Veggie Straws and Clothes Pins

Birthday at the Grand Canyon

Today was my 34th birthday. The original plan was to have some friends take our kids overnight from Friday night to Saturday night so Sara and I could hang out kid-free for a while. The people that were going to take our kids ended up having one of their own kids get sick the day of the proposed sleepover. So the plans changed. I wanted to have the whole family go to the Grand Canyon, but a few people have recommended that we wait until our kids are older. So Gavin and I went; while Sara, Aubri and Micah went to a birthday party for a girl in Aubri's class. Kind of a strange day, but it was still good.

The Grand Canyon is only about an hour north of Flagstaff. It's pretty incredible; I've never seen it before. I'd love to hike it sometime with people that know where to go and what to bring.

(Sara made me wear my #34 jersey for the birthday supper :)

We got home around supper time and Sara made me an Asian salad that I've been requesting for the past few months. She also made the classic banana cream pie that serves as a substitute for my birthday cake every year. It ended up getting too late for pie, so we'll dig into that after church tomorrow.

Speaking of church, we've added a third service as of the last couple weeks. I have to admit that I need to build up my endurance to get used to the new schedule. So, as of now I get to church by about 6am, rehearse with the team at 7 for the 8:30 and 10:30 services; then get home for lunch about 1, then I'm back to the church for a different team rehearsal at 3 to get ready for the 5pm service. It's not that the time there is wearing me out, it's mostly that I put everything I have to give into what I do as I lead people in corporate worship and I'm not used to leaving any reserve energy for later. I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'm just not there yet.

Halloween 2010

We did a couple different Halloween gatherings this year. On Friday, the kids' school hosted a Halloween party; then, on Sunday the 31st, we visited another church in town that was hosting a Halloween festival. We decided not to do trick or treating anymore, because it's just too unpredictable what the kids might be exposed to at unknown people's houses. Churches seem like fairly safe places to go for Halloween, but I couldn't help but sense a darkness even in that environment.

When we swung in to Sonic to take advantage of their 50 cent corndogs, the guy who was bringing people food was dressed up like a murder victim. The fake blood and wounds were enough for Sara to not want to eat any more and probably scarred our kids' minds a bit as well.

This may have been the last Halloween that we participate in. With the history of where Halloween comes from, and the increasing evil that seems to be attached to it, it just doesn't seem like something we should be involved with as Christ followers. I'm sure we'll still carve pumpkins and do other fall traditions, but I'm pretty sure we'll steer clear of Halloween focused gatherings.

Of course our kids love dressing up, but honestly they do that most of the year already so I don't think they will be feeling like they're missing out on much. We explained it to them tonight after we got home, and they didn't really seem to mind. We'll just make sure we do something special as a family on future Oct. 31st's.

(There are a few more pics of the kids in the Photo Album)