Garage sales and moldy pumpkins

So today was the day of the big sale. Unfortunately, we didn't get the ad in the paper on time, so our day started out pretty slow. Below is evidence of our boredom.

Brundibar, Karen, and our loot. Where are the customers?

We were a little disappointed at our poor start.

However, things did pick up and we were able to finish off the day with only a few bags to take to Goodwill and a whopping $76 to help with our friends' international adoption. Hooray! Please note in the above photo our super duper moldy pumpkin. Hey, California--It's not supposed to be 90+ degrees on Halloween! Your stupid weather makes our pumpkins gooey and gross. 

P.S. We have our ultrasound scheduled on Monday morning to find out if we're having a boy or girl Dunlap. We're very excited, and you should be too!

Garage Sale

That's right, folks. It's time for another Dunlap garage sale. The retail event of the year will be held on Saturday, November 1st. We know all of you out there have a Goodwill pile going, so how about putting that good will towards our sale? All of the money that we raise will be donated to help fund the effort to bring home my new nephew from Ethiopia, more commonly referred to as Beka and Jake's adventure in international adoption. Check them out here. I've already promised them close to a million bucks, so please friends, let's not disappoint. If you have any unwanted goods, or if you just want to have fun this Saturday morning, swing on by. You can drop off your donations anytime this week, but please call first. Brundibar is not a huge fan of people entering "his" back yard without the accompaniment of either Karen or Steve. The only thing missing from this garage sale will be Dan and Alyssa. We have had a lot of garage sales over the years, and they've been a huge part of all of them. I'm really going to miss not having Dan out in front making deals with me while Alyssa and Steve hideout in the background. Miss you guys!

Saying Goodbye

Steve's Grandpa passed away this Tuesday evening. He was ready to go, and had stopped eating and drinking for over a week. We were able to spend a lot of time with him during this process and as difficult as it has been to say goodbye, we know he's better off going home than staying down here.

We've been talking and reminiscing and grieving over losing this pillar in our family. Grandpa was an amazing man; an accomplished WWII pilot, artist, photographer, carpenter, metal worker, gardener, and avid Harry Potter fan. Grandpa loved his family, and it saddens us that he will not have the chance to meet his great-grandchild in a few months. Although our children will never have the pleasure of meeting him, we will have many memories and stories about this amazing man to share with them.

Steve made the comment the other night that Grandpa was like a hobbit; he loved working with his hands and watching things grow. This comparison brought a huge smile to my face, not just because I have an affinity for those humble Middle Earthlings, but because Steve has often been compared to a hobbit himself.

We appreciate and covet your prayers for our family during this season. We know God's timing is best, we know His way is best, but it's still hard.

Baby Update

Here's a new belly photo for y'all. We had a doctor's appointment this morning (17 week check-up), and everything is looking great! We didn't get an ultrasound, which I was really pulling for, but we did get to hear the baby's heartbeat--the most exciting sound I've ever heard! I haven't been able to feel the baby move yet, but my RN said that this baby is a mover and shaker! The appointment was a quick one, but there is nothing more reassuring at this stage than hearing from medical professionals that I'm doing one heck of a job growing my baby. Hooray!

How did you spend your Monday night?

I had the pleasure of reading about curriculum theory and design. 

If you are ever interested in discovering how educational curriculum is designed, or you want a sure fire way to fall asleep... read any of these three books.

Watch Out!

My cat could eat your cat...and maybe even your dog. He's probably that hungry. Oh, Charlie Boy, you're the closest thing I know to feline perfection...

Camping

Some of our Life Group friends got together this weekend to go camping at Silverwood Lake. It was a great trip, and very refreshing to be out in the middle of creation. It was cold--like in the 30's at nighttime, which is painful to those of us living in Southern California. Here are some pictorial highlights of the trip:

Steve, Brun, and Jon enjoying the sun.

Who knew camping could be so dangerous? Yikes!

Steve & Elizabeth getting their grill on.

Evan thinks it's funny to tempt Brundibar. Don't you love Brun's camping attire?

Here's a darling picture of Kathy, Brun, Jon, Bella (inside the jacket), and Heather. No, Brun is NOT pooping on Jon. Brundibar is so lazy that he'll lean against anything that comes his way...including Jon's leg.

Well, that about does it. We had a great time with great friends in the great outdoors. But now our backs hurt from sleeping on the ground because we're not spring chicks anymore. And, stay tuned for a baby/belly update. We have a Dr.'s appointment on Tuesday and we'll let you all know how that goes.