Pumpkin Poop and Football Players

A few weeks ago a friend of mine found a really neat idea on Pinterest.  I decided Franklyn would HAVE to help me put it together and take it for his class Halloween party.  We had a lot of fun putting the PUMPKIN POOP together!  Cheap project...  Little bags from Hobby Lobby ($1 for 100), card stock pumpkin paper from Hobby Lobby (about $3), and a big container of Cheese Balls (about $5.48 at WalMart)!  We bagged it up and he took it to school with him this morning.  I really hope the kids get a kick out of it!

Considering Franklyn is not at all a sports fan, I was shocked when he told me he wanted to be a UT football player this year!  Franklyn's school always has a costume parade on Halloween.  So, this morning I dressed him up in his AWESOME costume and sent him off to school.    I have to say, the costume was incredible!

On his heart.....

Last night when I was cleaning out Franklyn's backpack I came across the most precious project.  Around Columbus Day his class had to write what they would have done if they discovered America.  Each student wrote their paragraph on a sheet of paper attached to a picture of Columbus and the teacher had the projects hanging outside their classroom.  I didn't know anything about it until I pulled it out of his backpack.  I was in awe when I read what Franklyn wrote.  The most special thing about it is that THIS is what was on his sweet, little heart... 

Well, if you could actually read it, you would see that it says:

IF I DISCOVERED AMERICA:

First, I would tell people about God and give them Bibles. Then, they would teach me how to shoot a bow and arrow. Last, I would call the new land CrishtenLand.

Franklyn

To know that my son had THAT on his heart when told to write about what he would do if he discovered our great country made my heart melt!  He would first tell people about God and pass out Bibles and he would then name our country CHRISTIAN LAND!  Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of that kid??????

A Pikachu Pumpkin

Franklyn always wants to participate in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest at school...  Knowing it means more work for me or Scott than for him, I normally discourage it!  This year, however, I had a change of heart.  I went to WalMart at lunch yesterday and bought supplies to transform a pumpkin into something I knew Franklyn would LOVE!  In the midst of our project, Franklyn repeatedly told me, "You're the best mommy in the world."  I'm so glad I decided to let him decorate a pumpkin this year!

Ta Da!  Here is Franklyn's Pikachu Pumpkin!

Turning 40.....

"I said, 'You are my servant'';

I have chosen you and have not

rejected you.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your

God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous

right hand."

Isaiah 41:9b-10

 

This past week was a tough one.  I never thought turning 40 would hit me this hard.  Physically, it's been rough.  I've been feeling it for the last 10 months or so.  Pain in the knees, hips.. even in my toes!  But, this past Saturday, the day before my 40th birthday, it hit me hard mentally.  I was in a funk the entire day.  I was fearful as far as what the next 40 years (assuming I will have that many) would hold.  I had to simply remember that the future and the here and now are both in God's hands.  I wrote this poem tonight while trying to destress from a stressful week...

 

 



I stand in the light, yet the shadows surround me,

 Obscurity draws fleeting fears.

Confusion, bereft of a focus upon Thee

 Yields faintness of heart and despair.

 

This lack of fullness in the kinship I claim

 Engenders distress and dismay.

Longing for calm in this restless abode

 My soul thirsts for strength in Thine sway.

 

Lord, shoulder mine doubt and consume mine unease,

 Uphold me and carry mine woes.

Illumine mine life with the truth of Thine Word,

 I trust Thee; Thou art mine repose.

 

Kari W. Whaley

October 2012