Busy, busy!!

Fall is full of activities, and now that Michael is older, it feels like he's rediscovering all the joys of the season all over again. Like leaves! Once he stopped worrying about them falling off the trees, he started to enjoy them on the ground. What a big guy!

 He was disappointed that he's not quite big enough to use the blower though.

We visited the pumpkin patch Saturday morning, and it was COLD!! But I'm not sure Michael noticed anything other than how his hat kept falling down over his eyes.

There's Emily, heading out into the wild pumpkin beyond.

 Personally, I loved the corn crib the most. It was so fun to sit in and play with all the corn kernels.

 But Michael, of course, preferred the tractor-pulled train. It was a very serious endeavor.

 He was so funny on the jumping pillow too. Any time a bigger person jumped near him, he would lose his balance and fall down the side.

 The whole pumpkin patch gang.

 On the left is Michael this year, and on the right is Michael being measured at the same farm in 2010. What a difference!

 We had a great time at Beth and Tim's house Saturday night. Michael got to wear his Bob the Builder costume for the first time.

 We also carved pumpkins with the Liberts Sunday night. What a great tradition! Michael wouldn't put his hand into the pumpkin because he said it was "icky."

 Here's Michael in 2010...

And here he is this year...

  Did we get a smaller pumpkin?

Beautiful Fall

We are deep into fall; in fact, there are lots of trees that no longer have any leaves on them. Michael is having fun playing in them, and we're enjoying our last couple of days of warmth. It is definitely my favorite season. It's also a season of sickness, however. Michael came down with a mild case of walking pneumonia at the end of last week that he's still fighting, but he's almost better. Can we just be finished with all sickness now for a while? Whew!

 Reaching for bubbles.

 Michael's friend Isaac celebrated his second birthday this past weekend, although with all Michael's help, it wasn't clear whose birthday it really was.

 Randi made an awesome train cake that tasted delicious.

 Randi, me, and Emily at the party.

We're really gearing up for Halloween now, and if Michael will keep his hat on, he'll be one adorable Bob the Builder.

I wish I had something exciting to post about this week, but it's been quiet, for once. I submitted my dissertation to the graduate school, so I'm totally finished with everything school-related now (except teaching, of course). I've been applying to jobs and working on publications. JD trained some new employees over the weekend and mowed the grass for, probably, the last time this year. Michael has been enjoying school a lot: last week he made a bag that he filled with leaves, and he colored a picture of Grover. I took him to a full-day school on Friday to see if he liked it for next semester, and he had a great time. We've been trying potty training in short increments, and I can't say we're getting anywhere just yet. Even when he tells us he has to go, he won't stop playing. He spent some time playing with Isaac this week, so I got some funny pictures that I shared on Facebook.

Randi and I are thinking of trying a sleep-over Thursday night--or maybe a not-sleep over... We have two new couples in our Bible study that we are enjoying growing closer with. God always knows just who to bring into our lives at the right time. I don't know if I've mentioned this on the blog, but I've also been teaching a Sunday school class in Baby Kidsview at church on Sunday mornings every-other month since June. I have two-year olds, so Michael is in my class the months I work. I'm really enjoying it. I was hesitant to commit to serving so often, but I do feel like I am making a difference in introducing these children to Jesus and in allowing their parents the time to enjoy the service. At least I get where two-year-olds are coming from. Most of them just want a lot of hugs. So, nothing much new, just life. But it's a good life.

Two Weeks in Three Parts by Dr. Pond

Part I: We Got Sick

We SERIOUSLY got sick the day after I last posted. Within twenty-four hours, all three of us had awful colds that, thirteen days later, we are still fighting. After a solid week of laying around on the couch and feeling very grumpy, we all went to the doctor to find out that Michael had a double ear infection, and JD and I both had sinus infections. No wonder we were so miserable!! It was definitely the worst illness we've had since Michael has been born.

Part II: I Got a PhD

Right in the midst of the sickness, I had my dissertation defense scheduled. So, with barely a voice, I defended. JD was in the audience, but his ears were so clogged that he said he didn't hear much. Bottom line: I passed. There were some surprises and some challenges during the hour-long event, but at the end, everything worked out for the best, and I am now officially Dr. Julia Pond. JD was enormously supportive. Even with as badly as he was feeling, he tried so hard to make the day special for me. He bought me roses and a card, and, as most of you know, he emailed many of our friends and family to share the news. Thank you so much to all of you for your kind responses. Your love and support got me through the last four years.

 Part III: We Went to A Parade

We are finally feeling better this weekend, so we got to attend the ISU Homecoming parade for the third year in a row with the Liberts. Emily joined us this year too, and even though it was cold, we had a lot of fun.

 Temperatures have plumeted, and we are beginning to get used to spending more time inside again. Michael, for instance, has been looking for some new hiding places. I am busy applying to the (few) jobs available for next year and planning some new children's lit classes that I get to teach next semester. My graduate student days may be over, but there is a lot of work still ahead. Good thing I like it.