October 31 in Pictures

How do you make costumes for your kids without a Target or a craft store?  I was seriously nervous this year about being able to make my children's costume ideas come alive.

The middles wanted to be Phineas and Ferb.  They love that show in the States.  They have not watched it since we moved to Haiti in August.  At Christmas, we'll go home and see family.  We'll also watch television until our faces fall off.

I could not find purple pants.  Real quick, I stopped looking for purple pants, and because this is Haiti started looking for anything purple.  Found.  We grabbed a purple, vinyl table cover and shazam...it became Ferb's weird pants.  Hot glue + purple, vinyl table cover = one happy little boy.

I also could not find a white and orange striped shirt.  That's WAY too specific.  We did manage to find a white t-shirt and an orange t-shirt.  With a little bit of surgery and hot glue, the two shirts became one.  In Haiti, if you want stripes, you have to glue them on yourself.

Anson wanted to be a soccer player.  Then he sprained his wrist (ironically, playing soccer on Friday).  So he became an injured soccer player.  Way cooler.

Little Mister was Super Man.  Totally fitting.  He's incredible athletic and unbelievably fast.  Yes, those are Spider Man undies.  Whatev.  It's the best that could be done.  I totally pull the Haiti card on that one.

 

Hudson loved, loved, loved his costume.  Is there anything better than making a child's imagination come alive right before your eyes?  In those moments after I've thrown a costume together, and then put it on my child and see their little face light up, I always wonder how it is that I've been allowed such a gift.  Some parts of motherhood are so overwhelmingly rich.  It's always a priceless moment to see one of my kids become their character.  The joy and excitement springs out of their little bodies.  Such sweet, sweet, moments I hope I never forget.

 Aaron and I were islanders.  We thought it was fitting this year.

So much fun.

I know Halloween can be controversial.  We've always felt freedom in Christ to redeem this day.  We fill it up with friends, creativity, light, laughter, fun, food, and fellowship.  We pray those things are honoring to God and bless Him on this day that thankfully still belongs to Him.

I pray you had a sweet weekend celebrating (or not celebrating), but still rejoicing that Christ purchased freedom for us to live out our convictions, to go to the Bible, and with wisdom and discernment make God-honoring decisions for our families.  Ah.  Freedom.  It's one of my favorite things about following Christ.

We continued our long tradition of a big party on October 31.  Everyone was so creative.

Oprah and a hippy

Johnny Appleseed and Octomom

American, long-term missionaries

 Two more hippies.

The food was divine.  The day was thoroughly redeemed in the grub area.  Sweets galore, sushi, bacon wrapped things (yum), lots of hummus...it was a feast in Haiti.  Such a treat.

Paula Deen's black bean salsa.

Jalepeno hummus

These guys win the prize.  Nothing like making fun of yourself.  Our missionaries who dressed up like missionaries.

 The long-term missionaries (on the left) meet the short term mission team (on the right).  This is so perfect.  Oh the laughter.

 Beach bum and the Paparazi

Who is laughing and nodding their head?  If so, that means you are a close friend.  Story. Of. My. Life.  "Do I have food in my teeth?"  It's a phobia of mine.  And yes...I usually do.  Heidi is showing me where to start digging.

Audrey was so creative.  She's Julia Roberts, on Pelican Brief, when she dressed up like a man.  Love it.

The original plan was to have a stellar game of kick ball (wearing costumes).  But it started pouring down rain.  I love people in Haiti.  I was kind of disappointed when it started raining.  I looked around, and no one else seemed to care.  The party was still going on.  In your face, rain.

 

No words.

 By this time, Hudson had eaten about five cupcakes.  He was a little delirious.  We're predicting a major hangover this morning. 

We will forever remember this party.

One thing is for sure...

Aint no party like a Haiti party.