Pumpkins at the patch

It seems that every fall when we visit the pumpkin patch, we end up sweating. It was so hot yesterday as we meandered around the patch! The boys were wearing shorts and they mentioned a time or two of being hot in their longsleeve shirts. Overall, we had a great time and the hay ride was the highlight of the journey. It's sort of become a tradition that we go with my friend, Jennifer, and her little girl, AC, each year (who happens to be Luke's best friend).

Andrew has been coming for five years
and loves it even more each time.

He wasn't really mad....just posing.

She was in love with the pumpkin maze!

Beautiful orange.

Two little indians!

She found her pick of the litter.

A cute pilgrim boy.
Who knew a gourd would make a good telephone?

Our usual pumpkin patch crew!

Roasting & planting seeds

Since carving the pumpkin, the boys wanted to roast some of the seeds and plant some, too.

They chose to season their seeds with nutmeg and cinnamon.

They chose to plant their seeds in R-A-N-D-O-M places around the house. We'll see what pops up out of the ground (soon or not?)....all. around. the. house.

Seriously, it was fun and makes me giggle to think about. I feel weird now giggling alone in this room by myself.

To my 12 followers....

Ok, to all 12 of you out there who read my blog, you may have been wondering where I've been lately. I got used to posting everyday and then it became an every other day thing and now it just happens whenever I can. My computer needs to be cleaned and I have far too many pictures on the desktop just waiting to be burned to a CD, therefore causing my hard drive to be slow, making me frustrated and impatient when wanting to post. However, I've also been MIA for another reason....

I've been rising at 5:15 a.m. to meet 30 other women for fitness boot camp! It's been challenging to get up that early since most of you know I'm a night owl. But, I've made it for all the meetings thus far and I hope to see some success in a few weeks. I'll be "working it out" with this group for the next eight weeks, being released from my drill sergeant just before Christmas. We have spent most of our time outside in the dark climbing stairs, running, doing suicide sprints - and then inside to work on target muscle areas with weights, etc. In the group I've got a new friend who runs with me and it's been a joy to see her regularly and chat about our lives. We encourage one another by cheering wildly and reminding that there's only one lap left! Of course, all this hoopla is sputtered out while we're gasping for breath and heaving for air.

Anyway, you might read less of me for the next eight weeks but I'm here and will be blogging every so often....if I don't roll over and crash first.

Wordless Wednesday: Thinking cap?

Time to carve the pumpkin

This might be the last year we only get one pumpkin for the whole family. I think my children would have each rather had their own (you think?). Anyway, we had a good time scooping the goo out of the pumpkin and then separating the seeds from the "meat". The boys requested a smiley face on the pumpkin so that's just what they got. It's now sitting on our front porch with a burning candle inside. Jack is happy....and so are my children.

Dental trip gone bad

Today was the day for Luke to FINALLY go to the dentist to have two root canals. This appointment was scheduled five months ago, back in May, but I'm thankful he didn't complain of much pain this past summer. Yes, I know that many people are wondering the same thing I did when I first heard this was the dental plan, "Why root canals on baby teeth that will just eventually fall out in a few years?". Well, after asking other dentist friends of their opinion, they all agreed it was the thing to do. So, we've been talking about this appointment for the past five days with Luke just to prepare his mind for what was to happen at his next visit (drowsy, laughing gas, sleep, Mommy in room, etc).

After rising at the *&$#% crack of dawn, we arrived at the dental office. This is what happened:

1. Signed on the dotted line, promising to "pay in full."

2. Luke drank half and spit out half of the drowsy-cocktail that was full of sleepy medicine. Dentist is weary of it taking affect due to spitting.

3. Sat in the patient area for one hour waiting for placid, itchy, sleepy eyes to appear.

4. Once some placidity set in, an X-ray of each tooth was taken.

5. Dentist realized one molar was "too far gone" and not salvageable. NOTE: Make appointment for extraction.

6. Dentist realized the other molar wasn't quite deep enough for a root canal (thank goodness $$$$$$) but it would indeed need a filling. This was decided as the agenda for the morning - understandably.

7. With me in the corner watching ("no one puts baby in a corner"...sorry, I couldn't resist), the nurses arranged Luke comfortably in the chair and place the red nozzle over his nose to administer the laughing gas. Now, this is where he should have started falling into a deep sleep. Guess what? He never did. However, apparently he was loopy enough to allow the dentist to actually put the large needle in his mouth to numb the tooth area.

8. Once the needle was removed, my son became COMBATIVE! He started kicking, screaming, ripping equipment off, hitting nurses, scratching the dentist, yelling "MOMMY, GET ME OUT!". Even my gentle assurance and hand squeezing brought no comfort or ease. It only got worse since he was working his way to me. He was determined to get out of that chair! You see, he never went to sleep.....never. Did he feel the pain of the needle? I don't know. Scary, huh?

9. While Luke is curled up in my lap hyperventilating (just kidding), the dentist speaks to me about rescheduling and states precautions and side effects from the anesthesia since Luke is leaving with a numbed upper gum and cheek.

10. Dentist says he'll call later in the afternoon to check up on Luke's recovery. That sentence made me laugh out loud as I typed. Dentist also tells me that Luke will probably take a nap due to the drowsy-cocktail.

10. I reschedule and am told the next available appointment is MARCH 2010! The receptionist assures me there will be many cancellations over the holidays (yeah, I'm apparently not going anywhere) and I'll be the first one they call due to Luke's tooth condition. Luke is told he cannot eat anything for two hours. Ummmm....this was hard to do! Luke is ALWAYS hungry and he hadn't had anything to eat or drink since dinner the night before per dentist's orders.

11. So....we journeyed to the McDonald's drive-thru for an approved order of a small ice-cream. The tears disappeared and a smile popped out.

12. The phone rings at 5pm and it's the dentist wanting to find out if Luke is doing OK. I tell him that Luke is outside playing and is looking forward to coming back to his office to get more prizes out of the treasure chest (har har). The dentist asks if Luke took a nap and I tell him, "NOPE". The dentist is surprised and says that Luke must have a very strong will since he's only one of about three children he's ever worked on that didn't take a nap after all that anesthesia. Yeah, our dentist is well into his 50's.

Don't read me wrong - we love our pediatric dentist. He's the best! We will continue seeing him until our teeth rot out. But, I will say that I am going to make a suggestion to him next time we visit: make sure Luke gets a vanilla ice cream flavored drowsy-cocktail.

I don't know how to title this post - make one up: POEM! (yeah, that's it).

Today has been a difficult one,
but I will sleep the night away.
For tomorrow I must rise early
to be rid of son's tooth decay

Little Stomach Bug visited our house -
But now he's with our friends.
The swine flu scare is on the news -
Oh, I want it all to end!

I see my plate in front of me
and can't imagine eating more.
My pillow screams for me to rest
while my feet run out the door.

Assessment time took place today -
I'm so glad that it is done.
My numbers really weren't that great -
This aging thing ain't much fun.

My eyes blink yellow, yellow, yellow,
but my mind reads only green.
If I don't stop and get more sleep
I think I'm gonna scream!

Leno's already come and gone -
Now Fallon is making me laugh.
I'm writing lesson plans this time of night
for the sub who's teaching my class.

So, as I finish typing this rhyme,
the clock reads one a.m.
I haven't learned a lesson here -
Is there an hour 24 can lend?

Wordless Wednesday

"A contraption for my peas, please"

More fun with our stash of dried peas! I saw this idea here and decided to make one for the children. At least dried peas are an easy mess to clean, right? The boys entertained themselves for nearly two hours and it was good to watch them play together with such joy.

Extrememly cool state park

Now, this is a state park I'd love to visit - but I'd have to get SCUBA certified first....and get a passport (?).

HT: Ten Digit Lumber

sweet "goodnight"

All three of our children have had a touch of the stomach virus this weekend. It's run its course but, due to a decreased amount of sleep over the past several days, they have been waking during the night crying out and wanting to be assured of our presence. I never wish my children to be sick but I am really enjoying these night time interruptions since all three of our children usually sleep solid through the night (love you, Becky). It's rare for any one of them to request a middle-of-the-night cuddle since they sleep so good. They like their back rubbed and for me to run my fingers through their hair but never has it been asked of me to regularly do these things at 2:00 a.m....that is until this weekend.

Abigail just woke up a few minutes ago and, in her sleepy state, asked, "Mommy, rock rock, please?". Oh, how I treasured those few moments with her in my arms, rocking her back to sleep. After a while, I stood and approached her bed, gently squeezing all my love into her little body. I laid her down and she rolled over, looked up at me and said, "I wuv you, Mommy. Night-night".

I think I want her to be this little forever!

Darth Vader in D.C.

I love learning and finding out new things; especially when that information is weird and intriguing. Who knew that Darth Vader called Washington D.C. his home?

Ready for.....

This kid makes me laugh. He would truly wear this around the house all afternoon if I'd let him. I wouldn't mind him wearing it to school if that's what made this sweet youngin' happy...it's just that he complains how hard it is to remove all of it as he goes to the restroom.

Love you, Drew Drew!

Which one is it: cold or flu?

The cold weather has arrived and that brings sniffles, snot, and sneezing. When Andrew rises in the morning, I'm gonna use this chart to make sure I'm clear of what he might be suffering from. So, keep warm! I know I will....the $25 Starbucks gift card I recently won arrived in the mail today!

Wanna go get a White Chocolate Mocha with me this week? My treat!

It's a giveaway, "The Blue Hutch" style

Yes, I've mentioned it again and again. Guess what....I'm doing it one more time! It's worth it no matter how tired you may be of reading about it. *hee-hee*

My good friend, Becky at THE BLUE HUTCH, has three beautiful children. Her youngest is turning two years old next weekend and Becky wants to celebrate by having a giveaway! You see, Becky won a case of the new deluxe edition audio book I so desperately am hoping to win. I was delighted to read on her blog today that she is going to give two of these deluxe audio/books away randomly. My children would be so excited if my entry numbers were chosen!

We read this book every night but my boys especially like laying in bed listening to a CD as they drift off to sleep. How awesome to know they could close their eyes and have their ears hear the name of Jesus uttered in every story spoken on the CD.

I'll keep you updated. In the meantime, go on over and wish KB a happy birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday, KB!

Our anniversary trip in "pictures"

What a wonderful ten years of marriage we have just celebrated! I'm more in love today with that man than we've ever been before....each passing year it gets sweeter and sweeter. With ten being a special number, we were blessed to be given some time to get away to the north Georgia mountains, in the hills of the Chattahoochee National Forest, not far from the Appalachian Trail.

You won't believe what I did, though. I forgot to bring my camera along on this trip! It never even crossed my mind to pack it. I think God might have wanted me to simply leave it behind so I wouldn't think about pictures and could instead give all my energy to enjoying every minute with Mitch. It was an amazing three day adventure! And we are so thankful for my mother who was able to take a few days off work to drive up and spend some time with her grandchildren, too!

So, since I had no camera to capture ANY of the sights, I leave you with a pictorial listing of what we did, via Google Images.

These pictures weren't taken by my snappy finger but they are the REAL pictures of the places and people we visited.

We stayed in Helen, Georgia....

...in a beautiful cabin....

...down by the river.

We surprised one of my college friends
by stopping by her workplace for a visit.

...and then we proceeded to hike and hike and hike some more.

We did a bit of mountain shopping,

...bought some fudge...

...and, on the way home, we drooled while shopping at IKEA Atlanta!

We only left having bought one thing - a new duvet cover. We've been using the same cover for ten years and figured it was due time for an update, considering it a gift to ourselves.


We were so happy to get home and see our little ones, though. They were missed tremendously!

Love you, Mitch...and I can't wait for another ten years to come. You are my best friend, lover boy.

Another favorite preacher: Matt Chandler

My husband knows that he is my favorite preacher. You know that right, Babe? But, since I get to listen to him every week as well as getting to watch him lead our family in grace, I like to branch out and listen to other sermons, too.

Another preacher/teacher that keeps me busy downloading a sermon every week is Matt Chandler. God is using this man to preach the gospel in all of its offensiveness and glory.





Matt's sermons are available for free download (audio and video) at both Monergism and Desiring God for those of you that might be interested. Believe me, you WANT to be interested.

Stuart, I've already burned copies of three of my favorite sermons preached by Matt for you to get your collection started.

High school football: Crazy game finish

I'm not sure what colors I'd rather be wearing leaving this stadium.

Small group is valuable

Small group 2009

We love our group of friends. We get together often and never miss a Sunday night to study or play. In the above picture, there have already been a few changes that have taken place in the past week since it was taken. K.W. (in the red) has just left for a one year tour in the middle east: and M and KA (couple in center front with black and green shirts) have just gotten a new assignment at a different post in our state. Also, three other families are missing: Cowans, McLeods, and Permans. All of the kids were outside playing, except for Abigail who loves the camera.

Wow, our small group seems to stay at the same number but changes faces quite often!

The magic of Disney underground

I'm not a huge Disney fan (don't get me wrong, I don't hate Disney - it's just that I don't go out and purchase every movie, plush, or sticker with the Disney logo on it), but I absolutely love, love, love visiting the park. There really is something "magical" about Disney World and being able to enjoy it with my family is the true reason I enjoy it as much as I do.

But, Lots of Scotts describes a little bit of the Disney wonder best:

One of the reasons Disney is considered so magical is because things seem to 'just happen.' It is exceptionally clean. When a random piece of trash is dropped someone appears within seconds to clean it up. Security is not visible, but you know it is there. No off-duty employees are seen smoking on a break. Characters just pop up, seemingly out of nowhere. Everything seems perfectly effortless. It is the happiest place on Earth because 'work' is not evident.

So, this explains why I find the underground tunnels at Disney World so fascinating. I want to go back and simply take a tour of the tunnels! WOW!

OCD: This cracks me up!

(Click on comic for a larger view)

I love this show!

Self control is hard

Andrew has made a clear decision on how he would like to spend his allowance: on an albino water frog. Every five minutes he has been asking, "When can we go to WalMart and get that frog, Mom?" (no, I'm not exaggerating). I tell him the same thing each time: "When you save enough money then you can purchase a frog." What he didn't realize was that he had more than half of the money saved in his fire-station bank already.

Andrew came home from school today and asked what extra/other chores he could do to earn some more money. For a solid hour, Andrew washed the windows, disinfected the bathrooms (yes, I'll double check), cleaned out from under his bed (ugh!), organized his bookshelf, put away the clean silverware, and picked up some peas. It was fun to award him with a few extra quarters and see his face light up when he realized he even had enough money now to pay over the sales tax on the frog!

Oh, but sin ALWAYS abounds! Soon after his celebration, he got in trouble for hitting his brother. His punishment resulted in waiting an extra day to get the frog. After a long talk, lots of tears, a lesson in self-control, a few prayers, many hugs, and an apology, he seemed determined to guard his heart and be kind. Guess what?!?!!? An hour or so later he "lost" it again by trying to trip his brother because he was mad that Luke got to run an evening errand alone with Daddy.

So, the frog puchase has been taken away indefinitely for the moment. Andrew was very upset at first but he truly hates that he has hurt his brother and has offended God. The first thing he wanted to do after the second occurrence was to go to Luke and give him a hug. The next thing he did was ask, "If I get better at this self-control thing, then can I go to Walmart and get my frog?".

What are they up to?