I'm almost there!

I don't post much and should post more. But, I have a minute and just wanted to put a note on the page. As usual, it pertains to cars. Or, more specifically, my car. But first, a little history. Those who have known me for a while will know this, but for those new to the post, here's the story.

I'm not the type person who has to have a new car every year. Or every 3 years. Or even every 5 years. Once I decide that I like a car, I like it for good. Even when the newness wears off. When I was in college, I really wanted a 1988 BMW M3. My girlfriend at the time just couldn't understand why I wanted it. "It's the old body style", she would say. To me, it was a sharp car. Actually, it still is and I still want a 1988 M3.

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to have a new car and I regularly wander car lots dreaming of what it would be like to pull off the lot in one. However, God has given me the gift of contentment and I have other priorities in my life now that command my finances and that's by no means a bad thing.

My love for cars goes beyond just the style. I like performance and I LOVE driving! Anything from tearing around an autocross course, to cruising down a country road on a peaceful afternoon, to mixing it up with my brother through online racing on our computers. Behind the wheel with open road in front of me is one of the best places I can be.

Which brings me to almost being there. In 1993, two months after graduating college, I purchased a brand new Honda Accord LX sedan. White with blue interior, 5 speed and AM/FM stereo cassette even!!! Not exactly a true peformance machine, but a solid ride nonetheless and it fit my budget. Well, it's 2008 and I'm still driving that same Accord. Not so shiny and a little dented, but still a solid ride. And next week, I will surpass 300,000 miles. Not many people out there have driven the same car for 15 years and it's really fun to think of all the memories I have. I've had that car longer than I've had almost all my friends. Longer than I've known Karen. For a short time, my car even had a name. Chloe. My entire professional career has been spent driving my Accord and I still love it. I'm putting a camera in the car and plan to pull over, wherever I am and take a picture of the place where I pass the 300,000 mile mark. I'll post it next week. Look for it.

This may sound silly, but I truly thank God for my Honda. I'm wrestling right now whether to just try to keep it running until I can buy another car, or put some money into it and try to go another 300,000 miles! Some people think that's the most ridiculous idea in the world, but they'll never understand that it's not just a car anymore. It's an extension of who I am and part of my history. I'd just as soon get rid of Ryan's premie diapers. Or the first picture Nathan put on his wall. Or the "Coach" shirt Karen got me as a way to tell me she was pregnant with our first child.

Anyway, look for the pictures next week. And say a prayer for Chloe!

Family Book Celebration

Nathan's 2nd grade class made Family Books. They went through the entire writing process and then published their books. Last Monday they had a party to celebrate and share their books. It just so happened that my parents were here for the celebration too! It was so fun to see what he created! I wish I had a video of his presentation, it was precious! But a slideshow will have to do!

Family

My parents AKA Grandmommy and GrandBob came to visit us last week. We had a wonderful time. They were really hoping to see Fall, you know, the changing leaves. However, it hasn't happened just yet. It's beginning too. While they were here, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and get some family photos. The boys always enjoy when they come to visit. I don't know how many times Ryan asked them, "You staying for Christmas?" I don't think he liked their answer which was, "No honey, we aren't!" It's hard living away from family, especially during the holidays!

Decorating for Fall

I've had a little time lately to do a little Fall decorating. Fall is my FAVORITE time of the year! I decided to do something other than the traditional pumpkin carving this year. Take a peek at what I did this year! I am really enjoying it. So fun! I still need to plant some things in my window boxes... I just need more time!

I have a few other things that I want to do, but don't know if I will get around to it. I may try a couple things with Ryan and Nathan to let them help me make some things to help decorate... those are always so special! If only I had more time!

Mommy's little helper

"Mommy, I be helper for you?" That's is Ryan's way of asking if he can help me with something. He is real big into helping do chores around the house lately (he's selective though). This afternoon it was emptying the dishwasher. He had a hard time reaching to put things away in cabinets or drawers, but he did the best he could. When the dishwasher was unloaded he asked if he could close it. I told him we needed to put a few dirty things in first. So, I handed him the safe things that he could help with. I turn around to find this......

He said, "This dirty! I clean it for you!" After laughing I informed him that that was what a dishwasher did.... washed dishes. He didn't need to lick them all! However, could you blame him when it had pumpkin bar left on it??? Yum!
That's my little helper!

Butterflies

Nathan's 2nd grade class has been learning about butterflies. They each had a their own caterpillar and observed the life cycle. Yesterday was a big day for his class. They had a butterfly release party. Ryan and I went to help out.

When we got there the kids were writing goodbye letters to their precious butterflies. They got to read their letter if they chose. It was amazing how attached the kids got to their "pet." Nathan had 2 butterflies, Drake and Josh.

We all went outside and waved goodbye to the butterflies. Some of the kids were crying! How sad! One of the butterflies flew to Nathan. He was SURE that it was one of HIS... either Drake or Josh. "He couldn't tell." He said, "Mommy, he just doesn't want to go! I am going to miss them." I told him it was the right thing to do and that we'd have to watch for butterflies in our yard. We might just see his butterflies again!

Back in the classroom, the kids made bracelets with beads representing the life cycle of a butterfly. Then they ate "butterfly" cupcakes. Today they are making butterfly masks.

They all learned so much! It was such a neat experience.

** I'll add a slide show of pictures soon!!

His plan

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I am also learning to "Be still" (somewhat), I'm still learning and working on that one. Life has seemed like such a whirlwind since about June. I am really ready for things to be different. I feel like God is at work, but I'm not sure where He is taking me. Therefore, I am trying to rely on Him and go where he leads. This isn't always so easy. I don't really like some of the path that He's had me on lately. I know there is a reason and He has a plan.

I love the Journey women's devotional book/magazine and am so excited when I can actually find one at church. I happened to be so lucky the beginning of Sept. However, it didn't make it into the house until the end of Sept. I had lost it! I searched for it several times, but couldn't find it. I was bummed. Anyway... I began thinking about it and praying that God would help me find it. Well, I don't know why I didn't do that sooner, because guess what!? I found it that very afternoon. Of course it was the last day of Sept. But at this point, I didn't care. I was just so happy to have found it. For those of you who don't know me, well, I am a little anal! I am pretty systematic or like to be anyway! It kind of bothers me to be doing a Sept. devotional in Oct. and the days don't match up! I am looking past that and so glad God is helping me to do that! Because let me tell you.... these past few days, the devotionals I've read have been EXACTLY what I've needed now. God is so good like that! I guess it was His plan all along to have me lose the Sept. devotional for just a little while.

The boys have said some of the cutest/funniest things lately, but I can't for the life of me remember any of them right now! I don't know if it's "old age" or the fact that we've been sick around here that has helped me to forget! I'll see what I can do to try to remember them. I need to write them down! Ahhh.... I am getting old!!!

Ryan has come such a long way with his speech! For those of you who don't know....... Ryan was a preemie and we had lots of struggles with him in the early days (and during pregnancy). Not medically as in NICU... Praise God! But, he still had his issues. Long story short, he never did the typical baby cooing, babbling stuff. I really missed that! Nathan was overly abundant with his cooing/babbling/talking! God gave him enough for Ryan and him both. Nathan talked very early and had a huge vocabulary at a very young age. Ryan didn't even know/say 10 words by 26 months. What a difference and huge concern for me. After some testing, we got him placed with a Speech Therapist. Within 5 months he tested out!! What another praise! I love how verbal he is getting more and more each day. Nathan was very easy to understand, no translation was needed. Ryan on the other hand..... is a little harder to understand at times, even for me! I have found that he's getting a little frustrated with me when I can't understand him and have to ask him or guess "wrong" several times. Even with all these little issues.... he still says the funniest things! He cracks me up! Sometimes they are just soooo cute that I don't want to tell him the correct way to say something. I understand that at age 15 it won't be so cute anymore. I'll see if I can figure out how to post a video or something. I love how different my boys are but still are alike in a lot of ways. It's so fun watching them grow in so many ways!