October

We ushered in October with our neighborhood's annual "Devonshire Spooky Campout". We didn't spend the night this year because it was just too HOT and the mosquitos were too awful but these girls had a blast anyway!

  

 Photo booth fun at the campout!

S'mores!

Pumpkin painting

School spirit day made these three friends look like triplets!

We have annual passes to Six Flags but it was so hot this summer that we hadn't stepped foot in that place since last March. So, we decided to take advantage of a Saturday with no plans...a rare occurrence!

A trip to Super Target always means an Icee treat and Kyndall was thrilled to find that they were offering a special "pink unicorn icee" 

We love supporting our friends so on this night we cheered on sweet Bailee at her softball game

I received this thoughtful e-mail from Kyndall's teacher and it made my heart swell with pride!

Every year around the first part of October our neighborhood starts up the tradition of "Boo'ing" one another. It's a fun way to do something nice for a neighbor who then pays it forward to another neighbor until eventually everyone has received a surprise. One Sunday evening while we were at church we were "Boo'd" and Kyndall was so excited to find her goodies.

As a parent you’ll do just about anything for your kids and this particular day was no exception. If you know our Kyndall at all, then you know that she is a lover of ALL living things, both big and small. Her heart for all of God’s creatures is so big that she can’t stand the thought of an animal in distress and has even been known to burst into tears at the sight of a dead cricket. We currently have a rodent in our attic which we cannot even set a trap for because she can’t stand the thought of harming it! 

On this day as we were leaving her school we passed by the neighborhood pond and just as I do everyday, I slowed down so that she could admire the sweet little ducks that often line the street. Only this time we saw a poor duck that had obviously been hit by a car flouncing around in the middle of the street in the pouring rain as all the other little ducks gathered around and watched it suffering. It was such an awful sight but it was POURING rain and I was in my pajama pants and wasn’t about to get out of my car. Plus, what would I even do with the wounded duck?? So, we drove on. As we drove she begged me to turn around and go back. I continued to give her all the reasons we couldn’t go back and told her that I was sure someone else would stop and help that duck but it wouldn’t be us. As I drove on I looked in my rear view mirror and I could see tears welling up in her little eyes and I heard faint sniffles coming from the backseat. Suddenly my heart was broken not only for the suffering duck but also for my sweet, sensitive girl who so badly wanted to do the right thing. So....back to the pond we went.

When we got there the duck was still floundering in the road and it was the most pitiful sight. Cars continued to slow down and go around the duck but no one was stopping. I parked my car, grabbed an umbrella and walked through deep puddles IN MY PAJAMAS to see about this poor duck. School buses and cars had to go around me and I probably could have been run over myself as I crouched down in the pouring rain and comforted this helpless duck. I could tell that his neck was broken so I knew he wouldn’t try to bite me if I picked him up. A few other cars stopped and one lady held my umbrella so that I could scoop up the duck with both hands, trying not to injure him anymore than he already was. I carried a soaking wet, half dead duck to the back of my SUV and laid him in my trunk. I had no idea what to do next. What if he suddenly came back to life in the back of my car and started flying around?!  Again, I was in my PAJAMAS with no make up on but I knew this duck needed to get to the vet ASAP. So despite my appearance I rushed to the nearest vet and walked in cradling a limp duck in my arms with a teary eyed little girl at my side on the verge of a breakdown. I handed the duck over and they immediately took him back. As we waited Kyndall and I talked about the possibility that the duck might not make it but that we did the right thing by trying to help it.

She seemed ok until they came out to deliver the news that the duck had in fact passed away in the back of my car because there was no longer any sign of life. She completely lost it and then so did I. She buried her head in my chest and cried her eyes out and I sobbed right along with her as I stood there soaking wet in my pajamas in the lobby of the vet’s office. Seeing your child’s tender heart shatter into pieces and not being able to do anything about it is the hardest thing in the world. She wanted to see the duck one more time so they brought it out wrapped up in her pink polka dot blanket we had carried it in. She cried even harder when she saw it and even the vet tech got teary eyed at the sight of her utter heartbreak. They promised they would give the duck a proper cremation and even said they’d scatter his ashes around the pond where he lived. It’s now been almost two hours and she has finally sobbed herself to sleep in the bed next to me. As I look at her little tear stained cheeks I can’t help but cry all over again.

Lots of hard life lessons on that day but the greatest lesson of all is the one my 8 year old taught ME and that is to ALWAYS do the right thing...no matter what! Be the hero. Be the one who steps out of your comfort zone for the sake of something greater than yourself. Show compassion. Love deeply. Have mercy on those depending on you. Just do what is right! I feel like we did that. Despite the unhappy ending, in my heart I know that this was a teachable moment that she will never forget because she was a part of something good. It may sound dramatic to some, but this was about so much more than a wounded duck. This was about compassion....Something we need a whole lot more of in this world. I’m so thankful to have seen this situation through the eyes of my deeply compassionate daughter today. She is wise beyond her years and constantly challenges me to be a better person. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.

She cried all afternoon until finally she just fell asleep

You can't see it very well here but later that evening we looked out the backdoor to see a beautiful rainbow stretching across the neighborhood. I know this was God's way of smiling down on her after such a difficult afternoon.

Art is her way of expressing herself so it only seemed fitting that she'd draw a picture of the duck to remember him.

The next evening we returned to the pond so that she could feed the ducks. Her friend Adara came along and it was just what she needed. It was the first time I had seen her smile since the day before.

Someone sent me this and it made me think of our sweet Kyndall

Say what you will about small towns, but here’s why I absolutely love ours. Officer Frias heard about Kyndall’s good deed in rescuing the duck and he personally stopped by our house to tell her how proud he was of her and thanked her for the kindness she showed. He even gave her this sweet little stuffed duck as a token if his appreciation and told her our town and our world in general needs more people just like her.  (And how fitting that he caught her in her PJs since I too was in my PJs when I got out of my car to pick up that darn duck!  I promise we do wear real clothes on occasion!)

More and more people heard about Kyndall's kind deed and she continued to be praised for her compassion. Our neighbors Dr Joe and Mrs. Lindsey sent her this cute little duck card with a sweet note inside telling her how proud they were of her.

On October 10th I sat and anxiously watched the 24/7 news coverage as Hurricane Michael devastated my hometown in the Florida panhandle. My own family was greatly impacted with lots of property damage and weeks without electricity. Thankfully everyone was kept safe but the recovery is still ongoing and will be for many months or possibly years to come.

These pictures are from my Grandma's house in Jackson County, which took the brunt of the storm as the eye wall passed right over them.

Second grade school picture--When did she start looking so grown up??

Kyndall's class, plus her friend Karli who is in 5th grade but was helping out in Kyndall's class on this particular day.

Got my hair did and had to take a picture since it will never look this good again!

We had a girls night out to see Forney High School's production of Charlotte's Web

Kyndall sketched this deer in art class and we were pretty impressed!

When it's Fall break week but it's been 45 degrees and raining for four days straight, you get a little stir crazy! On this day we decided to get out of the house (but still in our PJs, of course!) to "BOO" a few of our neighbors. This is one of our favorite neighborhood traditions and we look forward to it each year!

First we BOO'd Karli....

Then we BOO'd Ashlyn....

Fall break treats....

MORE Fall break treats.....

Take this girl to Sam's and give her a Coke Icee and a soft, salted pretzel and she'll be your best friend!

We were excited to try out the new ice cream shop in our town so we gathered up our friends and treated ourselves....

Malani, Kyndall, Ashlyn, Nadia, Audrina and Karli

We took a day trip to Blase Family Farm in Rockwall with our friends Arielle and Bailee so the girls could pick out a pumpkin and see the farm animals.

Pumpkin carving back at our house...

We roasted the seeds....yummy!

Kyndall is getting better and better at gymnastics. I was particularly proud of her on this day because she was very scared to try this for the first time and she even shed a few tears of anxiety as her coach encouraged her to go for it. Once she tried it she didn't want to stop! I love seeing her beam with confidence when she accomplishes something like this.

The State Fair of Texas is a BIG deal around here. We went the very first year we lived here and I said I'd never go back because of how crowded and expensive it was. But, Kyndall talked us into taking her again so off we went....

First stop, the Texas Star. Until just a few years ago it was the largest ferris wheel in North America!

I've wanted to ride this thing ever since we moved to Dallas. It stays here year round and we can see it every time we drive into downtown. Matthew, on the other hand HATES ferris wheels. HATES THEM! He'll ride all the roller coasters but don't ask him to get on a ferris wheel...and especially not one this big. 

Love makes you do crazy things! This was his "I'm scared out of my mind but trying to look brave" face! Haha!

Gorgeous views of Dallas from atop the Texas Star

Two of us are loving this....one of us is not!

Next we decided to try out the Top 'O Texas which is a 360 degree rotating room that takes you up for some beautiful views of our city.

We spent the rest of the afternoon (and the rest of our bank account, it seemed!) letting Kyndall ride whatever she wanted. 

She got a nice shiner from running straight into a clear wall in the glass house...just like a bird who continually flies headfirst into a window, she did it more than once! She's so special.

Wellllll hopefully not forever!

Is it even really a trip to the fair if you don't fill up on unhealthy fried foods??

The ONLY reason I agreed to go to the fair.

Big Tex is the historic icon of the state fair

Obligatory picture with Big Tex

The animal lover was in heaven in the petting zoo

Kyndall was chosen for the kiddie tractor pull competition....

She pulled 250 pounds 15 feet but that wasn't enough to win!

She chose this puppet as her treat for the day

Kyndall continued to maintain her straight A streak through the fall semester and we couldn't be more proud of her!

College day at school meant a welcomed break from uniforms and a chance to show our Florida State pride

Another night spent supporting our friends! On this night we cheered on Katie and Ashlyn in their soccer game.

Kyndall's teacher posted this photo on the class facebook page. They're supposed to be "reading" but I have questions about what's really going on here!

Early voting day! Kyndall went with me to the polls and we had a nice chat about the importance of exercising your right to VOTE! We celebrated with a cupcake from the local bakery.

Our Disney trip was getting closer and we were reminded of that when these arrived in the mail!

Matthew upgraded his company car. That new car smell is even better when you're not the one paying for it!

We (the PTO) put on our first annual family game night at Crosby and it was a hit! The kids had a great time!

Our sweet friends Erykah and Ryann invited us to be their special guests at their baptism since they don't have any family close by. We were honored to be there on their special day and are so happy for the decisions they've both made to follow Jesus!

The sweetest girls!

We had this special plaque made for their special day

The GA's from church went on a shopping trip to Walmart to buy supplies to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Kyndall needed some glasses for an upcoming school project so I went to the dollar store, bought some specs and popped the lenses out. Little did I know she'd want to wear them non stop!

A little surprise came in the mail from Nonie and Poppie as a reward for her good grades

Finally, the day arrived when she could wear the glasses for what they were intended! It was book character day at school and each child was to choose their favorite character and dress up like them. Kyndall chose Junie B. Jones and I think we nailed the costume!

Kyndall and Karli

Lots of Junie B.'s!

The 2nd grade teachers each dressed up in a different version of Junie B. Jones and it was SO cute!

The kids got to parade around the school in their costumes while all the other grades sat outside their classrooms and watched. So fun!

Halloween night was a rainy one but it didn't stop these three from taking on the neighborhood

Kyndall, Ashlyn and Malani....besties!

The people in this house were dressed up like the Wizard of Oz and this guy was a flying monkey.  I have to admit he was pretty creepy!

Back at our house to warm up and dry off and enjoy some cupcakes 

I'd say she made out pretty well despite the rain and cold!

October was such a fun month! We were definitely busy which made it go by extra fast but that was ok with me because that meant the holidays were upon us!