Hide & Seek

Donnie's always enjoyed hiding from us, so he could scare us. He quickly learned that's not a game I like to play. So, he's taken up the game with Michael Dean. At first, MD would just cry because he couldn't find daddy. Now, he's grown to like it.

Last night Donnie would tell MD to go out to his choo-choo trains and count to ten. So, he'd trot out there and say "1-2-3-7-8-9-10-13!" then come looking for Donnie. With a little help from mom, he'd find him. But, then he realized it was more fun to hide and have daddy come find him. Though, he always hid in the same place...

At Work

A small perk about where I work is the random deer families I see out my window. I work in a cubicle-land. Always have - I guess that's why I like The Office so much! About 95% of the people here don't see outside until their lunch break or drive home. I get to see it all day. I freeze. I burn up. But, I don't complain. Especially when I get a few seconds with the sweet deer I've watched grow from litte, spotted fawn to big deer. (Look closely above, they're there.)

Wordless Wednesday

(This is what happens when it rains all day at daycare!)

Halloween, Part 2

OK, so it's almost Thanksgiving and I'm finally posting our Halloween photos. Oh well! Hey, better late than never.

These photos are from Halloween day. We started the day trick-or-treating at Michael Dean's Great Grandma Betty's home and ended the day with a Trunk-or-Treat at our church's land. It really was a fun day - once MD realized that wearing his Mickey costume meant he was going to get lots of candy. He, then, willingly left those Mickey ears on.

60...This is a Long One

Today, my dad would have turned 60! You know, it's sad - for many reasons - but, this sad is for the fact that I didn't have a digital camera yet back in 2001 when he passed away. I still loved my trusty 35mm camera. So, I have no picture to post. I've posted on here, before, the sweet picture of my dad and me dancing at my 21st birthday party. But, that's it.

Anyway, I'm not much of a "signs" person but this morning, I've seen/heard many that were sweet reminders of my dad, who I miss more than words can say.

I have a hefty commute to work 3 days a week so I see a lot of vehicles on the interstates. Most are some sort of work vehicle. I always notice the wide variety of business names out there (and think how much better I could have designed their logo!) Well, this morning, just as I was listening to "Smile" by Chris Rice (more on that in a minute) a work truck drove by me with a company name of "Ivey." See, my sweet father-in-law's name is Ivey. It's rare and I've never seen that work truck before. I know that God gave me the sweetest father-in-law in Ivey Dean and (if I believe my dad could see me from where he is) I know he'd be happy I have him in my life.

Also, just seconds later, there was a traffic report about a wreck at IBM drive. My dad worked for IBM (at that location) for many, many years - that's what brought us to NC from CO.

Then there were the back-to-back songs on 91.9. One I've mentioned, "Smile." The song starts with "Cause I just wanna be with You, I just want this waiting to be over...And I finally get to see You smile!" So, it's talking about God - but this song has always made me think of my dad. I can't wait 'til I get to see him again.

The 2nd song (just after "Smile") was "Cry Out to Jesus" by Third Day. This song starts with "To everyone who's lost someone they love long before it was their time. You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye...Cry out to Jesus." And, of course, this song always makes me think of dad, too.

Last, lately I've been talking to Michael Dean about his Grandpa Jeff. He doesn't get it and is just repeating words I ask him to say - "Grandpa Jeff" - but, man, when he says those words I can't help but think how much my sweet dad has missed out on by not meeting and getting to play with his precious grandson.

Anyway, I'm at work and no tears are allowed at work. I love my dad and miss him so much. Happy Birthday, Dad.

Halloween, Part 1

Last week was a whirlwind of dress-up, candy, Mickey ears and festivals. And, I have the pictures to prove it all - I just don't have the time to pull it all together! So, here's part 1...

Michael Dean's school celebrates this time of year with a "Spirit Week" and a Fall Festival. It really is a fun time. MD still has no clue what's going on but he's starting to realize the cool things he gets to do in these crazy outfits:

"Tacky Day"

"Country Bumpkin Day" (This was a toughie. There's really nothing "bumpkin" in my kid's closet. This was the best I could do!)

"Orange and Black Day" (Really, it was wear your Halloween stuff day - but since he's at a church for daycare, they don't celebrate that!)

Fishing at the Fall Festival

At the Harrisburg Fall Festival, if you could call it that. We went expecting a fun, choo-choo train ride (which wasn't working, due to being "under-staffed") but were met with a parking nightmare and 4,000 people trying to cram into a space for about 100. Good times. Nah, really, we were with some good friends, so we did have fun! (And, we were spotted by our Pumpkin shirts. Thanks, April, for noticing!)

MD's good buddy, Jake the spider (and his dad, Uncle Matt)

More, My MD

I just can't put into words how my heart flutters when my sweet, baby boy runs into the kitcen, where I'm unfortunately working, and asks "Mickey on, please?" So, I say yes and ask for a kiss - which he gives me - then says "Love you, mommy!" I follow him into the living room, while he hops to his Spidey couch to get on his pillow and cover up with his blanket.

Gosh, that sweet little thing came from me (and Donnie.) Just amazing. I never knew I'd have the opportunity to feel this way. Thank God I do.

(Oh, and Halloween pictures coming soon!)