Where did you go?

October?

I might recall a day or two of you being around. You were much cooler this year. I appreciated that more than you know. Sorry I missed most of you though- I might have been at a swim meet, or swim practice- football game, or football practice, karate class- or of course hip hop class. I might have been doing homework with a 6th grader, or reading and doing spelling test with a 1st grader. Or maybe I was trying to fit a few family dinners in on the not too crazy nights. I will reassure you, you are without a doubt one of my favorite months, so I'm sorry I let you fly by me, it seems harder and harder to keep up with all 12 of you lately. I'm trying to enjoy a little of November, but already starting to stress about December. (only because that is my favorite and I prefer it to stick around much longer than it normally does.)

- During October, we once again grieved the loss of my sweet mother in law. October 11th was the one year anniversary of her passing. Jerry was good, the kids were good- I cried but I was good. I think of Carol EVERYDAY!! Those thoughts remind me of several things

* Tell your loved ones that you love 'em!! Who doesn't like to know that they are loved. Put a warm fuzzy in someones heart today!!

*When someone gives you all they have- appreciate 'em. I did this a lot, but not near enough. My mother in law gave so much of herself to me, Jerry and the kids- I would be lying if I said it was never taken for granted. She was awesome.

*Before someone leaves this earth, when you know they are going to... reassure them that Jesus will be waiting with open arms. ( I NEVER knew how hard it would be to talk to a person about Death- when they are actually facing it. It's very Hard.) I think Carol just wanted to know that we would be ok- We're good, just missing her more than we ever knew was possible.


October also brought another eye opener to me! My middle child- Shy? I would have said yes to anyone, but... Jake asked mid Oct. if he could have a Halloween party. I told him since he wasn't having a birthday party I would definitely consider it. Well, before we had time to discuss it again- the following text went out to about 6-7 people ...

"If you want to be at a Beast of a Halloween party, come to my house Halloween night, before dark, by the water tower."

HHMMMM- I simply had to laugh! OK- Jake I said you can have your party. Honestly thinking "whose parent will bring their 6th grader to a party that an actual invite wasn't sent out for?" None- right>??? Ding-Dong your wrong!!
Jake had a BEAST of a Halloween party. There were 10 kids, they had a blast- and yes it was co-ed. I supervised very closely... The went trick or treating, danced, watched a movie, ate snacks- and Jake planned the entire thing by himself. I will post a picture of the kids before they left to trick or treat soon!!! And Happy 12th Birthday Jake- I can't believe you're nearly a teenager!

Presely has attended several TCU football games with a good friend of hers. I keep telling her that would be the perfect school for her. I don't want her to go far!! She said they don't have a good swim team and I said it's a Christian school.(Wash- right.) I think she's considering. She advised me one night that she really needed to decide what she was going to do for a career. We discussed what's important to her. Christ is very important to her- she loves the thought of bringing people to HIM. Health and nutrition are important to her. Helping those in need!- and she assures me she will take french all 4 years of high school- hoping to be able to speak it, so she can travel overseas. We added all these things up - ok, she wants to help people learn the value of exercise and eating right, teach them about God, and possibly do this in France. I told her I wasn't aware of a company that hired those three qualities in one. Maybe we are leaning toward the Peace Corps.

Owen- well he's still Owen. Just a gander, but thinking he logged about 25hrs of HipHopping in the month of October. We might have had a battle or two over proper attire. I'm sure there was a time out, or two (or ten) He decided karate wasn't his thing- no surprise. But let me tell you, his Hip Hop brings the entire family together. As often as he asks to do it, we all gather together to watch. None of us get tired of watching him. He brings all of us So much Joy and Happiness!

So anyway October- I hope to catch up with you next year! I love ya - and appreciate ya. (especially the cooler temps.) Until next time...