Christmas is Coming!!!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Here are some fun scenes around our house during the Christmas season!
Our Family Room tree...



Our Christmas Countdown chalkboard, and the gingerbread men my children and I baked and decorated!

The Christmas Tree in our office, which also displays the Christmas Cards we receive, and has a train encircling the base

Fun table decor

I just LOVE Christmas!!!!

Awesome Blogger's Testimony!!!

http://learningathisfeet.blogspot.com/2008/08/testimony-of-true-love.html

Don't mess with these guys

Alex and Courtney will be testing at the DoJo for their blue belts this weekend! Here they are practicing their karate self defense series at home.

Alex:

Courtney:

The Vaagen Kids Have Been Elfed!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ashi's BIG Girl Room

I can't believe it is already that time! My Ashlyn Belle is growing up too fast! We changed her room from a crib to a daybed with the trundle. Oddly enough, she only sleeps on the trundle, which is why you see it pulled out in the pictures.

I decorated her new room in a French (Poodle) Country Theme. I haven't hung drapes yet, but that will be next on my list.

I striped the bottom of the walls in a light pink paint, underneath the chair rail. Then I very sloppily painted the fake wood shelves with the same paint.I bought the unfinished letters at Wal-Mart! I painted them black, then used pink and white paint to make stripes, flowers and cute polka dots. I hung them all with dark pink ribbon. I really love the way they turned out.
Another view...

I found this cute pink crystal chandelier at Real Deals Decor. I am still looking for black votive candles to put in the crystal holders.

Underneath, I love the black and white polka dot candle I found at Hobby Lobby.

This was also a Hobby Lobby find! The "french poodle" rug was the perfect finishing touch.

Randomness

This is how I found my youngest two after I changed a load of laundry. I can spot at least a couple of safety hazards here... and a floor in need of sweeping.

Ahhh, the laundry room. I made it "cute" because I spend half of my life in here. It is my goal to change out the horrible light we have in there as well, but I do have to say that the stripes and the lettering have helped to transform the room quite a bit! BTW, the awesome washer and dryer were a surprise gift from my incredible husband!It's not too early... Is it?? I just couldn't wait to get the Christmas Village up.

Prayers for our Nation

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

In trying times, there is SO much comfort to be found in this verse.

And I thank GOD for his comforting word!!!

This election has made me pull-my-hair-out crazy. I feel like the only sane person anywhere; as if the whole world is falling apart around me!

But then, maybe God is showing me that I have placed too much faith in people. I am hearing from some of my long-time aquaintances that I presumed to have conservative leanings, and they placed their presidential vote with a man who has the most liberal agenda of any presidential candidate, EVER. These people are justifying their vote with, "I just think he's the best choice for our country, given our current situation."

WHAT??!?!?

What IS the situation of our country, that makes it OK to put this man in the highest office in our free nation???

Please pray for the future of our country.

When I look at my sweet and innocent children, I think of this political and wordly mess we have made, that they will be left to clean up. As heart breaking as it is, I believe this is only the beginning.

I have found some comfort and peace in these Bible Verses:

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 5:3
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

Matthew 24:30

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Trick or Treat!

We had a great time carving our pumpkins and getting candy!

Here is Ashi and her Daddy , posing beside on of our pumpkins...Avery smiles with her smiley pumpkin!Me and my girls!
Avery was experimenting with the costumes... She was a pirate princess for a few minutes!!

And here is the whole gang!

Captain Jack Sparrow (Alex)

A lady pirate (Courtney)
Snow White (Avery)


And Tinkerbell (Ashlyn Belle)

Avery before trick-or-treating!


Ashi had to take some breaks- it was a lot of walking for little legs!

They came home with a lot of loot! Courtney lost her trick-or-treat bag along the way, but they still racked up!

Corn Maze!

We had a GREAT family time at the Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze!!! It was a GORGEOUS day to be outside!We went on the hayride!I love the naturescape!
Ashlyn Belle sat on a pumpkin to try to reserve it!

My CourtneyShe LOVED the pumpkins!
MMmmmmmm.... Sitting in a pumpkin patch, eating a cookie. Life IS good!

Then we navigated the maze! I'd still be in there if it weren't for my GPSes... Dan and Alex!

They give you a map of the trail, and you punch your card at each "station" you come to.

Gorgeous flowers in the corn!
Alex got caught!
Avery got to ride a pony! She was THRILLED.

There was a Republican and a Democrat side... guess which one we went on????? I wouldn't be seen on the DONKEY side! :)

Around the house...

These are some fun pictures I took recently around the house!!