changes

Playing in the back yard

So I have worked my last day with NC state parks.  As much as I am looking forward to my new adventure, I of course was torn in my decision.  The past seven years with the division have really been an amazing opportunity for growth and adventure.  I have loved my job and all the awesome duties I was able to do because of it.  I worked in some beautiful places.

But motherhood was a stronger pull.

So Monday I begin my new job, working part-time, close to home, and no travel outside the county.  My new position will be with the county soil and water office as their admin/environmental educator.  The office is small- only three of us, and it is very laid back.  Jeans to work--really???  Did I dream this up?

I also found in-home part-time care for Grayson.  This will allow for my schedule to flexible, not to mention we love her!  She is the sweet grandma type, and can't wait to spoil and love on Grayson.  She only watches one other 4-year old little girl, so we liked that much better than a children's morning out program.  Everything is falling into place.

A little dirt. . .

I can peek in on naps. . .

I took the past week off, using up some of my vacation time.  It was nice to spend the time with my little man.  We went on walks, he ate a little dirt, chased each other around the house, learned new words (shoes, socks, box, cheese), learned where our belly button and head is, did some yoga (yo-gabba gabba according to Tika) and gave each other lots of hugs and kisses.  It was a pretty awesome week.
--------------

Doughnuts to wash down the dirt

Dad had off Friday- so we headed to the greenway for a walk with the Pendells.

Grayism- On our way to an adoption fair we asked Grayson if he wanted a brother or a sister.  His response- he quickly shook his head no at either!  Sorry bud.  We promise you'll love each other when he or she gets here.

Happy Halloween!

Our cute little skeleton (pumpkin was mine when I was little :))

Would he be afraid of all the people out?  Would he be nervous to walk around at night?  Would he have a toddler moment and melt down at any given point?

We were not sure what to expect, but Gray as always, took to the new adventure with pure excitement!  This kid is so happy!  He LOVED trick or treating!  We only hit a few houses, to introduce the concept (well and who are we kidding, we get to score the candy afterwards).  He took to it like a champ.  We think we even heard a trick or treat before the night was over!  

Halloween Party

Saturday night we had a Halloween party for the kids.  I had so much fun planning for it, even though I had a ton on my plate this past week getting ready to leave my full-time job and transition to a part-time job.  Woo-hoo!  Can't wait for more time with that cute little man of mine!
I planned pumpkin bowling, with milk jugs and small pumpkins, a bean bag toss, and a ghost hunt, complete with ghost scat to track the ghost down!  The kids had a blast and so did we.  I love having people over, and I love happy kiddos running around even more!
Since we were calling it the Hoke Halloweenie Party, we had to serve some weenies.  So we roasted hot dogs, on a stick over the fire.  We roasted marshmallows (large ghost poops), and had swamp water (koo-aid and Sprite), Witch hats (cookies with kisses on top), chips, dip, veggies, and hot cocoa.  I broke down and bought disposable plates, cups and flatware.  Wow, clean up is really easy when you do that!  No worries, to my earth-loving friends, I haven't crossed over.  But sometimes even we need some give, right?

ghost poop!

One of the three blind mice

maw-maw getting in on the ghost hunt fun!  The kids loved it!

Our 5th anniversary

Oct. 14th we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.  We had originally planned to go Myrtle Beach and renew our vows and spend some time just the two of us, but plans to be so far away changed due to family circumstances.  So instead, Steven told me he would plan everything and we would do something local.  On Friday night we headed out to dinner, and Saturday I was told we would be going on a hike.  We got up, and Steven kept rushing me, which I wasn't sure why. . .we were just going for a hike, why the rush.  We went to South Mountains, and began hiking up to the waterfall.  It was a gorgeous afternoon, cool in the shade, but warm in the sunlight.  The leaves are maybe a week or two from their peak at South.  As we were heading up to the waterfall, I noticed our dear friend Jim.  What?  Then I hear 'lullaby' by the Dixie Chicks.  Wow, my husband planned all this?  Jim had driven all the way from Greensboro to renew our vows, and wrote a special ceremony just for us- I mean he included erosion and earthly elements into it, how wonderful is that?!  It was truly beautiful. 

Another busy fall weekend

Look at me being crafty (it's recycled materials too)!

What a beautiful weekend!  We couldn't have ordered better weather.  The a/c has been off for over a month now, the nights are cool and days are perfect for being out and about.  As usual we were busy and out and about all weekend.  It was my alumni homecoming weekend and they hold a science breakfast every year so we headed over there Saturday morning.  It was fun to visit and see folks.  They couldn't believe how big Gray had gotten, since he was only a couple months old this time last year.  I think my professors took more pictures of him than anyone else!  Who knows, maybe he'll be a LR bear one day and they can talk about, "I remember when you were this big. . .".

Gray looking for sticks- my professors have their fingers crossed for a botanist

Eight years ago I sat in in the second seat under the periodic chart for my Earth Science class.  Never thought my toddler would be running around the same room!

He loves stairs, and stairs keep him busy :).

This weekend was also Ocktoberfest in Hickory, so we headed out for a bit to see the madness.  Every year we go, and almost every year I am disappointed.  I have never seen so many trinkets in all my life.  Do people really buy that crap?  Isn't it supposed to be a beer festival?  Not a trinket festival?  

Afterwards we headed home, I made some more homemade salsa with tomatoes from Aunt Nita's garden and some homemade applesauce from the apples she gave us.  Yummy!

On Sunday we tried out a new church for us.  It has been almost a year since we last step foot in Grace, and we are past the healing and thrilled to have finally found a welcome and affirming church in the county.  We both liked it, and there were other little kiddos for Gray.  I think we will try it again, and just see.

You and Paw-paw

You and cousin Caitlin

We also visited with Steven's family for dinner.  It was good to get everyone together at once.  It had been a couple months since we all got to visit.  Gray, you won't remember this day, but know that you were and are very loved.  You are the ninth grandbaby for Maw-maw and Paw-paw, and just as special to them as the first. Paw-paw loves that you are named after his grandpa Cromer and loves to call you by that name (especially since it drives Maw-maw crazy).  Your cousin Aaron loves to see you, and I know he is anxious for you to play with him one day.  Your cousin Caitlin, well she just can't get enough of you.  Uncle Larry is the best at swinging you, and loves to feed you fruit loops behind my back.  Aunt Veronica, well she'll always get to be special, because she was there on your birthday.  You are loved kiddo.

Playtime with my little man

When momma is home she feeds me stuff like yummy guacamole!

Fall is in the air, and so is my busy season in the mountains.  September is the start of festival season, and that means a lot of weekend work.  The good news is instead of running myself ragged like usual, I took time off during the week to keep myself to a 40 hour week.  So I had Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday with my little man!  We had such a good time (and of course only made me want to be home more).
On Thursday, we went for a walk on the Greenway with Sherry, Jennifer, and Tika.  Gray rode some and walked some, and found fascination in sticks, leaves and of course Ms. Tika.
We even had Sherry and Tika as visitors for lunch!

Reading books.

On Friday we headed with Sherry and Tika to W-S to meet Jim for lunch.  We met at the mall and hung out in the kid play area.  Never thought I would let my son play in one of those germ infested things.  But it was the only way we could talk, Gray had a blast, and heck, he's a day care kid.  Afterwards we headed for lunch where Gray amused all with his incredible appetite.  This boy can eat!  He cracks me up with how much he eats- especially carbs.  Sorry Gray, you get that honestly.

Hanging out in the kid zone at the mall

Playing in our tent.  Thank you Mam-moo, this is one of our favorite toys!

Saturday I had to work, and Gray headed to Anita's for his very first slumber party!  Steven and I had tickets for a music festival in the mountains, and camped out, so Gray stayed with Aunt Nita and Uncle Mike.  From what I hear they had a great time, but I think naps were needed after Gray's departure!  I am so thankful for how loved he is by the whole Herman gang!
Sunday we just hung out at the house.  Gray is working on some molars, so after so much excitement, he was getting a little fussy.  He needed the rest and to just hang out with mom and dad.
Monday was my last day before back to work :(.  Gray and I played hard!  We played in our tent, read some books, lot's of peek-a-boo, and dancing.  Anything to keep him giggling and happy.  We were even able to squeeze in a walk with Sherry and Tika up to the soda fountain for ice cream.
The yard is slowly being covered with leaves, and I've worn a long sleeve shirt a time or two.  Fall is in the air, and I can't wait to spend it with the cutest 14 month old I know!


*****

Grayism-

 Gray has a few words that he says on a regular basis- ball, dog, hello, bye-bye, da-da, and ma-ma.  But from time to time he will mimic what you say or he will say something that catches us by surprise.  Tonight we got one of those surprises.  I was trying to walk out of the kitchen and Gray was blocking the doorway, so I said excuse me, and he replied, 'excuse you', while standing in place!

If you find a chunk of bread in the freezer

We are working on using utensils.  He got most of it in his mouth!

Not only is our handsome man fully mobile and exploring, but he is also trying to be such a big helper.  He cleans 'stuff' up with me, putting things away in their rightful place. . .well in a place anyhow.  Grayson is breaking any bad habits of leaving clean clothes out.  Clothes left out will end up in the hamper.  Clean, dirty, doesn't matter.  I found a marker in his puffs container just the other day, after a day with me in the office.  Should I be more concerned about the idea of him running around with a marker or that it was in the puffs?  Just the other night after Gray had gone to be and we were picking up his tornado path, Steven says to me- "if you happen to see a chunk of bread in the freezer, it was from Grayson.  I couldn't find it after he tossed it in there."
Ah, never a dull moment with a toddler.  We are all learning from each other so much.  In fact, just last weekend I found out in the time it takes me to put mousse in my hair a one year old can unroll a whole roll of TP!  It's like he is training for one of those crazy TV shows.
I wouldn't trade a minute of it though.  Especially since in the same week he learned how to unroll the TP, laugh as he is running away from me and how to hide random objects in random places he also started giving me a kisses.
So if you are over to visit and happen to find a chunk of bread in your water glass. . .you'll know.

Quickly escaping from the bathroom with TP in hand!