Happy Halloween!

Our Pumpkin Princess

Our Construction Worker

Spiderman

Ready and Waiting

I have to admit that Halloween is by far my least favorite holiday and I must admit that the older I get, the more I dislike it. That may be a bit evident from my lack of enthusiasm. However, I still want my little trio to experience the fun aspects of the season so I try not to be too much of a Halloween scrooge.

This past week, we did our trick-or-treating at the squadron. Luke is not into costumes so it was all I could do to get him dressed like this for a couple of hours. Just so you know, he does not like dark green. He only likes light green aka John Deere green. He finally gave into his dear Mother and made a handsome construction worker, but I am a bit biased. Hannah was to be a pumpkin, but informed me the morning of the event that she wanted to be a princess. Thankfully, she was happy to be a pumpkin princess and all day kept telling me that's what she was going to be. Andrew didn't really care. He did really enjoy getting treasures put into his bucket. He caught on much more quickly to trick-or-treating than the other two did, but I guess that's what happens when you're number three.

Tonight, we just passed out candy to the multitudes. Luke has talked about this for days. He gets so excited to hand it out. Hannah wanted to be excited, but when it came right down to it, she was pretty picky who she wanted to give it to. Scary costumes - not so much. Princess costumes had a much better chance of getting a treat. She did get better as the evening wore on. Andrew just had a fun time outside with all of us.

That's about it for this year except the mark downs on candy. So, until next year, Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight was the annual pumpkin carving for the Robey family. No power tools this year. The project was short, sweet and simple. Chris did a great job of doing the actual carving. Hannah was the only one to help me separate out the seeds or to even touch the pulp. Luke enjoyed taking a tiny, not-very-sharp knife to some of the pumpkin scraps, which he cut into even smaller scraps. Andrew just watched from his perch on the table. We later toasted the pumpkin seeds for a yummy treat. However, the best part is always waiting until after dark and putting a candle in them to see them glow. They loved that part!

I saw at the zoo that they had cut the holes in the bottom of their pumpkins. So, this year we tried that and I think it works pretty well.

Back To School

We have a new student in our home . . . Chris. Last week began his first class towards his Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. Education has come a long way since I've been in the classroom either teaching or as a student and it hasn't been that long ago! As you can see from the picture, our bedroom served as his classroom. He then was in class with his professor that was teaching from Nebraska and students in Kansas, Florida and I forget the other state represented. He taught using a webcam and they could all interact together. I find this all rather intriguing how this works, but the first two classes seemed to work out ok.

I wasn't sure how it would work especially when the kids were at home during his class. However, we told them Daddy had to go to "school" and that we couldn't bother him when he was in his class. They actually took it much better than expected. Plus, when Chris had a break, he could come out and chat a minute. We now have one week under our belt so we'll see how the next several weeks work. Hopefully, by mid-December, we'll have once class down and a few more to go!

Annual Pumpkin Patch Visit

Our pumpkin patch visit captured through the lense of a camera. Enjoy!

500!

I'm celebrating the simple fact that this is blog entry number 500. I never thought about the fact that I would write this much. I'm so thankful to my family and the adventure God has taken me on for all my material. I'm sure they'll be more to come . . .

Peace

Ahh . . . the peace and quiet of sharing even if it is only a blanket :)

Friends

Robin & I

Our two little trios: Hannah, Bo, Luke, Andrew, Olivia & Canon
(5 of the 6 looking somewhat at the camera isn't bad. They're snacking on large pretzel sticks as incentive)

Yesterday, we took a road trip to visit with some good friends. Luke informed me that he wanted to take the short road and not the big road to get to their house. I assured him this was the shortest road to their house. So, after a couple of hours in the car, we arrived. We had a fun day of chatting, catching up and playing. As you can see, between the two of us, we have six kids all under the age of four (barely) - 4 boys and 2 girls. That always makes naptime interesting :)

We met the Duckworths when our husbands were going through pilot training and we ended up attending the same church. God has deeply blessed me with their friendship over the last few years. Yesterday's visit will probably be the last visit we will have for awhile since they will soon be moving a few more hundred miles away - an even "bigger" road. They will be missed, but am so grateful that God has given me their friendship and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will see them again - if not here, than for eternity!

One Year

Yep, one year. That's all it took. It took one year of living in the south for me to acclimate to the warmer temps. I've lived my entire life in a part of the country that has four distinct seasons and it only takes one very mild Georgia winter for me to get used to the warmth. There was frost this morning on the roofs and we have now had our furnace on for a couple of days and sometimes I can't get warm enough despite the fact that I have on a long sleeve shirt with a pull-over fleece zipped to my chin. Then there is something in me thinking that it can't be this cold in October. Yes, even my thinking has become a bit skewed. Hopefully, I will acclimate to this cooler weather quickly and enjoy what this new season has to offer.

When I Get Big . . .

We spent a few hours in the car yesterday to visit a good friend and her family. On the way home, Luke and Hannah informed me of a few things they want to do when they get big. Hannah's list consisted of: paying money, driving a car and typing on the computer. I assured her she would get more than enough experience doing all three of these when she gets older. Luke's list was short a sweet . . . drive a car. Oh boy . . .

Bittersweet Morning

Obviously, the "before" picture

Luke helping take out some of the screws
(I loosened them and he was the finisher)

So much more space!

Its new home in our basement

Well, I decided today was the day. I didn't put much thought into picking a day and planning on doing it. I was working in the boys' room and just decided . . . to take down the crib. Andrew has done an awesome job of sleeping in his big boy bed. He stays put and doesn't even try to get out (he had to have a bit of posterior encouragement the first day or so, but it was nothing like getting the other two to stay in bed) It was very bittersweet for me. I'm sad to have the crib now put away, but I think the boys will love the extra space.

As I was putting it away, it reminded me of this poem by Karen Kingsbury (it's also in her book Let Me Hold You Longer)

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.

One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.