Ice Skating

For our first day of Thanksgiving Break I took the kids ice skating and we met the Roe's down there for a fun afternoon at the zoo. My legs are a little tired and sore from all the skating, but the kids had a great time. They were a little wet when we left, but quickly dried since it was 75 degrees... who would have thought it would be 75 3 days before Thanksgiving? There were lots of falls, but for the most part they quickly got the hang of it and were skating so good. I, however, took it slow. That fearless child in me has long gone, but my kids are still very fearless!

A special lady

Words can not even begin to describe how special my grandmother was to me and my family. As long as I can remember my grandmother has always been there. While my mom worked, she cared for me and my cousins. We celebrated birthdays and holidays as a family. Family was everything to my grandmother.

I will miss our weekly chats, our afternoon talks on your porch, our many trips to the flea market and shopping, our annual trips to the lake, and so many other things. You have taught to me to cherish family and never take them for granted, and I have just been reminded of that.

At some point, I knew this time would have to come... however I never expected it to be so soon. I'm sure spending your 78th birthday in the hospital wasn't much fun, but I'm glad I was able to wish you one last happy birthday...

Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. I think I have still been in shock the entire past week. I don't want to talk about it, and don't even want anyone hugging me and trying to show their concern.. I just don't want to think about it. I know that is not how you deal, but that is easiest for me right now. But... how lucky were we to actually be able to say goodbye? People did without saying goodbye everyday, and you actually were able to talk to all 6 of your children and 8 of the 10 grandchildren... and we know you so tried to hang on and wait for Misty and TD to travel here. It was hard, but I am glad that I got to tell you goodbye, I will never forget your words to me. I will always take care of my children and love them unconditionally as you reminded me and I know you were tired and not giving up. We just didn't want to let you go.

I know that Heaven is such a happy place for you right now and what a joy it must be to be reunited with Paw and OMG... to see our Lord.....

It's time for school!

I can't believe that Brieanna has started to Kindergarten, with a few tears shed we made it through the first day. It's also very hard to believe I also have a 4th and 5th grader! Brent & Bailey were just as excited to go back to school as Brie was to start!

They all got great teachers too! Brent got Mrs. Ginger Childress, Bailey has Ms. Tomika Poindexter, and Brie has Mrs. Jamie Hodge!

Brent & Bailey's Birthday party

Brent's cake

Bailey's cake

For the 2nd year in a row, the boys decided they wanted to have their birthday parties together again at the Thorton pool. I actually think that it is so much easier to have one big birthday party together since their birthday's are only 1 month apart and they share many of the same friends. There's nothing like a bunch of wild boys!

Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart. ~Arthur unknown

then Bailey....

you know at this house accident's can't happen to one boy without the other boy... the day we brought Brent home from the hospital Bailey goes outside to ride his bike. You know, boys will be boys..... so somehow while jumping his ramp on his bicycle he wrecks and the handlebars tear his side up. Ripped all the skin off and it is gross. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but hey it's all I have!

seriously... another accident????

Summer's seem to be an eventful time for us Howard's. The past few summers sure have kept us busy with accidents from teeth being knocked out during a baseball game, broken arm, dog bite, barbed wire, broken bottles in trash, bike accidents, and sewing needles. Yes, a sewing needle.

Saturday night, August 31st, some friends of ours and their children were down and we were all out back cooking out. The kids were running in and out playing and the next thing I know Brent is screaming like crazy. Kathryn runs out and says he has stepped on something so we all look and don't see a thing there. Brent says he pulled a little staple out of it, but that it is still hurting bad. Every time we touched it he screamed!

So... you know how when you stick yourself with something it stays sore for a while right? Well that's what I figured was still hurting. During that night he woke up several times screaming, we'd comfort him and he'd go back to sleep.

Sunday morning, we're all getting dressed for church and he still won't even walk on it. Jason and I call him into our room and sat him on the bed where we continue to look around for something, but we see nothing at all! But... you touch the top of his foot and he screams! So, we decide to go ahead and take him to the urgent care to see what is going on. We drop Bailey and Brie off at church with the Lea's and Roe's and off we go to Lebonheur Urgent Care. They take a xray and sure enough there is one of my sewing needles in his foot, all the way in... into the bone and you can't see it without the xray. WOW! Don't I feel like the terrible mom!!

The Dr. and nurse there tried to make an incision, after me about getting my arm bit off while they shot him up with lidocaine and Jason held his legs. But they just couldn't get to it, so off to Lebonheur we were sent and scheduled for surgery the next morning.... my scheduled first day back to work after summer break!

Thankfully, the surgery went great, and there was no damage to any muscles or anything in his foot and he's doing great!

one of my favorites

While we spent our week at the cabin the week before school started I just happened to take this picture with my phone. After getting home and looking at it, how perfect is this? Besides Brie's goofy smile.... they boys seem to be perfectly placed for a group shot!