Pumpkin Patch Farm

Last week some of the Spartan moms took the children to Pumpkin Patch Farms in Blue Mountain. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, the perfect fall day with clear skies and lots of warm sunshine! The children enjoyed browsing around in the old, country store, jumping on the bouncers, playing on the playground, petting some farm animals, exploring the hay maze, and choosing the perfect pumpkin! This is my favorite pumpkin patch to visit! The owners do a wonderful job taking care of their properly and are so friendly! After spending a few hours at the farm, we headed over to New Albany for XC practice.

John Parker, Jared, Carson, Avery & Chance (puppy)

Jared

Avery & John Ashford

John Parker teaching Chance to walk on a leash

Ella Joan's first field trip!

The boys waiting on the wagon ride out to the patch

Lesley & John Ashford

John Ashford loving on the horsie

Carson making his way out of the hay maze

Next comes Jared!

John Ashford found his little pumpkin

Carson with his

Group photo

Happy Fall from the Mims!!!!

Race for the Cure

This mornings race was pretty special to me! Not only did it mark the 1 year anniversary of my first race, but Kelly and my boys ran with me this time! Last year, they were spectators coming to be my cheerleaders. It really was a great feeling and everyone did awesome! John Parker was the first to finish out of all of us, with a PR time, (times on the sidebar). Carson placed 3rd in the 9 & under age division! He was very excited! The weather was cold prior to running, but perfect once the race started! I was thrilled with my time, I finished almost 9 minutes faster than last year! Whoo Hooo!!!

Before the race!

On your marks.......

Clay, Carson, Alec & John Parker after the race

Kelly & one of his buddies, Scott Chavers

After the race

Carson with his plaque

Great job, Spartans!

This pink poodle was showing her support!

It's Official.... I'm Crazy......Send me to the Funny Farm!

I'm tired....... tired of being behind in my housework, tired of being in the road all the time, tired of thinking, tired of worrying, tired of being tired. I am just tired! Today, has been typical of what the past few weeks have been like. My day started with getting the children dressed and taking them to have school pictures made. After pictures, I went to the bank and made a quick run through Wal-Mart to pick up a gift and a few food items.... that quick trip cost me around $100! Next was back home for lunch, getting clothes packed for XC practice and Flag Football games, and also clothes for the children to film a commercial for my daddy's business. After being home for about an hour, it was trip #2 to Tupelo. We had to be at my daddy's store at 2:30 and didn't leave until 4:40, just enough time go get from the east side of town to the west side. John Parker had football pictures at 5:00. We were there for about 30 minutes, then headed home again for a change of clothes and to take the puppy out for potty break! Next stop, my mommas to drop off the boys. Carson had a football game at 6 and John Parker one at 7. I checked the weather off and on all day, praying for rain! Sorry, I know we've had enough of it lately, but didn't know how to be in 2 places at one time! I should mention that Kelly isn't slacking, he is out of town for a few days! Carson opted not to play, he was tired.... wonder why? Stephen took Park to his game, which by the way, was was finally cancelled! Now trip #3 to Tupelo..... I took Avery to a friend's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. She had a ball, and guess where she wants her next birthday party??? At the end of the party, I was so ready to get home, everyone settled, my pj's on and relax watching The Biggest Loser. Nope, didn't happen..... got out to my van and couldn't find my keys. Went through my entire purse twice, Lesley went through it too and finally I dumped the whole thing out, no keys!!!! I went back inside looked in the restroom, on and around the tables, still no keys! Thankfully, I only had Avery and we were able to ride home with Lesley. The plan was to come here and get the extra set and make trip #4 to Tupelo!!!! When we got to my parents, I opened the door to get John Ashford out of his car seat, and guess what he was sitting on? Yep, my keys!!!! Who put them there? Yep, me..... the crazy one..... just minutes before starting the insane process of trying to locate them. We had walked out together, and apparently I had ALREADY gotten the keys out of my purse and when buckling John Ashford in, I dropped or put them on the seat! How does one do this??? I mean really, I had a moment of insanity, I mean one where you scream outloud!!!! My daddy drove me back to town to get my van, and at 10:30 I finally arrived home, put on my pj's, snuggled with Carson (boys take turns sleeping with me when daddy is gone!) and watched The Biggest Loser!!! The only thing missing is the little, white jacket that lets me hug myself! I liked when I only made 4 trips a week to Tupelo, not 4 in one day! Tomorrow, my little Odyssey, hopefully, will not leave its space in the garage! Forgive my grammatical errors, I am just too tired to care!!!!!

Rustic Homeschool Camp

Last week, Roan and I took our children over to a two day camp hosted by H.E.I.R.'s, (Home Educators Instructing Righteousness). These ladies were so gracious to let us join them! They did a wonderful job coordinating and preparing fun and interesting activities for the children. Thursday they were divided into age appropriate groups and rotated through different classes. The classes were all science related with lots of cool experiments and activities. Thursday night we enjoyed a hot dog supper with singing and devotions. I am so proud of John Parker for leading a song in the assembly! Afterwards, we went up to our bunkhouse for bed (according to Avery was the best part!). I must say it was an experience, glad I had it, but next time I will be staying at a nearby hotel! I am not high maintenance, well maybe just a little, but I do need a private bath with a hot shower!!! Friday was a little less structured with the children doing lots of fun fall crafts! We enjoyed a wonderful potluck style lunch!

Clay, John Parker, Carson & Jared excited to be at camp!

Camp Mascot - Archie??? not sure if that's his name!

John Parker & Clay dissecting owl pellets

Avery, Leah & Emily surprised reaction to their balloon experiment!

Madison, Carson & Luke doing surface tension experiments

Jared, Leah and Avery doing a sink/float activity

Getting a lesson on the chemistry of tie-dye

Avery on her top bunk!

She came down and got in with me as soon as the lights went out!!!

View of the bunkhouse

Pumpkin Carving

Not sure who got more paint, Jared or the pumpkin?!




Free play!!! The boys favorite time!

Me, Dawn & Roan
(Can you tell who stayed in the bunkhouse and who stayed in a hotel?)


Isn't the blogging world so cool! What's even neater, is when you get to meet one of your blogging buddies for the first time! You read and learn so much about them and their families, and it was so great to meet this sweet, fun lady, Dawn from Catch Me if You Can.

We all had a great time and met lots of new friends! Hopefully, we will be able to attend again next year!

MSU Homecoming

Last Saturday, Kelly took the boys down to Starkville to watch the Dawgs play! While they were at the game, Avery and I cleaned out one of our attics. I went through and divided 6 large Rubbermaid containers of the boys' clothes from 0-3 months up to 3T's. I passed them on to a few friends and family. Also, I got rid of almost all of my baby equipment! Sad but very liberating in a strange sort of way!

The Homecoming Queen, Tyler Kellum, was a former student of mine when I taught school. She is a precious girl, very deserving of this honor!

Tyler being escorted by her dad, Dr. Mark Kellum

Even tough State lost, the boys had a great time!

Go Dawgs!!!!

Corinth Rotary 5K

A couple of weeks ago some of our Spartan kids traveled to Corinth to run a 5K. Once again they did an awesome job and did not disappoint! This was the first race in awhile that I didn't run and was able to just enjoy watching the runners, cheering them to the finish and taking pictures! I let the boys choose between the 5K or the 1 mile fun run. John Parker chose the 5K and Carson the 1 mile, they both did a great job! I told Carson that since he was only running a mile, he needed to give it all he had! He and another little boy were neck in neck to the finish, he finished 3rd!

READY.......SET..........GO!!!!

They're Off!!!

Run Carson!!!!

Almost there!

Looks like a serious conversation!

Sweet girls showing team spirit!

Clay, John Parker & Carson

Fun Run Participants

Running

A little over a year ago I started running! Wow, what a difference it has made in my life and the lives of my family! Not only did I start to run, but so did Kelly and my boys! Kelly has amazed me with the pounds shed, he has done a great job, he looks awesome and most importantly is healthier! Way to go honey!!!! I remember last fall, running the Race for the Cure and the boys did the 1 mile fun run, they asked did I think that they might could run next year?! Of course, I told them, little did I know that they would run numerous 5K's this year and improve a little more each time! I can remember running 1 minute walking 2 and feeling like I was literally going to die, but this morning, 1 year later, I ran 9 miles, yep 9, and the best part about it was that I enjoyed everything about it!! I am so thankful for all the encouragement and training tips from dear friends and feel so blessed to have great running partners, I am pretty sure that it would not be as enjoyable without them! Kelly and I are training for and very much looking forward to the St. Jude 1/2 in December! Can't believe I am actually going to do it!!! "Gotta get me one of them stickers, 13.1!!!!!!" Happy Running!!