Many Years From Now

Many years from now when Carson is a teenager and is finding his own way. Many years from now when he thinks that he doesn't need his Mom I will look back on this night. This night when he had croup and it was just him and me in the cool night air. I will remember that sweet sweet face looking up at me and smiling at him. Repeating to him, "Ma Ma Ma Ma" and him giving me that wonderful 4 toothed crooked grin and saying, "Da Da Da Da Da!" in his raspy little voice. I will remember how he marveled at the bright moon. I will remember how at that moment how much he needed me.

Candy Corn and a Pumpkin

Last night was Kate's first walking Halloween and Carson's first Halloween ever. Kate was dressed as candy corn and Carson was dressed up very briefly as a pumpkin. It was too hot to carry out the pumpkin suit for very long so Carson changed into his alternate Texas Tech uniform. Kate loved trick or treating with her cousins, Hobo Toby and ninja Caden. She got more confidence with each house. I think she found it pretty funny that perfect strangers were giving her candy. Everytime she would leave a house she would say, "Let's go!" She even managed a couple of thank yous! I realized last night one of the great surprises of being a parent. To see my kids having fun doing what I used to do when I was little is priceless to me as a Mom. I have great memories of all holidays. Halloween was no exception. I can't remember many of my costumes. But I do remember taking my pillowcase around our neighborhood(it's funny to think my parents felt comfortable enough to let us go by ourselves), talking to our neighbors as we went,making fun of the house that handed out toothbrushes every year, carrying our heavy candy filled pillow cases over our shoulder and dumping it our on our living room floor. I don't really remember eating the candy, although I'm sure we did! What I really remember is smiling a lot and I remember my brothers laughing and smiling a lot. My parents really knew how to make things special for us, especially my Mom.I can only hope that Kate and Carson will feel the same way.

Take a Picture

So many memories are coming these day at lightening speed. I wish I could blink and take a picture. Since I'm not very quick with the camera I will just have to tuck them away in my own mind. Two great memories from today, the first sweet and the second was downright hilarious. Sweet memory: Jared coming home from a 13 hour work day and playing with the kids. And then a very spirited reading of Goodnight Gorilla. For those of you who are not familiar with this book there are not many words in this book. You have to make up a story from the pictures. Kate and Carson were entranced by his storytelling.
Hilarious Memory: Tonight as I was giving the kids a bath I caught Kate looking into that little mirror thing below the faucet. She was pointing into it and very seriously saying to herself, "NO Fro!(throw)" Self Talk 101. :)

Getting Through

Kate's expression is this picture is very indicative of her personality right now. Very independent, very curious, very much an attitude of "let's see how far I can go with this." She has had a big time problem with throwing things lately. Can anyone relate? Although I am finding it hard to differentiate that it is ok to throw a ball but not a book. I am thinking of narrowing it down to "No throwing things at other people." Anywho...my catch phrase when she throws something is "No throw!" Last night Jared was rearranging some things in his media room and he picked up something and threw it aside to get it out of his way. Kate told him quite indignantly, "No throw!" Just when you think you aren't getting through!

The Jig Is Up!

This boy is stationary no more! Carson says, "HA! I knew I would get it!" He has officially joined the league of crawlers. Sometimes the army crawl version and sometimes hands and knees version but there is no doubt about it! This boy is going places! Kate is none too happy about it as she is realizing she can't just leave things anywhere she wants to. She was leisurely eating her waffle this morning and as she is apt to do many times she set it down to play. Carson crawled right over to help himself. Our lives will never be the same.

So It's Fall

I am loving this fall weather we are having. I say that with a hint of sarcasm. I realize that temps in the low 70s and high 60s is really cool weather here. Compared with the scorching 90-100 degree heat I'll definitely take it. Truth be told it takes more than that to please the cold weather snob in me. I'll take a good clear crisp 50 degree day right about now.But if there is one thing living here for 12 years has taught me I will have to wait until December for that to happen. No problem. But don't hate me if I laugh at people breaking out the sweaters and fleece coats when it's 65. It's just the Northern attitude in me. Here are some "Fall" pictures for you to enjoy.



Jared's pumpkin. I was pretty impressed with his carving job.

My bedazzled pumpkin


The following pictures prove the following equation:
Early wake up times+NO Naps+ unplanned trip to the pumpkin patch just because we were in the area = Well, just take a look...........I have added a lighthearted caption to each picture followed by what was really happening in the picture in parentheses. :)

Here Kate is telling everyone "Happy Halloween!" (She was having a good old fashioned melt down)

Mommy and her sweet little pumpkins! (I think Kate's face pretty much sums it up)





Sweet kids enjoying a nice sunny day (Kate trying to give her brother the heave ho out of the wagon)

So happy in the wagon (Actually only happy in the wagon when it is moving)

Race for the Cure

Yesterday was awesome. It was estimated that there were around 30,000 participants. It was incredible as we counted down to to the start of the race in unison. I realized the number of people that were in the race when it took me about 5 minutes to get the start of the line. Reading the "in memory" and "in celebration" signs that racers wore on their backs brought home the impact that breast cancer has on all types of families. And there were all types of people there. Breast cancer does not discriminate. I knew that but it was amazing to see it right in from me. I continually saw "in memory" signs. "In memory of my Aunt", worn by a whole family of women, "In memory of my Mom" worn by a girl that couldn't have been more than 15.And perhaps the image that hit closest to home was a lady who had a beautiful scarf on her head, walking with her husband and a baby around Carson's age in a stroller. I had a huge lump in my throat. That could be me. There are no guarantees that that won't be me. So we must continue to fight. Beyond October. Beyond races. There were signs all over saying "Early Detection is key". I will take that to heart. I made Kate a "pink ribbon" shirt to wear yesterday. I want Kate to grow up in a world knowing that the pink ribbon stands for a CURE for breast cancer instead of awareness.

I was honored to wear this sign on my back.