THE PARK POST

TF 21st CSH was an acronym that meant nothing to me about 8 months ago, other than those words changed our lives. But now I understand the army acronym lingo, well at least this one: Task Force 21st Combat Support Hospital.  It was so nice to finally see a picture of all of the people surrounding Mike. They have really bonded with each other and I am so grateful he has people there to talk to that are going through the same thing that he is. The official 30 day countdown will begin next week. Yahoo!!!

As part of being in the Nutcracker this year, Paige is doing short little performances around the community to advertise their upcoming show in December. Last weekend they went to the Landings (a shopping center nearby) and performed out in the street. The kids liked watching the lighting ceremony and seeing the fire truck, Santa, and Miss Georgia drive by. They threw little footballs to the crowd and Jackson literally gathered up around 15 balls. He was giddy over that detail. Next week they will go to Barnes and Noble and to an elementary school to help tell the story of the Nutcracker while in costume. Paige is soaking it all in. She will be a flower, snowflake, and marzipan this year. We have all become more familiar with the whole Nutcracker experience. We're excited both grandmas will be able to come watch her this year.

The girls found my old prom dresses in the closet and spent a good half hour mocking my taste in clothes. (I just can't understand why, these were really the "in" thing 20 years ago :)Then they tried them on and realized they fit and were even more shocked that I actually used to be their size. They couldn't believe their dad was attracted to me while wearing these dresses. Honestly, I can't believe it either. But I told them they better watch what they say, because what comes around goes around.

I think Sydney is the only one this year that thoroughly embraced Halloween in the traditional sense. She genuinely wanted to dress up for every party and activity. She seemed thrilled to get all types of candy, and loved playing every corny carnival game out there. That's why it is so nice to still have a kid around that doesn't want to grow up too fast. Jackson, on the other hand, had his Quidditch uniform on for a total of about 15 min. and then decided that was all he could handle. He didn't want to go trick or treating and stayed home to pass candy out instead. I had to drag him to the Trunk or Treat, but once there he did have fun on the hay ride and playing soccer with his friends. McKell made a minimal effort to enjoy Halloween. She was a black-eyed pea, which I thought was pretty creative, but she just didn't have a real gusto for the holiday like she has in years past. I think she is starting to feel she's too old for it, but I think she still enjoys the p...

Without Mike here I wasn't sure how we were going to carve pumpkins this year. That has always been his domain, but Sydney really wanted a carved pumpkin and wasn't going for the paint idea. So I bought a pumpkin carving kit and tried to put a pattern on the pumpkins and then trace it. I should have realized I am not good at that sort of thing. Basically you have to have a lot of patience and time, and honestly I don't have much of either, so I went back to the basics and figured out how to make simple cuts in the pumpkins with the good old kitchen knife. I was so proud of myself after 2 hours of cutting with the final product. Even though "Jack and Jilly"(as Sydney called them) looked pretty amateurish, Sydney seemed appeased so it was all good. I didn't notice until today that we have a serious petry dish full of mold growing out in both pumpkins. With all of the rain and humidity they are taking on a life of their own. When I took the lid off, ther...

"This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact life is difficult no longer matters.” (M. Scott Peck – The Road Less Traveled.) Re-reading one of my favorite books, "The Road Less Traveled."

> 9 Years Old!! It's been a great ride!! Happy Birthday Jackson!!