A few pictures from life lately...

Another Baylor football season has come and gone. We love football games and treat them as a family affair! The last game of the season, and I finally got a picture of the 4 of us:

Trying to take "Christmas card pictures" always proves to be a challenge. 

I love this one of my sweet girl, who just turned FIVE. I cannot believe she is 5 years old. She is so lovely.

But the challenge in picture-taking comes from my curly-headed wild-child two-year-old little man.

He's got such spirit. I hope his light doesn't ever dim.

Playing inside on cold days. 

On this particular evening, Eleanor wrote the ABCs and then taught them to Edison. So sweet to see.

Edison is usually thinking about, talking about, pointing to, and playing with some form of construction equipment. "Another digger!" 

Autumn makes me happy. 

Cooler weather is refreshing. 

I love the crispness in the air because it makes me feel alive.

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My sweet little pumpkins and I took a last-minute trip to see the pumpkin display at the Dallas Arboretum. They loved climbing and running and exploring. I had to say "Edison, please don't throw the pumpkins" quite a bit, but it was a fun afternoon for fall activities.

I miss you, PaPa. I suspected that I may never recover from losing you, and the pain is more than I ever could have imagined. My heart hurts a physical hurt when I think of you not being here with me. Today is your birthday. Deep down I have dreaded this week more than the others, because this is the first time that we will not celebrate our birthdays together. I dread knowing that I will not get your call on Thursday morning, singing me happy birthday. I dread knowing that I will not be standing by your side this weekend, hearing happy birthday to PaPa and Kelly. Because now it's just me, and I feel alone without you. You were always my biggest champion. I never thought of myself as pretty, or smart, or kind, or special in any way. But you always told me all of those things, with your words, all the time: you are beautiful, you are smart, you are thoughtful, you are special, you are so special to me, I love you, I love you, I love you. I think sometimes God puts people in our lives to tell us the things we don't feel about ourselves, to demonstrate His love for us, and you were that person for me. I know that I was treasured beyond measure by you, my beloved PaPa, my champion, my confidant, my friend. Thank you for loving me, just for being me. I never had to try to impress you, or worry what you thought of me. You just loved me, and I hope you knew how much you are loved in return. I hope I told you enough. I miss you, PaPa. 

First day of school

Eleanor and Edison were so excited about starting school this year! Edison especially-- when I got him out of bed and asked him if he wanted to go to school on the first morning, he said "YEAAAAA!" And then ran down the hall pumping his little fists saying "E! D! I! S! O! N!" 

I love this sweet picture. 

Eleanor took him by the hand and led him to his hall cubby so he could store his lunch box. He had so much confidence going to school for the first time because we have been dropping Eleanor off at school on this hallway for 2 years. All the teachers know him and have seen him grow up, and it is finally his turn! I just hope they never grow out of holding hands because I love it.

Mackinac Island

We just returned from a little family vacation to Michigan. Here are a few pictures highlighting our trip! 

Our happiest times were spent on the beach throwing rocks in the water. 

And look at those blue eyes. ((This is straight out of the camera, no Photoshop here, folks.))

Adam and I went parasailing! We each took turns while the other rode in the boat with the kiddos. Being up that high was a little bit scary and a little bit peaceful. 

Sunrise from our hotel room. As beautiful as this was, I wish I had been sleeping instead! But Edison had other plans. 

My sweet little ones.