making a wonderful life

 It's a Wonderful Life has been on repeat all day.    It's one of my favorite movies and such a great reminder that all of our little moments matter, that it's our interactions and relationships with people that make a difference in our world.  

Yesterday morning I woke up thinking about past Thanksgivings.   I thought about Thanksgivings with my extended family at my grandparent's house, I thought about Thanksgivings with Thayer's family.   And this is the second Thanksgiving without Lucas.  Things haven't really felt like "tradition" in many years.  I started the day on a bad foot, grieving years past.
BUT I pulled myself together and asked God to give me fresh/happy memories for the day ahead..... He answered:
Yesterday was one of my favorite, most relaxed Thanksgivings.  :)
We had a lovely time at my sister's house and then traveled to visit with the kids in Roanoke.
I enjoyed every minute.   I'm so thankful that Greg and I are creating new traditions as the landscape of our family continues to change.

On the same note, I've been thinking of several of my friends who are entering this season without their loved ones.
The Holidays are hard.   
Making new traditions are hard, but like my Dad always says, "Time doesn't stop for nobody".   
We will need to move forward, and embrace the new moments as they come.

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of Christmas.  To clarify: I AM a fan of Jesus.  I'm NOT a fan of what Christmas has become in our society.     
This year, I'm determined to drop the stress of society's expectations and try to embrace the little moments.
It's the little moments with family and friends that matter.
It IS a Wonderful Life.  Let's enjoy it!

Loved our time with the kids and the EX-tended family.  :)

godspeed

Lucas recently came home on leave for three weeks.    Having him home for a brief stay was such a treat.  He basically took up residence in his room, just as before.   He visited family and friends, he hiked, went fishing, went Frisbee golfing; and still managed to spend crazy amounts of time playing video games into the wee hours of the night.   I think he had a nice vacation from the military grind.

Earlier this week Greg and I drove him to Baltimore to catch a flight to England.    We stopped for lunch on the way, and our destination came up in conversation with our server.  She took the time to say a lovely, long, prayer for Lucas and for our family.   
I have heard about people just stopping everything to pray for strangers, but I have never been on the receiving end.  It was a lovely gift to my mama-heart to be reminded that God is covering us even in the midst of big life changes.   

I should have remembered the impactful message of her prayer over the next few days BUT

We were quickly dismissed at the airport as Lucas found his people- and it felt like leaving him for Basic Training, all over again.      That small sinking realization about how far away he'll actually be.
Not only the distance.... but more so all of the unanswered questions and concerns that I have as a parent:

Communication questions, transportation questions, housing questions.    One thought would snowball into another.      

Would I dare say that I was worrying?!  I am NOT a worrier!

Greg, who is a worrier by trade, has had to talk me down a few times.     I know everything will work out fine.  I know that God has big plans for Lucas.  I know that Lucas is a problem solver.  I know that he'll take it one day at a time and be a total rock star.

Lucas has been on base a few days, and he's figuring it out.   He will need to buy a car, rent a house, start a new job, and adjust to a new culture this month.  So much adulting!!   

And I'm over here with my hands tied.  Thank God that they are tied together in prayer.  That's really all I can do.

Please join me in praying for Lucas as he continues on this adventure.  

I'm one proud Mom.

I love you, Lucas!  Enjoy every minute! :)

November 3, 2022

Lucas, 20    Daniel, 22

My babies :)

pumpkin party

I hosted our 22nd annual Pumpkin Party this past Sunday.   Every year I say that it's my last year, that "I'm never doing this again".... but I keep doing it because Lucas says that it's a Botham tradition that needs to keep happening.  I suppose I'll keep doing it until he, or Daniel, decides to take it over.

The Pumpkin Party has taken many shapes over the years.  It started as a small Halloween gathering of friends, in costumes, when Thayer and I were newly married.

1999

We missed the next year because we were adjusting to being new parents to our little pumpkin, Daniel.

We resumed the festivities in 2001 with a pumpkin carving party.  

2001

At some point, I dropped the "carving" part of the party, and asked people to bring their pumpkins pre-carved and ready to be entered in the contest.  Prizes awarded for Most creative, Funniest, Most Boo-tiful, and Scariest.

The guest list has varied over the years.   We've had family, friends, lifegroups, neighbors, or various friend groups included.   
My goal was to take a group picture every year.... but I only managed to pull that off a few times:

2003

2005

2006

2013

As I have gotten older, and know my limitations, I have simplified the guest list to include my family (my parents and sister's families) and a few close friends. 

This year was a special year to celebrate because Lucas is home on leave, and was able to participate.  He'll be flying out to England next week and will be gone indefinitely.  

 (whew...my momma heart doesn't want to think about how many pumpkin parties he may miss)

We were blessed with great weather on Sunday so we were able to do a FULL experience of pumpkin chili, yummy sides and desserts, s'mores, and time outside by the campfire.    

I think this was one of my favorites.

And this might be the first year, ever, that I will say, "can't wait till next year!"

Year 22 was a good one:

super proud of my creation this year

Lucas threw this fun one together 30 min. before the party... and won "Funniest"

camp fires are my favorite

Also super excited about my luminaries this year!

Perfect night!