My Last Day...

Today was the day. My last day of clinicals. I am somewhat relieved to have less going on, but I'm also a little sad. I really enjoyed it. I learned as much from them as I think they learned from me. It reminded me of where I was and how far I've come. I still haven't heard if they'll keep me around for next semester. I hope so. I don't think it is looking so good since they haven't told me anything yet. I guess what's meant to be will be. But I'm still saying a little prayer that they will want me around. It has saved us this fall while Steve wasn't working. I've actually made a dent in that pile of debt - something I was beginning to think would never happen. So if they don't ask me back - Thanks JCCC. It was great. I'm sure I got more out of it than you did.

Fall is Flying by

I can't believe how fast the end of the year is going! It was just September - Halloween doesn't seem like it was that long ago - and now Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is upon us -- SLOW DOWN -- PLEASE SLOW DOWN!!

Here are some great fall leaf pile pictures from early fall to help me try to slow things down a little. Poppa (my wonderful father) is always good for having a GIANT leaf pile ready when we come around. Here's what you can do when the trapeze is close to the pile...

Anxiously awaiting Kate's jump



Here she comes, around the world on the trapeze



and RELEASE!



didn't quite stick the landing



But a good effort anyway - we'll give it a 9.5


Brett's turn - a mid-air wind up



and a Pop-Up Finish!!



Isn't Poppa AWESOME for setting up the bestest leaf pile ever!!?!

Girls...don't know if I'm ready for this

I remember elementary school and all the catty girl fights between "friends". I still consider 6 of those girls very good friends. Ones that I would do anything for. I remember them as funny memories, but occasionally I remember the feelings that went along with them. The intense emotions of being pre-pubescent. I don't think Katelyn is quite to that point yet, but I see it starting. Yeesch - I don't think I'm ready for this!

The other day Katelyn came home all upset because a little girl named Emily was mean to her at school. "She's so bossy and tells everyone what to do." (Pot meet Kettle) "She squeezed my hand so hard to make me drop the dice when it wasn't her turn." I tried yet again to make this a life lesson time. "How did that make you feel?" Then the tears came. I'm pretty sure she had kept them bottled up all day not wanting to let them out at school.

Oh, Sweet Girl, this is only the beginning of mean girl things that are going to happen to you. I hope your experiences are minimal. I pray that they are. I also pray that you take each of these experiences and learn from them to make you a better person. I hope & pray that your heartbreaks are few, but know that you have to have some to learn. Just know that every time your feelings are hurt and your heart is broken, I feel it too - double.

Playing around...

October was such a wet, gray month for the most part. A couple weeks ago we had one beautiful day mixed in and Brett & I decided to make the most of it at the park. We packed a picnic lunch and ate it under a big beautiful color changing tree.




Then we played on the playground, sang songs and played race on the tennis courts.







We also took a little walk around and climbed a tree (him, not me).



All in all a glorious fall day spent with a glorious little guy. He just cracks me up with his "Brettisms", Mr. Obvious statements, singing, air drumming and guitaring. I also love his huge open heart that he shares with me.



"I love you more than the whole stars and the sun and the moon and the world and everything and BACK!" he tells me all the time lately.

Well buddy, I love you that much plus one.

Happy Halloween

What a great Halloween - why can't it always be on a Saturday?! Perfect weather, finally no rain. We started our festivities last night with the annual Hall-O'Ween party. This years theme was "We didn't start the fire" by Billy Joel. As usual, the party goers used their witty sense and came up with some awesome ideas. I think I liked Valli's "the King & I" best.




This morning came a little too early for the late night partiers, but the day was perfect so the kids got to play outside and let the parents rest a little longer.

We went the the Independence parade on the square and had fun people watching. Everyone was out in costumes - even the dogs!







Later we went to the Goerings for trick or treating. Our large group traversed the neighborhoods and gathered tons of candy.





Our last stop before returning home was our favorite Haunted house nears ours. These people go all out every year. We love to go & see what new they have added.
They have a graveyard.



A Laboratory



and even a picture spot!



Happy Halloween - Can you believe it's already the end of October?!

Pumpkin Fun

Once again it was time for the annual White Family Pumpkin Party! This was our sixth annual - can it really have been 6 years?! Each year we've gotten bigger and better.



This year there were over 25 kids - yikes! But I think everyone had a great time.

We had witches, vampires, superheros, animals and even a cute little skeleton...



my personal favorite, of course!


Did I mention that fall finally found it's way back to Missouri? We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. We played games, ate good food, played and played and played some more




oh yes, and carved some pumpkins



Wishing you all a Happy, Happy Halloween!

What happened to fall?

I tired of all this rain and drizzle and cloudy and gray and cold! What happened to my colorful, temperate, beautiful October? Why did we jump right to November? I LOVE October - November, not so much. Don Harmon says 60s and sunny this weekend. I hope he's right. I miss my fall.