Halloween 2010

I know it's not over yet, and I'll post pics from trunk of treats and trick or treating tomorrow (that's a lot of t's), but I wanted to get these up while I could...hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

We have had the nicest fall up here this year, beautiful weather, trees changing color everywhere, several trips to the pumpkin patch...it's just been a good time of year! Timothy had his first field trip to the pumpkin patch/farm, we took a family trip to our favorite pumpkin patch and last week I went with some other moms to a new one. We went to Zoo Boo and had fun playing spooky games at the zoo and are eagerly anticipating Halloween this next weekend, we still need to carve pumpkins, there's a kiddie "Fun-ted" House (dumb name, huh?) at a local indoor play area that we may check out Friday and then on Sunday we'll trick or treat downtown in the Harbor in the afternoon and then head to church for Trunk of Treats. I'd say that's a pretty successful fall, huh? Sadly, I've already moved onto Christmas and started listening to Christmas music last week in the car, already started my shopping and can't wait to get into our new house so I can decorate! But, in the meantime, here are pictures from our many fall adventures.

Random Updates

Pictures are now on facebook and are coming soon to the blog...one day at a time :)

In other news, our house passed inspection with flying colors and finally has a "Sold" sign out front...hopefully we can close soon!!

Brandon and my dad made it here Monday afternoon safe and sound (and tired and stinky) and all of our belongings are now in three storage units...good grief we have a lot of stuff!! Hopefully it won't have to stay in there too long!

A Good-Bye of Sorts

Since the kids and I left TX in August and didn't know if we'd be back or not, I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to anyone there in person and I still feel really bad about that. So, I know it's not as personal as I would like it to be, but our church family there will always have a special place in our hearts and I want you all to know how wonderful they are and the impact they had on our lives for the almost two years that we were blessed to be there.

To the friends that reached out to us from the very beginning (you know who you are),

You instantly made us feel at home and gave us a connection to our church. You made us feel so welcome and at home and it made it much easier for me to be away from family knowing so early on that there were such hospitable people at our new home.

To the wonderful ladies at Ladies Bible Class,

I cannot even tell you how much I looked forward to each and every Tuesday morning to meet with you. Not only were you all a much needed break in my week, but you encouraged me and listened to me and helped me grow in my faith so much. I loved our discussions and getting to know all of you better. And to the two of you (again, you know who you are) who watched my daughter for me in the nursery so that I could go to class...you have no idea how grateful I am that you served in that way. She had such a good time, and I always felt so much better knowing that she was safe and happy and loved while she was there. I think LBC is the part of Mac that I will miss the most.

To the amazing preaching and teaching staff,

I cannot even tell you how much Brandon and I grew while we were there. In our faith, in our marriage, in our parenting, in our knowledge...you really know what your doing and it shows that you let God speak through you. You helped us through some very hard times and made it so much easier. Thank you for taking the time to explain scripture to us, to ask how we were doing each time we saw you, to remember little details about our lives that most ministers wouldn't, you made us feel like we belonged there and that made it easier for us to learn and grow and we're very grateful to you. And to those of you that taught our children, thank you thank you thank you!! For your patience and love and caring.

To the guys that played basketball and softball with my hubby,

*I'm writing this from my point of view, not Brandon's* Thanks for giving Brandon a place to go each week and have some "guy time". I think it's easier for girls to connect and become friends and because God blessed our family and let me stay at home, I had many more chances to meet the ladies at Mac, but Brandon's time with you was priceless, and I was very thankful he was able to make so many close friendships with you all. Thank you to those of you that came and helped him load the moving truck also, thanks for being there for him.

I don't know what we would have done without such a great church family and we will miss you all. Thank goodness for facebook and blogs so we can continue to keep in touch, even if we can't see each other every week. Love you all!!

Halfway

This past Saturday marked 20 weeks pregnant for our sweet Caroline. I can't believe it's already halfway over, I guess because I haven't really started showing until recently and I didn't feel her kick until recently, it was just kind of easy to forget about being pregnant with all the other things going on around here, but all that has changed now! Here's the first official update for baby Caroline:

You kick mommy a lot now, usually if I'm hungry or have just finished eating or when I'm going to sleep and just waking up. You have already kicked me hard in the bladder, so let's make that just a one time thing, OK?

Your big brother loves you so much already, he sings to you and talks to you and can't wait to feel you kick him. He loves to tickle you and he talks a lot about all the things he wants to teach you. He's very concerned about how you're going to come out of mommy's belly and he was pretty sure for a while that I was just going to spit you out of my mouth...don't worry, I quickly corrected him :)

You still make mommy feel sick sometimes, and thank goodness for medicine to help with that. You must be a very healthy little girl though, because it's very hard for mommy to eat a lot of sweets or fast food, I'll thank you later for that, trust me!

I would like it though, if you could remember that you're mommy is 28 and not a teenager and I don't enjoy my face breaking out like it did 10+ years ago.

Grammy and I have already been shopping for you and you already have quite a few cute little outfits, I can't wait to dress you up! Your big sister will be so excited to match you, and I'm sure she'll teach you how to twirl as soon as you can stand.

That's about all I can think of as far as pregnancy updates. Other than that, we're all doing well, the kids and I have caught a nice little cold, so we're all coughing and a little stuffy, but nothing too bad. Timothy has Grandparent's Day chapel at school tomorrow and I promise to take pictures. Since Brandon will be here THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, I will have my lap top and will upload all the pictures I've taken since August. And yes, please be praying for Brandon and my dad as they will be leaving on Friday to drive up here with all of our belongings. I'm so excited for Brandon to finally be here with us, but I always worry a bit when he's making the cross-country trip.

We did hear that our offer on the house we want was accepted by the Army program, so we're waiting to hear this week when to schedule the inspection and our realtor is estimating we'll be in by early November (as early as the 3rd, as late as the 18th). I'm so ready to move in, it's crazy!! I've been mentally planning out each room, what colors to paint, how to decorate and I'm just so ready to get in there and start getting it all done!! Pray that it will go by quickly and we can get settled long before Thanksgiving!

That's it for now, much more to come, and I really promise this time, by the end of next week, there will be pictures...lots of pictures...