Thanksgiving 2017

This Thanksgiving was the year for us to be with the Caldwell clan.  We’ve always alternated years with my Mom and Dad’s sides of the family growing up.  When Matt and I got married, we were able to go to Monroe every other year to celebrate.  However, with Matt’s schedule at the hospital, and with him only getting Thanksgiving day off (if at all), we usually go to LA after the first of the year when we have more time to spend.  

We drove to Tulsa Thursday morning and enjoyed a wonderful day of blessings, family, food, and fun!!  We ate Thanksgiving lunch at Aunt Vicki’s, then we all went to Aunt Patti’s for snacks/desserts  and football.  It was wonderful all being together.  It was especially nice since we had just laid Papaw to rest.  I think we all needed to be together to reflect on our memories of him and to support and love each other. 

The kids had the BEST time playing in the leaves.  Uncle Blake was a champ and just kept raking up piles ;)

Before we went to Patti’s for the evening, we went to Park Plaza church because Marlie, my sweet cousin, was baptized.  She wanted her whole family to be there, and what a joy it was to witness her new birth in Christ.  I am so thankful for her and her decision.

We have so many things to be thankful for...every year...every day.

Sweet as Pumpkin Pie

This past week at home with the kids has been so nice.  After Papaw's funeral on November 17 and driving to and from Tulsa, it was nice to be able to spend some down time with my babies.  I always try to take off the entire week of Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas and just have fun.

It was very low key for us.  We played games, took naps, the kids helped me cook for Thanksgiving dinner, we went to see 'The Star' (which was absolutely adorable), Mimi came to play, and I just enjoyed being together with them. 

Here's my sneak peek of the trees we put up in our bedroom, the living room, and the playroom.

I am so grateful for these days with my children.  It is so true when they say, "the days are long, but the years are short." I feel blessed to be able to spend time with them and just love them. I'm looking forward to Christmas break now!!  :)

Reese's Thanksgiving Program

I feel so very blessed to have my children in Pre-school/MDO at His House.  The teachers, the administration, and everyone there are wonderful.  My kids look forward to going every day.  They are learning so much and I feel so fortunate to be able to work and feel good about where they are during the day.  

Reese is in bridge class this year, since she will start Kindergarten next. Her class did a Thanksgiving program the week before Thanksgiving that was beyond precious.  I have the videos on my phone and will try to upload them soon, but she and her little friends sang 3-4 songs and Reese did great. We were so proud of our little pilgrim!!

My Papaw Caldwell

My sweet Papaw Caldwell went to be with the Lord on November 12. He left this world a little after 4 am on a Sunday.  I thought that was fitting, seeing as how he was a preacher for over 60 years.  Papaw was 81 years old and had just celebrated his birthday at the end of October, which was the last day I spoke with him. When I called him, we talked about how great this life is.  He told me that when he leaves this world, he will leave here being so thankful that he came. He talked about the mountains and the valleys that we’ve all faced and that God always helps us in need. He again told me how proud he was of me (he never hung up the phone without saying that ;) and then proceeded to remind me how much he loved me and my precious family.  When we were hanging up the phone he didn’t tell me good-bye, he said “I love you Kia, and we’ll catch up soon.”  I knew when I hung up the phone that would be the last time I would talk to him.

Papaw battled Parkinson’s for many years, he had chronic kidney problems, and had 20% usage of his heart.  Towards the end of his life here on earth, he became non-responsive and his body just eventually shut down. He was not in pain, as hospice had come in to make sure he was comfortable. 

My sweet sister described Papaw the best. “To some he was the senator. To others the preacher.  To me, he was simply Papaw. The guy who used to keep 15 sticks of unwrapped Freedent gum in his pocket.  The man who used to sing Elvira at the top of his lungs while dancing around the living room. The man who could talk his way out of a ticket without skipping a beat.  The man who knew people all over the world and who told the best stories.  The man who loved my Nana fiercely for decades.  He never missed an opportunity to tell his grandkids how much he loved them and how proud he was of each of us.” 

Sweet Papaw, I know that when you walked through those pearly gates the angels were singing and you were dancing.  I hope they were singing “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” just for you. We will miss you tremendously down here, but know that this good-bye is not forever.  I look forward to the day when I will see you again...in HEAVEN.  Where there are no tears, no pain, no sorrow.

I love you Papaw, and we’ll catch up soon!!

A Harvest of Memories

We enjoyed the Craft Fairs at War Eagle on the weekend of October 21st.

We had a GNO to celebrate Tara's birthday at the end of October.

Below are lots of pictures of my kiddos dressed up for Halloween at MDO.

The kids had a parade at MDO on Halloween and got to dress up. They had a lot of fun!

We lasted about an hour actually trick-or-treating in the neighborhood before it started to rain. The kids had fun but were tired from such a busy day. 

And I'm including this just to have documentation of it, but this sweet baby boy of mine fell a few weeks ago and hit the window sill with his mouth.  He hit so hard that he knocked both his front teeth and another one to the left of his front teeth straight up into his gums.  He has no front teeth now, and it breaks my heart.  We went to see Dr. Caple and all three were not loose, they were rooted. We will go back for X-rays in December to see if there is damage done to the permanent teeth. His baby teeth will either push themselves back down, or they will die and we will have to have them pulled. I cannot imagine how painful that must have been for him.  It was one of my toughest Mommy moments to date. :(

And we are now rid of the pacifier.  He hasn't been able to have it due to the pain it causes his mouth.  I guess there is a little bit of a silver lining. ;)