Our Fall Tradition

We had a great time as always at Walden Farm. Every year since before Savannah turned one we have gone to get our halloween pumpkins. I try to dress the kids in their costumes for a photo op and then change them into their play clothes and we just have fun. Some years we take others with us, sometimes it's just Nana and us. This year it was just us but three years ago Annette and Jen went with us. We got the cutest picture of Savannah and "Christopher" in the pumpkin/scarecrow cut out so we've made that part of our tradition.

2006

2007

In 2007 we had Connie join the tradition and had baby Allie & Maddie in the cutout.

2008 - Christopher was too hot and tired to cooperate

2009

Here are some more pictures of our fun this year.

Thomas - The Day After

Had to post this one - this is how he went to church today. (not in the toy car LOL)

A Day Out With Thomas

Nana treated us to "A Day Out With Thomas." Christopher has come to love playing with the Thomas the Tank Engine Engine and Nana is great at indulging their loves. We spent the day playing with trains, riding a real train and bouncing on the bouncy toys.

One more day showing Nana's spoiling of the kids, and we are so grateful.

Happy Birthday, Daddy

Today my Daddy would have turned 72 years old. Up until the time the cancer kicked in he was the most youthful and strong man that I knew, especially for someone in his 60's. Nobody ever guessed my parent's ages because they have always looked and acted so young.

I miss Daddy now as much as ever and look forward to the day when I can hug him again. Until then I'll just hug on my kids so that they will know of my love for them as I always knew of my mama & daddy's love for me.

Jessica said it best on her facebook post today:

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you.

Soon Daddy, in the grand scheme of things, soon.

Feeling Overwhelmed

It's been an incredible week. I feel especially humble with the evidences of the Lord being mindful of me and my family. Savannah has been doing a great job making good choices. First off we were able to get some help with food, then Lakin found out that he will be able to get the Hope scholarship starting next semester which will be a huge help. Then on Tuesday I got a phone call from Manpower and scheduled a job interview for Wednesday. I hadn't even made it home on Wednesday and was called and told they wanted me to start today. Also, this week Christopher has had several breakthroughs in his speech saying several new words and his enunciation is improving by leaps and bounds. Christopher's speech therapist knew we were struggling with bills and made an anonymous announcement to her church that there was someone struggling and needed help with bills. She handed me a paper with cash in it.

Heavenly Father pours out his blessings. How grateful I am for those who are instruments in His hands, how humble I am to be the recipient of these blessings.

Charlie

Tonight Heaven is a much brighter place because Charlie is there. He left his earthly family tonight to be with his Heavenly one. We will miss him so much and our prayers are with his sweet family.

Never Forget

Today my little family went to the veterans' cemetary to visit Daddy's grave. One of the most touching things was my sweet Savannah. She had wanted to bring one of her flowers she received after her ballet recital to put on Papa's grave. It got left at home on the couch where she laid it down just before we left, she was so sad, "I don't have anything for Papa." She was crying. I explained that Papa knew that she wanted to bring him a flower and that we'd put the flower in it's own vase just for Papa when we got home, this seemed to help some but she was still sad. When we got there the clover was blooming and she searched and searched for the perfect flower and placed it in front of Papa's grave. I was so touched.

I also had a chance to meet someone who was visiting her brother's grave, her story was so moving, we shared hugs and tears and a love for those who gave their lives to service.

I am grateful for all those who faithfully served and serve their country. I am also grateful to those who supported them, following them around the globe, staying behind when called upon, keeping the home fires burning. Thank you to the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, children, siblings and friends who give these heros strength to continue and a "home" to fight for and to return to.

I miss you Daddy