Let's Say Thanks to our Troops this Thanksgiving!

Click the link here to send a Thank You message to a solider fighting for our country!

Building Character

"The world of the [very] young...[is] a place where good and evil are clearly stamped. It's a place where the better part of human nature triumphs over tragedies, and where innocence rides high." --Rosemary Wells

Building Character, it seems so hard these days. I recently was skimming for more information in A Well Trained Mind (I book I have come to love, I don't use everything in it, but it has helped me a lot!) when I got to the chapter about building character. There were a few books that caught my eye. I researched them and found this one. So I have taken it along with me to the library. It lists different books that, through the stories themselves, build character. The author discusses how some of the books are a great starting point for discussions, where as others are ones that the stories speak for themselves.

"The growth of the imagination demands windows--windows through which we can look out at the world and windows through which we can look into ourselves. The old stories were windows in just this way." --Katherine Paterson

The book is broken into different categories. I have started with the Picture Books. It is funny how there are some really great books out there you didn't even know exist. I strongly suggest if you don't have this book, get it. Here are a few that we have come across that have a really liked:

Brave Irene by William Steig

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

Three weeks without Facebook, WHAT????

Ok, so a few weeks ago I decided to discipline myself. My kids always ask if adults get disciplined. They now know that sometimes they do have to do it to themselves! Usually, it involves giving myself a time out for a bad attitude or not having enough patience. A couple of weeks ago I was looking at two of my favorite rooms and they literally looked like a tornado came through and then chewed everything us and then spit it back out. Sad, I know. I was going to take before and after photos...my husband asked me to spare everyone. Although, looking back I think I should have just done it! Oh, well.

So, I said, I really need to get this done. Then an idea came to me. If I give myself a discipline I will probably worked extra hard on trying to get it done so that I could "reward" myself with the rooms being done AND getting to do something again that I have fun with. It didn't take long for me to figure out what I needed to cut out.

So, are my rooms done? No. Half way, possibly. Will my friends get to see me on facebook anytime soon? With the holidays...possibly not. Ugh! Darn normal life with laundry and dishes and teaching the kids, they get in the way! Why do I discipline myself...oh, yeah that is right because sometimes we need it.

I do have to admit because I did this to myself that it was a lot easier to tell the kids that there would be no TV, video games or computer games until the entire upstairs is clean. They are actually cleaning, now if they could do it ever so politely that would be even better, but I'm not complaining!

Anyway, I miss Facebook, sad but true. I heard a few of my friends had babies and some others had some exciting situations come up...and I have missed it. I miss talking with them and seeing the everyday things that happen in everyones life. It is fun to be able to see what is going on. So, friends, I will come back. I am trying. I am working hard (minus this short bit to actually write in the dark hole of my blog). But, my rooms will get done. And I will be so glad. And trust me there WILL be pictures.

Till then, at least I have this blog! Good thing I didn't take that away too! Phew!

Happy Creativity!

We love Halloween for the very fact that we get to celebrate creativity and use their imagination to be whatever they want to be!

We were so proud of John, he made his own costume (minus the helmet). He drew on some white long johns and then for Captain Rex's black "skirt" he tied a black t-shirt around his waist. He looked great!

Trick or treating at one of our favorite neighbor's house.

Yes, Jason and I were Bacon and Eggs! The perfect match!

Cinnamon went trick or treating himself and found some candy. (Don't worry you dog lovers out there we got it after this picture. No chocolate was consumed!)

Sadly, this is not all the candy we got...anyone want some?

Fun with friends!

If you have never thought of the pumpkin as a chance to remember what God has done, please keep reading.

1. First when you get the pumpkin you cut open the top. This is a great reminder that we need to open our minds to the things of the Lord, searching for Him.

2. Second, God takes all the crappy stuff out of our lives when we confess our sins and trust in Him alone to save us. (1 John 1:9)

3. Third, as you cut the eyes in the pumpkin we can be reminded to ask God to help us see more of Him. (Psalm 119:18)

4. Next, when you cut the mouth you can be reminded to share Jesus and all the things God has done for you with those you meet. (Psalm 118:17)

5. When you place the candle in your pumpkin it can be a reminder for our lives to shine for Him. (Matthew 5:16)

I know this is posted after Halloween, but I hope that you are able to look at pumpkins in a different light each fall. What another Great reminder of all God has done for us!

The treasures you find

I am in the process of cleaning out two rooms in our house. While doing so I came across a poem that my son, John, wrote for me last year. I love finding treasures in such surprising places. Here is his poem (just as he wrote it):

JOHN LOVES YOU

I like mom oh yes I do.
and mom heps (helps) me too.
See loves mom.
I'm reiley (really) good kid
my sistars are dad.

I'm 7 years old
and I will nevar stop
loveing mome
you the best mom in the
WORLD!!!!

My day has just been made.
What are some things you have found around that you hold and treasure?

Taking it all in

FALL IS HERE!

WE DECIDED TO TAKE IT ALL IN!

Our Adventure, the Chicago Marathon, October 11, 2009

We headed to the Health and Fitness Expo, the kids love going every year. Here is Jason and the kids under the count down clock. Only 14 hours, 32 minutes and 44 seconds until the race. Better get home for some good sleep!

Team World Vision! Jason raised money to provide clean drinking water to villages in Kenya. Go to www.firstgiving.com/jasonplatt to see more of what he ran for.

Tyler and Jason as they head off downtown to get to the start line.

These two pictures are suppose to be where John is cheering (at mile 11 below), but it wouldn't let me move it. So out of sequence it must be. Oh, well. *smile* Here are the girls cheering dad on while waiting in the cold.

The kids waiting on the "L" platform at 6:30 am. They were awesome. They woke up at 5:30 in the morning to get ready in time to see dad at mile 3. Go kids go!

Oops! I was so excited to see him that I accidently chopped his head off. 8-) This is at mile 3.

John cheering Dad on at mile 11!

The kids and I taking a warming break in a local McD's before heading onto the red line and onto Chinatown. The kids were great, they ended up walking from Chinatown all the way to the finishline (about a mile and a half away). I was really, really proud of them!

There will be more pictures coming, from the actual race. It got kind of crazy at the end so I totally forgot to get final photos. He did a great job. Finishing in 5 hours and 25 minutes. We are glad that he listened to his body and walked mile 9 due to his heart getting out of rhythm. Thankfully, it got back on track (he had pills just in case). This is his fourth marathon and I am so proud of him. He has inspired so many people (we joke because they say, hey if a fat pastor can do it so can I!). He inspired me to run the 1/2 marathon, and am contemplating, catch that contemplating running the full some day. If he has inspired you to do so, join him next year on 10/10/10! Wouldn't it be cool to have a medal that said that!!
(Please note: video to come)

Jason showing off his medal and bib with his dad.