Halloween 2012

 

Alexander was the cutest Jake and the Neverland Pirate ever.  The headband covered the bandage from his recent stitches perfectly. 

 Audrey was a beautiful ladybug.  She loved getting candy.  She ran up to each business and held out her hand.  She loves candy.

  Alexander was thrilled to have Gabrielle and Nathaniel along with us for Halloween.  We enjoyed the usual chili for our Halloween evening meal, followed by lots of chocolate. 

After opening lots of suckers and trying each one and chomping through plenty of Tootsie Rolls with her few teeth the ladybug got a bit grouchy.  She was specifically upset that we had put an end to eating the candy for the evening. 

Kentucky in the Fall

We enjoyed two weeks in Kentucky in October.  A week in Frankfort and a week in Owensboro.  We began our week with a sneak peak of new baby.  We got to find out that we were having a baby boy.  Mimi, Kiki, and Madeline joined us for the viewing.  

Alexander got to visit with some friends at Monkey Joe's later that afternoon.  

Adam enjoyed playing golf with Paul and long conversations with Colby, Lisa, and Anthony.  

We celebrated Alexander's birthday in Frankfort with a baseball party.  We enjoyed a cool baseball cake made by Kelley and Neon Iguana Cakes and caramel popcorn.  It was great to see Conner, Jaxson, and Carson at the party as well. 

We ran in the Race for the Cure on Saturday.  Even though it was quite chilly it is always a great way to start the day with a race to remember and honor all those who have fought the battle with cancer. 

While in Owensboro we enjoyed visiting the new park at the river, Reid's Orchard, and spending lots of quality time with Tami.  It was nice that she was on Fall Break that week.
 

Mommy even enjoyed a morning out alone.  I started my morning with coffee and and egg sandwich at Panera.  I got started on some Christmas shopping at Hobby Lobby, Tuesday Morning, Target, and TJ Maxx.  What a great morning.  

We celebrated Alexander's birthday again with a UK party.  His cake said, "Happy Birthday, Little Wildcat Alexander."  We enjoyed chili and soup at the party as well. 

We got lots accomplished at Adam's Mimi's house.  It felt good to help Tami accomplish some of these difficult tasks.  

It was a great visit and hard to return to Nebraska.  It is always good to return home and return to your routine. 

Our First Trip to the ER

Sunday evening during Bible Study I was in the nursery as usual.  Alexander had not napped and was unusually wild.  He was pretending Legos were rockets.  I had just warned him about throwing the Legos.  Within seconds he had fallen and hit his head on the Lego tower rocket he was carrying. 

 















He was only two feet away from me.  I immediately looked at the wound above his right eye and new it required stitches.  I left the other six children with the other helper and went to get Adam.  He was wrapping up Bible Study and I nodded for him to come with me.  

Alexander was crying a great deal, mostly because I had told him he had to go to the hospital.  He insisted he was okay and it wasn't necessary to go.  We headed directly to the hospital less than half a mile away. 

It was not the usual ER experience you anticipate.  There was no long wait or complicated registration.  My friend Maria quickly arrived and began comforting Alexander.  We had already contacted the doctor on call who attends our church.  We all expected a few stitches. 

They soon numbed Alexander's wound and he watched a little TV while waiting.  He had calmed down soon upon arriving.  He was very cooperative.  While waiting to start the suturing Adam went back to church to get Audrey. 

We wrapped Alexander in a warm blanket like a cocoon.  The doctor pinched the wound and injected more numbing medication.  Alexander whined and cried a bit through this.  It is so hard to see your baby hurting, but I knew this is what needed to happen.  He is such a strong little guy.  

He received four stitches above his right eye.  They expect for the wound to heal well and have little to no scar.  The stitches will be removed in five days.  Alexander was happy to come home and have a cinnamon roll and finish watching "Finding Nemo."  He slept well through the night and awoke happy this morning.  He said he wanted to thank Maria for his hat.  She had used a cap to keep his hair out of the wound.  He even said the hospital was pretty fun.  I am so thankful that the experience was not more traumatic and that my little trooper handled it so well. 

What a Day

Daddy, Derrick, & Hope

 Two years ago today my precious Daddy went to be with the Lord.  I long for the day when I see him again.  I grieve over Audrey and Alexander not having the pleasure of having him in their lives.  I grieve over the loneliness my mom feels, especially with us being so far away. 

Caroline & Daddy at Hope's Wedding

Daddy, Mama, Caroline, & Carter

Daddy & Alexander 

Today my mom's neighbor passed away. Danie was a true friend to my mom.  She provided my mom the companionship she needed after Daddy was gone.  Danie's cancer was strangely similar to Daddy's.  I just have to wonder why God does things.  Why would he take away Daddy and Danie on the same day just two years apart?  Why would he have my family move to Nebraska just one year after Daddy's death.  Pray for my mom.  I can only begin to feel her isolation and loneliness.  I know the Lord has a sovereign plan but it is not clear at this time.  

Yesterday we sang "All I have is Christ" in church.  I remember the first time we sang this after Daddy died.  I know it is so true!  

It's a...

Much to our surprise the Lord granted us a new baby.  After fertility issues with Alexander and Audrey we didn't expect to have a baby without a great deal of planning and a little medication, but God is All-Powerful!
There was no waiting to find out what this baby would be.  We are not patient.  I had to get shopping, decorating, and planning for this little one. 

 While in Kentucky in October we visited Lexington Fetal Photography.  We had used them when we were pregnant with Audrey and they were unable to tell us with certainty her gender.  Alexander, Audrey, Kiki, Mimi, and Madeline all joined us for the big news. 

There was no question that this baby is a boy.  I had expected it was, considering I was very sick, similar to how I felt with Alexander. 

Alexander was thrilled and danced around.  He said, "I am going to teach him everything I know." 

Pumpkin Patch Party

 

The kids enjoyed exploring the various shapes and colors of pumpkins. 

The birthday boy enjoying his meatballs. 

Auji Girl and the "Punks"

Corbin, Alexander, Alexander, Caulin

Alexander on the Jumping Pillow

Mommy's Little Pumpkin

Sweet Kisses

Pumkpin Party Preparation

Thank goodness for Pinterest.

Invitation & Party Pack 
http://www.etsy.com/listing/56775750/pumpkin-patch-birthday-party-diy-pack?image_id=175980347



Carrot Pumpkin 
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Simple---Delicious-Magazine/Fun-Halloween-Food 

 Pumpkin Playdough
http://bluebirdlucys.blogspot.com/ 

Hershey's Chocolate Cupcakes 

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

 1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
 2 Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

Meatballs adapted from http://www.marthastewart.com/875683/turkey-meatballs

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup pureed carrots
• 1/4 cup pureed zucchini
• 1/4 cup pureed sweet potato
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix meat, bread crumbs, carrots, zucchini, sweet potato, onion, eggs, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined; form into 1-inch balls.
   
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Turn and bake another 5-10 minutes.
   
   Meatball Sauce adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/real-meatballs-and-spaghetti-recipe/index.html 
   
   
   
   • 1 tablespoon  olive oil
   • 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
   • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
   • 1/2 cup chicken broth
   • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
   • 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
   • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
   • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
   • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
   • 1 cube pureed sweet potatoes 
   • 1 cube pureed carrots 
   This tasted too tomato like so I added... 
   a dash of each...
   oregano 
   basil 
   thyme 
   parsley 
   italian seasoning
   garlic powder
   onion powder
   sugar
   
   I actually added a few tablespoons of flour at the end to thicken the sauce.  It was very thin. 
   
   Heat the olive oil in the  pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the chicken broth and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper and other spices.
   Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the low for 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and tomatoes are soft. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.

Much more to come with professional pictures by Lisa Johnson. So excited.