A Hawaiian Halloween

Okay, I know this post is long overdue! Better late than never, right?

Each year, Cody and I host a pumpkin carving party at our house with our neighbors a few days before Halloween. Everyone brings their own pumpkin, and we all carve our pumpkins together. The past few years, we have had a special Halloween-style dinner before we get creative with our pumpkins--brains and eyeballs (spaghetti and meatballs)!

Eyeballs (made by Cody)


Mummy Cupcakes (made by Mel)


Our Frankenstein pumpkin (carved mostly by Cody)




For Halloween this year, we decided to dress up Hawaiian-style. I was a hula girl and Cody was a tribal man. Together, our costumes cost less than $10, so I was pretty proud of our budget costumes!


Hershey started out as a moose, but got too hot, so we had to take the costume off. He liked being a hawaiian dog better anyway!




We had around 30 kids come trick-or-treating this year, which I think was about the same as last year from what I can remember. Some of our favorite trick-or-treaters include:

The Hepler family, AKA Uncle Henry, Auntie Em, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy


The Terrell family, AKA Mom and Football player (Dad Rob was handing out candy)


The Austin family, AKA Ghost, Cat Lady, and Turtle

"I Have a Hope"

One of my favorite songs we sing at church:

"I Have a Hope" by Tommy Walker
I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope

God has a plan, it’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me, working all things for my good
Though trials may come I have this hope

Chorus
I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

My God is for me, He’s not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete
I have a hope, I have this hope

Goodness and mercy, they’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He’s preparing there for me
Though trials may come, I have this hope

There’s still hope for me today
‘Cause the God heaven loves me

Click here to listen

Alzheimer's Walk

The Alzheimer’s Walk on October 9th was a huge success! I walked in a team with 2 of my neighbors, who also have family members with Alzheimer’s. Our team raised a total of $720 to benefit Alzheimer's NC, Inc!

The day of the walk was beautiful! We had perfect fall weather, and there was a good turn-out for the walk. I would love to do the walk again next year to support a cause that is dear to my heart!

My Personal Mechanic

Considering my Accord is around 8 years old, it has held up really well. However, there were a couple things that needed to be fixed, and Cody did them himself in just one night, which saved us a lot of money.

The last time I got my oil changed at the Honda place, they said I would need a new air filter, which would run about $30, not including labor. Cody changed my air filter in no time (only $20 minus a $5 coupon).

Over the years, the headlights had become gray and cloudy, which really aged the car. The Honda place suggesting replacing the headlights, which I can only imagine how expensive that would have been. Cody worked hard on the headlights to refinish them with a Turtle Wax headlight refinishing kit (only $11). They look so much better now!

Notice the difference between the headlight on the left (not refinished yet) and the one on the right (already refinished).


Cody working hard...


My handsome mechanic proud of his finished product

A Beach Wedding and a "Day"cation

Ruth, one of my friends/co-workers from ECU Student Employment got married at Kitty Hawk on September 18 on the beach. Cody and I decided to spend the day there, sort of a vacation for a day. First we went to the Wright Brothers Memorial (Cody's pick). There was a mini museum, rock monuments showing where each flight landed, and a large memorial monument on a hill overlooking the sound and the coast.




After eating some lunch, we went to Tanger Outlets (my pick). Unfortunately, the Tanger there was not very big, so we were in and out in no time. Next, we went to the hotel for the wedding. The weather was beautiful, just a little windy, as a result of the tropical storm off the coast. This was the first beach wedding I have attended, and it was beautiful! What an amazing place to get married! Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Watermelon Goodness

Winterville held their annual watermelon festival a few weeks ago. It's kind of like a mini-fair (emphasis on the word mini), with rides, music, craft vendors, food vendors, and of course, free watermelon slices! This makes our second year attending, mainly for the watermelon and fair foods. After enjoying a slice of watermelon, we shared a funnel cake and homemade root beer. It was a great way to spend a laid back Saturday afternoon with my baby!

Walking for a Cause

I will be walking in the Alzheimer’s Walk, honoring two very special people, my granddaddy, Dan Teague, and my great uncle, Joe Teague. Unfortunately, this disease has struck hard in my family, but I know we will not forget the influence they have had on our lives.

Please join me in raising money for Alzheimers NC, Inc. by sponsoring me for this walk, which will take place in Greenville , NC , on October 9th. Any donation will be appreciated. If you wish to donate, please visit my website page by clicking here.

Also, if any of you are interested in walking with me, please let me know! I would love to have you walk with me!

With your help, I know we can make this a success!