Trick or Treat

I was a bit worried b/c before we went Trick or Treating James was VERY defiant...both Shawn and I tried everything but he was so stubborn!! Finally once we got him dressed he was fine...maybe he was just excited and showed it through being ugly?!
But once we got past that and got out the door he was SO much fun!!! We took along his wagon (thanks gran) which was very nice b/c he was so taken in by all the people and costumes he was moving so slow. He gladly would ride until he saw a house and then he was ready to attack. He was so sweet and would say "trick or Treat and Thank you". Everyone said he had the most unique costume they had seen. He was quite different and we didn't come across any other sharks! After hitting about 20-25 house we went back to our house to hand out candy. Our neighborhood was SLAMMED with kids because it is a large neighborhood that is safe. We finally went to our house and let James hand out the candy and seems to enjoy that more than receiving his candy. There were golf carts carrying kids trick or treating as well a a hayride pulled up too.James loved it all and loved giving candy to everyone. This neighborhood is very family friendly. We enjoy it and can't wait to see how they deck out for Christmas! Trick or Treat 2008 was GREAT b/c my son, my husband and myself were together!! I am so blessed to have these two great men in my life! We missed Shawn a lot last year but enjoying him here this year!!

Ready, Set, GLOW!

Last night we had our first family pumpkin carving!! James and I did Winnie the Pooh last year while Shawn was in Afghanistan. This year Shawn did Lightening McQueen from CARS...James LOVED it and it turned out so good. Of course we did the traditional pumpkin too and James kept telling Shawn to stay on the edges of the outline :). James wasn't too sure of the inside of the pumpkin and told us that it "scared him" and "no I not touching" at first. Then he warmed up to it and enjoyed jabbing the pumpkin with our tools!! It was nice to do the simple things as a family and I think often it is taken for granted.

James should be a hoot to take trick or treating this year!! He is going to be a shark!! SO cute. To be continued.....

School's In :)

Shawn has been in Capt. Career Course for about a week now. Definitely some adjusting for both of us. Although his day ends at around 3:30 he has to be at PT for 5:30 (an hour earlier than before) so he is up at 4:30 a.m. each day. Right now he is so tired from the adjustment it is hard on both of us. I hate asking for his help when he is so tired and I am "just staying home". I miss having him around each day to help with James or just be involved with us. But it ismuch better than Afghanistan :). He comes home for lunch pretty often and we are getting in from the gym so we see him for a few minutes before naptime. James wakes up and says "Daddy working" and I tell him yes but that he will be home after nap. He seems ok with it so that is good.

We also got exciting news that Shawn will be up for his first look at MAJOR in Summer 2009 and we are so excited. Doesn't mean he will be promoted then but hopes are high b/c his OER's are very good and say Promotable!!YEAH!!

James is a sweet boy but definitely testing us when it comes to listening lately...I am so easily fooled and HATE spanking him but he knows it and plays on it. Shawn says it once and that is it! We are getting excited about the Holidays and being a family...living away from our families is hard. James will be having his Thomas the Train theme party in November. We are traveling home to AL so that will be nice.

Tracey Cute!

A couple of my friends (Kristen and Tracey) from NC came to visit for a few a couple weeks ago. James just adored Tracey who is pregnant. When we went to call her husband he was devistated and wanted to follow her out. Then he looked at me and said "Tracey cute"!! Whoa my little man going for older women :). Now he says that along with "Tracey baby girl in belly"! So funny!

here is a video of him because he just wouldn't stop one day talking about her!!

President of Dalrymple and Son

Today was a bit of reality check. I had 2 job interviews which were a big waste of time. The first one was almost like what I did at DSS but less pay. I just don't think I am ready to have that headache again since having James i just want to focus on him and being a family. The 2nd one "forgot to mention" that it required a MSW. So I waited 40 minutes for nothing. Oh well the right job will come along when the time is right. I just want something other than staying home but not to the point it jeopardizes my time with my family. I am blessed to stay home and I know that so I am just gonna relax...God will provide the job when the time is right. I just sometimes feel useless staying home but guilty for wanting to work.

Shawn returns to "work" next Tuesday so James and I will be on our own again. I hope to meet more people here and get active in a church. So far we haven't found one we like but we'll keep trying :).

Also for some reason I am REALLY missing NC...that was my home...that is where i learned so much about ME and my new life as a wife, a social worker and then a mom. I made some great friends there and now I had to leave them :(. One of my good friends is celebrating her bday in Raleigh and I so wanted to go but things just didn't work out $$ wise or sitter wise :(. Stinks! I miss it so much!!