Saying Goodbye

I have said more good-byes in the last 8 years, than I ever did growing up. It is hard. Really hard. Being in a military community is so great for many reasons. I get to meet people from all over the world, and form amazing friendships. It's so tempting to hold back from friendships when you know people will only be here for a short time, but I never want to hold back. I don't want to miss the relationships and experiences. 

Tonight we said bye to the Beans. I met Sheena when Piper was two weeks old. I was feeling a bit lonely and joined a local playgroup. She had just moved from Hawaii and I was drawn to her. We became fast friends, and our families hung out a lot. Over the last 6 years we have spent countless meals together, and beach trips. We have laughed, and cried, and argued. Dreams have been achieved, and new ones were made. About two years ago God really spoke to their hearts about getting out of the Coast Guard. Tomorrow they move back to Hawaii and Austin will begin a job as a youth pastor. They have big big dreams for doing ministry in the place they love. 

My heart aches. I will miss the friend who I can truly tell anything to. She doesn't judge, and always helps me laugh. God did a fine job the day he made her.  

I guess we need to start saving for our Hawaiian vacation!

Winter Weather

Sorry for the lack of posts. I just can't seem to find my motivation to blog. I really want to. I'd love to take this blog in new directions and write more of my voice. Hopefully the inspiration will come and I won't give in to distractions (having three months of free HBO isn't helping). 

The weather has been awesome this week. It's been mostly in the 60's and the kids have been outside a lot. I am not jealous of the snowy weather our families are getting right now. 

 It's hard to get her to stop long enough to snap a few photos.

I hope this southern winter weather continues.

Back at it

We recently got back from a two week trip to PA to see our families. Other than the kids getting ear infections and my in-laws getting the flu it was a really good trip. The older ones were bummed that there wasn't any snow, but it did mean we got to be outside for extended periods of time. 

Nate and I took the big kids to Hershey Park. The weather was perfect and we got to stay for about 5 hours. I love going there in the winter. Tickets are only $12, and all the kids rides and a lot of the adult rides are open. 

 We had them all do a few rides together, and then Nate took Asher off to do some of the bigger rides.

 My brother is a math teacher in Virginia, so he also gets a lot of time off in December. My kids LOVE uncle Matty. If he is awake there is at least one kid trying to play with him.

 All of Nate's siblings were at his parents for Christmas. It was noisy, and crowded, and a lot of fun. Asher and Piper really liked being around their cousins. We took them to a nature center one morning. The science and engineering (as well as stubborn and wild) genes run strong in these boys. They both had a lot of fun with the microscopes.

Visiting our families was a great way to spend our holiday break.

Running with Asher

A few weeks ago I signed Asher and I up for the Turkey Trot 5K. I thought it was the day after Thanksgiving, so we got up early and were excited to run. It turns out I should pay more attention to dates, and it was on Saturday. Since we were out, we got donuts and did a little shopping. On Saturday we showed up again. Asher met up with a little friend and the two of them ended up running most of the way together. In all honesty I couldn't keep up with them. Asher ran the 5K in 30 minutes, and I finished up a few minutes behind him. I look forward to many more races with this kid (well not running with him, but at least trying to catch up).

Quick Update

I'm sorry for the lack of post lately. I've been busy trying to keep Emmy Lu from taking all the ornaments off the tree (I actually gave up this morning) and trying to make sure Dexter keeps his pants on. I also joined the Elf on the Shelf cult this year. It basically means instead of my kids waking up at 5:45, they are up at 5:30 due to elf excitement. 

We are counting down the days until we visit our families and friends in Pennsylvania. 

Best Buds

I used to hope that Juno would settle down with a nice husband and have puppies of her own. That was never her life plan. For one, she doesn't really like other dogs (she actually adores cats). And two, she is pretty exhausted from raising our little tribe here. She is the most tolerant dog I have ever known. Most evenings Emmy will snuggle up next to her and go to sleep. 

As much as she loves them, I think Juno is glad there won't be any more babies for her to take care of.

Halloween

When I was a kid my mom always made our Halloween costumes. She was fantastic at it. I would come up with a random idea (always involving a box) and she would make it. I think the best ones were a camera, and a refrigerator. I really enjoy making things. I love sewing and knitting, so you would think I would be all over making cute costumes for the kids. I'm not. I just don't have it in me to make their costumes. Dexter and Ember get whatever hand-me-downs they currently fit from the big kids. Piper usually raids her princess stash, and Asher is the only one I usually buy for. I also don't go on any of their field trips. I happily volunteer in their classes once or twice a week, but I don't do the pumpkin patches or the zoo. Now you have my confession for the week.

Emmy Lu got to be the ladybug this year. 

 I love seeing her walk. She is in the drunken sailor stage, and it's just so cute.

 I convinced Dex to be the chicken again. Come on. It's just so cute.

 Asher is definitely past the cute costume stage. At least he dresses up, in a few years he'll be like all the teenagers and just go around in scruffy jeans holding a pillow case. 

 Piper, I'm so glad you are still in the princess stage. I'm not ready for what is next. 

 These kids did really well. We started the night at a party and then went trick-or-treating. The kids were really polite and all had a good time. 

Now I have to figure out a way to not eat all the candy.