Then and Now

Three years ago today, I opened my email and saw my son for the first time:

My heart was so full of love, joy, and hope I cried.  We still didn't have travel dates. . .but that was soon in following--like 4 days later we found out we were leaving 9 days after that!

Now my little monster is growing up and is really looking more and more like a little boy.  He's not a baby anymore. . .

My heart is still very full of love, joy and hope.  And I still weep when I think about what a great gift we have been given.  But now, three years later, we are living it. 

Thanks be to God!

PS.  It's these comparison pictures that really get me!  You don't notice how much they are growing, right in front of your eyes, and then you see some old pictures and you think, "Wow!  When did that happen???"

November Cornahopia

Aidan came home from school the other day and said, "Mama!  I made a Cornahopia today!"  I think that is a better word and probably closer to what our forefathers were thinking when they put all of those first fruits together. . .I am assuming, of course, that the Cornahopia Aidan made will come home with the 20 pounds of artwork we bring home each week.  I'd really like a turkey, though.  Do you think they take art requests at school?

Yesterday I took Aidan with me to vote.  While there, this was our quick conversation about it:
"What's voting, Mama?"  It's when I tell the people what I want and then I hope they listen.  "Oh!  Okay!"

Aidan later went with Daddy to vote and then proceeded to tell the lady checking Daddy in that he had voted twice. . .wish I could have seen those raised eyebrows!

Speaking of voting, I am glad it's done. . .not because we had a huge election for my area--just one Representative to the House and a few bond issues.  But, our television has been full of ads for all of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Washington DC and Delaware.  Really.  A little overkill, to say the least.  Now those can stop and we can get back to doing our everyday things and hope that those elected will actually do something there inside the Beltway.  More Cornahopia, I guess.

And I guess it is a sign of the times, albeit a good one, that although we have been innunadated with all of these election ads, there have been no Christmas Commercials yet shown on tv that I have seen.  The stores are all decked out, but I haven't seen an ad yet. . .they usually start on Halloween night. 
Also yesterday, there was a thick frost on everything.  It had gotten down into the 20's for the first time this season.  I told Aidan that Father Frost had made us a visit. . .I think I may have to try to find the full story--I only know some of the story about Ded Moroz and Snegurachka and how they defeat Baba Yaga, but I don't know all of it.  We do have a Father Frost that we'll put out at Christmas, but Aidan hasn't been old enough for the whole story.  He seemed interested yesterday so now I'll look. 

But, back to the frost. . .the weatherman actually said the word "snow" in connection with weather near us. . .possibly flurries here Friday morning, but actually snow further up in the mountains.  Yikes!  But, then again, it is November. . .

Hallween Family Fun

Wow.  Did we really have a weekend?  I feel like it was all a blur. . . .

We started out the weekend on Friday night by carving our pumpkins and turning them into Jack-o-Lanterns.  I thought it was really cute because Aidan picked his pumpkin face from one he plays with on an online computer game that teaches shapes, letters, numbers and reading.  (http://www.starfall.com/)

Aidan didn't much care for the initial smell the pumpkins had, but this got better once Mama sprinkled some cinnamon inside.  Daddy had Aidan help some with the carving, and in spite of a little bit of attitude, we all had a lot of fun!

Aidan and I ran errands on Saturday and then played outside while Daddy went hunting. 

And then Sunday. . .Halloween!!!!

Aidan and a few of the other children wore their costumes to church and we able to be a part of the procession with the Cross.  Adorable!!

Then we came home for a quick lunch, headed out to ice skating lessons and then back home to get ready for the pre-Halloween parade party with some friends.  We had invited 3 families over so that we had 5 children ranging in age 4 down to 2 1/2.  Stew, pizza, Monster punch and lots of candy and sweets and we were all bouncing off the wall by parade time.  The kids donned their costumes and got made up and off we went.

We were exhausted when we got back, but we still had to go Trick-or-Treating!  The older kids--3 and 4--headed out with the parents while I stayed back and manned the door for our visitors.  Bath time didn't come until 8:30 and bed time was at 9:00 at which time Aidan listened to one story--The Night Before Halloween-- and then headed off quickly to slumberland. . . followed shortly by Mama and Daddy. . .

Unfortunately, I did not get a close up good picture of Aidan in his costume, but this one cracked me up because it is just like a spider checking things out:

Hope you had a safe and happy Halloween! 

Neighbor Kids

We are blessed to have some really fantastic neighbors.  And, lucky for us, there are plenty of kids close by for Aidan to grow up with.  He will have the novelty of having siblings without having to have a brother of sister living with him.

At the latest count, there are 9 children ranging in age of 4th grade down to 1 1/2 years old.  And we all live within a house or two of eachother. 

They all gathered at our neighbors up the street the other day and played for a while.  The mom took these pictures and shared them. . .aren't they all adorable???

Thank you, Jihee, for sharing these wonderful pictures of our kids!!

Conversations about God. . .

Aidan has heard his Daddy and me talk about our old dog, Brutus, quite a lot.  I imagine he is starting to hear how much Brutus was loved, honored, and cherished by the comments we make about him.  In fact, I am positive Aidan hears the difference of how we talk about Brutus as compared to how we talk about Mosby and Maggie--not that Mose or Mags are bad dogs!!!  They are just. . .different that Bru was.

A few months ago, while driving to church, Aidan asked me what happened to Bru.  He had to leave us and go live with God.  "He's with God now?"  Yes.  He was very sick and couldn't stay with us anymore and he had to go and live with God.  "Oh.  Is he happy there?"  I'm positive he is happy there.  "That's really good.  I'm glad he's happy there."

More recently the conversation came up again and Aidan asked about God:  "Do people go live with God?"  Yes they do.  "Do they go there when they have been very sick, like Brutus was?"  Well, when they have been very sick, or sometimes if they have lived long enough here and their work is done here.  Thinking heavily about this, "So, people and dogs go and live with God when they have been very sick or if they are done living here."  Yes, that's right.  "Is it nice where God lives?"  It is a totally awesome place.  The best place you can ever imagine.  "I want to live with God, too, someday!"  Of course!  I think you will, but not for a very long time, okay?  "Okay."

Then, last night, the conversation picked up again. . ."So, if someone has been very sick and then goes to live with God, are they still sick?"  No.  They are well again and are no longer in pain or sick at all.  "What about Brutus?  Is he still sick?"  No.  He couldn't even walk when he had to leave us, but now he can run and jump and play and is chasing balls in heaven with God, just like Maggie and Mosby do here!  "What's heaven?"  That's where God lives.  "What planet is that on?"  : )

I just love how his mind works!!!  I know this is an ongoing conversation.  I just pray each time it comes up that whatever I say, it is with Gods words on my lips and His love shines through in whatever I say or do!!

P.S.  In other news:  The costume is done. . .I would give you a sneak preview, but have decided to withhold pictures until Halloween.  I will tell you that my husband is pleasantly surprised!!  Per him, "I didn't think it would turn out this good!!!  You're more creative than I thought!!"  : ) 

No new signs of the Ground Hog. . .I think he's gone!!  Thanks be to God!!