Tick Tock

10 days until National Board results......

Ponca 2011: Ziplining and Hiking

In celebration of our coming 13-year-mark on the 21st, Garon and I spent the weekend with friends at a cabin in Ponca....

13 reasons I love G...

1.  He keeps me grounded.

2.  He buys me cheez-its and squeeze cheese without me asking.

3.  He gives me scratchies.

4.  He gives me down time.

5.  He listens to my nonsense.

6.  He's super huggable.

7.  He gets curls when his hair gets long.

8.  He does laundry.

9.  He is loyal.

10.  He loves our babies.

11.  He has a strong work ethic.

12.  He is playful.

13.  He is reliable.

13 more...

14.  He's unreadable at times, but soft underneath.

15.  He's a good disciplinarian.

16.  He stands up for what he believes.

17.  He likes adventures.

18.  He speaks his mind.

19.  He is street smart.

20.  I love his deepset eyes hidden under his dark brow and long lashes.

21.  I love his crooked smile when he's slightly amused.

22.  He cherishes friendship.

23.  He adores his family.

24.  He gives the kids tackle hugs.

25.  He's helpful.

26.  He loves me back.

G and J, 13 years

Boxley Valley from last zip platform

Fred and Roiya; Travis and Bethany; Janelle and Garon at Whitaker Point

Platform to platform shot

Last platform (Boxley Valley in background)

Happy Halloween!

Before I get to the Halloween pics, I have to give a moment to our little dog, Yoshi.  Yoshi was an obnoxious, loving, loyal, sweet, dumb, supposed Cocker Spaniel who went to heaven back in September.  His favorite place to be was between my legs so that I inevitably tripped over him often.  I don't know why I love animals so much, but I do; and Yoshi was a good doggie who is missed terribly.  I love you, Yoshi, and I hope you are turtle-hunting like crazy on nightly "walkies" with Jesus!

The day we got Yoshi back in February of 2010...

And now one more recent sidebar event...Tori's recent trip to the dentist:

 

As of August, Tori has "appliances" in her mouth.  (Afterward, her dad looked in her mouth for a refrigerator or dish washer, and was disappointed to find none.  Haha.  Funny, G.)  Anyway, the dentist is spreading her jaw to make room for her teeth, and at this visit the bottom appliance had to be taken out and readjusted.  Well, the back right piece was STUCK, and Tori had to be gassed and threatened with loss of her iPod before she'd let the assistant back in her mouth.  Tori's Asperger's has reared its sensitive head a few times this year after a pretty mellow, dormant past year.  But wow, how she has grown.  She has matured so much with coping in uncomfortable, unknown situations...I can't believe my sweet girl is in 4th grade....

And now onto the purpose of today's post:

Today, we have been getting ready.  We carved pumpkins, cooked pumpkin seeds, and tried on costumes.  Bad guys better watch out for us this Halloween!  My Batman and Ninja Warrior are ready for action...

Boiling Point

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. ♥

Overstimulated

Just that.  Also miss my husband.  He is my rock, and I can't wait to get him back on Friday.

Hallelujah

"Wipe the dirt off my face
Hold me in your embrace
Your love always saves the day."

These lyrics were special today.  I had just wiped the dirt off Adrion's face, hugged him, and taken him to class when this song was sung in church...I was touched by the parallel between God's gift of parenting and His parenting of us; Just as I nurture my children, He cares for His.  He picks us up, dusts us off, embraces us, and gives us the strength to face our circumstances every single day.  Looking forward to the new school year starting tomorrow. ♥

http://youtu.be/KZA2QHqbWKw

Super Adrion Take 3