Lollipop Kid

St. James Art Fair

No kids. Can you believe it? I got to go without any of my beautiful children. They wouldn't have liked it anyways, but I sure did. The weather was perfect for a fall fair and I just love going. I have been about five times and even though most of the art is high end and expensive, I enjoy the atmosphere. Oh, and I enjoy a good deep fried corn dog. Seriously...they were so good. I got to go with Melissa and we met up with some other Cheryl and Kristi. I picked up a few trinkets - a typewriter key charm (the letter U) to match my ones I bought last year (the letter T and a mini Dec. calendar charm) and something for Mallory. But, mostly I just enjoyed the company and the food (two lunches).

Molly and Gage

Scary....

I love the fall and surprisingly I don't have my fall/Halloween decorations up yet. I usually get those out in the middle of September as soon as we get one cool day. But, I think tomorrow, October 1st, will be the day this year. The one thing we have done to commence the season is to make out feet into ghost. Trevor did this a long time ago in a Lunch Bunch at gymnastics and we have repeated it a few times. This year it was Gage's turn and a few days later he decided he wanted to add some more ghosts. Mallory and I were recruited for the additional ones. He took care of adding the googly eyes and mouths. Pretty scary, don't you think?

Ahhh. The Balloon Glow

It was a tough decision whether to go or not. Great friends would be there (Cheryl and her gang had come from Lexington for it) and I LOVE the BALLOON GLOW. But, Gage was in a rage, Zane was at a campout with the scouts for the weekend and I was wiped out. So, I called my friend and told her why I wasn't coming, hoping that she would talk me in to it. She did, and we went. It was so beautiful. The weather was perfect (despite a little wind), the company great, and the balloons beautiful. I was still a bit of a mess there (recovering from earlier) and repeated myself a million times to my friends ("my flash just won't work on this camera"), but hopefully they took me for the mess I was and rolled with it. Gage ran away two times and was pretty far before we found him. He told me that it was okay and to not worry because nobody would take him. I wish I could believe that. We did see the fireworks and my boys got to go on some blowup slides. It was fun, but next time I will need another set of hands and eyes to help me enjoy all that the Balloon Glow has to offer!

Baseball Field at Dusk

Running Away

Going on the fourth day without school because of the power outage, I *kind of* had a break down with the kids (*totally*) and thought (actually, I threatened) about running away. I even thought about where I would go and what I would do. After thinking it through awhile, I came to the realization that there is no where else I want to be. I just want to take it all in stride a little bit more. So what if my four year old is crawling under all the fabric on the floor of Hobby Lobby or running out of the store to the parking lot while I am still paying? I need to pay faster in order to grab him or just be grateful that it was the floor of Hobby Lobby and not Wal Mart (I have a thing about Wal Mart and germs). So, little four year old and his other siblings, I am soooo determined to see the beauty in all of this before all of this goes away. Being a mom was tops on my list and now that my list has that checked off, I tend to forget about how badly I wanted this. Right now as I listen to Gage (the noted four year old) sing "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized" in his dad's lap and ask what immersion is (he asks that every time he sings it), I know that he's a blessing. So, here's to the enjoyment of it all!!!

I've Never Heard Gage Laugh So Hard

I came down to find Trevor and Gage watching this on the computer. Gage was uncontrollably laughing.

Wind Storm from Ike

So when I hear that there are hurricanes in the Gulf or Atlantic, I don't think that we will ever feel it here in Kentucky. Yesterday we had an intense wind storm that came from Ike. It was crazy - up to 75 mph winds. We lost parts to our fence, tree limbs, etc., but we were one of the lucky few who still have power. I feel for those that don't because they are saying that it might be awhile since a lot of the crews from LG&E were in Houston helping out with Ike victims. So, now we have kids home from school (and I just got a phone call that said there isn't school tomorrow either) because the schools don't have power and many of the grocery stores and gas stations aren't open. It was nothing like a hurricane, but feeling those strong winds made me so fearful for those who tried to ride out the hurricane in the Gulf. Their winds were double, with rain, and I can't imagine being in it.

Fall Ball

After a very long and hot day of the JDRF walk (unusually hot - in the high 90s in September) both Trevor and Boston had their first baseball games. Now, for Trevor this was his very first ball game since he played T-Ball when he was 5. It was all so new to him and because of that, he had a bit of fear. He managed to come away almost unscathed. When he was up to bat for his second time, the pitcher hit him with the ball. He put on a great face, managed to steal a couple of bases and score. But, when he got to the dugout he finally let down his guard and told us how much it hurt. He did get a DQ Blizzard out of it. And, with this being kid pitch, unfortunately, it will probably happen again! Here's to wearing body pads!

Photos from Walk

We think that's Jeff in the toothbrush costume. Are yo sure he was in Utah Melissa?
Gage and the Texas Roadhouse Armadillo
Gage got a ride at the end of the walk on Zane's shoulders
Eating the well earned pizza lunch at the end of the walk
This is the shirt they gave out to all who raised over $100
Eating our power breakfasts and waiting for the walk to begin
Gage got to pick the winner of the raffle
He got a model car for drawing the winner - He carried it the entire walk
Taking a break along the route (while Gage was throwing a fit)!

JDRF Walk, again.

Thank you everyone who donated in such a short amount of time - we raised $450! You all are awesome. And, if you didn't, then we'll be telling you about it next year so that you can participate next time. I think we need to recruit some more walkers for our Gage's Speed Racers Team. It really is a fun thing and I am so glad that we did it again this year. We just got home from it a few hours ago and we are tired. But, so worth it. They asked Gage to draw out the winning name for the big raffle drawing before the walk and Scott Reynolds from the news was up there on stage with Gage helping him and announcing the winner. They gave Gage a die cast Ford truck for helping out and he carried that the entire walk. Mallory stayed in the wagon for most of it and loved when the airplanes would fly over since the walk was right next to Bowman Field. Boston ran almost the entire time - that is one sweaty, exercising kid! It was for a great cause (Gagey Boy) and such a great thing to do as a family. But, I am warning you...I really am going to recruit others to walk with us next year!

Harry the Caterpillar

Fall Ball

JDRF Walk

Well, better late than never, huh? The JDRF Walk is this Saturday and it's the walk to raise money to cure juvenile diabetes. We weren't going to do it this year. With financial strains all around us, I just kept thinking it was hard to ask others to donate. But, the kids really want to walk and really it's about supporting our Gage whether we raise a bundle or just a few pennies. So, if you feel like it's your year to donate a few pennies, then go here. It will take you directly to our donation page where you go do it all online. Thanks in advance. last year's walk

Garden Fresh

Charlie's Angel

Playgroup Is In Full Swing

I am so grateful for our little playgroup that Gage is involved in. Vicki has done such a great job of organizing the whole thing and getting us all scheduled out. I am grateful for people in my life who give me a regiment! Today I had it at my house and we learned about water. I think the kids liked the bubble machine the best and it kept them happy for quite a long time - bubbles come from water, right? Anyway, I took this picture of the whole gang together.

I Just Have To Say...

I never (almost never) write anything too personal because for 1.) I can never express myself the way I want and 2.) I read it back and cringe because it's so personal and I don't like how I sound. It's like hearing your voice on an answering machine -yuck. But, today I am not going to erase this one. Although, my hands are sweating right now as I type. I just wanted to write about how blessed I have been with friends in my life. Okay, so cheesy, I know. It's like the people at EFY who would bare their testimony and say how much they loved everyone. I had a hard time with those ones. But, lately I have been feeling like I do have people in my life or have had people in my life that are there for a reason. They practically read my mind and come to the rescue at just the right time whether it be a phone call, words in passing, or an incredible act of service. I am always sad to see the ones that live near me move and I try to act like it is no big deal because I will always see them again. But it is a big deal. I don't like it. I actually hate it. I know - hate is a bad word, but I am using it anyway. I am grateful that I have had time to spend with them and I did get to be near them, but I don't like when they leave. Too many have moved and it's not fun, but I do feel like the time that they were in my life was an amazing (I like that word amazing) blessing that I am grateful for. I don't always keep up like I should - I used to be an exceptional pen pal and with pen pals all over the world- but I do always think of them and wish that they knew how much I love and care for them. I have a neighbor now that will be moving next summer and to think of that makes me want to cry. I don't like that AT ALL. Any of you who have moved on me, I am happy that you are moving on and I love that I was just a small part in your path. Those that are still here, I am going to call you more often and make plans to spend time with you just because. So, when you get a phone call from me, you will know that I am trying harder because I love you and want you know it. I am still sweating and slightly cringing at this post, but I am going to post it. I am just such a wimp. It's hard being a nervous nelly all your life, but as with many things in life, there are always opportunities to grow and believe me, I am always faced with many. So, I sweat through them and show myself nervous and all and say...sorry, this is how I come, so take it or leave it. And, for those that take it - thank you so very much.

Baby Blue