Halloween

I just don't know how I feel about Halloween.  I have read a lot and talked to a lot of different people, and the perspectives vary widely, even among Christians.  I've heard everything from it's evil and we should have no part of it, to it's just for fun and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it.  Up until now it wasn't really a problem for me not to take a stand either way, but now I have a child to raise.  This year, he doesn't really know the difference, but likely by next year, I will need to make a decision about what I am or am not going to let him do.  Don leans more toward the "harmless" end of things.

For the last month or so, a number of people have asked Cooper what he was going to be for Halloween.  He gives them a blank look.  He doesn't even know what they're talking about.  Rather than get into a philosophical discussion, I just tell them that he isn't going because he doesn't know any different yet, he has never had candy before, and I don't want to start him on that before he is old enough to even care.  Which is true.  Why feed a kid something that is bad for him when a bowl of applesauce is a "treat" to him?

But in the end, I did cave a little and decided to go to a celebration at a local church called "Awesome Autumn."  After all, someone had given us a cute doggy costume that just fits Cooper right now, and it all sounded like something he would enjoy.  Maybe this type of thing will be a good compromise for future years as well.

They had "trunk"-or-treating, plus hayrides, "bouncy things" to jump in (I couldn't get a good picture of that), games and even donkey rides.  It was a nice day (though a little windy), and we all went and had a really good time.  There was nothing scary or potentially evil involved.

I'll be giving out candy on Halloween night.  I figure maybe it's a good way to minister to our neighbors in some sense.  Anyway, hopefully Cooper won't feel like he's missing out on anything.  And maybe by next year I'll have made a prayerful decision about how I'm going to handle it all.

A Weekend to Remember

Last weekend my brother's family paid us a quick visit.  Unfortunately, we probably won't see them at Thanksgiving or Christmas, so they wanted to come when they could.

They didn't stay at our house, but Cooper and I went and hung out with them for a bit on Friday morning at the friend's house where they were staying.

The girls had fun dressing Cooper up.  Then my brother then tried to help him look a little more "manly."

On Saturday our whole family got together at our house for lunch and fun.

Grace and I did a flute duet.

The kids did a fashion show with their cool guitar sunglasses that my mom gave them, while Don accompanied them on his guitar.

Cooper opened still more birthday presents.

Cooper LOVED playing with his cousins, but he wore himself out.  Uncle Andy read him a story before his nap.

It was a fun weekend for everyone, I think.  Hopefully it won't be too long before we get to see them all again.

Celebrations

Cooper and I both had birthdays last week.  I turned, well, old, as evidenced by an increasing amount of gray hair and decreasing ability to read without glasses.  Oh well.  I'm thankful for every year God gives me.

For Cooper, it was the big 0-2.  Yes, my sweet baby is a terrible two!  Actually, he hasn't really been that terrible so far.  We had a great visit with Don's parents this weekend, who came to help us celebrate, and my parents also joined us on Sunday for his party.

He got to eat cake

and open lots of presents.

He loves his new "Wheel"

as well as the other things he got.

 I'm not sure where we're going to put them all.

In spite of several difficult things that have happened, I would have to say that these past two years have been the best two years of my life.  I have so much to be thankful for!