Remembering Mom...

I just wanted to share an awesome experience I had at our church tonight with my dad. Our church, Pinelake, has an annual dinner in honor of those who have lost loved ones over the past year, called Celebrate Life. Jeremy was on-call tonight and Boo couldn't make it at the last minute, so it was just me and Dad. Anyway, there were a little less than 100 people there - one couple which lost a 2 week old infant, two people who lost both parents within this year, one lost a girlfriend and sibling this year, and a few lost children this year. One lady sitting at my table teaches at University Christian School, where my mom taught for a semester, and she said, "Your mom isn't the Marsha Boatner who taught at UCS, is she?" This lady knew my mom and did not know that she had died. She talked about how sweet my mom was. How awesome was it that God put us at that table with this lady who knew my mom!

I also thought it was neat that I got to share the evening with my dad. If Jeremy had not been working, I might not would have even thought to ask my dad or my sister. I think God planned it for Jeremy to be working so that I could share this with my dad.

One thing we did was we lit a candle in memory of each person who had died. Jeff Holland talked a little bit about how everyone in the room had the same commonality of "hurt," but that we all shared the "hope" and "help" from our Lord. My sweet Daddy cried through the whole thing. It just reminded me again how blessed I am to have learned what I have from my mom (especially about being a mom) for the 30 years I had with her. I also feel blessed to be a part of a church family who would take the time and effort during the busy holiday season to remember those of us who have lost loved ones and are spending our first Christmas without them.

Christmas won't be easy this year. Mom and Dad's 39th anniversary is December 21 and she would have been 59 on December 31. The best way I can explain my feelings are to a puzzle that has one piece missing. The puzzle is almost complete but that one piece is lost and can't complete the puzzle. I feel so blessed and "full" by my two precious boys and husband, my dad and sister and other family, and my sweet friends. But I just have this one hole that makes it incomplete. The awesome thing is that I know one day my puzzle will be complete when I get to see my mom again!!!

One verse that was mentioned tonight was Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." But then I read on in verse 5 it says, "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." How awesome is that kind of a God??!!!

Family Golf

Thursday, after naps, we decided to go to the Refuge for a little golf.
We got in about an hour and a half before the sun set.

Garrett likes to hit anybody's ball in and Graham likes to get it out of the hole!!!

Come on, Daddy! You can do it!!!

Feeding Jensen

The boys love to feed our dog, Jensen in the mornings.
They were giving her food through the fence!!!

Notice Graham is putting the dog food in his mouth!!!

Happy Halloween

We started out going to a couple of the neighbors' houses. One neighbor gave Graham a sucker and you can see the slobber all over his shirt. This was before I put a shirt on under his jersey. Graham was a MSU football player and Garrett was a cowboy. He kind of looks like Clint Black, doesn't he?!! We ended the night trick-or-treating with our small group from church in Fox Bay subdivision and then eating pizza and celebrating Nea Nea's birthday! It was a fun night!

This is the only picture I got of the two of them trick-or-treating

Graham isn't really sure what to do

Garrett finally got to where he just wanted to knock on the doors, he didn't care about the candy

Graham is just enjoying the ride, sippin' on juice

He ended up wearing Garrett's hat and wouldn't take it off

Still wearing the hat, playing at the Seagos' house

When it rains, it pours....

Okay, you know how when one thing happens and then it goes down hill from there? Well, it has happened to me again. It's actually kind of funny now. It all started yesterday afternoon when I told Garrett to put some new bubble bath up in his bathroom that I had bought. Well, instead I found 1/4 bottle of it in on our wood hallway smeared by two little boys. So, I put the boys in the bathtub so that I could clean up the floor and then Graham threw up in the bathtub - chicken nuggets and carrots!! Garrett said, "Ooh, Mommy, what is dat??" I said, "Throw up-now get out!" Luckily, I had just finished cleaning the floor. Over the next 4 hours Graham threw up about 7 times. Apparently, he has a stomach virus. He went to bed at 7:00pm and then my dad got here with my niece and nephew at about 8:30 to spend-the-night. Of course, Jeremy was on-call and not home last night. Then at about 5:30 this morning I jumped out of bed (I was sleeping in Garrett's bed so that my dad could have mine) when I heard Graham crying and my foot had gone to sleep. I somehow stepped on it wrong, heard it pop, and either tore a ligament or sprained my ankle. I know, I feel like a retard!!! So this afternoon we headed off to UMC again, for x-rays. So far, we've been there in July, August, and October. I guess next it is Jeremy's turn. Anyway, I now have a boot and crutches. It feels a whole lot better tonight. It really is funny. However, the neat thing is that for the second time I needed someone it has been my dad (along with other people) instead of my mom who has been here in my time of need and desperation for help. It has been so cool to see my dad step in when my mom would have been the one here helping. I don't know what I would have done without him today. I also have wonderful friends and in-laws who have stepped in to help. Thanks to all of you!

Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon we went to the Pumpkin Patch after we all finished a 3-hour nap. The boys had a wonderful time. I just love Sundays with the family!!! Their cute shirts were made by my friend, Catherine, who is selling them. She is also making cute Christmas T-shirts for boys and girls.

Garrett and Graham had fun on the hayride, looking at the animals, and picking out their own pumpkins. The middle picture is Garrett handing Graham a pumpkin. The third picture is Garrett trying to "pick up" this big pumpkin.

Golf Anyone....?

Saturday morning we drove to Starkville to see the dawgs play, but first we went to the MSU Golf Course. Garrett had never played golf with his Daddy, and Daddy had a new driver he wanted to practice with. Good thing he only played 9 holes. Garrett loved riding in the golf cart. He also loved putting on the greens and getting the flag out for Daddy. The last picture is Daddy and Garrett looking for Daddy's ball!

Go Dawgs Go!!!

After golf we went to the Lodge and bought Garrett a cowbell, jersey and cap. He was so excited. Once we parked and got on campus we got to stand at the sidewalk and watch the band go by right in front of us. We met our sweet friends, the Seagos at the game. Garrett and Bryant jumped in the blow up things. Even though the Dawgs lost, it was still a great day! Garrett fell asleep 3 minutes after we got into the van! I think he had too much fun in one day!!!

The Fair......Again!!!

Thursday night we went to the fair again. We didn't have a lot of time the other day at lunch. This time we went with KK and Papaw. Garrett was such a big boy and wanted to ride everything by himself. Then when he would get on, he looked unsure of himself. It was so funny. This time Graham decided he would feed the animals, and Garrett and Graham had funnel cakes for the first time - of course, loved them. I think Garrett's favorite thing was riding down the big slide in the potato sack with Daddy and with Papaw. He wasn't so sure about that snake! Finally, at about 9:00 Garrett said, "Momma, I want to ride one more ride." I can't wait to see him at DisneyWorld in a couple of more months!!!!

Yesterday at the Fair

We met Jeremy for lunch at the fair yesterday in the hot sun. Yes, we did let the boys pet them nasty animals for free. The carrots did cost us a dollar!!!

Graham wouldn't feed the animals. He just kept walking around holding a carrot. At least he didn't put it in his mouth!!!

Garrett and his friend who helped him get off the ride!

Garrett and Daddy on the carousel

Weekend in Meridian

This past weekend we went to Meridian for a couple of wedding showers for Jeremy's cousin, Keith who is marrying Sarah. Lana (Wa Wa) came home and this is her and Garrett playing outside on the back porch at KK and Papaw's house.

Okay, so Jeremy's Aunt Dottye (Da-Da), the one in the middle at the bottom, was complaining about her picture not being on our blog. So I took this picture just for her. This is Jeremy's mom, Kathy (far right) and her sisters. The one on the far left is Lynn (could be a sister), top middle - June.

Boys will be boys....

Yesterday afternoon after it rained Garrett wanted to put on his rain boots. After it rains we get a huge mud puddle at the end of our driveway. Since Garrett had never gotten to wear his boots and play in puddles I decided to let him. (Well he instinctively did it on his own - there was no "letting him!") And by the way, we do live at the end of a dead end road in case you are wondering by looking at these pictures. Graham decided he would sit in the driveway and eat rocks until he realized what his brother was doing looked like more fun. So they played in this puddle for about 30 minutes. Garrett ended up sticking his head in it and laying down on his back in the water. Needless to say, after it was all over they were only allowed to come in the house naked and go straight to the tub!!! What a JOY these two are!!!