Heather Hodges

No surprise that the boys dressed up as Star Wars characters for Halloween.  They love all things Star Wars and especially the new Clone Wars cartoon that comes on Friday nights.  I think Caleb was Master Plo Kloon and Elijah was a Clone Trooper.

My Grandma Ola finally went home on Tuesday night.  She would have been 87 years old on November 7th, and one of the things she and I talked about not long ago was how full her life had been.  I’ve always seen her as a Renaissance woman; she had so many experiences in her life and has seen many many things.  For example, in 1977 she traveled completely around the world.  We were living in Isfahan, Iran at the time and she came all the way from El Paso, Texas by herself to see us.  What an adventurous spirit!  She helped my parents pack up our home and take care of my brothers and me as we took a circuitous route back to the States.  We traveled from Iran to, New Dehli, to Bangkok, to Singapore, to Jakarta, to New Caledonia, to Fiji, to American Samoa, to Tahiti, to Bora, Bora, then home to the United States.  I’ve just spent the last hour reading through her travel journal/photo album of this landmark trip.  It was wonderful to read about our experiences in her own hand.  I even saw some pictures I’ve never seen before.  Here are some of my favorites (please excuse the quality).

Grandma “horsing around” at Persepolis, the palace of King Darius in Iran.

At the ruins of Persepolis.  Yes, all three of us have a #12 t-shirt on,  we were Cowboy’s fans of course.

At a luau in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

On an outrigger in Tahiti.

Going through her albums reminded me of her lively nature and adventurous spirit.  She was always ready to live big.  Thanks Grandma for the lovely memories!

I’m sitting on my bed listening to Caleb and Elijah playing hide and seek in the yard with the boy from down the street.  Wade is in the garage packing my van with recycling to be delivered tomorrow.  The cat is purring at my feet.  We just finished a good meal that my husband cooked (always a good meal.)  The air is getting crisp, and the leaves are changing.  What a beautiful fall evening.

This past weekend I was able to travel down to Abilene, Texas to care for my Grandma Ola who is nearing the end of her life.  She has colon cancer, but is inexplicably in no pain.  She is very anxious to “go on home” and is ready to leave this earth.  I fought back tears as she told me this because of the pain it was bringing me.

She has been the most spiritually influential woman in my life.  During my years at ACU, she and Grandpa lived in Abilene and I would often go over to eat a home cooked meal and do laundry.  We would paint and talk for hours (she was also my art teacher.)  She would tell stories, give advice, scold, pray over me and love me unconditionally.  She always spoke wisdom wrapped up in love.  It stung sometimes, but it was always what I needed to hear.

It won’t be much longer until she goes home.  On Sunday afternoon when it was time for me to leave, I sat on her bed with her and finally cried the tears I’d been holding back for 3 days.   I told her how much I loved her and we prayed one more time, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed me your name….Lord if it is your will, take my Grandma home soon.  Hold her at peace in your arms.  Amen.”

In an effort to provide better nutrition for my family I picked up Jessica Seinfeld’s new cookbook “Deceptively Delicious.” What a great resource! It is chocked full of recipes that hide nutritive rich vegetables in every day kid food. Last night I gave the boys macaroni and cheese that had 2 yellow squash pureed in the cheese. This morning they gobbled up French toast with pureed sweet potatoes in the batter. For lunch I’m going to try grilled cheese with carrot puree. Wade even tried the mac-n-cheese and decided he liked it better with the squash. I’m feeling a little sneaky, but not one bit guilty about tricking the kids. Tonight will be brownies with spinach, apples and carrots. YUMMMM !

We just had our tax free weekend here in Oklahoma.  All clothes and shoes were tax free and a lot of stores were having huge sales.  Wade and I braved the crowds yesterday after church to buy Caleb and Elijah new shoes.  They each need two pairs, one for every day and one for gym.  After only a few minutes in Shoe Carnival we both agreed we would rather pay tax than fight the crowds.  It was a zoo !!!!  Was anyone else out in that mayhem?

The Oklahoma economy should be sufficiently stimulated now.  I think next year I’ll wait for the sales after the tax free weekend.

When we lived in Destin, Florida as a kid, one of the most fun activities we did was play putt putt golf.  We had the chance to introduce the boys to this little game while we were in Gulf Shores.

The pirate ship.

Elijah during his hole in one shot.

And then here is grumpy Wade.  Please feel free to comment on his expression and attitude.  He was mad that he was winning and I didn’t seem to care. (I did care, I just didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.)  What is marriage coming to these days?

One of the coolest things we did on our vacation was to visit the U.S.S. Alabama a WWII Battleship and the U.S.S. Drumm a WWII Submarine in Mobile, Alabama. It was a very interesting and educational time for our family. If you are ever in Mobile, Alabama, I highly recommend spending a few hours here.

All my boys monkeying around on the battleship. It’s a wonder the thing is still a float after my crew was done climbing over every square inch.

Elijah at one of the anti-aircraft guns.

There was also an impressive collection of warplanes, including this Stealth Peacekeeper. Very cool!

Wade at the guns of the USS Drumm. This WWII era submarine was deployed in the Pacific. One of the interesting things we learned on this trip was that submarines made up about 2% of the US Navy’s fleet in WWII, but they were responsible for sinking 65% of enemy ships.

Inside the submarine.

Wade helps Elijah look through the periscope of the USS Drumm.

My family has just returned from a fantastic 2 week vacation.  Over the next few days I’ll post some pictures of our travels to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The view from our condo at the Surf and Racquet Club.