October 30 Just a few pictures of Kaity

Saturday:  I picked Kaity up early today because Jesse was helping a friend put up a garage at his house. They had some hired equipment coming from 11AM until about 2PM (a crane and operator), so I picked Kaity up before 11:00. We spent some time at Jesse's house. I took a few pictures of her bedroom. She has moved into the room that used to belong to Emma. The reason the pictures are so BLUE is that there are tiny blue lights strung up everywhere and I didn't know how to compensate with my lens ... so!

Kaity's old room is now being used as Jesse's office, which has worked out nicely for both of them.

We played over at my house for a few hours. Surprisingly, Kaity asked to play a game of Monopoly--as long as Paco was invited to play as well. SO ... the three of us played two games of Monopoly. Kaity won the first game and Paco won the second game. The version of Monopoly that I purchased perhaps five years ago is played very differently from how we played the game when I was young. It's much simpler. I don't think it is nearly as much fun this way, but ... I am NOT a game designer by trade. I will say, though, that these rules made it much easier for Kaity to play and enjoy the game--so, that was good.

It was super nice to have you over today, Kaity-Girl. I love you so much and enjoy spending time and playing with you!

October 29 Playoff with W. Catholic

Friday Night:  The Comstock Park Panthers were ushered UNdefeated into the playoff season. They were technically 9 and 0 ... except that 9th game was a forfeit, so zero points were attained--points which could have helped the Panthers considerably going into their playoff game against W. Catholic Friday night. The game was supposed to be played on the home field at W. Catholic--but their field got flooded with all of our recent rain (it is a newer field too), so the game was moved to Houseman Field. I'm going to post a few very poor pictures I managed to take during the game. Sadly, I did not get a single picture of Christopher, #15. He plays defensive end and he did an excellent job during the entire game--his very last game of his high school football career.

It was raining all throughout the game, kind of a steady drizzle. Thankfully, I still have that rain poncho I purchased for when my brother, David, and I went to Mackinac Island in early September. I wore lots and lots of layers underneath and kept pretty dry and almost warm! 

It was not a close game, unfortunately, for Comstock Park. Sadly, they did not score a single point. West Catholic is a very tough school--not a school we regularly play in conference.

But here's the thing: In the THREE years of Chris's high school football participation prior to this one, the Panthers won a total of FOUR games. Yes--that's correct--FOUR games in three seasons. So to have Chris's senior year be one of EIGHT wins and one forfeit--well, that was a much happier season for him. Chris has always loved football.

I haven't spoken to Chris since the game, so I'm not sure how he processed this loss--but I am hoping he realizes how special it was to reach the playoffs and have such a successful senior year.

Kaity wasn't too interested in the game. She was very proud for Comstock Park to make it to the playoffs--there is a lot of school spirit in this district.

I'm glad I was able to see this game! Emma and I drove there separately because she had plans with friends after the game. Naturally (!!), I got a bit turned around getting to the stadium and then actually finding a parking space ... so I was not on time for the game and missed the kick-off. Even though it was a miserable weather night, I am glad I stuck it out until the last second so that I could watch Chris play. Good job, Christopher!

October 28 PLEASE don't go, October!

Thursday:  In the last few days, the trees have finally turned yellow and golden ... and deep red. At my house the other day, it was raining leaves! Beautifully colored leaves that had barely changed and ... poof! They were already on the ground! It was the same way out in these woods today. More color on the ground than in the trees!

What a beautiful time of year ... I wish we had three months of October!

I am hoping that maybe the first few weeks of November will continue with this beauty ...
 

October 28 Darling Kaity-Girl

Thursday:  I will admit I was a bit hesitant about picking Kaity up from Jesse today--not because I don't want to spend time with Kaity--but mostly because I wasn't sure what exactly to do with our time together. It's been so wet and rainy outside. BUT ... the rain DID stop earlier in the afternoon and I asked the Lord to bless whatever time Kaity and I had together today.

When Kaity hopped into my car over at Jesse's, her first question (always) was: "So what are we going to do today, Grandma?" However, her voice and face today did not register gloom--instead, she was wearing a smile while carrying her little stuffed animal (Blueberry) and looked like she was ready for just about anything. I suggested we go for a woodsy adventure! She was 100% IN! Yes!

We drove on over to the Maranatha Bible campground (about 3 minutes from Kaity's house) and began walking down the hill behind the church and into the woods. Only then did we remember Kaity's rain boots that were in the back of my car. So ... we walked back up the hill and got her boots.

THEN ... we were all set. 

I love this little place in the woods so much. I'm not particularly crazy about the materials used on this bridge--black iron doesn't do much for me--I like wood or stone or brick so much better ... but it's so lovely back here in the woods, isn't it?

Kaity was always WAY ahead of me on our walk--not because I am SO slow--but that I was taking pictures while walking and Kaity was NEVER walking--just running!

Kaity was super happy to be able to step right in the creek! These are very nice rain boots with a thick rubber sole to protect her feet from stones under the water ... but they are not very HIGH boots--perhaps 8" at most ...

Mill Creek is not super deep in this area, although as you can see by the pictures, there are places where you can see where there are holes and places that ARE deeper. Kaity told me: "I've got this, Grandma!"

Kaity was completely delighted to walk out as far as she could go--however, she misjudged the depth of her boots and soon had as much water INside her boots as without. We couldn't stop laughing as she sloshed about!

Wet feet (and cold) did not deter Kaity from staying in the creek for as long as possible. She picked up pretty stones, tossed a few rocks, and generally enjoyed herself hugely.

She decided to do a little jig at this spot ...

I wish so badly I had taken better care while shooting the picture below--the focus is off, or it would have been such a nice picture of Kaity tossing leaves.

She nearly lost her balance (below) ...

Kaity managed to stay pretty dry from the knee on up ...

She was not at all bothered by her extremely drenched feet ...

As she climbed up the bank of the hill, with each step, water squirted from her boots!

I allowed her back in for a short while. Very harmless fun for her. I love to watch this child outdoors--she really comes alive in such a beautiful way.

I think I need to get myself some WADERS ... then I could walk in the creek too! Kaity told me to order them right away! I probably will not do that ...

After our adventure, we drove back to Kaity's for her to get some dry socks and pants to wear and then we played over at the Beach House for a little while. We finished our Star Wars puzzle tonight and played two more games of UNO. Paco and I lost both games. 

Thanks so much, Lord, for being with us in real time ... for hearing my request for help with Kaity today and for blessing our time together in such a happy way.