fall fun

Now that October is more than half-way over (how can this be?), I'll follow up that last post with more fall fun.

The kids have spent countless hours in the backyard. Joe is training for the NYC marathon coming up real soon. We have attended high school football games both at Washington County and Brentwood (homecoming). I decorated for Halloween/fall, and the kids painted pumpkins.

A few miscellaneous photos...

I'm sure you can figure out who painted which.

In other news...

Joseph went on his first pre-K field trip and learned all about emergency vehicles. He did NOT like the loud sirens, but everything else was super cool.

Week before last, Joe and I attended Catalyst Atlanta, a Christian leadership conference, and it was AWESOME as always. This year's theme was "Awaken the Wonder" and was all about awakening God's people to live in awe of who HE is and what He is doing all around us. We heard amazing speakers such as Christine Caine, Brene Brown, Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Jeremy Cowart (very inspiring photographer), and Margaret Feinberg. The music was so, so good as always. David Crowder led worship Thursday night and let me just say...wow. The whole Catalyst experience. Wow.

KAOLIN FESTIVAL

Sandersville's main event, the Kaolin Festival, was the day after we returned home. The weather had been terrible, and it looked like the parade might be cancelled. But just before the start time, the rain stopped and the sun even came out for a while. Joe had a long training run scheduled that morning that he was working in around the rain, so I loaded the wagon and the kids into the car and set out for downtown.

It's a short parade, but we knew lots of people in it and Hannah and Joseph had fun.

GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR

Following the long, Columbus Day weekend, we had more fun planned. Joe and I took the kids out of school a little early that Tuesday and drove to Perry for the Georgia National Fair. We had a blast! After we bought arm bands and toured through the fair, we watched the 4:00 show at the circus. I did not know until the day before that there was a circus even there. It was a bonus, and well worth the 1-hr spent there. The kids especially loved the acrobats.

The lines weren't bad at all as we had hoped when planning to go on a school-day afternoon. We got to ride a bunch of the rides, both kids tall enough to do anything they wanted to do. Like last year, Hannah was the fearless one wanting to ride everything. That's her and Joe at about 7:00 in the picture above.

Joseph was thrilled to be the driver in the bumper car.

We rode a couple of roller coasters, to Hannah's delight. Not so much to Joseph's. He would want to ride, agree to get in and buckled up, and soon after taking off regret his decision. He would have this look of uncertainty, followed by a panicked what-is-going-on look, on his face. I think it was the herky-jerky motions more than anything.

Robinson's Racing Pigs were a must and we did that following a break for dinner: turkey leg and roasted corn for me and the kids, corndog for Joe, and fries for us all. It's entertaining watching those pigs run around the track and swim in the race.

Before we left, we took a ride on the huge ferris wheel. This was the most exciting part of the night for Joseph. He sat real close to me, but thoroughly enjoyed himself as we circled around and around, admiring all the pretty lights throughout the fairground. Joe had to hold onto Hannah as she apparently wasn't afraid of the terrifying heights and kept trying to lean over the side to see farther.

After hunting down some fried Oreos, we headed home. Exhausted but with exciting memories dancing in our heads.


NUMBER 9, FEELING FINE!

My honey and I celebrated our ninth anniversary on the 14th. That day in Savannah was one of the prettiest I can remember, and we had almost identical weather here in Sandersville this year. Perfect temperature, blue sky, a true fall day in Georgia. It was just a typical Wednesday with work, school, and supper and small groups at the church. That night once we got home and kids were bathed, we lit our anniversary candle and waltzed to Moon River, our first-dance song (prompted by Hannah). Joseph took pictures while we danced.

CHLOE'S BIRTHDAY

My college dog and sweet Yorkie, Chloe, turned 14 yesterday (10/21). The kids had a great time over the weekend building a fort "for her" in their little clubhouse. I'm not sure how much she enjoyed it, especially when Hannah sent her sliding down the slide, but she cooperated and was loved on a whole lot!

And that's a wrap! Before I go, I will include these selfies (I am not a seasoned selfie-person, but will take one occasionally.) I was taken aback and felt a little weird when my smart little laptop synced with my phone and organized these in my computer under the category "selfie". I mean, really?

Left: Joseph and I waiting on Daddy and Hannah after church.
Right: One Sunday later, in the driveway with Hannah behind the wheel!

...As of about a month ago, I have bangs. Quite a change and I'm still figuring them out...but I like them!

bronze…for me

As I mentioned in the previous post, the traditional wedding gift for the eighth anniversary is bronze. Bronze. And I thought last year's copper was hard enough to figure out. 

My initial plan was to have Joe's baby shoes bronzed. I thought, while it's not exactly a manly gift, he would appreciate it and they would be a meaningful decorative piece in our home. Actually, I was so sure this is what I wanted to do that I didn't think of much else. I had the idea of doing one of mine and one of his. And then I found out that his mom doesn't have his baby shoes anymore. Next… 

Then I thought about a statue of some sort. Do an online search for that and you will be totally overwhelmed and no better off. I narrowed it down to "bronze bust John Wesley" thinking a statue of his idol would be awesome. Nothing. I searched for "bronze statue triathlon" and also found next to nothing.  This quest was getting frustrating!

Going back to the bronzing idea, I considered doing the shoes he wore in the Boston Marathon, since that was such a monumental event in his recovery. But they would be a much larger decorative piece, it would be expensive, and I wasn't sure he still had them. Also something I wasn't totally comfortable doing/investing in without his opinion. 

Continuing on the Boston Marathon train of thought, I thought about his medal, but I didn't want to alter that. I had the idea of framing his medal in a bronze frame - or using a bronze-colored mat, but decided against. A bronze-colored mat was not bronze after all. 

I could not come up with anything, even after scouring Ebay and Etsy. I came across a few things that I would want (like that bronze horse statue at Scott's), but nothing for my husband.

So, being completely out of ideas and completely frustrated, I went empty-handed on our sweet little anniversary date. I even forgot the card I bought over a year ago and had written out and ready to give him. 

I failed miserably this year. 

Joe arranged a babysitter and took me to Edgar's Grille in Augusta (named for Edgar Helms, founder of Goodwill Industries). We had a wonderful time. Great conversation, fun atmosphere, generous waitstaff, and delicious food. 

And he gave me this.

I was not expecting a piece of jewelry, but wasn't really sure of what to expect. He did his research and bought me something beautiful to commemorate our bronze anniversary. I'm not surprised. That's how he is…

I love it! {Although it looks gold in the photos above, it is a polished bronze and looks copper in color, as in the first photo.}  

Except for the very big fact that I had nothing to give him in return, it was a perfect night out. 

And I'm still working on his gift. Yes, I'm planning on doing something! I'm involving him in the process…and he might get it before Christmas.

field trips…atlanta…anniversary

Last Tuesday, Joseph's class went to the firehouse. Parents join their kids at the preschool and we all walk together a couple of blocks away to the Sandersville fire department. We did this twice with Hannah (3- and 4-year-olds go) and it was finally Joseph's turn.

Unlike a lot of the other children, he loved when the fireman got all dressed up in his gear.

He wasn't sure about me putting him on the truck, but he did find the big hoses fascinating.

He also really liked his fire badge sticker.

On Wednesday, Hannah had her first "real" field trip: Tour of Big Machines. She boarded a school bus at 8:30…

Tongue hanging out, as is typical of Hannah (and Michael Jordan).

I could just stop right there. I think that might have been her favorite part. But the rest of the day was pretty cool, too. She had a tour of emergency vehicles outside of the hospital.

"Hi, my name is Hannah," she is saying to the officer in that photo on the left.

She got to climb in the back of the police car and through an ambulance.

...possibly the same ambulance her daddy rode in last July.

She met Smokey Bear and got a picture with her class in front of the fire truck.

They watched a helicopter land and even got to sit inside!

Pretty awesome. I haven't ever been in an helicopter, but my daughter has!

The kids boarded the bus again and headed to Washington EMC (electric membership corporation). They learned all about electricity and what the EMC does. They also got to see some lightning…

…and the highest bucket truck.

Then they rode the bus to the park for a picnic lunch and playtime before ending their day. I had fun, too, and was glad to get to tag along.

Thursday afternoon… Sometimes I can't help but taking pictures of Hannah when she comes into the room dressed like this:

Cowboy boots and gloves, microphone and lantern. All the essentials. She helped her brother get ready and they were off to "free their friends". I'm not quite sure where these friends were, but it was quite an adventure.

It was very entertaining as I listened to them make their way around the house in imaginary land.

Friday morning, I agreed to let Joseph come out of his room earlier than usual, as long as he was quiet while I had my devotion time. But, how sweet is he - sitting next to me on the sofa in the playroom eating his "yucky charms"?

I love that kid.

Friday was a school holiday so we took full advantage and planned a fun couple of days in Atlanta. Chloe Puppy the Monkey drove part of the way:

We started the day at Scott Antique Market. My main mission was to find something bronze to buy my Honey for our anniversary, as 8 is the year of bronze. Unfortunately other than a few horse statues, which I would love but he would not, there was nothing. Boo.

Still, we had a good time, and the kids were mostly agreeable and happy. We went from there to downtown, where the boys dropped off the girls at Philips Arena. I surprised this cutie with tickets to Disney on Ice - FROZEN!

My favorite part of the experience was watching her, full of wonder and awe, watch the show. It was her first of the sort and she loved it. As she does every time we watch the movie, she sang along. She also belted out "Let the storm rage onnnnnn!" You probably know the ending of Elsa's "Let it Go".

I'm not sure if she was unaware or just unconcerned with the fact that she was singing very loud. I'm sure there were a few other little girls in the audience doing the same thing. The lady in front of her enjoyed it, though.

It was a great show. Looking forward to more Disney on Ice events in our future!

We stayed at the Hilton downtown amidst Chicago Bear country. The Bears were playing the Falcons on Sunday and, apparently, it was the team hotel. Lots of orange and blue. Hannah and Joseph were most excited about the elevators - that were on the outside of the building and ascended very fast. They might've fought over who was going to push the buttons a time or two.

This is when the trip went downhill.

Joseph did not sleep well and woke up again and again with stomach cramps. He got sick at breakfast Saturday morning and was miserable most of the day. We went to the Tech game with the intention of leaving at halftime. Joseph mostly just wanted to be held.

Hannah, dressed in her fancy new GT outfit, was ready to cheer on the Jackets.

But when we got to the game it was a different story. It was sunny and hot. Sunnier and hotter than the forecast said it was going to be. We sun screened the kids and sat, sweating in the heat, until they couldn't take any more. It wasn't half-way through the first quarter.

I left Joe to watch the game (our seats were really good) and listened to whining and crying underneath. It became ridiculous. My view:

I sat against the concrete wall in the concourse, watching the TV screens. Hannah calmed down and Joseph crashed in my arms. I figured maybe I could carry my sleeping child and get to watch the rest of the first half with him asleep. And I did!

And, thankfully, we got some cloud cover and it wasn't so brutal. Hannah rallied and had a good time. Joseph woke up just before the clock expired at the half. We decided to call it a day and headed for the car. We were almost there when the sky opened up. Rain, rain, and more rain. Seriously, we go from sun screen and sweat to being soaked in the rain.

We ate lunch at Moe's just off campus before driving home. This little guy crashed again almost as soon as we sat down.

On his snack cup of yucky charms.

He slept almost the entire way home… Hannah got carsick…

What a day.

We listened to football on the radio. Duke won and the Jackets got their first loss of the season. Auburn lost to Mississippi State, their first loss of the season. Our well-planned, quick trip to Atlanta was hijacked by the stomach bug. I didn't find a bronze gift. It rained.

But we made it home safe and sound. And we got to spend time together. And Frozen was fun.

Today is our anniversary. Look at us then…

Eight years.

What a ride it's been. Happy anniversary Joseph Alexander Buck, IV! I love you forever.

the pool, tractor, baby clothes…and a one-year anniversary

Well, here I am for what has become my weekly post. There's a lot I could write about and would like to write about if I put forth the time, energy and effort to make it happen. But I find it challenging enough to put together one blog post a week. And I don't want to spend all my time on the computer when these summer days with the little ones are fleeting.

We've had a really good summer. It has been so different than last summer as you can imagine, and with the kids being older, it's just been more fun. Last week was spent much in the way we've been spending our time these last weeks of summer: swimming, playing with friends and playing at home.

Hannah has become quite the little fish…

…swimming and jumping into the pool all on her own.

We FaceTimed Uncle Ben and Aunt Katie in Cincinnati. They liked seeing H&J playing in the bathtub.

Joseph has enjoyed his early morning tractor rides while I drink my coffee on the back porch…

He is sleeping in his big boy bed, and while we've had almost no issues at night staying in his bed, the morning is a different story. Once there is any shred of light outside he thinks it's "morning time" and therefore time to start the day. We take him back to his bed, cover him with his blanket and leave the room. {I have black-out lining on the curtains, but it doesn't matter once he discovers the truth out the window.}

Joe put a timer on a lamp in his room that is set to turn on at 7:00. If you ask Joseph the rule, he states it very clearly: "If that light is not on, I cannot leave the room. If that light is on, I can leave the room."

At this point I'm allowing him to get up once or twice before he gets the warning as he's waking up once in the middle of the night and usually once between 5 and 6. After that, if he leaves the room before the light comes on, he doesn't get to ride his tractor that morning. If he gets up (at any point) and go wakes up his sister, he doesn't get to ride the tractor that whole day. It took just two days of that happening, and has not been a problem since. He can still be loud, unintentionally waking sister up, so I try to take the noise outside. But sometimes Honey comes to find us.

My small group got together for another pool party on Wednesday. It was a great time with friends!

Couldn't decide which picture to post. I love Joseph in the one above.

Thursday, July 17, marked the one year anniversary of Joe's accident, the terrible morning he was hit by a car while riding his bike. We decided that "Grateful to be Alive Day" is a much better name. Joe went for a 9-mi run Thursday morning and visited the site of the accident for the first time since he was there, laying on the side of the road. He stopped and walked around for a few minutes on the side of the highway, every bit of that morning still so fresh in his head. Then, he thanked God he was alive and continued on his run. That afternoon he went for a bike ride with a couple of the guys in his riding group. We went out to lunch together, too. I love these sweet post-lunch kisses he shares with his Monkey girl:

I thought about the accident a lot on Thursday and how our lives were changed immeasurably that day last year. There's a lot that was lost last summer, but there also was a lot that was gained. A new perspective on life, a strengthened faith, and many blessings in the form of love and support from family and friends. 

My Facebook post said "One year ago today our lives were changed. I was waiting for Joe to get back on the bike so I could go run when my phone rang - the scariest phone call of my life. I didn't get to run that day, but today I will…praising God. Thankful that my husband is still with me, doing ok in his recovery, and filled with gratitude for our family and friends who have helped us through this last year. What a year it's been…" I wanted to share it here, too, as that is exactly the truth. 

To lighten the mood a little bit now, somebody got ahold of my iPad: 

And I had to make them stop long enough on Friday morning to get this shot (in their Christmas pajamas):

Joe surprised me with a massage later that morning. Suzette is the best massage therapist ever and her sessions are usually more painful than pleasant but I so needed it, for both my back and legs. I've had a good deal of trouble with my knees and running has been difficult (or impossible) lately. She is good at what she does and I felt like a (very sore) million bucks afterwards. 

Then, stupidly, I sat on the floor in Hannah's room most of the afternoon going through baby clothes. It's ok, I don't think I totally un-did all of Suzette's work. And it was time to take action on the big totes on the top shelf in Hannah's closet. Talk about a bittersweet endeavor. Just the sight or feel of a particular gown, onesie or dress sent me down memory lane. 

I realized I needed to separate memories of my baby girl with material possessions that could be of use to someone else, and I didn't need to keep everything. I've gone through her stuff a couple of times before giving things away here and there, but this time I was able to part with stacks of things. Don't worry, I kept all her special dresses and particularly cute or memorable play outfits. Instead of three large totes, we now have two. 

Of course, Hannah and I needed to try things on her babies. Bitty, Baby Hannah, Swingle Bear, Capoocus II (Capoocus I is my childhood bear), and Gradja (her newest friend, full name "Graduation Bear") now have a whole new wardrobe. 

"Honey, can you believe you were once this small??"

Saturday morning it started pouring rain while Joe was out on a long run. I put the kids in the car and we drove around trying to find him. By the time we did, he was a mile from home - determined to get his full run in - soaking wet, heavy shoes and all. {Runners are weird.} The kids were waiting for him when he got home, ready in their pajamas, boots and umbrellas to join him on his cool down (walk up the street and back).

Meme came in town to babysit and Joe and I went to a wedding, celebrating our friends, Kim and Parrish. It was a fun night of friends and dancing! Two of my girls, Brannen and Kati:

Yesterday leaving church, with sweet baby clothes still fresh on my mind, I decided to take a quick picture of my babies, Hannah in a dress that is most definitely her last wear. It is kinda sad to think about your child wearing something for the last time. Usually the occasion passes without you realizing it. I think it's easier that way too…

And, in case I don't have one already, I now have a picture of her in this dress. Yes, I can be very sentimental.

It was a great week. Happy Monday to you all from rainy Sandersville!