Sleep = curve balls for momma!

Being silly 

Growth spurts galore!  My little man is talking up a storm, running, singing (music to momma's ears only), attempting to jump, opening doors, "helping" me with everything, and being a master of keeping momma on her toes!
Here's a few pics from the past couple of weeks.

opening doors!

Helping momma rake the leaves- distracted by his favorite- a stick!

On the way home, facing front, just hanging out :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Outside playing with the cousins

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and/or family.  This year is our year slated for NC holidays, so to the Hoke's we went!  All twenty of us crammed into Steven's folks house, and enjoyed a yummy Thanksgiving meal. 
I know many people all over think that these are times of blessing. Well, those who know me well, know how much I hate that term.  That imply's almost a favoritism.  Like God chose me to be blessed.  It's not that---a bounty meal, and loved one's to hug on--that is Grace.  Grace because I have done nothing extraordinary.  Grace because I simply exist as God's child.  Grace because.  Grace because we had this time with Steven's folks, and nothing can take that away from us.  


I am thankful for Grace.

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.
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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.