A Good 'Pumpkin' on Her Shoulders

It was her first real school competition. . .

a pumpkin contest.

Every first grader was to decorate a pumpkin and bring it to school to be voted on. Makaylee worked so hard on her Pirate Pumpkin. She did most of the work herself, and the night before the contest it was all she could talk about. She had it sleep close to her so that she wouldn't forget it in the morning, and when morning came she hopped out of bed and grabbed her pumpkin first thing.

Then she said the breakfast prayer. . . "Heavenly Father, please help me to win 1st place at the pumpkin contest. . . or at least 2nd or third. . .pause. . . "(I started to bite my lip, because innocent prayers like these make me nervous that her faith will be shaken.) Then she continued. . . "But if I don't win it's okay. . . because I still need to tell the kids that won 'good job' and, . . . if I don't win it's okay. . . because as long as Mommy likes it, and Daddy likes it. . . and that I tried my hardest, that is what really matters. . . Amen" (I realized all at once that I was the one lacking faith, and I had to hurry and wipe a tear from my eye before her eager eyes popped open.)

I won't say that there weren't tears when she didn't win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. I realize that part of growing up is learning how to handle disappointment, but this kid sure has a good 'pumpkin' on her shoulders!

AHRRR! A Pirate Halloween!

This is a picture of our annual Halloween Party @ my parent's house the week prior to Halloween! Each family does a Halloween game or activity and then my mom takes them on a Halloween scavenger hunt. It is even funner than Halloween! This our little fam dressed like Pirates, in honor of our favorite Disney ride: Pirates of the Caribbean!

Aleeya's First Halloween! You couldn't find a cuter Pirate anywhere!

Terrill kind of looks like a rocker dressed up like a pirate! He he he

Makaylee eating a donut during one of the games.

Thick Skin

You need to have pretty thick skin to work where I do. I wasn't born with it, but I am definitely growing it! I have been called every name in the book, (plus a few that aren't in the book!) But sometimes these kiddos are just so darn amusing, too! Tonight I worked on the Aspergers (Autistic) Unit. They are such a funny (and brutally honest) bunch. When I was passing meds, one of my conversations went like this:
Me: "Hi, What's your name?"
Boy: "*Brandon. . . What is your name?"
Me: "Stefanie"
Boy: "Hi Stefanie. . . Stefanie, do you think that you are a little bit too tall?"
Me: "No, do you?"
Boy(with absolutely no facial expression or sarcasm): "Yes."

*Name changed

Soccer Cutie!

Makaylee played soccer for the first time this year. She played on "The Blue Dragons" with some of her friends. She did great! She is a super fast runner, and it was so fun to watch her try her hardest at the games!