Halloween Weekend

Tyler and I had an eventful weekend. Friday night was out church's annual Simply Fun Fest. This event is open to the entire community and the admission is only the cost of one bag of candy per family. It's a pretty sweet gig for families. I was a ladybug.

Then on Sunday night, we had our Halloween Party with the high school students. There was a gigantic bonfire, costume prizes,  sugar cookies and s'mores. Tyler was a Tonka Truck (costume made by his lovely wife).

We also had a photo booth where the kids could get their picture taken by my friend, and professional birth photographer, Stacey (she did not photograph any births at the party; mainly just non-pregnant high schoolers). You can check out Stacey's website here. I had fun making all sorts of props for the students to use in the photo booth. Here are a few of them:

 

Even more exciting than the photobooth and sandwich sized s'mores, was the sermon Tyler preached about how we don't have to be afraid of evil things, because the enemy has been defeated and Christ has risen victorious. Holla! I had the lyrics from "Shout Unto God" by Hillsong playing in my head all weekend:

The enemy has been defeated
And death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make Your praises loud

Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up

I love that the psalms of David tell me that I have nothing to fear, because God restores me, leads me and comforts me (even after I watch movies that give me the heebee-jeebees, like the Exorcism of Emily Rose). Isaiah writes, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mind. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned' the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3). Yes Sir! - That makes me feel so good!

How was your Halloween weekend? Did you score some delicious treats? What was your costume?

Monday's Most Wanted

{freaks.and.geeks}

Tyler and I just finished up the television series Freaks and Geeks. It is hilarious. The show aired in 1999. I didn't watch it then, because I was a nerdy 7th grader that was too busy watching 7th Heaven. Honestly, I don't think my parents would have let me watch Freaks and Geeks. Other moms must have felt the same way, because the show was canceled after only twelve episodes aired. I don't think America was ready for it. It's not like it should have been on HBO or anything, it just dealt with issues like sex and drugs, but in an absolutely hilarious way. The show centers around a brother and sister, Lindsay and SamWeir. The first (and only) season goes through the transitioning they do in high school: Lindsay, from a mathlete to a rebel and Sam, from a scrawny boy, to a scrawny boy that starts to like girls. Lindsay and her friends are the school "freaks" and Sam and his buddies are the school "geeks." The Weir parents play an integral part in each episode as they sweetly, and sometimes awkwardly, do their best to raise good kids.

If you have a good sense of humor and like shows like The Office or The Big Bang Theory, I think you will find this show funny. I've never seen it at Blockbuster or Family Video, but I know you can rent it disc by disc on Netflix. Or you might try finding some of the episodes online. 

Here's a little preview to get you started. This video is of Bill Haverchuck, one of Sam Weir's best friends, trying to get Sam and Neil (their other best friend) to learn dance. I'm going to have to try these moves out at the next dance I go to...

 

{tracy.morgan}

Oh my. I laughed just typing his name. If you don't know why he made "Monday's Most Wanted," than you have probably never watched 30 Rock. I realize that he is sometimes incredibly inappropriate, but what comedian isn't? If you can find the Marriage Ref show rerun that he was a judge in, that would be a good place to begin your love for Tracy.

{vegetable.steamer}

On a more wifely, homemaker, note, do you have a vegetable steamer? They are a lot of fun! I got mine at TJMaxx for $7.99, but I'm pretty sure you could get one at Target or Wal-Mart. The other day I steamed up some yellow summer squash and zucchini:

My steamer is silicone, but I believe there are metal one too. You simply fill a saucepan with a little bit of water (1/2 and inch) and boil the water. Then, you cut up your vegetables and place them in the steamer basket and drop the basket into the saucepan. See that little "T" in the middle of the squash? That is my steamer basket handled folded over so that I can put my saucepan lid on. Steamers are nice, because they don't boil all of the nutrients out of your veggies and they leave them nice and al dente (that is my Johnny Carino's waitressing shining through). I steamed the squash for about 7 or 8 minutes with the lid on. Then I put it in a bowl, sprinkled on some salt and pepper, added some cherry tomatoes (from the box garden) and, lastly, tossed the vegetables in some fresh basil leaves (also from the garden). The basil added some yummy flavor. I think we'll be having this dish a few more times before the summer is over:

{oh.how.he.loves.us}

.

We are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If His grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.

And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don't have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way,

He loves us, oh how he loves us.

- David Crowder Band

Mumford & Sons

Tyler got me Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More, for our Anniversary (thanks, sugars!). I've been listening to them non-stop in the car since opening the package. I'm trying to do what my brother taught me and not overplay them, so I throw in a little Miley Cyrus here and there. Just kidding! Confession: I Can't Be Tamed makes me want to get my dance party on every time I listen to it. 

Back to M & S, the lead singer has an amazing voice. And one guy plays a banjo. And one of them has a sick mustache. If they had a harmonica too, it would be ridiculous. I looked on their website to see if they were going to be in Chicago anytime soon, but they mostly tour in the UK, where they are from.  Maybe I'll just have to travel to Europe. Then Tyler can look in to all the PhD programs he interested in over seas. Hmm...I think I'm on to something here. Here is some Mumford & Sons for your listening enjoyment: