October Frenzy

I think that I have finally figured out that I am going to have to start updating more frequently, or else I will have too much to update on. The month of October has been absolutely CRAZY WILD! We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. This year I took Jack Landon and we went with Logan on his school field trip to Motley's Pumpkin Patch. It was a lot of fun. Logan got to drink pumpkin juice and watch the pig races. I "got" to watch Jack Landon get incredibly dirty in a matter of seconds in a dirt pile. We all went on a hay ride and then Logan picked out the perfect pumpkin, which we later decorated at home. This year for Halloween, Logan has chosen to be a "ghost pirate." Originally, it was just pirate, but somewhere along the way, the ghost has been added in, and I think it is really cute. The picture above is from his "dress rehearsal" before one of his many Halloween parties this year. He really enjoyed putting on his eye patch and pirate makeup, but the best part was the sword! This past weekend, we went to the annual Halloween party in my parents' neighborhood, Woodlands Edge. It was a lot of fun. The kids got to decorate pumpkins, play ring toss, and various other games, and participate in a costume contest. Logan won for the best costume in his age division. He was very proud of this and his parents and Nonee and Grumpa were too!

We also went to the Arkansas vs. Ole Miss game in Fayetteville this past weekend. We had a lot of fun even though the Hogs lost. Logan and Jack Landon both had a blast! We enjoyed getting to experience a little of the chilly air in Northwest Arkansas. We really miss Fayetteville and can't wait to go back.

Another big event for us this month was the annual Airshow at the Little Rock Air Force Base. The four of us went with Jonathan's dad. I was a little worried about how the boys would do this year out on that big slab of asphalt, but it was GREAT!!! The boys loved watching the airplanes do all of their stunts. I don't think that Jack Landon's finger ever stopped pointing at something in the air. The atmosphere and weather could not have been better.

Logan has been continuing to play fall baseball this month for Bryant. He didn't play in the spring, because he wasn't old enough, so we are using this season to educate him on some of the fundamentals. Even though he is the youngest on the team, Logan is really picking things up very quickly. His catching, throwing, and swing have all improved and he is really enjoying it. His last game will be this coming weekend and then we will have a break until the Spring. Logan has had a big show of support for all of his games. His Nonee and Grumpa have come to every game, and Uncle Taylor has made it to a few. He loves to see family in the crowds!!

My two beautiful boys at the pumpkin patch!

Brenda

I know that it has been a while since I have posted. I haven't really felt like posting for a while. Jonathan's mom, Brenda Hope, died on August 1, 2008 very unexpectedly. We all miss her so much. The past two months have been very difficult for our family and we are so grateful for our family, church family, and friends for all of their thoughts and prayers.

Brenda meant so much to so many people, but I can only truly talk about what she meant to me and my family. Brenda would do anything for you. She loved her two sons and her four grandchildren so much. Jonathan misses talking to his mom on the phone every day. He also misses seeing her with his sons and is so sad that she is not going to see Logan and Jack Landon grow up. She would drop everything she was doing to spend time with her family. Even when she wasn't feeling good, Brenda would call to ask if she could keep the kids or do something special for us. And she always wanted to make sure that we would eat good! When we would go to the lakes on the weekend, Brenda would prepare enough food for an army of people. She would have all the bases covered. If you had a certain craving for cobbler, or maybe just some hot chocolate, well then sure enough, she would have it on hand. One thing that I really enjoyed doing with Brenda was talking about food. We both had an interest in cooking and I loved swapping recipes with her or making some of her old favorites such as deviled eggs, homemade cranberry sauce, or Mexican cheese dip.

I still remember the night that I first met Brenda eight years ago. I could not believe it when I walked into Jonathan's house and saw this beautiful woman who could not have passed for more than thirty years old. She was absolutely stunning, and while that stood out intially, it was her vitality and joy of life that made a lasting impression. Brenda could make anything fun and exciting. She could make you feel like you were the only person in the room. When you talked with her, you felt important and felt that you mattered. She had a true interest in other people.

One thing I learned quickly about Brenda is that she LOVED her grandbabies. When Jonathan and I first met, Shelby, the first grandbaby, was one. I could easily see how important Shelby was to Brenda. Later, there was Will, and then our two babies, Logan and Jack Landon. Brenda always wanted the best for the kids. She was interested in their doctors, their schools, their playmates, where they laid their head at night...everything. She would play with them and take them for golf cart rides. She would fix their favorite foods and have their favorite candies on hand.

We miss you Brenda!

Please visit Brenda's website at http://www.brendahope.com/