seen these???

I stumbled across these candidate Cabbage Patch Kids on the front page of Ebay today! They are so hilarious! As a recovering CabbagePatchaholic from my childhood, these really cracked me up!

They are up for charity auction on Ebay for the Marine's Toys for Tots. As you can guess, the Sarah Palin doll is winning... she's smokin' the competition... she's at $4,000 right now, and the auction ends on Election Day. It'll be interesting to see what people pay! At least it's for charity!

dream a little dream... or a big one

The MOPS Convention this year in Dallas, was packed full of speakers that spoke to right where I am particularly at this point in my life. The highlight for me was hearing Erwin McManus speak twice (once to all 5,000 of us, then again in a smaller seminar) about what he calls Living Wide Awake. McManus is the pastor of the largely diverse Mosaic in L.A.

I have been deeply motivated and encouraged by what I heard from him... So I thought I would summarize my notes here, so I can read this later and be reminded of what he said. Actually, there isn't a day that goes by in this last month that I haven't thought about it. Basically, he states that there is a dreamer/hero/adventurer in all of us, but we let fear/failure/doubt creep in a squelch those dreams. The world needs us to live our most heroic lives. This topic made me so excited because I have so many dreams just waiting to leap out of me and run at any given moment, but I tell myself that I can wait to see a few of those dreams come to fruition after my kids are grown... and at this rate, that's gonna be another 18ish years! That doesn't sound so good to this "gimme it now" kinda gal. He mentioned that we shouldn't use our life as our excuse. We tend to live the life we are obligated to live, rather than the life we were created to live. Of course, that's not to say that we neglect the life and responsibilities we have and chose.

So what dreams do I have??? Oh, there are so many to choose from! Well, for starters, I dream of my children/family seeing that the world is bigger than our home and community. I dream of them knowing the struggles of others and doing something to impact their world. I dream of writing. For years I've dreamed of writing children's books or non-fiction books for moms, women, or families. I dream of being the home that my kid's friends want to hang out at. I dream of visiting the east coast with my family and visiting Independence Hall, Civil War battlefields, Plymouth, Jamestown settlement, and Washington D.C. when the kids are older.

I could go on....

McManus mentioned that we are "busy creating a safer world for our children, instead of a better world." This one hits me right in the gut. How true is that? Well, it is for me. What our children are becoming is the environment they live in. That can be for their benefit or not. We train our kids to fulfill their duty, rather than their dreams. Ouch. Are we cheering them on in their dreams? We need to, or they will lose them. We have outrageous dreams as children until we grow up. My Drew, who is the dreamer, has a new job of his future almost everyday... Lego designer, inventor, president of the U.S., bathtub cleaner, astronaut, you name it... he wants to be it! I love that he sets no boundaries for himself, what would our lives be like if we did that for ourselves? What dreams are waiting on the other side of fear? What you fear, McManus states, establishes the limits of your freedom.

What dreams still haunt/prvoke you? Are you listening? God is still waiting for you to embrace them. All of the creative capacity in you will not emerge if you don't give in to God's calling. One of my favorite quotes from his seminar... "There are things you must do that God won't do for you... and there are things God will do for you that you can't do."

If your greatest dream became a reality, would the world become a better place? Yes, yes, and yes. But of course, my dear old friends fear and doubt come along and have a tea party on my brain, then move down to my heart and camp out. Hmm... I think it's time I broke up with them. :)

So since coming home from Convention this year, my outlook has taken a new turn. I've ventured into areas I've only dreamed of venturing into. I've started submitting articles for publication through MOPS. And (gulp) I've started writing a book or two. We're looking into possibly adopting or foster parenting in the future. (Then I keep thinking about how nuts that sounds... but maybe it's more about how other people may perceive it. Why do we do that to ourselves??? The collective "they" already think we're nuts for having 4 kids, then we'll just be nutsy-er, more nutsy, or bananas I guess.) I'm so thankful God gave Erwin McManus those words to speak. His newest book, "Wide Awake" is out and speaks on this very topic. I bought it for Jeremy, had it signed, and we're starting to read it together. I'm sure it will be much more food for thought. And maybe you'll hear more about it later. :) Here's the text from the back cover:

The alarm sounds. Your feet hit the floor and carry you into another day. But what does that day hold for you? Will you be punching your card at work, catching up on TV at home, and crashing into bed before you rinse and repeat the next day? Or will you dare to dig deep and discover the incredible potential lying dormant within us all?
In Wide Awake, Erwin Raphael McManus challenges us to put an end to all the sleepwalking and settling, for each of us was created by God for a reason. He has called you to live as Jesus did - a heroic life, void of monotony, teeming with danger, adventure, and the unknown. Living wide awake is about realizing that the world desperately needs you to live up to your potential.
There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for us all to wake up and get out of bed. The alarm has sounded, and it is time to shake off the slumber.
It's time to live, to create, to imagine, to dream... Wide Awake.

So while we're on the topic... What are those dreams of yours that are waiting to jump out and be fulfilled? Please share, I'd love to hear them.

more wedding photos

one happy guy!

one happy girl...

singing around the fire... smores and all

love it, love it, love it.

Drew and Great-Grandpa Bacon... what a heritage.

Anita snapped this photo of me under this beautiful arch at Chico State... some of their wedding photos were taken there.

On the lap of Great-Grammy Jill.

my sweet girl

Tonight we had dinner at my in-laws house to celebrate the birthday of Jeremy's awesome Dad, David. While we were there, I was able to snag some of Anita's photos of our trip to CA last week.

Meeting Molly

Gavin, Annika, and I logging on to chat with Jen and Molly.

Yesterday we were able to meet Molly on the webcam for the first time! She is completely adorable... I just wanna tickle her, hug her, and kiss her little face. We wish we were still in TN to welcome her home, but I'm sure it's better we're not. The less chaos the better for the little sweetie. :) Whenever she would do a cute little trick like clap, she would hide her face in Jen's shoulder afterwards. Looks like all is well at the Howell household. Miss you guys like crazy!

Sorry for the glasses pics, sis.... :) What are sisters for?

Oh, the places they will sleep!

Jeremy and I were laughing and marveling on the

way home from the airport last night that our poor

children had fallen asleep the last 5 nights in a row

in the back of a mini van late, late at night. And they

never complained, not even once. As you can see... they

slept many other places too!

It reminds me of Green Eggs and Ham...

Would you? Could you? On a train??? Our version is

"Would you, could you in a van?

Would you, could you in a jam?"

I actually really love the picture of Annika's leg

hanging out of Molly's crib. I think I'll blow it up

and frame it. She borrowed her cousin's crib

and broke it in for her before she arrives. And actually?

She'll be home on Thursday! 12pm AK time,

they land with her in TN!!!!!!!

Don't know what in the world I'm talking about?

Go to http://www.nighthowells.blogspot.com/ to find out.

the Sacramento Zoo with Uncle & Auntie!

After the excitement of the wedding, we moved on to the excitement of spending the day with my brother, Sean and my sis-in-law, Vanessa! They live in San Fran, just an hour from Sacramento. It was just a 2 hour drive for us to meet them at the zoo for a fun day together. Mr. Orangutan hanging around. The monkeys were really

funny at this zoo. It seemed like they were catering to us goofy onlookers by the poses they sat in, the direction they faced, and the swinging shows they put on. I love monkeys, always have.

This vacation was so great for us mainly because we were able to see all of our siblings in one trip! That never happens! I'm so thankful for the special time spent with all of them. Just before leaving Tennessee, I was telling Morgan that we'd get to see Uncle Sean in California and Peyton, overhearing our conversation added a quick Peyton-style, "Oh, he's my favorite guy!"

Thanks you two for a great day and lots of laughs.

Yesterday morning, just before flying home, we drove back to Chico for a wonderful (though too short) visit with my step-mom Marla Kay's parents. We hadn't seen them in about 5 years. They are a dear couple and always show interest in our family. Thank you, Paul and Mary Alice for welcoming us for a brief visit. Mary Alice graciously let me sneak a peak at my sister's blog while I was there... It was the first time in almost a week that I'd had an internet connection to check out my sister and Kris' trip to Korea! I bawled like a baby upon watching the video of their first meeting with baby Molly, and I've cried each time I've watched it since.

Big Trip: Phase 3... THE WEDDING!

Our time in California this past week has been incredible.
We arrived in CA after saying a teary

goodbye to my sister and family in TN last Wednesday.

Then the wedding festivities began! Jeremy's brother

Aaron has married a beautiful, funny, warm, and inviting

woman named Abie and we are all so excited to welcome

her into our family. She is absolutely perfect for Aaron,

they are such a fun couple. Finally, all in one place!! From left to right, our

brother-in-law Jimmy, Jeremy's sister Jennifer,

you know who..., then Aaron, Abie, Jeremy's sister

Heather, and her absentee paper plate husband, Gerry.

(Gerry was unable to get time off from his job on the slope...

we missed him!) And it wouldn't be a picture of this gang

without at least one silly face photo. The rehearsal... the wedding was held in the most

beautiful of places behind Abie's parent's church!

It had a little creek running beside a grassy area.

And you had to walk across a bridge to get to it.

The weather was perfectly warm.. we LOVED it! Abie and her three flower girl nieces!

Hallie, Morgan, and Grace. And Friday night after the rehearsal dinner,

it was off to swing dancing lessons! Aaron and Abie

provided lessons for all of the family and friends that

wanted to come! Their friend taught the 2 hour class for all of us.... A typical night in the life of our trip! ZZZzzzzzzz
A plum-tuckered princess.
Aaron and Abie gave Morgan a tiara, shoes,

and jewelry as a thank you for being in the

wedding and as soon as the ceremony

was over, on went the crown!

Hooray, a new sister!

The ceremony itself was beautifully orchestrated!

I wish you all could have been there. Abie and her

father walked across the bridge and down the aisle

to a live band playing Holy is the Lord by Chris Tomlin.

It gives me chills thinking about it. God bless you two as you journey

through the rest of life together! (Get a good tan in Mexico first, will ya?)

Jeremy and his happy baby girl. She was such a trooper on this trip, as she always is, I guess. She slept in so many different beds, rode in the car for countless miles, was held, kissed, and cheek-pinched by loving relatives and was such a great airplane traveler. Sweet Annika, you are a complete joy of a daughter.

the Mr. & Mrs.

My little people getting ready to walk down the aisle.
Aaron waiting for his bride.

Drew and Gavin did so well standing up for the ceremony.

Beforehand, we had lessons on where they were allowed

to put their hands.... clasped in front, clasped behind,

or at their sides. (Up the nose or scratching body parts

was frowned upon!) They were SO adorable.

Jen and Jimmy getting ready to sing/play during the prayer & communion. What a talented duo! They live in Oregon,but will be up for a long stay during Christmas!!!!

Snuggles for her new Auntie. Morgan cried and cried after the newlyweds left the reception for their honeymoon. I guess she didn't expect them to go... and missed them terribly. :) It's hard not living close to them too. Not knowing when we'll see them next.


My children's two Great Grandmothers, Corrine and Jill! (Dave's mother on the left, and Anita's on the right.) All of my grandparents have passed, which is sad for me... and these two gals make it easy for me to call them Grandma.

The middle Bacon bits were the first dancers on the floor that night!

I believe that this post blows away the competition for being my longest picture post ever. There were too many good photos to leave any of them out. I hope you enjoy! We arrived home last night and have had a super relaxing day today. Can I just give a plug for my awesome husband of 9 years? This morning he ran to the store to pick up some food for our empty fridge and came home with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, ran the bath water, popped in a Jack Johnson CD, and sent me to the bath room with 3 new magazines that had come in the mail! I think that was the first time I'd really relaxed in these past 3 weeks... Thank you, sweet husband. I can't believe it wasn't just us walking down that aisle. Were did nine years go? Well, I've got 4 guesses and they happen to be 8, 6, 4, and 8 months. I always thought it was impossible or cliche' when people say that marriage gets better with age and ya know? Ours has. I wouldn't go back for anything.