Time Flies...

 When you're having fun!  Look at these 2 cuties and how they've changed!  We are enjoying the christmas season and all it has to offer!  I have pleasantly surprised myself and have gotten 98.5% of my shopping done.  It feels so good to not have the stress of shopping on Dec 23rd to worry about!  All the presents I have are wrapped, minus those from Santa, my cards are mailed out, food is planned, and the lights are glowing bright on my tree.



 Plans are coming along for my IVF.  I received all of my medicine in the mail the other day and was almost overwhelmed.  There's a ton of it!  Lots and lots of needles, pills, vials, and such.  I thought the last injections I had were a bunch!  That was nothing! I'd like to ask you to keep me in your thoughts as we go through this.  If you pray, please pray for us.  If you wish, please wish for us.  If you cross your fingers....well, you get the picture!  This has been the most emotionally draining thing I have ever been through.  I will keep you updated as we go on.

I sit here and type as floors need to be swept, dishes need to be done, and laundry calls my name.  In the living room there is a husband looking for some attention, so I must go!  Have a good night and enjoy what is left of the Christmas season because time flies!

Man, one post in alll of November, that's awful! I don't even think I could call myself a blogger!

My next favorite time of the year is already here! We've gotten our tree and inside decorations up, the outside lights are done, and the Christmas CD is in the player. It's Christmas time!! Before I get too far into that though, here are some pics from Thanksgiving:



Grace brought her Guess Who game and we declared Amy the all time champ. Aunt Patty tried teaching Chace how to make a poker face, dad cooked an excellent turkey, and Grace gnawed on a turkey leg for an hour. Seriously....she would carry it around chewing on it, lay her plate down and come get it later! Gross!

I had typed a sheet of paper for everyone with their name at the top with "I am thankful for you because" under it. We were to pass the papers around and list a reason why we were thankful for them. My family doesn't talk feelings well, so I wondered how much of a challenge this would be. Not everyone wrote on them, but most did and at the end of the night, you got your paper back to take home and read. I was so glad I did this. My paper made me cry with the thoughtful words (though I tend to be a cry baby anyway), but the sweetest thing was Grace. I read hers to her when we got home and she started crying (happy) because she was so touched by what Amy had said to her. We may know we are thankful for someone, but telling that person can mean so much.

I had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I have groceries in my cabinets and heat in my home. I have a comfortable bed and clothes on my back. I have a car, a job, and a little bit of talent to pursue what I love to do. I have a wonderful husband and daughter who love me unconditionally. I have 4 dogs who don't care if I look like crap or say the wrong thing, as long as I give 'em a scratch on the head. We can all find things that bring us down or that we are not happy about. But, look a little further and you will find a mountain of things to be thankful for. And not just on Thanksgiving, but everyday.

Lately...

I'm really lacking on my blogging! I have lots of pictures to share and these few collages don't even begin to skim the surface of the last month!

Raymond and Erin wanted some pictures taken, so we spent Sunday running around taking them. We had to do them in the late morning (which I never want to do again, lighting stinks!), thank goodness I had Bill and a reflector to give some shade! Here are a few of them....As far as I know, their wedding is planned for June of next year, I can't wait!


My cousin Jessica also wanted some pictures of her family. Here are a few from their day...Hayden is such a handsome little guy, and full of expressions! I'll have to make a collage of his funny faces!


I really liked doing photo Christmas cards last year, so we set out with my sister as my photographer to try to get at least one good picture for cards. While these pictures are good, I think we may try one more session this weekend for a picture that makes me happy!


Halloween was great, the kids had a good time. Grace got about 50 pounds of candy, $6.13 from my dad's change jar grab, and a blinking necklace that she broke trying to get out of the package because she couldn't wait to get home to open it! She loved her Miss America costume very much! Chace was the cutest little indian I have ever seen!


I say it every month, now I can't believe November is here! I have 3 Christmas gifts bought. That is better than in years past, but still not what I'd like to have done! So much neat stuff comes out around Christmas though, I don't want to miss out on buying a really good gift that's not out yet. That sounds like a good excuse!

I'm taking Grace around this weekend to family and friends to gather food donations to take to the local food pantry for the holidays. I'd like for her to understand that some people aren't as well off and need help and I think this will be a good thing for us to do. She already has a kind heart, but an understanding of volunteering and donating will do her good also! She seems excited about it!

My IVF consultation went well last month. We will begin the process in Dec./Jan. and the actual IVF will be in January. It would be sooner, but they do not do IVF in December. I was a little upset about this at first, because I was hoping for a Christmas miracle, but what if it didn't work? That would make for an awful Christmas gift! Maybe that is part of the reason why they don't do it then....So, I'm just going to try to enjoy the holidays without thinking of it too much. This is the best time of the year and I intend to make the best of it!

Fall

It has finally became my favorite time of the year! Yup, it's fall! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

1. It's cold and dreary....call me crazy, but I love it.

2. When I cook, the kitchen windows steam up.

3. It's time to start thinking of "holiday food". The time of year when everyone (including myself) feels compelled to make certain foods that are reserved for this time of year. Or, at least, make more of it. Pies, cookies, cheese balls, little weenies in bacon, pumpkin rolls, peanut butter balls, etc.

4. We've got our tombstones out in the yard....recall last year my tombstone that read....RIP The Mullet 1985-1990? I'll post pics later.

5. Painting pumpkins. They look prettier and last longer. No sharp knives for me, thanks.

6. Long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, jackets. All the more to hide flubber with....nuff said.

7. New episodes of my favorite shows....Gray's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, CSI, Criminal Minds....and my new fav. Modern Family. If you haven't watched, you must!

8. Not going outside and breaking a sweat. I am not a fan of sweat. Hence, the flubber.

9. Apple and cinnamon scented candles. Which I used to hate the smell of, but now I love!

10. Knowing that Christmas is just around the corner. I'm ready for the lights, music, shopping, presents, food, everything! But, for now, I won't rush myself and I'll enjoy all that I love about fall!

Amy and I took the kids to Breezy Hill Farm the other night. It was great going at night because there was no crowd and the kids could just play and play! I thought I'd put together a little collage of them last year vs. this year....WOW! They have grown so much!! Grace is growing up so much and Chace isn't such a baby anymore!

I recommend everyone to go to this place! I'll post more pictures of it in a bit...but it's a fun time for the kids. G & C loved playing in the corn the most....they have hayrides, slides, a little petting zoo area, bonfire pits, teeter totters, bean bag toss, corn and straw mazes.....it's just fun. Their website is breezyhillfarm.net. And NO, this is not a paid endorsement! Haha!



That's it for now, laundry and vacuuming are calling my name! I called them a few names too, but they don't seem to mind....*sigh*.....good night!!