Instead of adding to the previous post, I decided to add details about our vacation here. It's been a while since my last post. My work has started again and the boys are back to their regular school. Luke and Nathan attend 5 days a week, 9-2, and stay late on T/W/TH. Eli attends T-F and stays late on T/W/TH. Once the school year gets really going I may keep all the boys home with me on Mondays, when I can. I've been assigned to a new committee at work that meets Mondays at 3PM so that really throws a wrench into our schedule. We'll see how it all works out. I knew committee work was coming this year but that day/time is at absolutely the worst day and time possible. Oh well, we'll work something out.
Good news for Luke, he's adjusting to the 4 year old class very well. All the summer angst is gone and he's gone into his room each day this week with little anxiety. Praise the Lord! It's a real answer to prayer. This summer was so awful that I don't know what I would have done if it had continued during this year. Nathan and Eli are happy as ever, always a good report. Nathan is still working on the potty training. He did an amazing job for the first 3 weeks but then it's like the fun wore off and he started having "accidents" during the day, over and over. He's had a few accidents this week, averaging about 1 a day. I try not to worry about his progress and know eventually he'll get there, just like Luke did.
Nathan's still getting up really early, usually about 5:50 or 6:00AM. I've learned to embrace it and even took him running with me one morning (which is no small task given we only have a double jogger so it constantly pulled to his side:). He gets up and gets dressed by himself, by the light of the nightlight. Luke usually has gotten in the bed with Jeff at some point during the night so that means I've moved to the couch and can intercept Nathan when he gets up.
Sorry for the rambling nature of this post. I'm trying to include anything I think the boys might be interested in knowing about this time in their lives. Luke is learning his letter sounds at school which is great because that's just what I've been working with him on this summer. Nathan is still learning to recognize his name. Eli is learning to follow directions and can do simple things I ask him to now. When Luke came home from school Monday (after his first day), he seemed to have grown over the 5 hours he was gone. And again, I was struck by the thought I have periodically (ok, almost daily), that I hope I won't regret this time away from them when they get older. I know school is good for them and they are learning so much. Anyway, I'll spare you all my mental conversations on that topic.
So, this was supposed to be about the trip to Destin. It was a really fun trip. even with 3 little boys who got tired and were off their schedules and one who did not like the ocean and pull out beds that were not sleep-able and one night without electricity, it was really great. We drove to Madison on a Sunday, spent the night with my dad and then drove to Destin the next day. We went through Hattiesburg (home of USM) so I was able to bore Jeff with my narrative of "this is where I...and this is where I..." I can't wait until the boys get older and I can do the same for them. We spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Destin and left Thursday. On the way back we stopped in Quitman to visit my mom and do more "this is where..." in the town (and house)I lived until I was 11. I was able to take the boys to the playground I loved as a kid and watch them play in the yard where I have so many memories. AND, I was able to see Kayleigh and Michael for the first time in 6 years. It was a brief visit but great. They have changed so much from the 1st and 4th graders I lived with in Plano. Ugg, so hard and another brain compartment I try not to access too often. Time moves on and thankfully, it's moving in our favor this time. Also, Kayleigh and Michael got to meet the boys for the first time. What a treasure. I'll post some pictures when I can. Another good thing that happened on this trip is the boys twice got to see my grandmother. It's always a game of "put that down" when we're at her place but it's worth it. I want them to have some memories of her.
Sitting on the beach is one of my favorite things to do, ever. It was different this time with the boys there but still really great. Watching them play in the sand and surf was amazing. Nathan did not care for the ocean but luckily my dad was there and patiently took him inside or to the pool when he had enough. We did not attempt a seafood dinner out but Jeff did get us some great takeout one night. Unfortunately, it was the night we lost power so we ate by flashlight. It was great, regardless!
The week was full and busy but it was great to see the beach again and some favorite people and places. Being from MS is such a part of me that sometimes I forget the boys don't have those memories or loyalties. They are Texan and have a very Texan daddy. So, I guess it's up to me to show and teach them about their "other side!"
Papa, on Eli duty :)
Nathan, chillin'
Grammy and Papaw
Later that day we headed out to carve the pumpkins. Nathan, playing a little baseball with Papaw. Maybe I'll get a lefty yet!
Serious planning.
Doing his own thing.
Digging out the guts.
The disgusting bubba teeth (thanks Daddy).
The finished products! Great job Daddy and Luke!
Papaw and the boys.
Love having that third lap around.
Thanks for the visit Papaw! We love you. 
