Honors, Mentors and Black Belts, Oh My!

Wednesday, October 10th was a busy day.  Emily was inducted into the National Honor Society.

Jeremy was able to give Phil his mentor pin.  Phil was instrumental in helping Jeremy achieve his Eagle Scout rank.

On Saturday October 12th Emily earned the rank of 2nd degree black belt!

Richie and Emily love being in class together.  They are both high kickers and can kick each other in the head if they want to.  Richie got his black belt today.  Yes, this is them posing for me.  I'm glad the restaurant owner didn't kick us out!

Why did I keep that?

I call this the evolution of a trick or treat bag.  I broke out the Halloween buckets today and I found all of these modes of collecting candy.  I look back and can remember which kid carried which bags and can think of a costume that was worn.  My kids stopped going out for candy 5 years ago, the year Emily was diagnosed with diabetes.  Jeremy didn't have to give it up but he chose to support his sister.  I wondered why I kept these but then Emily said "Cool, I can use those for my kids."  Yes, I put them all back in the tote and hauled them back to the basement.

Give me strength

If any of you know me you know I hate a cluttered room.  This is how Jeremy left his room today while he attended a football game.  Some of it is clutter, some of it is home work, all of it gives me a head ache.  I just shut the door.

Say it isn't so!

I can not believe that the summer shoes are all on the rack. 

Stacked up winter clothes waiting to go in Emily's drawers.

Bagged up summer clothes waiting to be put away.

Long sleeved shirts all hung up.  These are all sure signs that winter is on its way.  My problem is that it is only October 7th.  We are running in the fifty's during the day and the thirties by night.  We have already had our first frost warning too.  I normally don't drag out the socks and shoes and warm clothes until mid to late November.  I am not a happy camper.