Hymn(s) of the Month(s)

It's not that we DON'T have Hymns of the Month; it's just that I don't ever think to post them.

That's why I'm posting every HotM, since July.

One day, I'll be a better blogger.

August: "More than Wonderful"
September: "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting"
October: "Always the Same"
November: "My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness"

Just writing these titles makes me think, "Mmmm.  I LOVE that song." For my own gratification, I'm going to write out my favorite pieces of the songs.

August:
"He's more wonderful than my mind can conceive.
He's more wonderful than heart can believe.
He goes beyond my wildest hopes and fondest dreams.
He's everything that my soul ever longed for -
everything He's promised and so much more.
More than amazing.
More than marvelous.
More than miraculous could ever be.
He's more than wonderful.
That's what Jesus is to me."

September:
"Jesus, I am resting, resting,
in the joys of what Thou art.
I am finding out the greatness
of Thy loving heart."

October:
"Always the same,
oh, praise His name.
Jesus never changes.
He's always the same.
Always together,
His love is forever.
Jesus never changes.
He's always the same."

November:
"My heart is filled with thankfulness
to Him Who walks beside,
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
and causes fears to fly,
Whose ev'ry promise is enough
for ev'ry step I take,
sustaining me with arms of love
and crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
to Him Who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev'ry thought is love,
for ev'ry day I have on Earth
is given by the King,
so I will give my life, my all,
to love and follow Him."

Snow Day

Apparently, posting pictures of your children in the snow is as obligatory as posting pictures of them at an apple orchard.

So here is Jonesie in the snow.

I have now fulfilled my role as mother.

Freddie was asleep during our Alpine escapade - and, though Jones started off the excursion really seeming to love the snow, he ended it in a trail of tears, which is more in line with how I'd expected he'd react to the foreign substance covering our lawn. In his defense, maybe it's because his hands were on the verge of frostbite. His mother, so proud that she'd already bought both of her boys a snowsuit on November 1, totally forgot to get them some gloves. 

Live and learn.

Since the snow didn't cover the concrete, I can say that it was really pretty. My favorite part of the yard is where we have a tree that's still full of orange leaves and, under it, a blanket of snow. Oh, and Jones thought it was hilarious when his daddy pelted me with a snowball. He laughed and clapped.

I, on the other hand, felt like clapping when I realized that a snow day gives us all a perfect excuse to stay in our pajamas all day  ... as if I needed an excuse to do that.

Happy Halloween!

Jeremy's family has an awesome Halloween tradition.

Every year, they get together at someone's house for dinner; then the kids all go trick or treating and round back up again for dessert afterwards. I love that they do this and am so glad that we were in town this year to join in the fun.

We met up at Aunt Nancy's for pizza. Freddie hadn't taken a good afternoon nap, so I was worried that we may be making an early exit, but he did great, mostly because we fed him. All nite long. You name it; he ate it, epitomizing the phrase "fat and happy."

For his part, Jones was happy, as well. He was restless sitting between me and Jeremy during dinner, which was weird, because he LOVES pizza, and that's what was in front of him. After just a few forced bites, though, we got him up, and he walked into the room where the big kids were; he proceeded to eat every bite, while sitting at the kiddie table in there.  I guess he just didn't want to miss out on the action. He really seems to LOVE being around them (just like his Nunnery cousins in SC).

After "peeeeeetzzzz," we left Freddie on his Nan's lap and took our "Little Jones" out to trick or treat, even though I kinda hesitated to go, because it was raining, and I'd straightened my hair earlier in the day (while we're being honest ...). We did go, though, and I'm really glad that we did. Jones was a little skittish at houses that looked particularly haunted. But for the most part, he did great. He wanted no part of carrying his own bucket, and he spent most of the time asking for more "peeeeeetzzzz," so after about six houses, we headed home to feed the child some more pizza. 

Freddie, full as a tick, was sound asleep by the time we got home.

Oh, and here's a favorite little anecdote from our nite: apparently, little Lila Thomason (as opposed to "big" Lila Nunnery) has two baby dolls that she refers to as "Jones" and "Freddie." I kinda feel like that's the cutest thing I've ever heard. 

These pictures are pretty cute, too, though.  

first stop of the afternoon was
a quick visit to Nan & Pop's

finally got Hoss in that gosh-awful hat

My diet died when Dolly walked in with this. 

probably my favorite picture of the nite;
I hit the in-law jackpot!

3 of the 5 generations of Robert Pressleys

"I am Brian Fellowes."

Freddie's Hoss costume also doubled as that of "candy sampler."

Freddie is the spitting image of his Pop Pressley.

fat, happy, and plum tuckered out