Halloween!!!

This year we went to Bouncin Bears for "Halloween". Our church rented out this incredible fun place with nothing but bouncies for all the members, their kids and any invitees the members brought along. I thought it was a GREAT alternative than the traditional Fall Festival or trick or treating.

Given that you only wear a costume maybe once or twice, Bronson and I opted for dressing the kids up in pajamas this year. For their 2nd birthday, Bronson's cousins, Rachel and Kevin, bought the kids cute little pajamas (princess, princess angel, and batman). They were perfect for the occasion (and everyone thought they were costumes!).

After the kids ate and Daddy got home, we headed to Bouncin Bears for nothing but bouncing fun! To enter, it only "cost" a bag of candy. And when we left, every child got a bag of candy and other goodies (so much that we're still eating it!). Over all, I thought it was a great success....no scary monsters or ghosts (or explanations of anything we don't care to explain right now), great fellowship with other church members, and a ton of fun for the kids!!

Pumpkin Patch!!!

Our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch was a hit! We did things a little differently this time, but I believe the kids had so much more fun!!!

This year, Brooke, the trips' cousin, joined us! Aunt Ginger, Uncle Richard, Gamma and PawPaw tagged along too!! We made an evening out of it with riding on a train around the Patch and having the kids jump in the bouncies that were on site. We ended it by going back to our house for chili hot dogs! What fun!!

Mollie was a little camera shy this year. Either she's getting tired of Momma saying, "Cheese!" all the time, or she just doesn't want to have anything to do with being center of attention. We're finding out that she's doing this toward people as well. Nevertheless, she still enjoyed her time picking out a pumpkin and playing with Brooke (they are like two peas in a pod!).

Elise was having a great time, too! Her big deal this year was not only taking the stickers off the pumpkins (she's fascinated with stickers), but sitting on them as well. Every time I looked around, there she was...sitting on a pumpkin. Well, at least she wasn't jumping off of them like her brother!

And then there's Preston. Oh, he did have a good time (despite all the estrogen). He may have had a better time than the girls since his Daddy was by his side. And to add to that excitement, PawPaw was giving "his boy" some attention too! He felt right at home....with the men! (And jumping off of every single pumpkin he could climb on).

Carving the pumpkin was definitely interesting this year. Mollie enjoyed the idea of pulling all the seeds and gunk out of the pumpkin; but after about 10 minutes, she was done.

Elise was enthralled to say the least! She kept digging her hands in and pulling out all the pulp and saying, "Look at all the stuff, Momma!". She had such a good time.

I don't know if Preston was liking it or just fascinated that Elise was having such a fun time! Every time she would pull out more "stuff", he would reach in and say, "Momma, I can't get any". Bless his little heart! But he stuck with it until we had it all cleaned out.

As most of you know, the kids are head over heels for Woody on Toy Story. So, to go along with our Toy Story themed year, I carved Woody. I was curious to see if they would be able to tell it was him. Satisfaction came within seconds of them seeing the pumpkin, when they exclaimed in unison, "WOODY!!!!" A sigh of relief.....another Mommy success!!!

FRAGILE

I've been meaning to write about this for over two weeks now. But as always, time has eluded me.

October has been somewhat busier than expected. And this time, it started off with a bang (literally). Two Saturdays ago, October 1st, Bronson and I took the babies to Richmond to celebrate Poppy's 91st birthday. For those of you who are not aware of who Poppy is, he's Bronson's grandfather on his mom's side. We were pretty excited!!

Just to give you a little foresight as what was to happen that day, that morning, I was dealing with the thought of losing one of our children. It's not something that I take pleasure in doing; however, Mollie had contracted yet another staph infection and I was having difficulty in understanding why we keep having these recurrences. And I thought to myself what if I lost a child due to an infection (they can be fatal). And literally the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "These children are only on loan to you while you're here on earth. They are ultimately Mine. And if I choose to take one of them, understand it's all part of a bigger picture." I then felt a peace wash over me and finished getting ready.

We were all meeting at a restaurant (the same one every year) to celebrate. And as always, we reserved the party room in the back for all of our clan. Beyond the room, french doors opened to another room that looks like it has been vacant for quite some time. And as every year, we allow the kids to run around in the room(there isn't a sign that tells us otherwise, nor are the doors locked). This year, another toddler was added (Bronson's cousin's little girl...20 months old). So instead of leaving one adult back there to man all the children (usually Uncle Reed), I decided to join in. After about 10 minutes of running around and playing games, Elise (with Preston following close behind her) tripped over a folded piece of carpet. Preston then tripped over Elise knocking the wind out of him. When I saw Elise, I knew she was fine. She was more scared than anything. But looking at Preston, he let one yell out and then looked as if he fainted. I rushed over to him and began to pick him up. It was at that time that I realized he wasn't breathing. His face was already turning white and his lips blue. His pupils had dilated the size of his iris's (absolutely NO blue was showing) and they were rolling to the back of his head.

Panic took hold and I started screaming, "He's not breathing! He's not breathing! Call 911!" I then laid him on the table while everyone started to gather around. Kim, Bronson's cousin, tried to pry his fists open as they were clamped shut. His body was lifeless. Bronson's mom swiftly came behind me and took a position on my left side and put her hands on his chest. She let me know that she couldn't feel his heart beat and she would start compressions. As she counted them, I waited, watching his little face slowly go far away from us. I exhaled into his mouth and nose. We did this for four sets until he began to breathe again. All the while, I could hear everyone praying silently. I was also calling out to my Rock and Salvation. His life didn't flash before my eyes, but instead, a life without my son. How would I continue to be a mother to my two living girls? Could I find the strength to be everything I needed to be for them?

The EMT showed up and checked his vitals. As a precaution, we went ahead and took him to the hospital for an exam. Chest x-rays and a CAT scan proved he was fine. Thank you Jesus!

Once everything settled and Bronson and I were back home with all three of our babies safe and sound in their bed, it amazed me how the Lord kept us calm and at peace. While Bronson was talking to the 911 dispatcher, he was able to say everything that was required of him clearly and thoroughly. We stared into each other's eyes several times in between me breathing into Preston. Although I knew there was some fear there, I also knew who our Healer is. Not many people know or have that peace. Even if the outcome was much more tragic, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt who my Comforter is. All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

It begs me to wonder, how about you? Do you have the Almighty to call on when your life is in turmoil? Are you on a direct line to the One that can give you the peace that passes all understanding? It was never about religion or the law. It's always been about a relationship with Jesus. He is the only way, the truth and the life. NO ONE can come to the Father except through Him. It is my wish that you know this kind of peace. It is my desire that you know the One that can fulfill the void in your heart. For when you are faced with trials here on earth, it's comforting to know you're not alone. Matthew 18:11.