A few fall pictures

Superhero time...

We listen to satellite radio in the car ( I love it - I could never go back) and when the kids are with me, which is a high percentage of the time, we listen to a station called Kids Place Live. This afternoon they were asking kids to call in and talk about people in their family who might secretly be superheros. So Ansley decided if she called into the radio station she would talk about Mamaw Jo - who is Jamey's grandmother.
"Why is she a superhero?" I asked.
Ansley replied, " It takes her about one minute and she just has all the supper made. She just does it and then we eat it. It's like magic."
"So who do you think is a superhero, Stephen?" I asked.
"Grandad (Jamey's dad) because he can make you laugh and even when I want to mad I still can't be mad and then I laugh and I can not be mad so he could make bad people laugh and they wouldn't be bad anymore."

I think those are 2 pretty good superheros myself.

But I also thought yesterday, while sitting in church, about two women in my life who I learn from daily.
My motherinlaw is one. A few weeks ago, our pastor preached on true hospitality. Willingly and totally giving of yourself for the comfort and happiness of others. And that is Judy. If you come to her house, she will not rest until she is convinced you have everything you need - food, rest, toys, entertainment. Many times on Christmas Eve, a random friend or relative will unexpectedly show up to family Christmas and she miraculously pulls out a wrapped gift with the correct name and when it is opened, it is always a fabulous present that seems chosen especially for the recipient. When she packs for tailgating, she packs for anyone and everyone who may show up and she is happy to do it. Does everyone have a seat? Does anyone need something to drink? Can I do anything for you?  True hospitality. A lesson for us all.

I also thought of my mom : for reasons I can't really talk about b/c of privacy issues with her job, my mom recieved the most thoughtful and heartfelt thank you note from a patient. The woman was thanking my mom for going above and beyond her job to help her. The woman wrote, " I do not know your religion Ms. Anne, but I believe you must have goodness in your heart. I would like to have a mass said for you that you will be blessed as you have blessed me. "
How wonderful that the lady took the time to thank my mom. And how wonderful that my mom works in the field of hospice. Full of compassion, a heart that desires peace for those at all stages of life, and spirit of love and respect for those who are dying and the family members surrounding them. If I have learned anything from my mom, it is that death is not to be feared. It is a part of life and a part of life where we can walk together and not be alone. And she is good at what she does.

Superhero time - they are here with us. They walk with us. And we are grateful for them...

the men in my life.

I am sitting with my laptop on the back patio watching the two boys I love more than I can say play a game of football in the backyard. Jamey runs with Stephen, throws the ball to him over and over b/c Stephen has not quite mastered the art of the catch, lets Stephen tackle him and is now teaching him how to do a victory dance after he scores his touchdown. . And for the past 30 minutes I have laughed at them in the backyard - I watched Stephen throw back his head and laugh from the deepest part of his little 3 year old body when his daddy chases him through the grass. Stephen loves his daddy. He trusts him completely.
"Catch me, Daddy! Catch me!"
"Let's have a game, daddy - Let's play where I win and you are happy that I win and then you will chase me again, Daddy. Ok, Daddy? That is the fun part, Daddy."

This is love, people.  My backyard is filled with love. How lucky am I?

Wake up!

Random Happenings at the Duke House and a few pictures of Stephen at school:

1. We have a desktop computer and a laptop. The desk top has a delayed start - meaning you have to shake the mouse a bit, go do something for about 5 minutes and then come back and check to see if it has decided to wake up. At this very moment, Stephen is yelling at the desktop to "Wake Up Comp-oo-ter! I said wake up!" Patience is hard at age 3.

2. I literally ran a hole into my shoes last night. Well, I was on the elliptical, not the treadmill - so whatever you call the movement you are doing on the elliptical.Felt something funny, looked down at my feet - and there was my toe sticking through. My brother has told me for months I was way over the mileage on my shoes. So, I guess I will have to break down and buy shoes this weekend.

3. I ran my first 5K of the season last Sat. My time was, to say the least, not so good. It was under 40 minutes, but only by about 30 seconds. My running buddy Shannan is trying to talk me into the Bayfest 5K this Saturday - I am trying to want to do it, but honestly I want to sleep it. I know I SHOULD run, but....


Here are a few pictures of Stephen's adventures with Ms. Debbie and her crew:

Ansley mastering the dive....

To steal a quote from KPH.....

"Sweet baby Jesus - its the weekend!"

And I am glad. We all slept til 9 this morning, Jamey is prepping for a day of football, and the kids and I are headed out soon for some kid friendly activities and maybe a bit of shopping. My mom is going with us and we are also on the hunt for a bakery we heard about that bakes without yeast! sounds like a good day of adventure for us.

Ansley is vegged out with Phineas and Ferb and I am going to attempt some cleaning before we head out.
I attempted pulled pork in the crockpot for Jamey to have while we are gone today. I hope it turns out.

Let the Saturday-ness begin...

more car ride conversations..

Picking Ansley up from school is one of the best parts of my day. I love her hearing her stories. I know it wont be long before I will have to plead for bits of information about her life. Today I know that Aidan brought her diary to school, and that she only played with girls on the playground and that she did not, in fact, buy a pickle today because she thought the barbecue chips looked especially good. 

While riding in the car, she is quiet for minute and then asks, "Why do you  and Daddy not spank us?"

Ummmmm........
So Without getting into the great debate of spanking ( I learned not to talk about that with other parents a LONG time ago) I responded the best I could (translation - I mumbled a lot and said the word "Well" at least 30 times.)

"Well," I said, "Daddy and I never felt like it was the best way to deal with you or Stephen. We just felt like a timeout or restriction worked so we went with that."

To which Ansley replies, " Is a Whoopin the same as a spanking?"

Ummmmm.......

"Yes, I think so" I said.

"Will I ever get a spanking?" she asked.

"Do you think you need one?" I replied. (Answering a question with a question is a trick I learned from my better half WAAAAAY back when he was tutoring me in algebra)

"No, I don't think I do." she said.

So after talking to her for a bit longer, I figure out that playground time today included the swapping of some war stories of who had the best (or worst) spanking and what the transgression was that brought on the "whoopin."

Ansley could not think of a time she had been spanked, so had nothing to contribute to the conversation during social hour on the playground....

"What should I have said?" she asked.

So I used this as an oppurtunity to teach an invaluable life lesson, which is the ability in a social setting to nod, look really interested and say "hmmmmm" and then politely comment on the weather or her plans for the weekend.
I think she is now ready to tackle other taboo topics or religion, politics and whether or not PB&Js should be banned in schools....