Red capes and blue caps

I am that mom.

The one who stays up til midnight hand stitching a halloween costume.

This is fun stuff, people. Fun stuff.

Now if I could just get my grubby paws on a sewing machine for next year(G'ma Dorothy, let's visit you soon!)...

For now, feast your eyes on Kansas' most adorable Nacho Libre (go see the movie if you've not already). Wilder dressed up as Nacho last weekend to attend the children's theater play. Most people didn't know who he was, so, here's a reference photo:
And my rendition (crooked stitching and cutting, but, that's ok!):
If we do anything else for Halloween, you'll get double the photos!

Lastly, here are the cardinal rules of Trick-or-Treating, presented to you by the local children's theater, in case you forgot:

Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle
and then made me such a stinky warrior? ~Nacho Libre

Things you may not know

...just by looking at me.

I do not like tomatoes, bananas, squash, sweet potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, seafood, coffee, soda. If you have served these at your home and I ate/drank them, it's because I'm too nice to say, "I don't like that." And I can kindof hold my breath and swallow things whole then take a quick swig of water.

I went to Tijuana, Mexico, with AIM (mission team), by myself (I was 19 or 20). I met lots of neat people. The outhouse doors at the orphanage we stayed were labeled I John, II John, III John, after the Bible books. We got to where we'd have a favorite outhouse.

I read 5 books last month. I'm all out and need loaned another.

I said some bad words during labor.

I once won $1,000 in a raffle (in high school). The raffle tickets were $3 a piece, to go towards my sister's college cheer squad. The ticket bought a square on the football field. A cow was let to roam, and it pooed on my square. Wish I could've seen that. Of course I saved most of the money for the sexy Neon I still drive.

Still. Drive.

Have a spicy day.

Halloweenie sneak peak

my heaven

the heavens chasing us in Colorado this summer

Everyday I reach for heaven
I've read about it
Sung about it
Longed about it

I could spend 23 hours a day
Preparing myself, my heart,
My person, for that freeing place

But it wouldn't be enough
The glory will be overwhelming
It's contained nowhere and is everywhere

And Jesus, my everything,
Will extend His hand
I will take it, trembling,

And never be the same.

Until then, I will keep
Dreaming for heaven
And loving the heavenly
Things before me.

shawn.wilder.love.marriage.family.myfriends'hearts worship.laughter.weeping.exercise.peace.gratitude introspection.learning.soaring.keeping.giving realizing.wondering.surrender.beautifying.creating. vulnerability.strangers.discovery.breathing.
newthings.unity.thesky.

myheaven. here.

-mh

Puppy Chow--pass it around!

How many of ya'll grew up savoring decadent "puppy chow?" One of my junior high school crushes (only for a little while, because he had curls) brought an ice cream bucket full for birthdays and other occasions. The best part was finding the clusters....ohhhh.

I get to hang out with some girlfriends tonight and thought this would be the perfect dessert to share. Here's the recipe:

8 cups Rice or Corn Chex Mix, or combination of both
1/3 cup peanuts (I left them out)
1/4 cup raisins (optional--I left them out)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup peanut butter
1-1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar

In large bowl, combine cereals, peanuts and raisins; set aside.
In small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter.
Microwave on HIGH 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring after 1 minute.
Pour chocolate mixture over cereal mixture;
Stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
Pour powdered sugar into large resealable plastic bag; add cereal mixture. Seal securely and shake (the fun part!) until all pieces are well coated.
Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.
Mmmmm.....

Never in my wildest dreams...

...would I have thought Barbie to attain mid-century furniture (see website, Welcome Home by Maryann Roy, that provides "Neo-Retro Furnishings for Today's Most Discerning Fashion Doll:"
It is truly tortuous; I can't afford such lush furnishings for my own big girl-sized house.

I imagine I won't be the same, ever again. It will be hard to forgive her. Isn't having the body, boy, clothes, nay I say empire, enough?

Whatever. Go, Barbie.

I'm still here...

Ever heard of insomnia? Well, that's my story lately. It's a really odd thing I struggle with occasionally. But three nights in a row is a little much. I solve lots of "problems" and lay there and think and have half dreams, wake up, then have to "finish" them...save the day, turn in the report, make the person happy, solve the math problem.

I haven't forgotten about you! Have taken power naps when I "should" be blogging, since I can't sleep at night. Also, my camera needs charged & I've been too lazy to charge it. So we've gone lots of places and left Mr. Camera behind.

But life is still beautiful. I've not a reason to complain. At least my W finds rest.

Feel, feel, feel

If too many days go by without any aim to feel, feel, feel.
The layers of my heart, some bruised, grovel to heal.

So in song, drawings, paintings, and words
Alas I swallow beauty, a world longing to be seen

And I return to a place of appreciation
For people
And their talents and their longings
And how they have so much to offer

If I will listen. If I will open.

If I will feel.
-mh

Want you to hear this song, titled Eet, by Regina Spektor (album: Far). She is my new favorite. She takes me to a place of deep thinking. I appreciate her.

Alot.

He speaks in the produce aisle

W and I have stayed holed up the past several days--very atypical of my personality, but, he's been under the weather. And I've been a little burned out on "go-go-going" constantly.

I get out to the grocery store. This is quite riveting to hear, no?

Recently, I watched an older gentleman making his way into the store entrance. His legs were twisted and jumbling over one another. He used two canes to "walk". Rather than passing him, saying "scuse me," I let him take his time. He made his way to the scooter. It took all my willpower not to offer to help him. Maybe I should have (instead, I just said "hello, how are you?"). But I remembered the few textbooks from college indicating one should be respectful of an older person's independence.

I proceed shopping. But I want to find that grandpa and make sure he is okay. Make sure the battery hasn't run out on the scooter. Make sure he can reach the top shelf items. Make sure no one is being mean to him by sighing loudly that he is taking too long.

Perhaps now you see why I don't like crowds? I will literally worry about everybody. This incident reminded me of my tenderness toward people, and that rather than being overwhelmed by it, I should let/watch the Lord use it/me.

And in my current battle for contentment (I'm sooooo tired of my car!), that gentleman showed me that I have much to be grateful for/proud of:

I can walk.

No longer an infant...

Shawn emailed me this picture (taken on cell phone long time ago) this morning. The subject line: "infant."
Text: "this makes me want to cry."
Me, too.
Me.
too.

W and friends at pumpkin patch

In the mood to wear Wilder out while hoping he'd take a good nap (that came back to bite me; he didn't nap all day), we joined our MeetUp friends for a morning at Cox Farms. We enjoyed a trolley ride along the premises and singled out a pumpkin. I even let Wilder play in the inflatable moonwalk, which he loved.

Why put a sad face on the scarecrow? Life's too good!

While I was busy shooting pics, a goat nibbled W's finger-he's ok; I'll watch better next time!

Some of W's friends:


What a fun morning! W wishes to thank Aunt Ashli for the warm H & M jacket.
Toodles!

My babe's got a blog

My hot babe husband Shawn rocks at photog.
Check out his splendid pics and captions here.
You won't be disappointed.

Nightey night. And don't forget to watch NieNie on Oprah tomorrow (!).

It's mum time!

I've always thought putting mums on the front porch was a perfect way to ring in the fall season, yet could never justify the price.
We decided to use some half-price coupons to buy a couple of mums--to welcome fall in a real, proper way this year.

And I'm so happy we did.

The very best place in Wichita for landscaping/plants/cool stuff is Johnson's Garden Center. One of the shops is very close to our house. I'm getting to know the place--where certain plants are located, and that they carry homemade salsa.
Our loot:

Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain He sends demonstrates His faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. Joel 2: 23 (New Living translation)

Also, I think a magic {fat} gnome decided to slumber on my back last night. Because today, it hurts my back to sit, stand, lay, carry Wilder, bend, stoop, hold a spoon, type.

Pray for me.

Longings of the Lord

Guess what?

I'm having a crummy day. Wilder won't eat his veggies and I just can't keep up with the house.

But God has already come through.

At MAPS (Mothers and Preschoolers) this morning, the speaker shared:
The deepest longing of the Lord's heart is to meet the deepest longings of our own.

...and, I'm breathing again.

what Wilder should eat:

what Wilder eats instead: