Trick or Treat!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

We had a fun time trick-or-treating tonight. The weather was uncharacteristically warm, so it was nice to just walk around the neighborhood. Caleb was a very cute bumblebee, although he was a little frustrated with his lack of peripheral vision, due to the antennae hood! He loved walking around, carrying his pumpkin, and watching as other kids in their costumes went by. He did not quite catch onto the idea of collecting candy; in fact, he often tried to put the candy from his own pumpkin into the bowls of people whose houses we visited. He is just so generous! Sometimes, he would reach into his pumpkin and grab a piece to throw across the sidewalk. He must have his daddy's lack-of a sweet tooth. He has yet to actually taste candy, and we'll probably keep it that way for a while. In the meantime, I will be enjoying his loot. Is that against the rules? His favorite moments were, of course, when we went to houses with dogs. That really got him smiling. He also liked playing in the leaves of a beautiful tree we went by. It was a fun evening. Thanks, Becky and Nick for the CUTE costume!

ISU Game

Yesterday, we drove down to Bloomington to watch Warren's football game at ISU. It was great to see Warren and spend some time with him. Although the Redbirds lost, it was a fun afternoon. The weather stayed nice, and Caleb did a great job sitting through the game. His favorite part of the day was watching the marching band. Everytime they played music, Caleb clapped and danced. He was also on the look-out for Reggie, the Redbird, throughout the entire game. He met Reggie before the game started, and was a bit unsure about what to think of him, but got excited every time he spotted him dancing around during the game.

So, Caleb got a little cranky by the end of game time....he didn't get his afternoon nap, and was not in the mood to be held!


Not the greatest picture of any of us, but at least we are all looking, sort of....


Go Redbirds!


Meeting Reggie...


Playing on the field after the game...


"I'm going long!"

Excited to be heading out for dinner...

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we carved Caleb's pumpkin. As one of the photos reveals, Caleb was not too excited about the whole ordeal. We can only assume that he was sad about us cutting into his beloved "friend". He did not want to touch it, play with the insides (I don't blame him there) or even sit next to it ....until, of course, we put the candle inside. Once his pumpkin was officially glowing, he was much more intrigued...and appeared to forgive us for cutting it up.

Happy Birthday, Auntie Heidi!

October 21st...Aunt Heidi's special day! We are so thankful that Heidi lives nearby. She is just a quick drive, or a quick train ride, away. This past Saturday we celebrated with her by having lunch in Chinatown and playing at a nearby park. Heidi is a wonderful sister, sister-in-law, and aunt...we love spending time with her!

Happy Birthday, Heidi!

Caleb playing at the park....

On the slide with Daddy...

The Heart of Behavior

Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

The behavior a person exhibits is an expression of the overflow of the heart....

...parenting is concerned with shepherding the heart. You must learn to work from the behavior you see, back to the heart, exposing heart issues for your children. In short, you must learn to engage them, not just reprove them.

-Tedd Tripp

Colossians 2:8 - "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

The question you must ask is this: Are the values in your home based on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, or on Christ?

-Tedd Tripp

Lord, help us to create a home that is honoring to you, a place where your name is lifted up. Grant us wisdom as we seek to raise Caleb to know you, and to grow in your ways, not the ways of this world. Amen.

Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm

Today we spent the afternoon at Goebbert's Pumpkin farm. It was a beautiful day. We had a great time with our friends Nick and Becky and Nate and Tanya. Besides pumpkins, Goebberts has a lot of other fun things to see and do...most of our time there was spent checking out all the animals! There were, of course, the typical farm friends - chickens, goats, cows, etc. But, there were also some more "exotic" animals - zebras, kangaroos, a giraffe, monkeys, and a tiger! We also got to witness our first pig race....yes, you heard me correctly...a pig race. Caleb had fun taking it all in. And, he was brave enough to touch some of the animals. It was a great day!

Having fun...

They come in white?

Caleb loves pumpkins...

In the corn maze...

Petting...uh, I don't remember what this animal was called....

Checking out the chickens with Becky and Nick...

Well, hello there!

The fam...

A little apprehensive....

Pig race...

What Does a Snake Say?

One of Caleb's favorite toys is his big green snake. He loves to drag it around, and wrap it around himself. He also gives it lots of hugs and kisses, as he does with all of his other "pets".

Although he will not "hiss" every time we ask, it is very cute when he does. Thanks, Daddy, for teaching Caleb his first animal noise. =)

Edward's Apple Orchard

Every year, it is a tradition to make a trip (actually, multiple trips is more like it...) to Edward's Apple Orchard. The orchard is just minutes from my parents' house, so this is a place I have been visiting for years. It is fun to carry on the tradition. While we did not actually PICK apples ourselves today, Caleb, my mom, and I did have a good afternoon. We had a yummy lunch, Caleb got to play and enjoyed being outside, and we purchased some goodies from the store, including our all-time favorite salad dressing that can only be found at Edward's...we stock up every Fall! It was a beautiful Fall day, and it was great to be outside. After the orchard, we went back to my parents' for the rest of the afternoon...Caleb, of course, loved being there and had an especially fun time playing fetch with Cubby.

He loves to "ride" the tractors...

Making his way through the train...

Picking out a pumpkin...

His first bite of an apple cider doughnut...notice the sugar all over his face!

Playtime with Cubby...

Trying so hard to pick up his pumpkin...

Taking a break to chase Cubby...

Back to the pumpkin....trying another method in the hopes of picking it up. No luck....he picked out a heavy one!

Caleb's sense of humor has really been coming out in many ways lately....here's an example.

A bit of nostalgia....Edward's Apple Orchard, September 28th, 2007.

Always Striving...

One of the most important callings God has given parents is to display the greatness, goodness, and glory of the God for whom they are made. - Tedd Tripp

I know that this BLOG usually highlights all that Caleb is learning and experiencing; this posting is a bit different.

Kris and I recently began reading the book Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp. Although we are not far into it yet, I am excited for the guidance we'll receive through the text, and the Scripture that it is based upon. To raise children in a way that truly pleases God and brings glory to Him, and advances His kingdom in some way is no easy task. Thankfully, God has promised that if we ask Him for wisdom, He will give us wisdom. Thankfully, He is our strength when we are weak.

As we go through this book, I intend to share some of the highlights of our latest readings. Mostly because it will help me reflect on all I have read....

A Biblical Vision of Parenting:
(direct quotes are in italics)

The parenting task is multifaceted. It involves being a kind authority, shepherding your children to understand themselves in God's world, and keeping the Gospel in clear view so your children can internalize the good news and someday live in mutuality with you as people under God.

Being a Kind Authority: God calls you to exercise authority, not in making your children do what you want, but in being true servants...The purpose of your authority in the lives of your children is not to hold them under your power, but to empower them to be self-controlled people living freely under the authority of God

John 13:14-15 - "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. "

Shepherding your Children: The shepherding process is a richer interaction than telling your child what to do and think...It is not simply direction, but direction in which there is self-disclosure and sharing. Values and spiritual vitality are not simply taught, but caught.

Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with the wise becomes wise."

Keeping the Gospel in Clear View: The central focus of parenting is the gospel. You need to direct not simply the behavior of your children, but the attitudes of their hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

God has entrusted us with a wonderful little boy. We hope and pray that we can raise him in a way that pleases the One who gave him to us. Lord, help us to raise Caleb to know and love You, and to know and love your people.