Catch-A-Dream Trip in Photos!

Here are the promised pictures from my Catch-A-Dream trip. I was so blessed to have the opportunity to make a dream come true in the life of a child and his family.















Me and Carter!















Carter and his family and the Day One students




















The beauty of Mallard Manor (where we stayed)















What a beautiful place!

Halloween

Halloween at the Heiselts this year consisted of bats, cats, and ladybugs. However, our supercool ladybug could not stand still long enough to be photographed. Hopefully, you will enjoy these photos of our other creatures!

For Bryton's birthday this year we headed to the Corn Maze. We had to find 4 different vegetables hidden in the maze. It was quite the project! We had a great time finding these items in the maze, finding each other in the maze and just hanging out. We also climbed to the top of a giant treehouse and finished the day with a jump and toss of cotton! What a great day!

Festival of Trees

Here in Starkville we are all in preparation for the 1st Annual Festival of Trees. My mom has been in charge of the Gingerbread Village part of the event and in supporting her, each child put a house together and decorated it. We wanted you to see their efforts.

Emoree's House

Shae's Barbie House (note Barbie in front)


Bryton's House

My Travels . . .

I just returned from a weeklong experience that changed me forever. First, I went to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was beautiful. Flying over the water made me think about the TV show "Lost" and what I would do if we didn't quite make it to the island! After two presentations, numerous meetings, networking, visiting with students, and just being busy I was able to get home.

After arriving home I immediately orchestrated Bryton's family birthday extravaganza to a local corn maze (photos to come). We had a great time, but weren't joined by Emoree due to her having the flu bug. After Bryton's party, I had a day to unpack and repack. Get the house somewhat in order and get set to leave again. This time I headed to Drew, Mississippi where along with 5 students and an MSU staff member, I helped make a child's dream come true.

The Catch-A-Dream organization, similar to the Make-A-Wish foundation furnished Carter, an 11-year old with hydrocephaleous (sp?), dream to harvest a deer. Over three days (Friday, Saturday, with a very late return on Monday morning) we visited with Carter, Carter's parents (Nicole and Larry), and worked with the staff of Mallard Manor (where we were staying). It was an amazing experience. While not a hunter myself, I learned all about hunting. I watched as a family bonded over what to some could be a very strange experience. While I am not the biggest hunter, I recognize that if you had one last wish in the world, and you wanted it to be hunting with your family, then I say, go get that wish. I will post pictures soon as I want you to see the beauty that I had a chance to watch.

Oh, and by the way . . . after I got home (about 2:30) I got my p.j.'s on and was ready to crash. Emoree came in and told me Shae had thrown up. I was on such an adrenaline high that cleaning up the vomit soaked Shae (as well as her bed) didn't even phase me. . .

Update -- Carter harvested a deer this morning (after we left) and he couldn't have been happier. The deer will be processed into meat for his family to eat this winter. Be thankful for all you have. We are all truly blessed.