HUGS!!!

I have always been a fan of hugs. I remember how it felt to be hugged by my mom when I was little. She would always give us a hug and kiss before leaving and she would smell like perfume and toothpaste. Even though she was getting ready to leave, I always felt so loved and safe in the midst of those hugs. In high school I remember hugging my friends all the time... when we saw each other, when someone was sad, when we were joyful, when we left, after a good game... it didn't really matter the reason.

When Scott was deployed, one of the things I missed most was being hugged. It really made me think about how I could still get hugs from the kids, my friends, my parents, but who did Scott have to hug him. This is where we got the idea to get Scooter. Scooter was just a little monkey from the zoo. Chloe and Hunter would wrap him around their necks and give him all their loving, then we would send it to Scott. Ok, while I know this wasn't really a hug, and he probably didn't sit there with the monkey around his neck, it still felt like we were doing something.

Now, I think that there is nothing sweeter than when Chloe runs up to hug me, or Hunter wraps his little pudgy arms around my neck and lays a big wet one on me. These moments are the most precious things I can think of.

When my children hug each other, this can be a very sweet act of love... or very often something else. When Chloe hugs Hunter, it very often ends up in a body slam, which Hunter usually thinks is hilarious. It seems like when one of them wants to hug the other, the one who is receiving the hug doesn't feel like being hugged. Go figure.

Sometimes I get so busy in my day and moving from one thing to the next, or trying to get my kids to listen, that I forget to just sit down and hug them without hurrying the hug because we have to go. Part of the reason for this I guess might be that unless they are tired they only let me hang on to them for a few moments. It is these moments that are so precious.

One thing I love about hugs is what they say....

I love you.

I am here for you.

I am happy for you.

I understand.

You are special to me.

I forgive you.

And sometimes there just aren't words to say what a hug can say.

Have you hugged someone today?

When my Mommy was little.....

For those of you at church on Sunday.. you already know this story, but I am going to post it here for my own memory's sake. Here is a little background about my beautiful little daughter, Chloe. For quite a while she was going through a very shy stage. She was very hesitant to go into new situations alone.. for example the children's sermon at church, or Sunday school, or the activity room for kids during the sermon. She would basically ignore people if they tried to talk to her first. So, recently she has been coming out of this shell and is to put it lightly...more than excited to take on all of these situations with a new independence. So Sunday, after running to the front of the sanctuary for the children's sermon, she sat very nicely like a little lady while the pastor was talking. However, her wheels must have been turning because just as the pastor was finishing up Chloe started to share in her sweet little 3 year old voice, " When my mommy was little..." at this point I was a bit nervous about what was going to come out of her honest little mouth, "she had a hamster." Now, I realize this doesn't really sound all that funny, but she was so enthusiastic about it. Most people were laughing, so not everyone heard her continue with her story.... "and one time when I was gone, my daddy had a surprise for me and when I got home" ... at this point she threw her hands in the air and delightfully shouted, " Surprise, it's a hamster!!!!" Sweet little Chloe. Now, my sister who was hasn't been around Chloe much since this "new outgoing Chloe" has joined us was a bit shocked by this and said, "when did that shell crack?"

Anyway... thanks for taking the time to read that story...

Here are some pics of our pumpkin carving. I love fall!!!

Pumpkin Pickin'

I love fall activites!!!!! I am so excited this year to have the chance to slow down just a little and enjoy some fall fun. We went to the pumpkin patch and the kids had such a good time. They had pony rides, pig races, turkey races, a straw maze, so much fun!!!!

A Little About Me...

Here goes my attempt at blogging. I have been reading other people's for a while, but didn't know if I really had anything to say. So, we will see how this goes. I am doing this as a way for my friends and family to keep updated on our lives. I am also doing this as a way for me to document and reflect on the happenings of our lives.

My story is that of a wife to an amazing husband, mom of 2 fantastic kids, owner of a cat and a hamster. I have a great family, I have true friends, and I know Jesus. These are the things that are most important to me.

There are many things I wish to be and many things that I am... some of which have taken a while to accept. I am usually not very long winded, so hopefully I will be successful at blogging.