Pumpkin Patch 2014

One October day, we decided to take our little city kids to the pumpkin patch to get some pumpkins.  There is a pumpkin patch with more "stuff" to do fairly close to our house, but I had heard their pumpkins had been shipped in and we wanted our kids to get the true experience of picking them off the vine, so we drove to Perkins to Grider's Pumpkin Patch.

We started off with the maze.  It wasn't a corn maze like Sam was hoping, but rather a Johnson grass maze.  Joseph didn't care, it was still tall enough he couldn't see ahead of him and we did  manage to get "lost" a few times with our three foot tall guide.  (I'm not often in pictures (because I'm the one taking them) and am super critical of myself when I am.  That being said, I love this picture of me and the kids just living life like we do every day.)

In typical two year old fashion, Joseph found a stick and decided pumpkin picking could wait a little bit.  It had rained the day before, so the ground was nice and soft.

Sarah had just started walking independently consistently, so I was excited for her to get to walk around (and to get some pictures of her standing up). 

She also enjoyed playing in the dirt.

We went to the back corner of the patch which was a little overgrown, but the boys didn't care.

They set out in search of a few perfect pumpkins and weren't disappointed.

 

After we found our pumpkins, we stopped by the farmhouse to play on the haystack and see the animals. 

Although Joseph liked sitting on top of the haystack, he was very unsure about standing on it. 

Lucky for me, our little dare devil couldn't lift her leg high enough to climb up it.

Sam had the great idea of taking a picture with Joseph and the minions.  Joseph wasn't too sure about this. 

He was very uneasy about Sam also holding Sarah.

After the picture he said "Mommy, that guy hold me up." referring to the minion hay bale. 

After that, Joseph was over pictures and refused to pose with Sarah in the pumpkin, but that's ok because it allowed me to get some sweet pictures of our little miss. 

Color of Hope 2014

Stillwater Life Services is a great organization here in Stillwater that Sam and I have been wanting to get involved with for a few years.  They are a pro-life Christian organization that provides STD testing, pregnancy testing, information and peer counseling on all pregnancy options, parenting classes, mentoring programs, and aid to those who choose to parent.  A fact I love about SLS is that 75% of the girls that walk through their door consider abortion an option, but after all the services provide (including free limited uultrasounds), 90% of those girls choose life.  Also, although they don't support abortion, they don't turn their backs on those young ladies and even provide post-abortion counseling (isn't that what God would do?).  If you are interested in finding out more about SLS, their website is www.stillwaterlife.org (this is their client site, if you are interested in how you too can get involved, I can get you that information also).

A couple of years ago, Sam and I participated in their annual Walk For Life fundraiser.  Then, last year we attended their spring banquet fundraiser (these are their two big fundraisers each year).  While at the banquet, we told them we were interested in volunteering in some way.  A few weeks later, we received an email asking if we would be interested in volunteering on the Walk For Life committee, except now it was a 5k instead of a walk.  They didn't know that we actually run 5ks, so we took it as a sign we should do it.  Since the meetings were during the day, Sam wasn't able to actually serve on the committee, but he helped in any way he could. 

Starting in April, the committee members met many, many times.  At one of the first meetings, the possibility of making it a color run was thrown out there.  Since there had never been a color run in Stillwater before, we decided to give it a try. 

The risk of switching it to a color run paid off big time!  On Saturday, October 11, the Color of Hope run/walk took place with 335 registered runners and walkers as well as 85+ volunteers present!  This is the largest attendance they have ever had... and between sponsors, individuals raising funds and entry fees, we raised over $40,000!  This money will go a long way in helping this small non-profit help the men and women they serve. 

Since I was busy before, during, and after the race, Sam pushed the kids in it.  This year we invested in color station supplies (mostly huge, heavy tarps), next year we are investing in our start/finish line.

Don't they look thrilled for their first color run.  Sam didn't see the stroller weather shield I had put in the car to keep the stroller clean, so he only ran through the orange station in case it stained :).

From my spot at the start/finish line, we had a great view of the orange station.  It was fun to see the puff of color as the runners ran through.  Three of the four color stations were sponsored by area businesses or groups who were given the option of decorating their stations as well as providing the volunteers for that station.  I don't have any pictures since I wasn't one of the roamers, but the pink station was sponsored by The Story of Audrey (a sweet baby girl who lived for 81 precious days).  They decorated in her honor and many friends and family came out to help with the station.  It was great to see the support her parents were receiving as I know how helpful that was to us. 

If you are interested in seeing more pictures or want to keep up to date on next year's event, our facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/stillwaterlifecolorofhope. 

 

A huge amount of thanks goes out to all the businesses that sponsored our event.  They included:  The Story of Audrey , Furniture Showcase, The Coffee Shop, The House FM, Stillwater Screenprinting, Kicker, Beardon Services, Dr. Glen Henry, MyLaptopGPS, Houck Agency, Gladney Center for Adoption, Lee Company, Palominos, Red Dirt Crossfit, Schlotzsky's, Stillwater Medical Center, University and Community Federal Credit Union, Frank Evans DO, Payne County Bank, El Vaquero, Lowell Barto Law Office, Ramsey Auto, Bancfirst, Sunrise Health Institute, Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma, Chanda A. Kennemer DDS PC, Razook's Drug, Stillwater Periodontal Center, Stillwater Medical Center, Run With It, Stillwater Summit Co., Youth Fitness Zone, Quality Water Services, and Purdy-Q as well as the many door prize donors including Leonard Jewelry and Stillwater Armory.

 

A personal thanks goes out to my friends who helped watch my kids while I went to meetings, my fellow committee members who were understanding when my kids tagged along to meetings, and all my friends who came out and participated in the event. 



Runtoberfest

One sunny, Sunday afternoon, the Parks crew loaded up and headed to Oklahoma City for the 2nd annual Red Coyote Runtoberfest.  Sam ran this event last year with some friends, but since Sarah was only a few weeks old I stayed home.  I'm so glad we went this year because it was a blast!  Seriously, a combination of a 5k and Oktoberfect, how could you go wrong with that!

Since it was Runtoberfest and all, I dressed Sarah in the lederhosen I made Joseph for his first Oktoberfest.  Luckily it was a tad big on him and she's on the slender side, so it worked.

I realize this isn't the attire traditionally worn by girls, but it was still awfully cute on her.  I substituted a flower for the feather, so it was a little girly, right?

They had a costume contest that we weren't going to enter Sarah in, but the owners said we should.  We agreed, but said she shouldn't win a prize since all the other entries actually ran a 5k in their costumes.

They ended up adding a gift card to the prizes because they said her outfit was too cute not to.

Joseph was there too, he just wasn't dressed up and was avoiding my camera as he often does these days. 

And, just for fun, here's a flashback to when Joseph wore the lederhosen. 

Team Carrie

A few months ago, a good friend and college classmate, Carrie, found out she has stage 3 breast cancer.  I'm not going to go into details about her story because there is no way I can do it justice, but I will tell you she has had a double mastectomy and is currently undergoing yet another round of chemo.  You guys, she's my age and has a six year old and seven month old!  Carrie has fought this battle with more dignity, strength, faith, and positivity than you can imagine.  She has an amazing attitude and is using this as an opportunity to witness to others. 

Carrie is truly one in  a million with a smile that lights up a room. That's why a group of girls we graduated college with decided to get together (along with many of Carrie's other friends and family members) and walk the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  Although only eight of the girls we graduated with were able to make it that day, I know everyone was there in spirit (and when you think about the fact that there were less than 20 of us in our class, that's pretty good odds). 

 OSU Early Childhood Education Class of December 2005

 

All of Team Carrie started in the last heat of the untimed 5k (except for the few people who ran in the timed 5k earlier that morning).



There were thousands (I'm guessing) of people at the race that day.

We ended up separated into a couple of groups mostly because our group was taking our time talking and enjoying seeing each other.  (Notice the three people pointing?  That's because I forgot to set the stroller break when I jogged ahead to take this picture.  I earned the mom of the year title that day.)

A huge thank you goes to Rachel (second from the right) for designing and selling the Team Carrie shirts with all proceeds going straight to Carrie to help with expenses!

She even included Carrie's current favorite bible verse on back ( I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 in case you can't read it).

As we approached the finish line, we noticed that the rest of Team Carrie had stopped short and we all crossed together cheering for Carrie as she led the way.  I don't have any pictures of this because a.) I was caught up in the moment and b.) I wouldn't have been able to focus through the tears in my eyes. 

We also saw this couple at the finish line and learned that they are both breast cancer survivors.  The woman's sign dubs her "Pinkerbell, fairy godmother of breast cancer survivors" while the man's reads "Mr. Pinker advocate for males checking self for breast cancer!"  The lady with the dog is their daughter.

I'm so glad I went over and participated in this day!  I couple of different times I heard Carrie say, "Thank you for coming, guys.  My heart is so full right now."  That, my friends, is why I was there.  Carrie, we love you more than I can say and are continuously lifting you up in prayer.  You are a fighter and I know you will beat this!  Team Carrie will be back next year bigger and better than ever!

Sarah is One Year Old!

I can't believe our little miss is one year old already.  The other day I referred to Joseph as "the toddler" as I sometimes do and it hit me that we now have two toddlers instead of a toddler and a baby.  And boy does she ever toddle.  A couple of days before she turned one, Sarah mastered walking to the point she could walk across a room without falling down (if she wanted to, of course), but still used crawling as her primary form of transportation.  A week or so later, she became a full time walker.  I started introducing Sarah to sippy cups when she was around 10 months old, but didn't force them.  A few weeks before she turned one, Sarah decided she was finished with both bottles and formula.  As in, we couldn't get her to take either after that.  It was a very sudden end that I'm not complaining about (thank goodness we were almost to the bottom of that container of formula).  She also weaned herself off of baby food before her first birthday eating only what we eat.  It's amazing how well she can chew stuff up (within reason) with only six teeth.

Sarah - 12 Months

 

I don't know what has gotten into Sarah lately, but she has been super happy, smiley, and lovey.  It's so great to see her sweet little personality.  Maybe it's because she can hear better (although she still failed part of her hearing test and will be going to Oklahoma City for some more advanced screenings soon (don't worry, when I called to schedule that appointment, they told me tubes can sometimes make children fail the part she failed this time)) or because she loves her newfound mobility, whatever it is, I'll take it. 

 

And she actually gives me hugs now (she's been giving them to Daddy for a few months) which melts my heart.  I might or might not have teared up the first time she reached up and hugged me back as I was hugging her before putting her in bed. 

 

Sarah also has the cutest little shy head turn/duck she does when she's getting attention.

 

She's still not saying many words, but Sarah is trying to communicate more.  The one word we always recognize is 'Buh-Luh'.  You are sure to find Bella somewhere in Sarah's line of vision if she says this.  Which makes me wonder how/why she says Bella's name but won't/can't say mama or dada.  

 

The lady at the health department (where they told me to do her hearing screenings) was getting on to me for not talking with and reading to Sarah more at her last appointment (have I mentioned she finally likes to sit on my lap and listen to books now that she has tubes?).  I politely told her that I do all of that and when she continued to get on to me about it I told her I have a degree in Early Childhood Education, trust me, I do that stuff.  Finally, when the appointment was about over (and I was tired of her making me feel like a bad mom), I told her I wish she could meet my two year old so she could see how extensive his vocabulary is and how well he communicates so she would understand I do talk and read with my kids. 

 

Sometimes I think Joseph's communication skills are part of Sarah's problem because he talks for her all the time even when I specifically ask him to let Sarah respond. 

 

The week before Sarah's birthday party, as I was working on decorations, I realized that I didn't have a single framed picture of Sarah up in our entire house.  I decided that needed to change and had a couple of her newborn and updated family pictures printed. 

Then, one day I looked in our backyard to notice awesome lighting by our pampas grass.  I quickly turned Elmo on for Joseph, changed Sarah into her birthday outfit, and stepped outside (leaving the door open in case Joseph needed something) to take some pictures.  I was thrilled with how they turned out. 

 

Oh, and remember how I mention that Sarah has been in a great mood lately?  It's a good thing because this has been brother's mood.  Yay for two year olds who get overly emotional about every little thing (like the fact that I was taking his picture in his pajamas).