Babies Make Four: Eclipses, Pickled Okra, Haircuts & New Babies

I haven't written a proper post in awhile. We've been busy, but nothing newsworthy. The weather has cooled in these parts and you can tell that September will be here in a week. I like that.

My title for this post is a little random, but I guess so are the pictures below. Last Sunday, I tried my hand at pickling some okra. My mom's neighbors blessed them with a HUGE bag of okra. My mom was a little unsure as to what she was going to do with all of it so I stole it and jarred it up. I made this recipe awhile back and only made one tiny jar. It was good at the time, so I'm curious to see how this stands up. Dillon tried one batch that didn't quite seal and he said the okra was a little tough. They were big pieces so I'm hoping if I let the okra sit for a few more weeks and stew that it may be better.

Last Monday, we enjoyed the eclipse. Here in Candler, we were about 45 minutes away from "totality" so we saw the eclipse at something like 99.5%, which, if you didn't know, is NOT totality. Dillon had to teach a class that night and I worked from home that day and I think we both regret not taking the day and driving the short distance to see the eclipse in it's greatness. It was still mighty impressive and Dillon picked up Luke from school early that day because they weren't going to watch it and he was amped up about it. He kept talking about what a special day it was so we were glad to let him skip a nap and enjoy the festivities (even if it was just the three of us sitting in our driveway listening to "Darkside of the Moon"). I had to yell at Luke a few times though because he kept wanting to stare at the sun without glasses. Ha.

The rest of the week has been fairly tame. I got my haircut today and had 5 inches chopped off. My hair was SO long and it was too much to take care of. I couldn't straighten it in the mornings and it was so hot on my neck all the time. I held off getting my "mom" cut for as long as I could, but all in all I think it's pretty cute.

The other big news in the past few weeks is that our family and friends have been inundated with new babies! Our friends the Wyatts had their sweet little boy two weeks ago and Dillon's sister had her baby 3 days later! Today we got some good snuggles in with little Max and next weekend we'll travel to Richmond to see Indie! We're so, so happy for both families! You forget just how little babies are when they come into the world (even if it's only been 8 months since that was you.) Charlie still feels so little, but she looked like a giant next to little Max today.

We're preparing for fall and have Halloween costumes in mind. I've already been grilling Luke as to what he wants from Santa and I have the majority of their Christmas presents purchased. I'm also looking towards Charlie's first birthday. I think we are going to skip a big party and just have some cake at home and maybe a dual Christmas/Birthday party in Virginia (I know you're not ever supposed to do that, but she's 1 and she will never know.) As we all know, fall starts the busy, but fun, season and I absolutely cannot wait!