Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!  Would you believe that I didn't take one single picture of our Thanksgiving feast??  Booo!!!

We went over to the Davis' for lunch.  Mmmmm, there is just something about Thanksgiving lunch/dinner that I L-O-V-E!!!!!  Could it be my Mama-Mia's homemade stuffing?  Or her gravy?  Or her mashed potatoes?  Or her... Lol!  Let's face it.  My Mom is a great cook!  I could follow her recipe to a "T" and it still wouldn't come out as good as hers.  Maybe it's just all of the TLC she puts into it.  :)  Although, she did compliment me on my chili once.  She said it was better than hers.  And that my friend is definitely a compliment coming from my Mama!!

After lunch, we just hung out and let the kids play and then headed home to break out the Christmas decorations!  Yep... it's that time!!!  :)

Goodbye to a Friend

I got one of the most disturbing messages on Wednesday, November 3.  I was on my way to work, just dropped the kids off at school and noticed that I had a Facebook message from a friend that I went to college with.  Of course my initial reaction was, "Oh!  Chuck wrote me a message.  Wonder what that's all about?  Haven't heard from him in a while!"  But then what I read, I wished I hadn't... his roommate in college and good friend, who was also a friend of mine was killed the day before in a tragic car accident.  When you read something like this or hear something like this, it is very surreal.  It took a while for this to sink in.  And then once it did, I could not help but cry.  I cried for his loss, I cried for how it happened, I cried for his family, his friends, how young he was... the list goes on.  Even though I haven't seen or talked to Trent in years, I still got very sad and emotional about all of it.  Not only because of his loss but how quick and spontaneous life can be.  He was just doing what he did best, helping someone in need, and his life was taken. It breaks my heart that his little girl (who is 3) will only have faint memories and pictures of her daddy.  And it makes me pray and pray that my children will never have to face something like that.

I knew right away that I wanted to go to the funeral even though it was going to be in his hometown of Longview.  But I struggled with who would watch the kids since Gabe had to work, and the long drive there, etc.  So I contemplated not going, but then something really strange happened.  I was at work a few days before the funeral and I engaged with a customer with why she was renting a vehicle/where she was going.  Would you believe she was driving to Longview for a funeral!!??  No, she wasn't going to Trent's funeral but rather a family member's.  But still... small world, or what????  I definitely took this as a sign that I needed to go to my late friend's funeral.  The big man upstairs was giving the final push that I needed!

I worked it out with my parents to watch the kids so that I could go.  I drove from Limestone to Longview!  And I made it.  Without getting lost, I might add.  And that was without a GPS!!  Lol.

It was good to drive alone.  I remembered all of the laughs and good times that we all shared in college.  Bid Days, Frat parties, Mixers, Panhellenic/IFC (Trent and I were both officers), numerous nights at The Fox, etc.  Trent was definitely a riot, that's for sure!

The funeral was sad, of course but I was glad that I went.  I saw a lot of people that I hadn't seen in a long time.  And it gave me a chance to catch up with Chuck and his wife Margaret.  The service was very nice.  It was definitely a celebration of Trent's life with lots of pictures and stories.  

I had to literally dig out some photos... Lol!  Man this was a long time ago!

Chuck, Me, & Trent

Rest in Peace, my friend.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. – Revelation 21:4

Fitting Right In!

So I think it is safe to say that Zach is fitting right in and feeling more comfortable in his new school/class.  He is always coming home and telling me stories about his day and how he played with his friends, etc.  This is music to my ears!!  You just don't understand!  This has come a looong way!!  At his old school (let me remind you), he would not interact, sometimes not participate (which really isn't like him), and sometimes even tell me that he didn't want to go.  So I am so very grateful that he is happy here and having a good time!

I always ask him about his day.  Like what did you learn today?  Or what did you make?  Did you have a good day?
On this particular day, he tells me that him, Garrett, and Jaden are all going to marry Bella!!  Excuse me?  What???  I thought that was so funny and cute!!  So of course I wanted to know more details.  Like, seriously.  How did this even come up in the conversation??  Lol!!
Apparently it came up in conversation when it was nap time and they all decided that they would marry Bella!  Haha!!  Too funny!
I can't wait to hear more stories like this!  :)

We Want To Pump.... You Up (said in your best Schwarzeneggar voice)

Zach was invited to Kyle's, a friend from school, birthday party.  It was at Pump It Up.  In case you don't know what exactly Pump It Up is, it is a room full of giant inflatables for the kids to jump, slide, climb and act a fool on!  Right up a 5 year old's alley- let me tell ya!  :)

Even Sophie enjoyed herself.  Although I was a little nervous when she climbed up by herself the first time.  And when all of the big kids were around.  But she held her own.  Like always.

This isn't the best picture, but it cracks me up every time I look at it!!  This is Sophie coming down by herself.  Hilarious!!! 

Who says the BIG kids can't play too???  :)

A face of pure enjoyment... and look how sweaty he is!!  Guess where he wants to have his next birthday party at now!  Haha!!

Craft Time With Mommy

 The kids brought a picture of a scarecrow home from school and were asked to decorate it and bring it back for the classroom.  I thought, "Well, they could just color it.  But that's boring."  So I went to good 'ol Hobby Lobby and bought some felt, straw, and eyes to decorate their scarecrows with.  I know... I'm not the most crafty person in this world but I thought it was a good idea and thought it would be fun for the kids!  :)

So we decorated the scarecrows together.  The kids were soo excited!!  Sophie really enjoyed doing the glue by herself.  She definitely felt like a big girl.  And it was interesting to see how they each decorated their own scarecrow.  Zach's is very put together and "in order."  Sophie's on the other hand... let's just call it very artistic.  Lol!  But they both turned out very cool.  Good job my babies!!

Halloween 2010

 Happy Halloween!!!!  The kids were all excited and pumped about trick or treating this year.  They know what it's all about... CANDY!!!!  Lol!!!  I had my little Iron Man and Super Girl ready to go!  The Davis' joined us for pizza and then trick or treating.  Sandra and I took the kids out while Gabe and Stacy stayed behind to hand out candy.  Who are we kidding?  They really just wanted to watch the football game that was on.  And stay in the air condition.  Yeah, let's talk about that for a minute... it was pretty warm.  Too warm for October.  And if it was warm to me, I know it was warm to all those kids in costumes!!  Poor things.  But we had a good time.  And of course we didn't get too close to the houses that were the least bit scary looking.  That was Zach's idea.  :)

 So you are probably wondering who these cool people are.  Only the coolest people ever!!!  With the best idea EVER!!!!  They were handing out "treats" for the adults.  Yeah, you heard me right.  "Treats!"  You know... little bud lights, some wine, a little wassil.  Great, huh??  Yeah, we thought so!  :)  Thanks neighbors!

Funny, as soon as we got back to the house the kids stripped down.  They were ready to cool off!!  And have some candy of course!

And these have to be my favorite right now... SweeTarts.  But not just round boring SweeTarts... skull and crossbone SweeTarts!  Can I get a "GO CHI-O??"  :)