It's Fall Y'all!

October has been an interesting month, to say the least. It has been an emotional roller coaster and I am kind of glad that it is almost over! I always get a little emotional in October. My Papa James passed away 17 years ago this month (October 22). Even though I was only 13, I was pretty close to him. I miss his laugh more than anything. Also, Max's sister, Chrissy, had her double mastectomy on Friday, October 15th. Max and I spent the next day with her and her husband Jay, and I have to say this, the cancer didn't get in the way of some good laughing. Despite the circumstances, we actually had an okay time. It wasn't all rainbows and unicorns, but it wasn't all gloom and doom either.
Ella on the other hand, had an amazing time. She got to stay with Uncle Kyle and Aunt Christy while we were with Chrissy and Jay (yeah, Ella gets a little confused some times having two aunts with VERY similar names). Kyle and Christi took Ella to the Houston Zoo and spent ALL DAY there! They saw an orangutan, elephants (including a baby named Tupelo), and all kinds of monkeys. Ella even got to pet and brush some goats that apparently stunk it up big time. This weekend has been great. Yesterday, we took Ella to a great pumpkin patch at Bracken Methodist Church. This is a great little historical church a little off the beaten path, and by that I mean IH-35. We bought 6 pumpkins, 3 of which Ella picked out all by herself. Then, as if that wasn't enough, last night the three of us participated in Light the Night. We joined my surgical group's team and had a great time.
Speaking of the surgery, I am almost 2 months out. Since I started the whole process (I am counting the 2 weeks that I had to pre-op diet) I am down 35 pounds. I am noticing (so are others) my pants fitting loose, I have dropped a whole bra size, and I can really see a difference in my face. More importantly, I have more energy, my joints are hurting less, and I haven't had to use my inhaler near as much, which is a HUGE thing since I am so allergic to ragweed and mold and they have both been no lower than in the moderate category for the past month. I am actually anxious to get to a doctor's office so that I can get an accurate reading on my blood pressure, which I am sure is down as well. WOOHOO! Aside from marrying Max, best decision ever. So, to celebrate, here are some photos from the pumpkin patch. Happy Halloween and Fall Y'all!


Mommy and Ella at the Bracken Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch

Daddy and Ella in the pumpkins

She is very in to the Halloween thing, and she loves the pumpkins most of all.

I can't believe how big she is compared to last year.

Hugging the pumpkin

"I'm gonna get one?"

I promise to post pictures of the finished products after we butcher them by making them into Jack O' Lanterns later!