Flashlight Candy Night

Tuesday night Wes, the kids and I went to the City of Jacksonville Flashlight Candy Hunt. It was something Wes and I have never done before. The kids got to play games, get their faces painted, do a cake walk, and with the price of admission they got a slice of pizza and a soda. Then at 8pm the lights on the soccer field went out and all the flashlights came on and the kids ran onto the field to grab as much candy as possible. It was a little hectic, but the kids had fun. And because it was soooo cold that night we immediately came home to a new cup of Hot Chocolate! It was really neat.

Pumpkins, Indians and Soldiers Oh My!

Saturday we went to the Old Baker Farm. It is a farm that has been around for over 200 years and survived during the Civil War. The gentlemen that owns the farm currently is Mr. Earl Baker who just celebrated his 100th Birthday and year on that farm.

We had so much fun. There was so much to do. Right as we walked in we hit the corn maze. Greg led the way and got us lost twice. LOL After we emerged we headed straight for the Pumpkin Patch. On the way out we were lead by a tractor on the hay ride and as soon as we got there and as soon as Greg's feet hit the ground he was off to find the biggest pumpkin. So I went chasing after him. Staying a little behind was Dad and Hailey. Her first pick was a tall pumpkin but got to be a little much for her to carry, so after a few minutes dad found her a half orange and half green small pumpkin. I wanted to go the other way. After sinking in several places in the patch (it had rained the day before) I was off to find a white pumpkin. We got our fine choices and waited for our ride to pick us up. Lucky for us we got to have a mule drawn trailer to take us back. Greg and Hailey petted our nice ride. What was nice was that there was a church there that would load our pumpkins up and take them to the front gate to wait for us. Yeah!! We didn't have to worry about carrying them around all day.

When we got our pumpkins loaded up and shipped to the gate we walked over to where they were going to do a Civil War Reenactment later on that afternoon. So not only was this a fun trip, but an educational one as well! While we were waiting for the Reenactment we walked over to where the farm was and got to pet and see the farm animals. The kids' favorite was the horses. Greg found one that loves to have his ears rubbed.

After that we headed to pick cotton. Yes I did say cotton. They had a large cotton field and the kids actually got to pick off their own balls of cotton. Then we headed over to watch the Indian Dancers. No they didn't make it rain and thank goodness because we had had enough rain the day before. It was neat to see all that they could do and all the vibrant colors on their costumes. Then it was time for Hay Mountain. It was HUGE bails of hay stacked up to form a mountain. There was a little area they could slide down and the kids had a blast.

Last but not least it was over to the Reenactment. I have never seen a Reenactment before so it was neat for me to see. I am not much of a History person but this was neat to watch. The three cannons were enough of a reminder of what a painful time that must have been.

It was a long day but it was a great time that we had to bond. We plan to go back to the Old Baker Farm around Christmas to participate in their Christmas celebrations and cut a tree from their farm.

Trees All Fall Down

Yesterday we had some really high winds and they only got worse last night. The pictures are a result of what happened to our property. It missed my bedroom window buy about 10 feet. If the tree had fallen more to the left, it would have ended up through our back door into the kitchen. I thank God that it didn't hit the house and it was something that can be replaced easily.

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Hailey's class went on a field trip. They went to the Pumpkin Patch at the church near the school. There we got to see the different colors, sizes and textures of the Pumpkins. We also saw some very odd and cool looking gourds. They also came in different sizes, colors and shapes. Along with picking out their own Pumpkin, they were read a story, had a cookie and drank some Kool-aid. She had a blast! Here are some of the pictures. Enjoy!

Feeling Better

I am feeling much better today. Thank goodness! The kids have been home all week for their Fall Break and I have been sick all week. Luckily for me I didn't get as sick as the kids did. I guess the tea and rest worked. Yeah! I am hoping next week to get to go to the Pumpkin Patch. Since we have moved I really don't know how Halloween works around here. I am looking into safer options to Trick-O-Treating. Most churches do Carnivals or something along those lines and I would rather do that. I have come to learn we have a Sex Offender right down the road from us and I don't like that. I have found out though that if they give out candy or get dressed up for Halloween they will go to jail because its against the law for sex offenders to do that. Scary huh? That's why I am looking into safer options.

Changes of the Seasons

I can tell that fall is here. The leaves are turning wonderful oranges and reds. The days are getting shorter. You get a nice chill in the morning as you are trying to get the kids ready for school. You get to lite a fire in the fire place. Oh....and the kids bring home colds. The sneezing starts, followed by sore throats. If your lucky you get to keep your voice, if not that goes. Then here comes the most dreaded...the cough. I feel like I am sure most people feel right now, like they have been ran over by a semi truck. I have a slight fever and body aches. My throat feels like it is on fire. I have been drinking hot Lemon Tea with Honey to hopefully soothe my throat. This lovely little virus was given to me by my beloved little ones. Yeah me. Oh the joy of being a mom. I feel like a walking Zombie.

A Tribute to Sandy

I know it might seem silly to others, but a little over three years ago we came upon a orphaned baby squirrel. As an animal lover I was not about to just leave it to die. So I took her home to take care of this little thing. We named her Sandy. Like the squirrel off of Spongebob Squarepants. I hand fed her for 6 weeks until she was old enough to eat on her own. I held her and loved her. I protected her from the dogs when they wanted to get at her. We played and laughed. We squealed with joy when she found something facinating. Now today we are crying because we lost our dear loved one. Something happened to her Thursday night that left her hurt. She was not able to move her back legs and was breathing heavily. I tried as hard as I could to make her comfortable so she didn't suffer too much. It was not enough.

Sandy,

Thank you for coming into our lives. We so much enjoyed loving you. It breaks all our hearts that your gone. I am sure your looking down on us from the big tree in the sky. I am glad you are not suffering anymore my dear Sandy Bandy. We will miss you so much! Lots of love always!!

My Father, My Hero

On August 13th my Father was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer. On Aug. 20th he passed on. My heart is breaking. My Father and I have not had the best relationship. It was not until the last year and a half that we actually started to bond and really get to know each other. He was my Mom's High School sweetheart. He served his country in the Vietnam war and earned several medals for his bravery. Unfortunately that took a big toll on him mentally and physically. He came back a different man then the one my mom married. It was not long after that that they divorced. I really didn't get to realize that I had a biological father until I was about 11 years old. I knew in my heart that something was missing and I didn't feel like I was Daddy's Little Girl. I had always felt this void. But by then my Mom had remarried and the Father I got to know was actually my Step-father. He attempted on several occasions to get to know me but the timing was somehow off and I felt like he was going about trying to get to know me the wrong way. It wasn't until my son was born that we had started our healing process. It took years before I actually let my guard down to let him in and get to know me. I knew that after the kids were born that I could not stay upset. He had the right to get to know his grandchildren. I was not going to deny him that right. I am glad I got to know my Dad over the last couple of years. Even though I wish things had been different growing up, I knew my parents did the best they could in trying to raise my Brother and I.

Thank you Dad for letting me get to know you the last couple of years. I miss you so much and I am glad you are not in pain anymore. I know you struggled for so long. You may have been taken from this Earth, but I always know you are by my side and watching over your Grandchildren. I love you Dad.