I survived another Halloween

Even as a child, I found Halloween to be exhausting and exasperating!  I was only two in this photo!

I have never been a big fan of Halloween.  I really don't understand my feelings about it, but I remember being a child and refusing to dress up.  My mom stated I wouldn't get any candy without a costume, and that was fine with me...this coming from a choc-o-holic!  I don't even enjoy passing out candy and am very grateful that my husband was willing to go late to the football game in order be home and have fun with the kids.

I do however, enjoy seeing my kids have fun.  Catherine and Thomas joined Kona & Bella, two friends from the neighborhood, and they were given specific instructions to follow.  Andrew followed along for a bit to make sure all was well, and they were even home BEFORE they had to be.  I'm grateful it's a Friday night and we can just hang out.

I'm also grateful that our area ends the trick-or-treating as early as it does.  Catherine has her final basketball tryouts at 8AM, and she will know by 10AM whether or not she is on the team.  Fingers, toes, and everything else crossed!

It is way, way too early in the morning

Not only do I think 5AM is way too early to be up, I've actually been up for over an hour.  My alarm was set for 3:55AM.  Ugh!!!!  Robert had to be on a bus and that bus was LEAVING the school at 5AM.  He was elected president of the Greenhands (freshman group) of FFA and today is the national convention in Louisville...three hours away.  I appreciate the group saving us the expense of an overnight stay, but it's super early!  He will be back at 10:30 tonight so it's going to be a long day for him.  He's definitely a "car sleeper" though, so that will serve him well.  He has a very busy few days coming along here, but I am so proud of the person he is becoming!

Basketball tryouts

This Friday evening and first thing Saturday morning, Catherine is going to be officially trying out for the 7th grade girls' basketball team.  She mentioned today that there are at least 16 girls trying out, and my heart fell.  That means 1 of every 4 girls will be cut from the team, and I don't love those odds.  I know that she is very far from being the best player on the team, but she really enjoys it and she really wants to make the team.  I would love, love, love for this to happen for her, so if anyone has any good thoughts to send her way early this weekend we would really appreciate it!  I did learn that apparently she is actually a pretty decent three-point shot, so I am hoping that might be able to tip the scales in her favor.  She said that the coaches will let everyone know as soon as try outs are over on Saturday.  I think I'm going to have to send Andrew...if it doesn't go the way we hope I just don't know how I'm going to be able to comfort her when my heart will be breaking right along with her!

We did get really fabulous news at parent/teacher conferences this evening.  She is doing a fabulous job in her classes and we are really proud of her.  Her teachers all commented on her work ethic and that she is doing a great job of participating in classes.  This is not at all the girl who went to elementary school a few years ago, and I can't help but feel it is due in some part to making our move here.  I am so proud of my girl!

Yet another birthday

I am grateful that I am around to see another year.  That might sound morbid, but life is certainly not a guarantee.  I was pretty sad yesterday about this birthday because it is the first without my Dad.  In fact, my birthday last year was the very last email I ever received from him.  I'm grateful that I got a lot of the emotion and sadness out yesterday and that I could still enjoy today.

We all spent the day as a normal Monday, and I spent the day volunteering at the middle school and high school.  I was able to have another person I know volunteer with me, and we get along very well so it was kind of fun to spend the day with her.  I informed my family that I didn't want a big deal made about the day so we didn't go out to dinner.  Instead, I made a chicken marinade stir fry, and it was really good.  Next time I'll have to be more prepared and have more things to put in it, but I was happy with it as it was!  Andrew and the kids bought me a new sweatshirt, and as simple as that sounds, it was exactly what I wanted.  Most of my sweatshirts are old & raggedy, yet it is certainly something I would never spend money on for myself.  We had to squeeze dinner in between Thomas getting off the bus at 4:30 and Robert having to leave for band practice at 5:30, but I really enjoyed the day.  It makes me very grateful for friends, family, & life!

Wish I could hit the brakes

I really do...I wish I could hit the brakes and just stop time.  And then again, I don't.  Where would I stop it?  My first thought was before Dad died, but he was suffering and I certainly wouldn't want to extend that.  Then I thought maybe back to before Dad was even sick, but then I wouldn't be married with my amazing children.  So no, let's not stop time, but oh goodness, it just seems to be flying by so quickly.

We are heading into the final week of October...this month absolutely flew by.  We are so very much looking forward to the holidays around here, yet I am NOT looking forward to the early parts of November.  There are going to be tough days, and I am certain of that.  It won't only be the memories of Dad and his passing, but things with Mom as well.  If we are able to proceed with a specialist for her esophagus it is going to involve traveling...one of my absolutely least favorite things to do.  I know I shouldn't complain, but I'm not looking forward to it.

Since the males in our house were camping last night, we are having a quiet Sunday afternoon.  I am grateful for these moments.

Wishing I'd had a nap

Yesterday I spent all day at the kids' school doing various volunteer projects.  I never love the days when I have to be out of the house at 7AM, but I did enjoy visiting with adults.  This morning was another early morning as I took Robert back to our former town for his scout meeting.  Thomas had art class here in town while we were gone, and when we returned Andrew, Robert, & Thomas left for a scout overnight camping trip.  Catherine and I left to do some shopping, and the weather made it just perfect for a nap.  If Andrew had been driving, I'd definitely have been asleep!  Catherine and I were gone over two hours and when we returned I decided to close my eyes for a bit.  The phone kept ringing though because my mom would remember something she wanted to tell me, so I decided to just scrap that thought and go to bed early...now I'm just trying to determine how early I can do that!

Wednesdays have become my favorite

These days, with the exception of the weekends, Wednesday has become my favorite day of the week.  Because it is an early release day for the school district each week, there are almost never any after school activities scheduled (although not true next week).  I love the fact that Thomas is off the bus by 4:00 and even if Catherine attends the after school bowling, everyone is home by 4:15.  And tonight, we have nowhere else we have to be!  As the days get chillier, I am even more grateful for these cozy evenings at home!