Audiobooks

Anybody who knows much about me knows that I have a true love of audiobooks. I love to read... but there is something special about a book being read to you. Maybe I'm channeling my inner 3 year old :-)

I've just finished listening to The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.



I've read it before and really liked it. But listening to it made me love it.

The book is told from the 'voice' of Death, who travels through time carrying souls from Earth to... well, it isn't really addressed. But, though this sounds really depressing, this story is about how Death keeps running into the same girlb and how she changes his idea of human beings. She is the book thief. World War II, Germany.

Amazing story. I highly recommend it.

Thanksgiving

Told you I'd try harder :-)

We had wonderful Thanksgiving meal together on Thursday. For the first time ever, it was just us. And, though we thought that it would be a kind-of sad day, it was really great. Of course, we missed our families. Of course, we'd rather they have been here. Don't get me wrong. It was nice though.

We had a very traditional meal. Everybody got to pick something to add to the menu... then helped prepare that part. We always have a great time doing this -- and have done it since the first Thanksgiving the girls could smash corn flakes :-)

Our menu:
Rob: Brown sugar glazed Ham
Melissa: Rosemary Turkey
Grace: Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Faith: Cranberry Sauce (she helped open the can - ha) and deviled eggs
Josh: Pumpkin Pie
Sam: Rolls

Perfect!



The kids did crafts while the food cooked.



Then played on the Wii while I cleaned up. It was a really fun day!



We hope your Thanksgiving was just as great! Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Seriously?

I have seriously forgotten about my blog for too long. I'm going to try really REALLY hard to remember and write more. I always love when I do it, I just sometimes get caught up on other things (ahem... Facebook or Pinterest).

A real effort. I'm going to give it a real effort.

So, what's gone on since July? LOTS! Here are LOTS of pictures :-)

August High (and low) lights:
-Bones turned 3! Where has the time gone?!?



-Mom, Dad and Kate came out for a week long visit. It was fantastic. I always love when they come and always wish they could stay longer.



-Our Bubba had a seizure. Out of the blue. He was fine one day, woke up not quite right, seized. He was flown to St Louis Children's Hospital, where we stayed for four days. It was one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. Seriously. However, I cannot speak enough of the staff and care at Children's Hospital. I am amazed over the level of care and compassion we received. Every doctor called him by his name. The nurses knew which games he liked best and the names of every stuffed animal he had. Amazing.



-Mom and Dad came BACK out to take care of the three other kids while Rob and I stayed at the hospital with Bubs. Not how I meant when I wanted them to stay longer, but it was wonderful knowing that, with one phone call, they were back on the road -- for another 16 hour trek out!

-I was so happy that Nana and Uncle Andy also came out to help while Josh was in the hospital. They took the three others away from the hospital that first full day we were there. The kids had a blast going to Grant's Farm :-)



-Kids started school. I officially have a 4th grader, a 2nd grader, and a 1st grader!



-Bubba turned 6! Seriously, where has the time gone?!?



-Soccer! Faith and Josh were both on the same team this year.

September:
-Bones started preschool. Unfortunately, I pulled him out after only the one month. I was finding myself getting frustrated with the drive and not really being able to get much done during that "break". Since I pulled him out, though, don't feel sorry for him. He goes to hourly care through the CDC twice a week and has a blast :-)



-We had to buy a new computer. The other one finally died. I didn't realize that computers were only good for 2-3 years. Seems like a waste! But I really like the new one :-)

-We went on a family trip to Elephant Rocks State Park. Incredible -- and one more thing marked off of our Missouri bucket list :-)



-Bub started Tiger Scouts. So stinkin' cute.



-My Gracie turned 9! It's getting ridiculous... seriously. Where did the time go?!?



-We went to see a magician/juggler in Rolla. For free. Can you say -- we love the ASYMCA!?!

-more soccer. lots more soccer.

October:
-Another mark off of the Bucket List... HaHaTonka State Park. Fantastic. Beautiful. Interesting.



-Gracie competed in Stampede in the Park -- a one mile fun run through the Waynesville City Park. First, she had to qualify to go... which she did with a 10:39 mile time. THEN she came in 34th (out of 100)! We were SO flippin' proud of her! I didn't know she could run. Not that she was the fastest, but she did her best and we couldn't be prouder!



-Three nights/four days camping as a family at Lake of the Ozarks State Park. We hiked, we fished, we roasted hotdogs and s'mores. SO fun. Can't wait to go again!



-Pumpkin picking at the pumpkin patch :-) Pumpkin chunkin', hay ride, duck races.



-still more soccer

-Halloween. Much better experience this year. Nobody got 'lost' and we all stuck together. AND we got to go trick or treating with friends!

November:
-Rob and Josh went on a CubScout campout. They had a blast but I felt very weird only having three children for two days!

-Family Feast at the kids' school. Rob got to come this year so we all were there together :-)

-Grace participated in the school's 4th grade play (like she had a choice...) They did Annie Jr. Grace was an orphan, a citizen and a servant (Mrs Greer).



-I became a Pinterest addict... is there a 12 step program for that?!?

-Thanksgiving!! I am so thankful for a wonderful life, filled with wonder family and friends. I cannot ask for more! More pictures coming :-)