Gobble Gobble

Thanksgiving is this week!!
I love Turkey Day! Being more consciously thankful for the many blessings in our lives. It's wonderful! And I have so much to be thankful for. I hope everyone will take the time to let those special people know how thankful you are for them.

I also love Turkey Day food. My favs are the turkey, cranberry sauce, and pecan pie. Yum! What are you favorite foods at Thanksgiving?

And lets not forget the good ol' Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gosh I can remember watching that as a kid. I think my kids kind of get bored with it, but we watch it anyway! It's tradition!

Thanksgiving also means I can finally listen to my Christmas music.....in public. (Yes I've already been listening to it...I can't help it. It's my favorite!) Trans-Siberian Orchestra has to be my favorite. I've seen them twice in person and LOVED it. So, look them up and go see them. You know you want to. :) I don't think they're playing in Atlanta this year....ugh!

Speaking of Christmas, I feel so much more prepared for it this year than in previous years. It helps that I'm working part time now so the $ is a little easier to manage. But beyond that, I am really excited to see the kids' reactions with the gifts they're getting. I've got some handmade projects in the works and I'm so excited. I will post pics of some of them soon. It's really got me into a craft mood with sewing and painting and all that fun stuff. I think it's addicting...once you start you suddenly think of 20 other things you can make too. :D (Or at least I d0)

Well I better get off the computer. We're leaving tomorrow to visit Rob's parents. (Another T-day tradition). Happy Early Thanksgiving!! Don't eat too much! :)

the frustration of 2

I have the hardest time with 2. (the age). The temper tantrums and potty training and learning to speak and all of that is FRUSTRATING. I know it's frustrating for the kid too, so I try to keep that in mind but lately I feel like I have to anticipate EVERYTHING for David or else suffer a massive meltdown. And it's exhausting.
This morning we were a little on the late side (well not late, but we had to rush a little more) and David couldn't find anything to wear that matched his brother (sometimes he's insistent on that). He also insists on dressing himself. Time was running short, and although he had gotten dressed, he didn't have his shoes on or his coat. So I had to just do it for him quickly so we weren't late for school. Thus begun the meltdown. Once the coat and shoes were on, I had to carry him to the car kicking and screaming. He of course was all worked up and wouldn't put on his buckle (another thing he usually insists on doing). So when I had to do it for him, he got even more upset. He cried and screamed all the way to the school and home again. Where he got mad at me for opening the van and unbuckling him (even tho he can't unbuckle himself).
Granted I know things do usually go smoother when we're not rushed, but even then if something sets him off, he gets so mad. And it just melts down. I get so frustrated by the degree of meltdown he's been having lately.
But you know, when he wants to be sweet, he just makes me melt. He can be such a sweet caring guy. I know we'll get through this stage, but can it be today?

Reason #5260848402

Why you know you really do want a trampoline...
If you're having a really bad hair day, and all else fails...just go jump a few times an voila...it's a hairdo originale.

Oh I get it now!

I used to roll my eyes at all the "My child is an Honor Student" bumper stickers or any of the other obnixious "let-me-rub-in-your-face-how-cool-my-kid-is" stickers. (You know we have all seen them..) I would always joke that I wanted the one that says "My kid can beat up your honor student" just for grins. I thought I'd never be one of those parents. I mean puh-lease.

On Friday, Robby came home and proudly exclaimed "I GOT STUDENT OF THE MONTH!!!!" His expression was priceless. He was beaming with pride. And right in that instant, it clicked and I "got" the whole bumper sticker thing. I am so proud of my little guy. How can I not sport the sticker on my minivan? (and the eek face next to it was already there....although somehow it's suprisingly fitting.) :D

So now I'm one of those people you all roll your eyes at. But neener neener look how cool my kid is.

October already!

Holy cow, wasn't it just like March? I think the days get shorter and shorter.
We've been so busy with school and football on top of the normal day to day grind that time has just slipped away. And here we are in October.
Last month, my twin sister and I were able to take Mom out for her birthday. We went to see Les Miserables in Atlanta. It was such a fun day. I'm so glad to be close to my mom. I love spending time with her.
We also celebrated Robby's 6th birthday. I still owe him a birthday post, which I will get up very soon! (also more new pictures of all the kids to come!) He is playing football now and loves it. It's so fun to watch. I think it's really been good for him too. But maaan do they get sweaty and stinky! And I'm sure it's nothing compared to when he's older!

We're trying to figure out Halloween costumes for a trunk-r-treat at our church later this month. I'm trying to convince them to do a theme, and everyone but Haley is on board. We first thought of Peter Pan, with Lexi as tinkerbell (even tho I wanted Linds to be Tink), Haley could be Wendy, Robby as Peter Pan, and David as Hook. But those are some pretty demanding costumes. So now I'm trying to convince them that the wizard of Oz could be fun too. We already have a Dorothy costume....so that could be easy. Lexi said she could be Glenda the good witch and then the boys could pick out of the tin man, the scarecrow and the lion...
Alas, Haley wants to be a ballerina. Not sure how I can theme around THAT! I thought I'd show her some cute dorothy costumes in hopes it will get her on board. :D

It seriously doesn't seem like a whole year has gone by since having Linds. I can remember at the beginning of October last year, saying "THIS is the month I'm having the baby!!" (I believe I actually blogged it too, probably on the first of Oct), and wouldn't you know it, she came the last day. I remember the anticipation and excitement, and then the impatience and crankiness when I found out my Dr would be out of down during the week I was due. Then to have to go OVERDUE was just not something I was happy about. But she was very much worth it, my little pumpkin girl!

I'm getting ready to make a move to a new bloggy, but I will link you all once it's up and ready! :) So watch this space!

Till we meet again

After almost 5 years of battling cancer, my Dad's fight came to an end last week. We all knew the day would come, but it sure did go fast. When he was diagnosed, he was at Stage 4. We all knew what that meant. Still through it all, he remained so positive, so upbeat and so brave.

The last week of his life, things had deteriorated pretty quickly, and he remained positive and brave. Even in the moments where he was loopy, he stayed true to character, cracking jokes and just being the same old Dad that I know and love. I am in awe at his bravery through it all. Through chemo and radiation and then when things weren't working, to still know that everything would be ok. Such great faith.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. As his breathing became more labored, my mom held his hand and told him if he saw Emily (my sister who passed away when I was 5), to take her hand and go...that it was ok...and that we would be ok. He passed away a few moments later. We sat around him and sang songs and shared some favorite memories of him after he passed. Having the family together was such a blessing. We could rely on each other for comfort and strength.

The services were beautiful, and just as he would have wanted them. It still seems so surreal. I miss him so much. How grateful I am to have the gospel in my life, and to know the plan of salvation. To know that I will get to see him again one day. How sweet that reunion will be.

God be with you till we meet again.

summer memories

Last month we bought a pop up camper. We've had enough of tent camping in the south. It's just too hot, and well, there's nothing worse than waking up wet. We decided we wanted to go on a family vacation to the beach before the kids went back to school. Here's our "baby" LOL



How fun is this!?! Not only did we stay dry (and it was such a blessing...considering it rained EVERY afternoon we were there), but the first night we were actually COLD thanks to the a/c! HAH!
Some random camping pictures...not the best..i kept forgetting about taking pics. :D





















The best part was the beach. Ah the beach. I could live on the beach. There's just something so serene and wonderful about the sound, sights and smells. We were so glad that it wasn't really a very busy beach either. The kids love the beach too. This was Lind's first trip and she was fascinated with the sand. She kept trying to eat it. :D David wasn't too impressed with the water at first, but he loooooved diggin in the sand. The older three all loved the waves as they came crashing in.













We had such fun. And the best part is that now we have a pop up, we plan on doing MUCH more camping! :)