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??"  :)

Feels Like 20 Years!!!

Happy 7 Year Anniversary to us!!!!  7 years?  Really???  We always joke with each other that it really feels like 20 years, not *insert number here*.  Lol!!!  So it's the same joke every year.  :D

Anywho... Our Anni was on Monday... so of course we had work and school.  Just like any ordinary day.  Boo!  But we did get to go to one of our favorites after work... Outback!  Yay for some steak!!

So since it is #7 for me and the hubs I feel like doing something special....

7 Reasons Why I LOVE this Man!!!

1.  He makes me laugh

2.  He encourages/supports me

3.  He is a great Father

4.  He is super smart (and talented)

5.  He is loyal

6.  He is sensitive/compassionate

7.  He is ambitious

There you go.  7 mushy reasons why I love him for the 7 years we have been married.  Which, now that I type that it reminds me that come January, we will have known each other for 10 years!  Wow!!

In case the previous wasn't mushy enough for ya... here is a song that reminds me of when we first started dating... ahhhh, memories.  :)

 Happy Anniversary Honey.  I love you!!

What's Cookin' With Papo?

Papo came to visit for the weekend and we decided to grill some fajitas, sausage and corn on the cob.  He taught the kids how to season and wrap the corn up for the grill...

MMMM, MMMM GOOD!!!

Fall Festival

The kids' school hosted a Fall Festival where they had snacks, drinks, goodies, games, activities and the kids got to wear their Halloween costumes.  We met up with the Wittschens and let the kids enjoy themselves.  But of course, it was just Sophie who wanted to participate at first.

 Sophie Super Girl playing bean bag toss.  :)

 Okay, these next few pictures crack me up!!!!!  Each classroom was set up with different activities/games.  We went into Zach's classroom (aka The Big Room) and they had this game set up.  I can't remember the exact name of it, but you have to push/roll an apple across the floor with your nose to the finish line!!  And its supposed to be a race.  I knew for sure that Zach would not have any part of this.  And I thought that Sophie wouldn't either because it seemed a little difficult.  But was I surprised!!  She went for it and did it!  And did it well!!  I was really impressed!  It was sooo funny!!!

 Go Sophie Go!!!!!

 Time for some snacks and drinks.  Check out Dane... isn't he the cutest little Spiderman??

Here are about 2500 pictures of the two little ones together.  I normally pick out the best one, but I had to put all of them on here... they are so funny!!  Super Girl + Spiderman= The Perfect Crime Fighting Duo! :)

 Notice the cars in Dane's hands.  He would not put these down for anything!  Anything.  Not even while he played the games.  It is so funny!!

*Zach was there, I promise.  Lol!!  He of course did not want to be in any of the pictures.

Pun'kins!

 Halloween is approaching and that can only mean one thing... PUMPKIN CARVING!!!  Haha!!  Okay, okay.  Not ONLY one thing!  Would you believe me if I told you that I have never actually carved a pumpkin before??  And Gabe hasn't done one since he was young.  So this of course was going to be an experience!!!!  Lol!!

But seriously.  How hard can it be??  That's what Google is for!!  Lol!!  We did find some pretty cool designs online that we Gabe would attempt.  :)  He actually did a really good job.  But for next year, he requested the proper carving tools.  Ha!!

The kids were really excited to watch.  Unfortunately they are still a little too young to assist in the carving process, but I wanted to catch their reactions to the whole thing.

 My pretty girl.  Sidenote: her teacher does her hair like this almost every day.  It is so random/messy, but gosh darn it, it is so cute!!!  :)

 She was very curious to see the inside.

 Crazy boy.

 P-U!!!!!  They asked, "What's that smell?  It stinks!!!"

 Ta-da!!!  The final product!!

 "Moon Bitten"  Do you see the bat and the moon??

"Tinkerbell"  We of course had to do something girly!