Halloween Festivities

Here is a photo opp blog for daddy, the grandparents, and anyone else that wants to see our munchkins for Halloween!  The last two days have been full of fun.  We went to the Trunk or Treat at the chapel yesterday... Sierra was very patient in a huge line... then off to Boo at the Zoo with some friends last night, today we parent helped in her classroom (don't have many pictures from that has I  was busy with helping duties and Weston), and then trick or treating in the neighborhood tonight!  Enjoy the photos =)

"Curly"

Hello,

I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the Pinheiro family.  Meet Curly!

 Curly began as the round, smooth pumpkin that daddy had request Sierra find at the pumpkin patch.  She took this job very seriously.  When it came time to choose which pumpkin to carve, daddy's pumpkin was the largest... and so we began.

 Sierra enjoyed getting her hands in there and getting out all the slimy cold (frozen from the snow) guts!

 Then came time to carve... she wanted to polka dot eyes (round), a nose that was like hers... kind of a triangle but round, and a smiley mouth with teeth.  But once that was done she had to get both hands back inside to get out more seeds and guts!

 Next came the puzzle... putting the top back on.

Next she wanted legs and had the brilliant idea to use the cut outs from the eyes....  Then she wanted hair (thus the name curly).  We curled the pipe cleaners around her large side walk chalk... then some around pencils. 

 Here she is putting on the pumpkins "grey" hairs!  The smaller curled yellow hairs!

 Admiring her creation...

 Proud to show Curly off as a jack-o-lantern (before deciding that Curly needed to be reading a book... Three little pigs to be exact!)

 Hope you like her creation for you daddy =)

Strong Enough...

I have often been told how strong I am to have had two babies in two deployments... and I don't think of it as being strong and often wonder why God has chosen that timing for us. Once again I was finding myself wondering why?

This last week was a life breaking, soul changing, time of renewal for me.  Long story short I was struggling to make it day by day.  There were a number of things that had seemed to accumulate on top of me and I was emotionally feeling buried and overwhelmed.  Everything from having had Weston with Cole gone, finding out that we won't see Cole now until April, giving my all for weeks determined for breastfeeding to work this time... and then it didn't.  Not to mention the daily things, lack of sleep... not having slept longer than 3-4 hours (if that) in months... and then the demand for patience and time management with an almost four year old and an infant.  Needless to say I was letting it get the better of me as I strived to do it all on my own. 

About a week and a half ago the walls I had built came tumbling down as I found myself in the mall... searching for much needed new undergarments and had Weston leak out his diaper all over me.  Once that was taken care of and I went to feed him only to find that my milk supply was completely gone (hormones kicking in in multiple ways) and then topped that off with a missed conversation opportunity with Cole.  Needless to say the flood gates opened... and then I didn't know how to make them stop and how to rebuild my walls.  I found myself wondering how on earth would I make it to April!?

And that was just it... as and earthly being... I wasn't going to make it... not on my own.  I then heard a song I've heard numerous times before but hadn't really "heard" or listened to it.  I found myself in tears by the end and in prayer.  Prayer out loud in front of Sierra... causing questions... and then quiet.  That was the start of a whole new week for us.  A week full of laughter, less chaos, more compassion, contentment, and love.  Then the opportunity to go spend a night in worship at a Chris Tomlin concert.  I have really grown in my understanding and participation in the mass and get far more out of it than ever before, however I do so deeply miss to worship whole heartily with my hands held high and song after song.  I had a dear friend volunteer to watch the kids (a blessing about bottles) and spent the night in song and prayer.  Then even after an awful night's sleep God helped us to get up and going and make it to MOPS where I was once again filled by the speaker.  He spoke about parenting and different temperaments and how to bring peace and joy into your home with parenting.  I'm now trying to work time in each day to delve into his book and become a better mommy for Sierra  now and Weston in the future.  What a wonderful last week it has been.  Looking forward to the coming week, the lessons it brings, and the blessings God has for us. 

And for those of you that have never heard it here is the song that started it all off... "Strong Enough" by Matthew West.  I encourage you to take a moment to listen to and read the song on this youtube video... what a great reminder it is =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8JsRxVczmQ

I am NOT strong enough... but with God He is strong enough for the both of us!!!!  I can do all things through Christ.... thank you Lord for knocking on my heart...

Fall Fun

Lately we have been enjoying all the wonderful things that fall brings with it... leaves, cool air, pumpkins, scarecrows, and festivities.  Here is a little recap in pictures of what we have been up to!

Pumpkin Patch time

Today we ventured down to Canon City with Mimi and met up with some friends for an adventure at Diana's Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze.  It was a wonderful crisp fall day... perfect for the occasion.  Sierra found some great pumpkins and then enjoyed sliding down into the corn, a hay ride, apples, wondering the maze, exploring the animals, munching on roasted corn and of course playing in gobs of corn!!!  Hope you enjoy the pictures of our fun on the farm =)