Amazing Opportunity....

If you are like me, you love a good bargain. Well do I have an amazing opportunity for you....

To anyone interested in earning a free Mission trip to one of 60 locations around the world, read on. Of course, I would want you to join my team's July 10-July 21 trip back to Chaoyang next summer if you won. One of my team members from two years ago was the recipient of this free trip! The drawing will be Dec. 3.

Here's how: Between November 1st and November 30th, any $25 purchase or general donation made on

our website will enter your name in the drawing to win a Visiting Orphans Mission Trip!
$25 = 1 entry. $50 = 2 entries!!! It's that simple!

1. Visit www.visitingorphans.org and browse our eSTORE. Any purchase of $25 or more (shipping+taxes excluded) during the month of November will enter your name in the drawing.
2. To make a general contribution* to Visiting Orphans HERE, select "Give.Love" from the pull-down menu. Your name will go in the drawing for every $25 you donate during the month of November.

* You can still win if you're already signed up for a 2013 trip!
* Team member fundraising with our merchandise still applies during this time.
- Be sure to include your name under 'Team Member Preference' at checkout and encourage others to help you fundraise for your trip!! (Because with every $25 purchase they make, THEY will be entered to win as well! You could be going on a trip together!)

 

Questions? Don't be shy; feel free to ask away...

One More Year...

Will this be Josh's last year Trick-or-Treating? Somehow I think not! Ever since he was little, he has always enjoyed dressing up, so why should his senior year be any different? No, it was not an "official" dress-up day at his school, but he went dressed as Samwise Gamgee regardless. I doubt he told any of his friends he was wearing my vest and sweater as part of his costume though. Doesn't he look cute? My boys have always loved Lord of the Rings as much or more than Star Wars, and both read the trilogy. We can't wait for The Hobbit to be released later this year.

And yes, Joshua not only wore this to school, but he went out trick-or-treating with his girlfriend, who of course, was dressed up as a Jedi!

Kaia was a Princess Genie (she insisted that the clashing orange socks were Halloween appropriate) and Jaelyn was a Scary Cat. I don't think she looked very scary, but for some reason she really wanted to come off as scary and made a lot of hissing sounds!

The weather outside is not-so-nice, so I "volunteered" to stay home and hand out candy. My kids think it is funny that every year I tally the number of trick-or-treaters that come by our house. This is due to fond memories of Halloweens spent at my grandparents, and that is something they always did. Our numbers are down tonight, probably due to the weather, but this is what my tally looks like so far:

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Speaking of weather, my heart goes out to all the families affected by Hurricane Sandy. Wish life was "normal" for them tonight, and praying that things look brighter soon.

Senior Night #1....

The rain held off long enough Friday night for us to honor the football team's seniors without umbrellas! Altogether there were 30+ seniors, so the lineup took up nearly 50 yards. Of course, I was most captivated by #64, and honored when he asked me to don his jersey for the evening.

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Jaelyn still loves her "Dale" hat she got in D-World, better worn in 40+ weather than the 90° of Orlando

Couldn't turn away from Dad this time!

Unfortunately the team didn't pull off the win this night, but did capture the 4th place position for playoffs. First playoff game is this Friday at Peninsula HS, nearly three hours away, so we will be listening over the Internet and cheering in our hearts! So proud of Josh and how he carries himself! And no, I didn't cry, but I'm thinking wrestling season is going to be a different story...

Spoiler....

Don't say I didn't warn you, but there is no "Pot of Gold" at the end of a rainbow. I was riding the ferry yesterday when I saw this over the water. I could clearly see both ends of the rainbow on the water, but the ferry window didn't allow me to capture the entire rainbow on my camera screen. I felt like the captain could have steered the ferry right through the center of it.

I wonder what a rainbow looks like from the underside....

Somewhere Between...

Cried real tears like I haven't cried in awhile as I sat through this movie today. Didn't want it to end though.  I found it highly insightful, and has me thinking. What exactly though, I don't know.  It was worth the two hour drive to Seattle to see it, and I think I will definitely buy the video when it comes out. Someday I will sit down and watch it with the girls, but it's not time yet....

Off with a Bang....

This morning started with a bang, not because it was my birthday, but because we had an abnormal start to a fall day with a thunderstorm! I enjoyed not having to get up early and being able to lay in bed listening to the rumbles. Even better yet, I enjoyed being served coffee and a delicious white chocolate raspberry scone in bed while listening to the storm.

After the 9 am soccer games were cancelled due to the inclement weather, the skies made a quick change to sunshine, where the whole family gathered in the sunshine to watch Jaelyn's soccer game. I then got to open presents at home, before everyone scooted off in different directions.

After I was spoiled, Kaia took off for a birthday slumber party, Josh headed off for the Homecoming Dance, and Kellen, Jaelyn, Mike and I headed out to eat for a delicious Italian dinner with gelato for dessert.

His girlfriend is crazy about Star Wars too!

Mike playing around with the Instagram app on his birthday present to himself, his iphone 5

Oh October!

There just isn't enough free time in October for me to post all that goes on around here! I am going to attempt to catch everyone up to speed with what we have been doing in two posts, so here is the first one. For the most part I will let the photos speak for themselves!

Soccer season has one week left, and the Pink Pop Rocks have really improved. Here they are a coupe weeks ago, when they all sprayed their hair pink...

Jaelyn scored four or five goals just today alone! I still love watching her play, as no matter what, she is running down the field with a big ole' grin on her face.

Mike's birthday was about 1.5 weeks ago, and the whole family was having fun celebrating together.

Next up, my volleyball team's Dig Pink night. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of my team members mother was recently diagnosed with it, so we decided to show our support by having a pink night. We even topped it off with a win!

The JV squad.

Me and my team.

My favorite cheerleaders!

Some of our fans cheering us on.