Halloween crafting 2013!

If you follow this blog (or if you have known me longer than 5 minutes), you may have figured out that my favorite part of a holiday is making kid/family crafts.  Of course there is the obvious "fun factor" of getting out the paints and spending creative time as a family.  But I think I am driven to the craft isles of Michel's and Hobby Lobby, with a deeper purpose.  I am in love with, and perhaps slightly obsessed with, the idea of making "permanent" memories (this also explains my obsession with photography).  

This year, as I pulled out the Halloween box, the memories of past Halloweens filled my mind.  Then, as the boys helped me place each craft around the house, we were able to share the stories of when each one was made.  It is precious the things they remember, and the excitement they have at looking at  the masterpieces they made when they were "little."   Our house is far from the spookiest and you would probably never see anyone on HGTV trying to steal our ideas, but when I overhear the boys showing off our decorations and proudly sharing their stories, I feel great that my little plan is working. 

And now for the photo documentation of Halloween crafting 2013. :-)

James took the "H" and the "A"

Daddy took the first "L"

Jake took the last "E" and the "N"

And I got the "O" and an "E"

As for that extra "L" and "W," well, Miss Laura Barlow took care of those!
This year, James also painted a spider and Jake added a "pumpkin graveyard" painting to our collection!

Playing at the Pumpkin Patch

There are few mistakes as grievous, in the eyes of a five year old, as loading him into a car, driving for an hour, and getting him all excited for a fun day with friends at the pumpkin patch only to get there and realize that the day is a bust because, somehow, Mommy and Daddy both forgot their wallets.  Needless to say, our drive home was filled with lots of disappointment and tears.  And while James took it much better than his brother, 3 weeks later, neither one will quite let us forget it.
However, as promised, we did return to the pumpkin patch (with adequate funds) and had a great (and slightly frigid) afternoon, complete with selecting the "perfect" pumpkin.

Due to the cold wet weather, there were several things that we opted out of (aka Mommy and Daddy vetoed playing tractors in wet sand), but Jake still had a great time showing Daddy around!  And James had a great time participating in many of the activities he had been to little for just a year a go.

(yes, I am still finding stay corn kernels throughout the house and in my car)

Daddy even got cotton candy and kettle corn to share.  But if I had to pick my favorite part of the day, it would be that this year we were able to go as a complete family...and we even got a picture to prove it.

Jake's "Kindergarten" Pictures

  

The end of September marked 5 and a half for our oldest boy!  I know mommies say it all the time, but time sure does fly!  And even though we are homeschooling, I can't help but become nostalgic that our Jacob William is old enough that he could be joining the "big kids" on the school bus each day.

Each morning, as we hear the rumble of the school bus pull up in front, I am grateful to see this face looking back at me, from across the counter, as I make breakfast.  And each afternoon, when we see the kids arrive home, I reflect on all the things we have been able to do together that day.  I know homeschool isn't for everyone, but it definitely for us.

Jake, it is a blessing to learn and grow with you each day!  I love you more than you could ever imagine!

Our Giant

Jake shared his testimony today during our ward's fast and testimony meeting.  Unlike most children his age, there was no prompting parent whispering into his ear.  While Arthur (with James on his hip) stood several feet away, Jacob never once looked to him for assistance.  Instead, he looked out into the in congregation and spoke into the microphone clearly and calmly.  None of us, not even me, expected what would come out of this little boys mouth.
With confidence, Jacob eloquently spoke for two or three minutes as he shared what he believes about this gospel.  He spoke of how he knows that "God lives," and how our Heavenly Father really does hear and answer our prayers, and he even expressed his gratitude for the Holy Ghost.  His words were so humble and so honest, and I couldn't help but feel a little in awe him.  Somehow Jacob looked so little and so grown up all in the same minute.  "Wow! He really gets it!" I thought to myself as tears started to stream down my face.  And as I glanced around me, I saw that I was not the only person wiping away the tears.  As the scriptures tell us, "Out of the mouths of babes."
After the meeting, Arthur and I had many people compliment us on Jacob's testimony.  One person jokingly asked if Jacob would be speaking in General Conference next week, and another told me that "I have a [spiritual] giant."  I also had another mother tell me that if that was her son, she would be dancing down the hall.  But as proud as I am, honestly, I cannot take the credit...at least not much of it.  Yes, we work hard to raise and teach our children in the gospel, but it is Jacob's understanding that is far beyond his years.  He has a mature spirit and he just "gets it."  Luckily, that mature spirit is still in a 5 (and a half) year old body and I am not out of a job quite yet.  Within an hour of sharing his beautiful testimony, Jacob and I were having a talk in the hall about the importance of being reverent and respectful during his primary class.

Day Dreaming of Destin

When you talk to other families about Fort Rucker, nearly everyone has the same list of cons: it is too hot, too humid, there into a whole lot to do, the food isn't great, and of course the BUGS!  But there is one pro, that has a way of nearly overcoming all the negatives...the beach, more specifically for us, Destin!

It is just amazing!  Soft white sand, warm blue-green water, and the hot Florida sun...it doesn't get any better!  So here are my gorgeous boys on this gorgeous day (I even pulled out the good camera for this one :)).

See you next summer Destin!

A Sweet Trip Back to Alabama

Back in August we decided to use Arthur's training at Fort Rucker to its fullest potential, and the boys and I drove down to join him so we could have a little family vacation.  I was actually surprised by how nostalgic I got over Lower Alabama.  I guess even with all the heat, humidity, and gnats trying to get in your eyes, ears, nose and mouth, our family made some wonderful memories there.  And how could I not love the place where our James was born?

The morning the boys and I made our trip down, was actually the same day that school started here.  And as I heard the school bus pull up, I felt at peace to be packing the car and not Jake's backpack, and even more grateful to be loading him up for a family vacation rather than onto the school bus.  And as we hit the road and I glanced in my rear view mirror, I knew that Jake was right were he was meant to be...with us.

The boys were awesome on the road.  I couldn't have asked for better traveling buddies.  Hard to believe that that these are the same boys who use to scream, going around the block, as babies.  But between books, movies, rockin' out to the radio, and a stop and Chick fil-a, the six hours drive was smooth sailing.  

Once we arrived and had eaten dinner with Daddy at our favorite Mexican restaurant, it was not difficult to decide where to go next.  The park, of course!  This was our favorite place to go when we lived here.  Jake and I practically lived here when the weather was nice, and as we pulled into the parking lot, the memories flood my mind.  It surprised me, a little, when I realized just how much life we lived in less than two years.  As a looked around, I could almost see Jake on his little radio flier tricycle, James going down the slide with Arthur for the first time, and me talking with other amazing mommies we met while we were there...it really was a beautiful time.

Since Arthur was really there for a training, he had to spend his days in class.  So after enjoying our hotel breakfasts together, it was up to me to fill the days.  First stop...EASY...the Aviation Museum of course!

one of our trips from 2011

August 2013...Watch time fly and listen to a Mommy's heart break

Next stop...Milky Moo's (we may have made more than one stop there.  Daddy needed some ice cream too. :-))

This is what happens when you ask Jake to smile...

This is what happens when you ask Jamie to smile...

 Okay, we'll take it :-)

Unfortunately, this is were my trip photo documentation came to an end (besides the gorgeous day at the beach).  But documented or not, we had a great time!!  We went swimming, played at the splash pad, spent a day with some great friends, and even went to our old ward on Sunday!  With the way that I love nostalgia and trips down memory lane, this was an extra fun week for me.