Something I've never understood...

Something I've never understood...

We are full gospel, Bible believing, church going christians.

But...

We also celebrate Halloween.

Or I should say, we HAVE FUN WITH THE HOLIDAY.

I have always decorated our house and yard with decorations.

I have always made Halloween goodies.

Our boys have always dressed up and gone trick-or-treating.

We have fun on Halloween!

There are other christians who do not believe in celebrating Halloween.

Fine.

I respect that.

We all have our own beliefs.

Here is what I do not understand.

These days...

Practically every church out there...

Has...

"Trunk-or-treat", "Harvest Party", or some other form of what they call...

"ALTERNATIVE TO HALLOWEEN".

ALTERNATIVE???

Ok...
Let's see...

My kids dress up in fun costumes and go around my family friendly neighborhood subdivision getting candy.

The kids at church dress up in fun costumes and go around car to car or playing games at church getting candy.

Hmmmm....

I'm afraid I just don't see the difference???

Getting candy in my neighborhood?

Or...

Getting candy at my church?

I am not knocking EITHER practice!

I say...

DO WHICH EVER YOU WANT TO DO.

But don't do the church option as an "alternative" to Halloween.

IT'S THE SAME THING!

Fun costumes and candy!

That's it!

I know there are people who don't do either...and that is fine too.

Do or don't do what you want.

But don't knock those of us who trick-or-treat...when you're going to your church to do the EXACT SAME THING!

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE!

Either getting candy from neighbors or the church.

Same thing.

We have always just gone around our neighborhood because our church is half an hour away and I enjoy seeing all my neighbors and their kids dressed up on Halloween.

And as I said before,

I am NOT knocking the churches who do this.

I am just disturbed that people actually think there is something wrong with trick-or-treating in your neighborhood...

And somehow going to church for candy makes it "different" or better.

See my point?

Anywho...

That's my thought for the day...

Just something that's always plagued my thoughts.

I wish everyone a happy autumn...

Dress up, get lots of candy, and go wherever you feel comfortable because in the end...

It's just costumes and candy...
No matter where you do it.

God bless!

Why yes! As a matter of fact...I AM A GOOD MOM!...A DARN GOOD ONE!

Most people who know me well, know that there is one thing I struggle with.

Self-esteem.

I'm not good enough.

The need to be the best.

At everything.

Not worthy.

Wanting to find my niche.

Something...

Anything...
That I'm good at.

I put myself down.

Trying various activities and hobbies...

And never being able to "master" any one thing.

I can do many things "ok"...

But I'm not "great" at anything.

Well...

There is ONE THING...

ONE THING...

That I have come to realize that I am good at.

I have NEVER doubted myself at this.

I have always thought I was GREAT at this.

NEVER questioned my gut or instincts.

Not perfect by any means.

But I KNOW, that I KNOW, that I KNOW...

I AM GOOD AT THIS ONE THING!

BEING A MOM!

For some reason...

As lacking as I am in the self-esteem area...

Thinking I am no good at anything...
Always questioning myself and all I do...

I have NEVER doubted ONCE that I am a good mom.

I KNOW that I make good solid choices.

I KNOW that my decisions are solid.

I am CONFIDENT in how I raise my kids.

I KNOW I'M GOOD AT IT!

There...I said it.

Am I being cocky?

I don't know.

Maybe.

Who cares!

No one else seems to have a problem tooting their own horn at things that they're good at.

Everyone seems to have "something" they do well.

Maybe you're good at scrapbooking.

Maybe it's stamping.

Maybe it's cake decorating.

Maybe you're an awesome cook.

Maybe you are a star athlete.

Maybe you have a great body.

Maybe your hair is beautiful.

Guess what?

I am NONE of that.

But one thing I am good at...
DARN GOOD AT...

Is being a mom.

And I know it!

My kids are respectful.

My kids are empathetic.

My kids play by the rules.

My kids are kind.

My kids are caring.

Are they perfect?

NO.

My kids make mistakes.

My kids argue.

My kids disobey.

My kids screw up.

But...

Ask anyone who knows my kids...

Are they trust-worthy?

Yep.

Are they dependable?

You bet.

Are they a good friend?

Uh-huh.

Are they God-loving, elder-respecting, rule obeying, animal loving, team players who'll do anything for anybody?

Yes, that's my boys!

I believe I have taught them well.

I believe being a mom is THE ONE THING I excel at.

Am I tooting my own horn?

Yeah, maybe I am.

Because I'm darn proud of my boys and who they are becoming!

When I work with other people's children all day...

Day in and day out...

And see the parenting that goes on...

And the way kids are acting...

Yeah...you BET I'm proud of my kids and I'm proud of myself!

I believe we're doin' something right in the James household!

And with God's help, I will continue to raise my boys to be men of God, whom people will be proud to say they know!

Homelife, Kitties, PumpkinFest, A New Hair Cut, & Other Random Things...

It's been busy since school started.

There aren't too many quiet nights at home anymore.

Oh how I miss (and savor) the quiet nights at home.

Now our evenings are filled with homework, band practice, football games, band competitions, church activities, school activities, and so much more.

I miss just sitting at home with my babies, my hubby, and my kitty.

One (rare) evening that we were home...

Oleson the barn cat came by for a visit.

He lives in the old barn behind us.

I think he can tell we're "cat people".

He's never in a hurry to leave.

Plus, he and Oreo seem to enjoy visiting each other.

There's no hissing.

Just meowing and rolling around as if they're both comforable "chatting" and catching up with each other, LOL!

Plus, I think Oleson remembers that we keep treats!

So we always share.  Teehee!

As you can see, he was in no hurry to leave!

Last Friday, Evan had a football game to play at...so Nate and I skipped out for this time...and took in PumpkinFest.

He loved these two horses made of straw!

And he made sure I had my picture taken by the scarecrow's outhouse, LOL!

Milking the tin cow!

One of our favorite things each year...is the petting zoo.

Critter Barn always sets up a mobile petting zoo area.

We love the bunnies!

But Nate's VERY favorite is the baby chicks!

They had turkeys, chickens, pigs, goats, lambs, bunnies, donkeys, and much more!

We love all the Pumpkin People they set up downtown!

Zeeland Lumber always sets up a crafting area for the kids with scraps of lumber and wood.

They let them make "creations" with wood glue.

And of course we enjoyed some cotton candy.

I love this little Pumpkin Train they put out each year!

Saturday we went to the parade, as Evan had to play/march with the band.

It was soooooooooooo hot!

We want our fall weather back!

Here comes our favorite band!

ZHS marching band!

They played Lady Gaga...and though I'm not a fan...I had the tune stuck in my head all day after that, LOL!

There's Evan in the center...see him?!?

And there they go!

The Zeeland Chix and Dux float!

We picked a bad area to stand...as we were at the end of the parade route, so many of the folks were out of candy by the time they got to us.  Nate was a little disappointed.

The giant mobile pumpkin from the New Salem Corn Maze.
Love that place!

Can't wait to go back!

I also got my hair cut on Saturday.

It's not a totally different style.

But it's quite a bit shorter.

She put a lot of layers on the sides, stacked the back, and I kept a longer bang.

So now I have three styles to choose from...straight like I used to wear it...or MESSY and TOSSLED like this!

I kinda like the messy look.

It's still not as radical as I was hoping for...maybe next time I'll go crazy!

I can also wear it tucked back, nice and sleek, with volume like this too!

I kinda like it this way.

Totally different.

And that's what's been happening!

Hopefully after football/marching band season...things will slow down a bit.

Maybe.

Nah...