray that my love for Jesse will continue to be rooted in Christ's love for us, and His sacrificial love will motivate me to serve in the same way each day.

The next book we're reading together is One with the Shepherd. I'm looking forward to how I will be challenged specifically in the area of being married to a pastor. I'll let you know how it goes!

Savannah is 11 Months

This sweet girl is starting to crack me up. She's got a funny personality. In this video Savannah is playing peek a boo with her skirt! We were having dinner, and she started these shenanigans. I just love her. I can't believe she's already 11 months old. She was just an infant that slept all the time. Now she's pretending to talk on the phone, playing peek a boo, walking when I hold her hand, and very into pretending. Ah, I have to remember to cherish every moment with an eye on eternity. I love living in both worlds- this temporal life and its good gifts from our Heavenly Father AND our eternal life which gives me a glorious hope of my home to come.

Time for An Upgrade

I snapped a photo of Madison sleeping the other day. She is obviously a bit big for her toddler bed.

So, I got to work painting ($12 for spray paint), then put together the twin bed we were given. Rachel White and I did this project while Jesse was out of town. Rachel brought the drill, and we put this beauty together.

Maddie was thrilled to sleep in a big bed! We found the sheets for $10 and the comforter for $30 at Target.

So the cost of the whole bed: $52. I think that's pretty good!

Pumpkin Patch

Today has been one of those days where you just don't stop! Jesse is out of town teaching at an evangelism conference in NE, so the girls and I had a fun-filled day! We started out with delicious homemade pumpkin pancakes.

Then we went to....

Yes, Lombardi's Pumpkin Patch.

We were thrilled that Papa came with us!

**Warning: there may be tons of photos of the same thing...I'm sorry.**

(I think the moms that look at this blog understand :)

Both girls loved the Saugus marching band.

"Riding on the range" is what Maddie said as she rode Dallas.

Papa and his girls!

She's an outlaw...watch out!

Then we went on the train ride through the sunflower fields.

Papa was so kind to not only treat us to rides, but snacks too! Madison ate TWO hot dogs and 1/2 snow cone!

We had such a blast!

Girls Night

I'm so thankful for these two little munchkins. Madison and Savannah are so fun. Tonight we had girls night because Daddy was at the Elders Meeting. We started out the evening with pasta for dinner (what else?), and then went for a walk/bike ride...

When we got back home I overheard the girls giggling in the bathroom, so I checked out what was going on....dress up!

They got into the play jewelry and hair bows. Too cute.

After dress up we had a little craft.

I feel so blessed to be the mother of these girls, and to have the privilege and responsibility to train them in the Lord. I'm thankful tonight.

Zoo Time

We've been enjoying some family days at the LA Zoo lately thanks to Gigi and Grandpa! They gave Madison (and our whole family) year passes to the zoo for her birthday. We sure enjoy going for short visits often.

The new elephant area is quite amazing! This was Maddie's favorite animal of the day!

The jaguar was getting his exercise pacing around his little cage. It's fun going early in the morning, because that's when the animals are active.

It was pretty funny watching this hippo breath through his huge nostrils every few minutes.

Savannah loved it when any animal moved...she squirmed right along with them!

There's a new play structure area that Madison enjoyed running around in for a bit.

Thanks again Grandpa and GiGi for this gift that keeps on giving for the whole family!

Here's a funny video of every day life at the Johnson's house...Savannah is ripping up papers all over the floor while trying to eat Maddie's feet! We keep it real here :) By the way, Madison is looking at a toy catalogue!