Highlights...

The highlighted happenings at our house:


*Mark is still in job-search mode, which is a little bit tiring for all involved. Although I have to say that he has found quite a few companies who want him--he just hasn't found the one HE wants quite yet. We're continuing to pray for God's guidance and direction. I truly want Him to reach His hand down and physically point to the job He wants us to head toward. But, since that probably won't happen, we continue to lay it before Him and wait for His answer. I'm so incredibly proud of my husband through this process. He is working hard to find the best situation that takes care of us, but also gives our family the quality time we want.



*Most importantly, we are praying that God leads us where He is wanting us to be. Both in Mark's job, and in our lives. We've both been feeling an "itch" that can only be explained as a nudge from the Lord. I guess these times of reflection come with a major life-change, which for us is Mark's job. But, that has sparked other questions like "What are we doing for God in our daily lives right now?" and "What more does He want from us than what we have been offering?". Anyway, if you have the time, we would appreciate the prayers as we prepare our hearts for the purpose God is leading us toward. We can tell He is speaking...we just want to be sure we can hear what He is saying.



*Meanwhile, since he is more flexible these days, we are enjoying every minute we can with Mark Daddy-Daddy! He's been able to be involved in their schools and go on fun outings with us during the day. (Boy, are we spoiled by that!) Last week, we took a trip to the State Fair and had a good time. The food, the animals, the shows, the rides, the parade....it was alot to fit in and take in! Their favorite part was the "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit, where they had to grow vegetables, feed animals, milk the cow, gather the eggs, and ride a tractor. At the end, they got "paid" for their work and got to shop in the store for a snack. It was the CUTEST thing! Here are our farmer girls:

And, this is how we all felt by the end of the night, especially after stuffing ourselves with the good fair food:

*We also got to have a "redo" birthday party with Lauren & Camryn at Rainforest Cafe, which was SO fun! We had to miss the first celebration, so we had our own mini-party for the big 4 year old birthday girl! Two funny things about that: 1) I took my camera and took about 20 pictures. Not ONE of them were even worth posting. Trying to get four girls to look at the camera in the middle of the rainforest was not successful. Instead, I have pictures of random body parts, half a head of one girl, or the backs of four heads. Oh well. 2) Alyssa and I started so many conversations that did not get finished because the job of being mommies came first, so Alyssa called me on the way home, and we talked for 30 minutes, finishing up the details of each conversation we had missed. :) We had a great time, O'Rears...even if we have no pictures to show for it!

*We're preparing for the upcoming fall holidays, and have always decorated the house on October 1st. That day happened to be very busy, and we didn't quite get to everything I had planned. But, I had already mentioned that to Kendyll, and she of course did not let that pass easily. We ended up decorating a few things quickly before bedtime, and saving the rest for the next day. That night, she wanted to decorate our dining room hutch (which we usually deck out in pumpkins, leaves, etc.) I told her "Kendyll, we'll wait until tomorrow to do that, because I have to look at the pictures to remember what I did there." (Explanation: Anal, yet, Forgetful Mommy has pictures of past years of holidays to help me remember what I do with decorations....it saves time, and saves my brain cells from trying to think through it.) Kendyll used this situation to "stretch" me. The next morning, she decorated the whole thing by herself, while I was busy with Abby Kate. I came in to a massive decorating project with leaves everywhere, pumpkins exploding off the shelves, and fall, fall, fall! She must have seen in my eyes that I was thinking "But, this isn't the way I always do it!" And, she said "Now, Mommy, you have to change it up a little, okay? It doesn't ALWAYS have to be the way you did it before!" She continued to do this in every room, and made me change things that I would have NEVER changed. It was pretty funny. And it's probably good that she's a little less anal than her mommy. She now uses that line all the time about "not making things the same way that they were before." :)

*On the subject of fall, we have had the hardest time deciding on Halloween costumes. Seriously....Kendyll has been "sure" about at least nine different costumes. (It was easier when I decided without her help!) The final decision: ANGELS. Kendyll and Carlie will be sweet angels with silver glitter shoes. They are excited. Or, at least I thought they were. Carlie has informed me many times since I ordered them, that she will be a "princess like Caroline" instead. So, we'll see what she wears when they big day gets here. As for Abby Kate, she will also be winged. But, a different version, thanks to her friend Camryn. Here's a sneak preview of our precious butterfly.

*A catch-up from two weeks ago.....our trip to the ranch. As always, it was enjoyed by all. The new animal this time around was cute little labradoodle puppies. Kendyll REALLY wanted to bring one home. And we REALLY told her absolutely not. :) But, if anyone out there wants a cute chocolate or black labradoodle, let me know! My mom is ready to give them new homes. :)

The highlight is always riding the Gator as SOON as we arrive to visit all the animals in the different pastures. Cousin Braden is behind the wheel (who is getting a new BABY SISTER, we found out the day before this trip!!!)One of my favorite pictures from the weekend....Aunt Cailee and Kendyll. I can't believe my baby sister is a SENIOR in highschool! (Does anyone have a friend who will be a freshman at ACU next year? We need to find a good roomie for Cailee. :)


*And, now, for the finale highlight of this blog. Get ready, everyone....drum roll, please. As of next Friday, October 19th, I will no longer be a brace-face!!! YES!!! I get my "bracelets" off! (as Carlie calls them!) I am beyond excited and really don't know if I can wait another week. They were supposed to be off a couple of months ago, so this process has required extra patience---more than I had at times. :) Anyway, we're excited around here. Well, that is, everyone except Kendyll, who is very sad. She says that "I'm much more beautiful with them on", and "What if you don't look like Mommy anymore?", which she said through tears asI I shared the good news. Funny girl. I'm glad she likes them, but I can't say she's gonna get her way on this one.