a random fact (have I used this title before?)

For those of you who don't know, my aunt is the pilot of the Energizer Bunny hot air balloon. It's funny, because she's been a hot air balloon pilot since before I was born, so this isn't new information for me. What I find funny, is the reactions I get when I tell people. See, this is normal for my family. And while it's always fun to crew for her and get that time with her...it's still normal. But apparently it isn't normal for everyone. I'm reminded of this every time I mention it. For some reason, I always think I'm going to get the same reaction as if I just told them my aunt is a realitor...but the reactions always catch me off guard.

Anyway, all this to say...because she's the pilot of the Energizer balloon, she also gets the opportunity to be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (in New York) every year. So it's becoming a family tradition to watch the parade for Aunt Glo. This year, I was telling the boys that some people actually watch the parade just for the parade...they didn't believe me.

What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?

advent conspiracy

I was reading my friend Nate's blog and decided to use his idea and post the same video he posted. So thanks Nate...I agree, THIS is a much better way to spend our money this Christmas.

how the digital world has changed the way kids look at things

Remember when your mom would take pictures of you? She'd take a picture and you'd see it in a few weeks after all the pictures were taken on the roll and finally brought in to get developed. If you were picture 1 or 2 of 24...you might even have to wait MONTHS in order to see them. And forget it if your mom found a deal on 36 exposure film. I remember getting pictures back such a long time after they were taken that I hardly remembered the event they were taken at. Okay, maybe you guys were faster on us at this, but you MUST remember the waiting. Oh, and then the times when you couldn't wait to get a certain picture back, just to find that you blinked and don't really want to frame that picture anymore.

It's amazing how much the digital world has changed things. We can take hundreds, even thousands of pictures, and it doesn't change anything. And we can see them right away! (This would have blown my mind 15 years ago!) Take my nephew for example:

Hayden is two years old. I took a picture of him and his cousin (Blake), and right after the flash went off, Hayden said, "(let) me see!" I turned the camera around to show him and he said, "AWW!"

I love how a two-year-old understands the concept of digital cameras. He knows that as soon as a picture is taken, he can see it. Imagine him trying to wrap his mind around sitting still for a portrait!

even now...

I had the opportunity to attend two of the eleven vision nights, Minneapolis and Chicago. I was excited to see so many people and meet new people in Minneapolis, then I was blown away by the huge family reunion that happened in Chicago!

I want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the JV Vision nights! For those of you who put things together, came to set up or tear down, people who were praying, and those of you who were able to come to share the vision...thank you! Katka and Lauree...you're awesome! I don't know what we would have done without you! On Thursday night, I stayed until midnight talking to people, and I still didn't get enough time to talk with everyone. You guys amazed me by your support and excitement. I'm so thankful for all of you!

a quick prayer request

As some of you might remember, I posted recently about the JV Vision Nights. I'm in Minneapolis now for the Vision Night that will be on Monday here, and I'll head back to Chicago in time for the one in Oak Brook on Thursday.

Please pray for us during these vision nights.

Also, it's not too late to sign up! If you're interested in coming, you can RSVP here: http://www.2x3campaign.com/rsvp. It would be great to have you there!

~Autumn~