Happy Halloween from my Superheroes!!!!

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall Festival at church tonight. Colton & Cooper were so excited to put their costumes on and get candy. They both had so much fun. They went down the huge blow up slide, rode the bucking bull, crawled through an inflatable obstacle course and played a few games. They got worn out and they got their wish.... lots of candy. BIG fun! Now if we can just survive trick-or-treating tomorrow. =)

Big brother's wisdom

Here is a cute story I keep meaning to post...

One morning when we were getting ready to leave for school Cooper decides he wants to wear his John Deere sweatshirt over his school shirt. Since he has to wear a uniform to school, this was not an option. I explained to him that he had to wear his navy jacket because it was a school day. That is when the fit began. He kept crying and I kept telling him that I was sorry but that was the rule. Finally, Colton put his arm around him and said "Cooper, I am sorry but that's just the way it goes." The fit ended. Go figure.

Fall Fun

Today after church we headed down to Hondo to the South Texas Corn Maze. We have heard great things about it and wanted to see it for ourselves. I am so glad we did. It was tons of fun. We started out going through the corn maze and the boys loved that. Colton is quite the little navigator. (He must have gotten that from his Dad.) Then we played on the Corn Popper which is like a wild trampoline. After that we shot corn out of a cannon and had water races with corn cobs. We ended our time with a barrel train ride and a big bag of delicious Kettle Corn. It is a long drive but definitely worth the trip.

We decided to come back toward home and buy our pumpkins at the Bracken Pumpkin Patch. So we made a quick stop there and took a few pictures. The boys picked some great pumpkins and then we finally headed home.

I love the Fall! So many great reasons to get out as a family and take lots pictures. =)

A Day at the Deer lease

Our Saturday was spent at the deer lease helping Cody get things ready for hunting season. I very rarely go along for this stuff but Cooper always wants to go and since he is too young unless I am there, you know the rest. Anyway, we did have a great day and I earned some wife points for going without one single complaint. It was just the four of us piddling around on the Rhino, filling feeders and painting the deer blind. The boys have so much fun doing just what boys do...getting dirty, playing with big sticks and helping their Daddy. On the way home Cody tells us "I sure enjoyed my day at the deer lease with my family." Then Colton says from the backseat, "Mama, thanks for coming along." I am sure glad I did and I plan to do it again just for the quality time with my three boys.

I am blessed.

Yes-I know this in my heart and am so thankful for what God has given. Still, there are those times when I let myself get so frustrated that I forget for just a moment. Like this afternoon at Sears Portrait Studio while attempting to get the yearly pictures of the boys in their Halloween costumes. As I was struggling to get both boys in their costumes and get all the pieces in place, I realize how hot it is in that joint and I know that my boys must be sweating under that weird material that they look so darling in. So I halfway undress them so they won't go crazy during this now apparent long wait ahead of us. Then I deal with a slightly annoying child (that doesn't belong to me)who keeps antagonizing Cooper and hinting that he wants the snacks that I am feeding my kids. After a good 40 minute wait we get redressed and finally get our turn. I have to talk the photographer out of the various twenty shots she wants to get explaining that I really just need one good one so we can get out of there. By this point, my kids, who have actually been pretty good, are having to feel my frustration because they are moving between shots. (I feel bad about it now but my patience was gone.)
We finally get finished and have purchased what I want, then we head to the food court to refuel. As we sit down, I see this sweet child in a wheelchair with very serious health problems. I realize that the Lord is saying "Seriously Melanie, look how lucky you are!!" I know. I am soooooo blessed! I am truly grateful for the two healthy, very active and precious boys I have been given. I love them so much it hurts. I am thankful for the little ways that God reminds me to cherish them.
Oh-by the way. The pictures of my Batman aka Colton, and his sidekick Robin aka Cooper, turned out great! I will post them on here as Halloween gets closer. I have never seen a Superhero team quite so cute!
One more thing...Lynn is home and doing well. She says she is not having much pain and mainly just needs lots of rest. She will need lots of help for a while and that will be the challenge for a Supermom.

The Latest

Lynn is doing much better today. I got to visit with my sweet friend this afternoon. She is such a trooper and is handling her pain well. She is patiently waiting for her bowels to wake up so she can eat. She hasn't eaten since Sunday night. That thin girl needs food. =) The link to her blog, Lear Girls, is on my blog list if you don't have it. Her hubby plans to keep it updated so it will be a good place to get the latest.
Thanks again for your prayers. They are very appreciated!

The latest on Lynn

Well, last I heard was that Lynn was given a medicine that helped the nausea and has helped her to rest really well. The doctors were very pleased with that. I think she is still on oxygen so that she can rest. Her mom was going to spend the night with her and Jason will return in the morning after he drops Hannah at school. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a much better day.

Update on Lynn

So for all of your who know my dear friend Lynn, here is the latest. Her kidney was removed this morning and the surgery went well. There was no sign of cancer anywhere else...Praise God! Unfortunately, her recovery has been a little rough. She is in a lot of pain and got sick from the anesthesia and other medications. She is having a hard time getting the anesthesia out of her system and has needed oxygen to help her rest. She needs to cough some of that stuff up and out so she does not get pneumonia. Her hubby Jason says that isn't a huge concern yet so let's pray it doesn't become one.
Her three girls are good with the help of their grandparents and their good Daddy. Let's pray that tonight is a good night and that tomorrow goes better than can be expected.
Thanks for the prayers and keep them coming.

A Must See

Cody and I had a date night and went to the movie Fireproof. We loved it. My friend Misti was right, it is amazing. The message is strong and great for every couple, no matter how you communicate, fight or love. I would highly recommend it. I loved the fact that the theater was full of people who wanted to see a Christian movie that would remind them to nurture their relationship. Go see it, you will be glad you did.
Oh- and I love the music, especially 'Love is Not a Fight.'

Some deep questions

Our church is doing a series called Live Like You Were Dying and our small group is doing the bible study to go along with it. It has been such a good experience so far but man there have been some deep questions in the process. Here are a few:

If you were lying on the ground waiting for help and believed you were dying, what would be going through your mind? Of course, my first response is that I have so much scrapbooking to do. Sad but true. I say that because I want my boys to have someway to know me and have a way to see my thoughts and feelings for them. I would be begging for more time because my job as a mother is not done yet.

If you only had thirty days left to live and you could take one final trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? I said Hawaii.

If you had one month left to live, what would you do that you have never done before? This one stumps me.

Those were all discussion questions the very first day. It has definitely made me think. My friend Misti's blog is challenging people to do a bucket list and that goes right along with this study. I will be working on my list Misti. I really want to see that movie......it is on my list.

Can you say buzz?

Okay, we took the boys for haircuts so they would be clean cut for all the fun stuff coming up...pumpkin patch visits, Halloween, school pics, etc. The lady cutting Colton's hair chats with me and asks me what number to use and we discuss that she will do a three on the sides and a five on top. Next thing I know, I look over and Colton has a huge, very short stripe down the top of his head. Needless to say, she used a three all over. Not good. It is safe to say we will be retaking his school pictures when that time comes around. Those who know me well, know that I dwelled on this for a while. (Still dwelling if you want to know the truth.) Thank goodness my Colton could care less and is very handsome even with a buzz cut.

A Quick Getaway

We took a short trip to the coast with my parents this weekend and had a great time. The boys got to enjoy some time fishing and we all took a sunset cruise in Papa's boat. Good times!

Happy Birthday Cody!

Today is Cody's 32nd birthday! Let me tell you a few things about the man that is known as Babe and Daddy around our house.
*He is a morning person, thank God because someone has to be.
*He knows more useless but interesting information than anyone I know.
*He is super smart and works very hard.
*He has two boys that think he hung the moon.
*He helps me give baths, change diapers and read bedtime stories...willingly.
*He is slightly obsessed with hunting...no wait completely obsessed!
*He pretty much loves anything he can do outside.
*He asked me to "circle yes or no" when I was 9 years old and I have loved him ever since.
*He is the person the three of us can't wait to greet at the door each afternoon.
*He wants me to do lots of the talking and he actually listens.
*He keep us laughing with his witty humor.
*He goes along with all my picture taking and he even smiles.
*We would be lost without him!

Happy Birthday Babe! Thanks for all you do! We are so lucky to have you!

     









P.S. Happy Birthday Gracie Rose!!