These Little Moments...

This evening, Sean and I took the kids to our favorite pumpkin picking spot. Our kids had a blast running between piles of pumpkins, searching for "the one". We ended up with two medium-sized pumpkins and a few smaller ones to add to our Halloween decorations. This is one of the highlights of October! Hmmm... this could be the one... I loved the pumpkins that made my big girl look small. :)

When we are able to bring multiple families together like we did this past Saturday, something beautiful happens. Bigger than the chaos that comes naturally within of a gathering of 7 children, ages 9 to 5 weeks, are these magical moments of togetherness that are greatly missed when we're apart. Babies are cuddled by adoring aunts, nephews are toted on shoulders and hips, cousins hold hands and laugh and bicker the way the best cousins do. I think at one point I yawned in unison with my two sisters-in-law, a sure sign that it was a fall day well spent. I am blessed to have married into an incredible family. I also get to be "Aunt Tina" to these precious children. It's a gift I treasure. The weather could not have been better than it was Saturday morning when we arrived at the North Carolina Zoo. It was a fun, exhausting adventure. Sean's mom, known as "Memaw" to the grandchildren, joined us. I know she enjoyed visiting with her three oldest children...

This past Saturday, my mom and I ran in the 21st Annual Women's Only 5K. It was a wonderful event that raised over $100,000 to support the Mammography Scholarship Fund. It was an honor to run alongside almost 4,000 other women, including many breast cancer survivors. Gracie participated in the Girls' Only Mini Run prior to the 5K. I was one proud momma!