New Blog

Well, We've pulled a Davison.  This happened to me once before and I was able to delete some pictures and make it work, but this time...it's not happening.  So our new blog address is...

thefriesfamily2012.blogspot.com

Be sure and update your favorites. 

Halloween

This year we celebrated Halloween with the usual suspects. 

The kids each decided what they wanted to be, with TJ focusing on one of the Avengers.  

However we were at our church Agape meal when our friend Heidi Pommer mentioned in passing how much TJ looked like Tim and that he should "be him for Halloween".  

I was talking to TJ about it later he was interested in being Tim for Halloween but had one concern....how was he going to get his muscles big enough?   Ahhhhh!  We assured him we could make it work, and the deed was done!  

 Princess Lylah

 Butterfly Avarie

The boys together. 

I know this one is blurry, but I love this picture. ;)

Classical Conversations

This year we are part of an amazing homeschool co-op called Classical Conversations.  

We have been using the curriculum for a few years now, but this is the first year there has been a community here.  We are so blessed to be a part of it.  It has been such a fun thing to do each week.  The kids have memory work, art, science, presentations and review based on the classical model of education.  It is amazing and I hope to always be a part of this wonderful program.  For those of you who are interested here is the link to CC, I hope you find one in your area!  It is worth EVERY SINGLE penny! 

Pumpkins

I NEVER buy pumpkins to carve, they are expensive, it's messy, they last only a couple of days and I remember from childhood a story about Satanic worshipers burning flesh (I know...).  Anyway, I just don't normally think about it or do it.  

Well, this year a friend got "pumpkinned" by her church and had 83 carving pumpkins on her front porch.  So I took the kids and we picked out 5.  The kiddos were so excited! As we were carving the pumpkins Avarie said "mom, I am so excited, this is my very first pumpkin carving"... epic motherhood fail.  

Annual Harvest Party

Every year I celebrate Fall with all my girlfriends. I invite a multitude of women, everyone brings a "fall inspired" dish and we do nothing but eat and talk (or as Tim says cackle), it is SO MUCH FUN and something I look forward to every year.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of the whole group, but didn't think of it.  Next year!  

Love

I happen to have an AMAZING husband...

Our kids think so too.

A new kitty

Our infamous mamma kitty brought home this little bundle of joy.  

Avarie was in heaven of course as she loves kittens.  

However, this little guy had an unfortunate ending as last weekend TJ found her dead.  

It was a fun couple of weeks of playing with her and a good opportunity to talk to the kids about life and death.  

Wildlife

At our old house we had the most frustrating set of rodents that made their home in our back yard.  They were big and annoying.  

At our new house, we have these beauties.  

I have to say I am thrilled with the change in scenery.  

And Tim wishes we had about 50 more acres so we could hunt them. :)

"GG"

My Grandma, mom and her family came down to visit and of course my good intentions of getting some pictures fell through.  But I got this FANTASTIC picture of Lylah and my Grams.  Lylah loves "GG".  It could be because she is the GREATEST GREAT GRANDMA (and Grandma) in the world.  But I love that my kiddos have a relationship with this amazing woman. I am blessed to have her in my life.  Love you gram.  

Um...yep

Ah...My little artist.  This is what happens when a 3 year old is left unsupervised with some stamps.  

TRUTH

"But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene."

2 Timothy 2:16-17a

This morning as I was spending time with the Lord, I was struck by how often negative thoughts come to my mind.  I am generally, I would say, a pretty positive person.  I don't have a pension toward negativity, however I think that negative attitudes can creep up on you when you least expect it.  Often it even can come across as sarcasm, which I am often guilty of using.  We live in a world that thrives on negative attention, negative entertainment and negative news.  You don't often see a traffic jam over someone helping an elderly person cross the street, but you certainly can expect one when a tragedy has befallen.  We (as a people) spend our time, money and pursuits on being "happy" and yet most people are not.  How many people do you know that live in a perpetual state of depression or self-conscienceness.  How often do you leave a room or place and think, "wow, I wonder what they must think of me?"  I am certain those thoughts, for the majority of people, are not "I am so awesome".  We question and question and question, who we are, what we have done and how we have done it. 

I know that sin is a HUGE factor in this incessant dialog, but I am curious how much our self-talk plays into this.  Now, don't run and hide from my use of the mumble jumble of "self-talk".  We use it, everyone does.  Call it what you want, but we are talking to ourselves.  Think back over your day, forget your day, think back over the last hour, how many positive things have you said, how many positive things have you thought...   "my kids are driving me crazy.." "I can't do that..." "God hasn't called me to that...", "I can't believe they would do that...", "that stupid car won't get out of my way".  You get the general point.  I think the idea is that we say things that are negative, without meaning to, and I believe that eats away at our souls.  

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever."

Psalm 118:1

I read about a year ago, Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts, which is an amazing book that I recommend for all to read.  Basically she says in the book that joy is only found in thanksgiving, which I tend to agree with.  She has some amazing points and it is well worth your time to read.  But I am curious, what if we took that theory a step further, what if we tried to not speak negatively in any aspect.  But by the grace of God could this even be done.  Since the fall, we have been a negative people.  But what if, we were to filter our thoughts, our actions and OUR WORDS, through a different lens.  What if everything we put on Facebook, every email we sent, every phone conversation we had was filtered through "rose colored glasses".  I am not saying to be unrealistic, but I am saying, isn't there something positive we can find in EVERY situation?  I believe there is, and I believe that if we were to look for those things, which are harder to find, would our outlook on life be better?  Would we live a more fulfilled life?  

"In all toil there is profit but mere talk tends only to poverty."

Proverbs 14:23

Could we toil more in our thoughts?  I know that I could.  What if I did, what if I spoke out of the TRUTHS of Scripture that show me what I am to be thankful for?  What if I were to TRUST that all things work together for His Glory and my good?  What if I were to TOIL for the positive, would that lead me to a more fulfilled existence? More that even that, it would be counter-cultural, it would be something that would move others to a different thought process.  It, I believe would change not only my world view, but those around me as well.  I believe it could be enough that would keep some people from wanting to be around you, because we as a people thrive on the negative.  What would it look like to your children, to your spouse, to your family and friends?  It could be life-changing.  Could you do it?  Is it worth a try?  I believe it is.... I believe it could change everything.  

...but by the grace of God go I.

School Pictures

Just because we are homeschooled doesn't mean we shouldn't have school pictures right?  

House Work

We continue to plug away at the house.  This last weekend, Tim worked on the shakes in the eves of our home.  TJ and Avarie were also on hand to help.  

 Yes, TJ is wearing my shoes, and yes, he is too big! 

 Avarie kept her feet firmly planted on the ground, playing with one of the gazillion kitties of course. 

Cozy Coupe

Lylah got this little car for her birthday last year, and she LOVES it.  Surprisingly so do her siblings.  I am pretty sure TJ and Avarie have made Lylah our most daring child to date.  

I mean why else would the car have a top???  But to ride it of course! 

 I love this picture of TJ and Avarie.  They are such good friends and I am so thankful that they get along how they do! 

 ...and to put a cherry on top, they LOVE their little sister just as much.  

They are both so good at including her in their games.  

Man, I am one blessed mama! 

She's a Beauty

This sweet girl LOVES her babies, she is rarely without a baby doll and if there is someone around with a baby, she is not far away.  She plays with them, sings to them, puts them to bed and changes them regularly. I was cleaning up the kitchen and heard her sitting in the living room singing to her baby.  I had to snap some pictures.  

 Don't be afraid, this baby is as real as it looks.  Not only does it look real, creepy real, but it also weighs 10 pounds or so.  She lugs this one around most often, but I have put an end to her taking it places.  I don't want to come out to my car one day while a police officer is trying to "save my baby"! 

Ugh. I . Can't. Get. Enough.

Fire Season

This summer has been particularly bad with fires.  They are burning all over the state, and are turning our air into one big polluted mess.  We are thankfully not as affected as some areas, but it still is making for some AMAZING shots of the sun.  

Some more football

 We are spending most of our weeks practicing for this....and then most of our Saturday's watching this.  

TJ is improving, and we are enjoying watching his team! 

 Pictures from the peanut gallery.