Day 300

 

October 27th, 2010

 

October 27th, 2011

What a great day! We got up and Suzanne came to clean. After she finished, Gus and I headed to TGI Friday's for lunch with Mrs. Denton, Maddie, Allie, and Jenna. I had the pleasure of teaching Maddie and Allie for fourth grade. Had I still been teaching, I'd probably have Jenna in my class this year.

Here are some pictures from this morning, before lunch:

 

Heading to lunch

It was so great to see the girls and Mrs. Denton. I've always loved them and they're one of my most favorite families that I've even had the pleasure of getting to know as a teacher. I've always had a special bond with Maddie, and knew I'd love her before I even met her. She and I exchanged emails when I was still in MI and she was here in NC and a 3rd grader. She made me feel so welcome and excited to teach 4th grade!!

Here are some pictures from lunch and then we headed to Kids Together Park and played for a bit.

 

Gus wearing the hand-knitted ear warmer that Maddie made for me  :-)

 

Allie and Gus

 

Jenna, Maddie, and Allie  <3

 

Gus at the park

 

The Denton girls and Gus

 

Jenna really liked spending time with Gus

 

Allie was a big help too!

 

Sisterly help!

 

All of us together

As soon as we said our goodbyes, I got in the car and cried. It's the first time that the reality of us leaving has had to come to play. The girls gave me cards and gifts to remember them and I couldn't look at them until I was home. I knew I'd start crying. It was so very sad to say goodbye to them. I hope I'll get to see them again, and thankfully, technology helps bridge the gap that can be created by distance. 

We got home and tried to put Gus down for a nap, but since he napped for 25 minutes in the car, he was wide-awake once inside and refused to nap. So for the entire day he only slept for 25 minutes. I'm hoping that he sleeps in tomorrow.

He did want to put his Elmo costume on (I can't thank Greta enough for this costume... he really, honestly, loves it so very much!), so I got him converted into Elmo Gus and he stayed in costume until dinner.

Steve made dinner tonight and I was CERTAIN that Gus wouldn't eat it. He had just had some chicken fingers (left over from lunch) and I didn't think he'd be hungry for what we were having. He usually doesn't like mac-n-cheese, and Steve made Hamburger Helper. I was wrong! He ate his entire bowl AND some of mine!

After dinner we played for a while before bed. I absolutely adore my son. He really is incredible and makes me smile so much. We're so incredibly blessed to not only be his parents, but to get to experience the joys that come from being parents. Not a minute goes by that we take this for granted. We were talking tonight about a friend of Steve's (used to work at Burt's with him) and his seven-year-old that just had surgery for a brain tumor. We're lucky to have moments of laughter right now. We also think about A&W and how hard it is for them to wait for their baby... we know they'll be united soon enough, but the waiting is excruciating and painful and I remember what it was like to want nothing more than to hold my own baby, and be (what seemed like) forever away from realizing my dream.

So, we're thankful and we pray for our friends that aren't able to snuggle their baby, or laugh and delight in the joys like we are. 

 

Riding on his tractor

 

Ahhhh... the love of my life!!

 

Puckering up to kiss himself (lol)

 

Kissing mama  <3

Tomorrow we're supposed to go trick or treating in FV, but it's supposed to be very cold and rainy. I think we'll stay home instead!!! Steve is meeting Paco for lunch and should have a good time catching up with him. I'm hoping he'll bring me home some Thai for lunch!!!

See you tomorrow!!

PS- Check out the Cat Walker Photography link on the side to see pictures from the Fab Five Halloween!! Too cute!!!