Announcing the Newest Addition to the Hanners Family!

Shortly after Morgan returned to NM, we adopted our very first pet together. Her name is Ruby Roo Hanners, and she is 8 months old. We know that she has some Boxer in her, and she is great with the kids.

I found out about her from the children's librarian at the public library. She rescues animals, and has about 60 pets in her house. She has about 10 dogs right now, and is looking for good homes for them. Ruby had been severely neglected by her previous owners. They put her in their backyard and stopped feeding her. Their neighbors threw food over the fence to her, and eventually rescued her. When she arrived at the home of the librarian, they could see all of her ribs. She has since gained a lot of weight, but we are hoping she will gain a little more. She is a medium sized dog, and is still fairly thin.

The kids absolutely love her. She is very gentle and loving with them. Braden and Morgan take her for walks in the mornings sometimes. On Saturday the whole family took her for a walk together and had a great time running around a grassy park with beautiful trees in it. We have decided to do that every night from now on.

Morgan Returns!!

At the beginning of this month, Braden, Lydia and I went to MD so we could be with all of Morgan's family to welcome him home. I had made a big banner, and had family members sign it or e-mail messages for me to add to it with iron-on transfers. As soon as we got to MD, he called to let me know that he would be arriving much later than we had expected. I was very worried that the kids and I would have to return to NM before he returned to MD. It was difficult to have to wait the extra time, but he was able to return three days before we were to return to NM. The reunion at the airport was wonderful. The family held up the banner, and when we saw him coming out of the terminal everyone started clapping. I ran into his arms, closely followed by Braden. Braden wouldn't let go of his Daddy the rest of the night.

While we were there together we had a big Welcome Home party at his parents' house. It was so wonderful seeing so many family members and friends. During the party, Morgan modeled some of his Kurdish clothing for everyone and showed us some pictures on his computer.

The kids and I left on Sunday morning to return to NM, and Morgan stayed behind to outprocess from his unit. Then he and his Dad and Step-Dad drove his car back to NM. He returned here the following Sunday. We are so happy to finally be a complete family again.

Trick or Treat!

Last night was Halloween, and we went trick-or-treating with our friends. But I think the highlight of the night was when the kids handed out candy from our house. Unfortunately, not many trick-or-treaters go down our street, so Braden and Lydia were a little disappointed. But their candy was of some consolation.

As far as I know right now, Morgan is in the United States. He called me a couple of nights ago from Germany while he was en route from Iraq. I didn't realize just how much stress I was under while he was there until I felt the weight of it lift off when he called. It was a very emotional moment for me as I realized that it is over. As I hear and read about things that are still happening over there, I feel something different -- I am sad for those who are still there, and for their families. But I don't experience the panic I used to. Whenever I would read a story about something that happened to troops over there I would feel panicked until I read more and convinced myself that it was nowhere near Morgan. Just knowing that he is as far away from the danger as I am now has brought me so much peace. The kids and I are so excited to be a family again. Braden has been collecting little toys and knick knacks and putting them into boxes to give to Daddy when he returns. They both draw pictures for him all the time. Lydia looks forward to playing Barbies with her Daddy. Braden is planning his science fair project which he will complete with Morgan when he returns. We can't believe that we are finally going to be a family again. The next time I post to this blog it will be with the wonderful news that we have been reunited, and the pictures of that reunion.

Pumpkin Day!

The kids and I started a new tradition last year. We found a book called Pumpkin Day! by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace at the library. It is about a bunny family who picks a day every October to celebrate Pumpkin Day. On that day they eat pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, go to a pumpkin patch, carve their jack-o’-lanterns, and toast pumpkin seeds. I found a used copy of the book on-line, and we have read it many times already. We celebrated our Pumpkin Day this past Saturday.

We started out our day with pumpkin pancakes. I found a wonderful recipe at: http://southernfood.about.com/od/pancakesandwaffles/r/bl30324m.htm
This recipe was so moist and delicious. It even called for chopped pecans, so I was able to use our own pecans from our trees.

After breakfast the kids got dressed in their Halloween costumes, and we went to the Zoo Boo at the local zoo. They had fun looking at the animals while trick-or-treating, and jumping in the jumping balloon.

That afternoon we carved our jack-o’-lanterns. I let Braden design his own, and I just cut out the features he had drawn onto the pumpkin. He was especially proud of his snaggle toothed smile.

That evening we went to the church Halloween party and pot luck. After the pot luck all of the children went to the Primary room and nursery for games and crafts. The Youth had set up a haunted house in the Young Women room. The Young Men were in charge of making a cardboard tunnel and decorating, and the Young Women provided slimy foods for the kids to touch as they went through (ex. Cold noodles for veins, cauliflower soaked in Jell-o for brain). It was a Mad Scientist theme, and was creepy but not scary, so all of the kids enjoyed it. Also, down one hallway of the church the kids were able to go trick-or-treating in the classrooms. It was a really fun event.

This is our second year celebrating Pumpkin Day, and we look forward to introducing this fun new tradition to Morgan next year.

Fall Festival

Every year at this time, Braden's school does their big annual fundraiser in the form of a Fall Festival. The kids get out of class shortly after lunch on that day, and go out onto the playground where each teacher has set up a game. They buy tickets (18 for $5) and each game or snack costs one ticket. I volunteered to help with his teachers' game, which was the ping pong toss into goldfish bowls. Instead of winning a real goldfish, each student who won got a stuffed one. I was so glad that I brought Lydia with me, because she was a great help in retrieving ping pong balls! Braden had a wonderful time walking around with his friends and playing the games. He felt so grown up being able to go from game to game without Mom. At one point I saw him with his friend and they were each gnawing on pickles they had bought with their tickets. The day of Fall Festival was also "Red Day" at school, so he wore a red hat, shirt, pants and socks.