Our Little Photo Shoot

I loaded the kids up in the car today and took them out to do a photo shoot.  I wanted to capture some of the autumn scenery at it's best.  Unfortunately, there were a lot of trees that had already lost their leaves which surprises me.

Alysia was ready to go.

James was as ready as he was going to be.

Parker...not so much.

I took along a chair, two pumpkins and a wagon for props.  Parker had more fun with the pumpkins and the wagon so we decided to ditch those and move to another location.  At one point the pumpkins were rolling down the hill and Alysia and James were running to get them and Parker was crying hysterically because he couldn't get to them.  I was laughing so hard I couldn't get a pic!

Here are some of my favs from the day.

This is one of the {very} few that I got Parker smiling.

 This is my beauty!!

Alysia and James got along very well without any prodding from me!

That is a rarity!

 Parker would NOT look at the camera unless I told him there was a "bug" on the lens...then he wanted to touch it!

 This is one of my favs of Alysia!

 Adorable...I couldn't get him to smile at me so he was laughing at his sister!

 Where is that DARN BUG???

 This tree was B E A U T I F U L!!  There was every color imaginable on it!!

I Got Swagger!

That means I'm cool!!!

Or...

It could mean that I got Swagger from cashing in SwagBucks!

I had alot of Swagbucks racked up and figured I might as well do something with them.  I wasn't going to know if this thing was a scheme or not if I didn't try it out.  I told my hubby and he says, "Yeah,until you get a bill along with your item."

I ordered a pair of earrings and today they arrived!  And...there was no bill, my dear!

Aren't they purdy!!  They're amethyst...my birthstone.

So now it's time for you to go cash in your Swagbucks.

If you don't have any, go check out what all the hype it about.

You don't have to do anything but search the web!

I'm loving it.

Now I can't wait to cash in some more.

To ANY Blog Goddess Out There - PLEASE

See my header up there?!?!  It's only formated for two columns and I can't figure out how to get it to expand over the three columns.  It doesn't matter if I make the header bigger, it's still only two columns wide. 

Help!!  Anyone have any suggestions?!

How "Social" Are You?

I use Facebook

I Tweet {rarely}

I blog {duh}

If you're here then you either know me or you're just browsing

simply because BlogHopping is addicting.

Either way you are a part of a social media network. 

Let me ask you this?

How important are those social networks to you?

I just had a conversation with family this week about this exact thing.

They can not understand how I can meet people through blogging.

Then go as far as to accept advice and comments from people that I "don't know".

There are bad things that you have to be cautious of.

I am not immune to that, I know.

BUT I do enjoy the relationships that I see and create while blogging.

I do feel that there is a sense of family in this "social" world.

Does that replace my "real" social world?

No.

I know how important "real" relationships and friendships are.

One such person is Erin Cobb

She is an awesome blogger {unlike me}.

Today she posted THIS in which she talks about this exact thing.

She shares the extraordinary friendships she has created through this social medium

and the inspiration that she gets from them.

They are "real" women.

Just like me.  

How "social" are you?

Am I the only one with family that doesn't understand?

I bet not.

To My Readers

I love my blog!

I love the fulfillment I get from it.

I love the simple relationships I have formed with others.

I love being able to be me.

I love all of the ideas I get from others.

I love the support from my followers.

I love the "realness" that you see in blogs.

I love that we have our own uniqueness in Blogland.

To all of you blogging out there,

showing your heart,

your home,

your weaknesses,

your strengths;

I LOVE YOU

Just thought you might want to know that right now.  To any that may be doubting your blogging; you do matter - to someone!  If you only matter to one - that's important enough!

Just a Small Reminder

Friendships can be a wonderful thing.  Everyone has their quirks and it's all about accepting that makes the best friendships.  I am the first to admit that I am not the "best" of friends.  I also firmly believe that when the right "friend" comes along that I won't have to work at it.  There are many people that don't believe that, but I do.  Friendship shouldn't be stressful or over demanding. 

6 Ways To Be A Good Friend

1.Spend time together. If you can’t go for walks or to yoga class together, then telephone or email your friend regularly. The conversations needn’t be long or personal; those quick “I’m thinking of you” moments can go a long way in making a strong support network.

2.Make friends a priority. Maybe you “should” clean the house, wash the dog, go grocery shopping, or watch tv (some people feel they should do that!). But give those “shoulds” the brush and prioritize your friendships. There will be plenty of time for those “shoulds” when you’re dead. For now, think about the health benefits of friendship.

3.Be there for the good and bad. Show up for the funerals and the weddings, the surgeries and the celebrations! Be sincerely sad or genuinely happy for your friend – and include them on the good and bad in your life, too. One way to be a good friend is to be inclusive.

4.Don’t keep score. Who called who last? Who bought lunch last? Who spent the most on Christmas gifts? Who forgot whose birthday? Who cares? If you have a good friend, cut a little slack. If your friendship really isn’t that great, then maybe you need to re-evaluate it. The health benefits of friendship will outlast the score-keeping cards.

5.Notice the little stuff. The conversations that matter the most are the quick little ones that last only a few minutes. It’s not always the deep long heart-to-hearts that bond friends together -- it's the day to day minutiae of everyday life. One way to be a good friend is to have short, sweet conversations.

6.Focus on the positive. We all have quirks and weaknesses; focusing on your friend’s strengths and wonderful qualities will keep your friendship alive and strong. To be a good friend, forget about the things you wish were different.

Friendships, especially {emotional} women friendships can be difficult to create and withstand the test of time.  Men seem to have it easy - I don't know if we should learn something from that or not.  Either way I want to thank all of my friends that love me for who I am and for the times that I am not the "best" friend.  Believe me, I have to live with myself {smirk}.  I know all to well how challenging that can be.

I think this poem sums it up best and I think it is a perfect reminder for all of us no matter where we are in our life right now.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is,

you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty;

to provide you with guidance and support;

to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,

because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,

and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

Nothing Ever Is Easy - Is It?

There are such fine lines when it comes to decisions in life and then others seem to be as clear as a wall built in front of you.  Those fine lines just really tear me up sometimes.

Anyone that knows me well enough knows that I HATE confrontation.  I have a really hard time in knowing how to tactfully confront a situation without hurting the other person but at the same time getting my point across.  I guess part of it is also that I try to fix people too much and my point can be much deeper than the other person can see.  It can really frustrate me sometimes when someone else can't see what I see.  I fully understand that, that doesn't make me righteous, although some people may see it otherwise. 

I have had a hard time knowing what to publicize on this blog for personal and family reasons.  One side of me feels that I should be as open as I can be so that I get the best advice and support from all of you.  The other side of me says that I need to withhold simply because those close to me read this and may not want to hear what I have to say.  I still haven't decided what is the best direction in this medium therefore I won't divulge exact details as to why I feel the way that I do.

It's the times of being there for someone as a shoulder to cry on and knowing that in the end there is still a lot of learning to be done.  I can't fix anyone and I know that.  There are people that tell me I try to play the "Christian" card to much.  I know that I have a long way to go to be the Christian that God wants me to be.  I am probably further away from him at this point in my life than I was six years ago.  But I do know that I am not so far away from him to know what he wants from me.  Following through on what he wants can be difficult in this crazy world and I am sure that you all know that.

In recent weeks I have dealt with a few situations in which I would have preferred to walk away.  In each of those instances though I have had to make my feelings known no matter what the outcome may be.  Tactfulness and compassion sometimes cloud people's judgement though and only defenses are thrown up at me.  It makes me want to get mad and fight back, but the grown up person in me tells me I just need to let it go.  There is a fine line of letting things go and then letting a wall be built in your own heart.

I have been touted by many people that I am "not a good friend".  Maybe I'm not.  I have a lot to learn - and I'm willing to.  I don't feel like anyone owes me anything, or do I?!  I don't know.  There are many times that I get caught in the whirlwind called life and others seem take the back burner.  I have thoroughly tried to be there when people need me though.  I may not be there every time, but I have tried to be that friend when the occasion warrants it.  My heart and home have always been open to those that need me.

How do I help people without getting my heart so wrapped up in it?  Is that even possible?  How do you EASILY watch someone go through difficulties when you know there are easier ways?  How do I keep that from hardening my heart??

Being a certain age certainly doesn't make anything easier no matter what anyone tells you.  In fact, I think quite the opposite is true.  I think that with being older comes an understanding of so much more.  Therefore, dealing with difficult situations can sometimes be harder the older you get.

Tonight when I go to bed, I lay all of my concerns in front of Jesus and ask him to take them from me.  I ask him to lay his hands on those around me that need it the most.  I pray for his guidance of them (and me) and softening of their heart (and mine).

Have You Been "Boo'ed"?

I found the coolest thing to do with my kids this year for Halloween.  The nest part about it is that you can do it now - no need to wait until Halloween day!  If you're a teacher, this would be an awesome project for your students to do as well.  The easiest thing is that you only have to do a few so it won't break the budget!!


On My Gluesticks created a great little tutorial to get you started.  Maybe you've been "Boo'd" or been "Boo'd" someone else? It is a fun little way to extend a little Halloween treat to neighbors and friends. HERE a free little kit to get you started. Get your free downloads and get started enjoying a little sneaky fun!



Go check it out HERE!  Will you join me?

$4 Wreath - Seriously!

Here it is!

The Dollar Tree is heaven to me on some days.  Don't you just have those days where you just HAVE to spend some money and buy something new?

NO?!?!?!  Oh....well I do....a lot...

When it comes to cheap crafts, the Dollar Tree is where it's at.  Everything is a BUCK!  I seriously can't pass that up especailly when I can make something cute.  That could be why my hubby thinks I'm going to bankrupt us on my weekly innocent trips to the Dollar Tree.

Here is what you need

One wreath

Two strands of garland

One roll of ribbon

TOTAL $4

Originally, I was going to wrap the garland around the wreath but I decided against it.  Therefore, I cut all of the pieces off of the garland and hot glued them sporadically until I thought it looked like it should.  I certainly could have used three garlands but then that would have been another $1.  I have to keep this uber-cheap!  Add a bow and you're all done!

Turn this...

Into this...

Ta-Da!

I LOVE IT!

Do you think hubby will notice that something new is on the front door that he has NEVER seen before?  Maybe the prettiness will keep him from knowing I went to the Dollar Tree, again...probably not!

Nevertheless, I think it turned out fantabulous and that's all that matters to me :)

We're Ready To Boo, Are You?

Yesterday was a wonderful day for me.  Simple yet completely awesome!

First off, it was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L outside.  I LOVE FALL!!  I got some random shots of Parker while we waited for Dad to get home frm work and for the kids to get home of school.

Who can resist taking shots of such cuteness...

I may be biased but I don't care :)  He's so stinkin cute!!

Sniffing flowers (crabgrass that needs to be cut)

You have to admit that this one is adorable!  Right?!

I'm going to be cropping and framing this one for sure!

As soon as the whole gang got home we started decorating the front deck for Halloween.  At our old house we didn't have a porch of any sort so I was very happy to be able to get some decorations and really fancy scary it up this year

Spiderwebs

Ghosts

Strobe Lights

Orange Lights

Pumpkins

I think it turned out pretty darn good. 

If you're around town, come and check it out -- at least on Halloween if you can.

We'll even have some scary music playing per James' request.

Making ghosts out of the mountains of tulle I had leftover from the wedding.

Don't ya just love a teenager that thinks fashion is wearing two different socks...at least they're Halloeen socks, I guess.

These are with flash so you can see some of the detail...

I didn't realize there was a red cup under my porch until I took this pic....darned kids!

See that bucket to the left of the door?  There is a strobe light in it that reflects up the ghost above. I'm loving the orange lights.  It also seems that my pumpkins are off.  I guess I shouldn't have put that one of the table.

See the wreath??  I did make that!  I'll show you that maybe tomorrow.

Here is one of the five ghosts that we made?  Aren't they the cutest {ahem} scariest thigngs you've ever seen?  See their arms {teehee}...ohhhhh....and the strobe light reflection on the ceiling!

Here is without the flash.

You can't get the strobe like effect or anything...{boo hoo}

Do You Dare ENTER?

---------------------------------------------

 There you have it!  Let me know how you are decorating your home for Halloween or just the season of Fall.  I love getting ideas from people.

I'm off to bed!!  It's 1:00 in the morning and I should already be there.

Bittersweet Birthday

Today is a very bittersweet day for me.  14 years ago today I gave birth to my second baby girl, Selina.  She was perfect in every way.  The Lord allowed me to be her mother for 10 weeks before taking her home to be with him.

There was no sickness {apart from colic} during her short time here and because of that I can smile.  There are so many children afflicted with illnesses that hinder them having a wonderful time here on this earth, yet Selina was not one of them.  SIDS struck her and therefore we knew nothing about losing her until the very day that it happened.  Of course I am happy that she didn't suffer, but I am also sad because I feel like I could have done soooo much more for her in the 10 weeks she was mine to show her how much I loved her and how proud I was to call her mine.

Feelings overwhelm me sometimes.  Just last week I attended a funeral that was at the cemetery when Selina was buried.  It was very hard on me to be there.  Not because of the experience I had there but because I feel like I still don't show her enough what she truly means to me.  I don't visit her as often as I should.  I can blame it on a busy life but deep down I know that I can make the time to visit her.  With my absence, I pray everyday and hope that she knows how much I miss her and can't wait to see her someday.  I know she is looking down celebrating the life that she had in my care!

Happy Birthday my dear angel, Selina!!  I can't wait to hold you in my arms again someday...

Wherein I Redeem My Son and A First!

Remember THIS post...

where I talked about the challenges that my son seems to face all of the time?

I have to redeem him!  LOOK AT HIS PROGRESS REPORT!

Can you say AWESOME!!!!!

He couldn't have been prouder when he brought this home :)

Brian and I have both talked to his teachers and counselor about some of the issues that we have at home and none of them seem to think that he is anywhere on the ADHD spectrum.

That makes me feel good.  He does what he is supposed to when he is in public.

It also makes it challenging to know that he is only challenging at home.

He simply knows how to work mom and dad,

and the fact that we aren't consistent enough with him.

We have made some changes and so far things seem to be going good. 

We made a big deal about his progress report!!

---------------------------------------------------------

Then tonight, JAMES LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!!

The poor boy has been waiting for what seemed like eternity.  In Kindergarten and First Grade the teacher always keeps track of who loses teeth and he flew through each year without so much as a tooth that wanted to budge.

So you can imagine his excitement when about two weeks ago he knew that he was going to be losing a tooth soon!  He has been a mix of emotions though.  He has this fear that losing a tooth is going to hurt so bad but at the same time he wants is to happen now.

Tonight while I was making my {yummy} enchiladas, him and Parker were wrestling around the front room.  James comes running to me crying like you'd think he'd broke a bone.  I saw blood and almost started to freak out and then realized that it was the tooth.  It was REALLY lose this morning and I told him that when Dad got home we would probably have him pull it, but honestly I forgot about it.

Until the started wrestling and little old Parker punched it out of his mouth!  It didn't hurt a all...just shocked the heck out of him and thought that something much worse had happened when he saw all the blood.

This is bittersweet proof that my boy is entering another phase of growing up.

The tooth right next to it isn't to be far behind since it's loose; as well as the two top ones.

I better build up my lose change and dollar bills...

The poor kid may be asking for all of his teeth by Christmas instead of just his two front teeth!

I am so proud of him!!  Next time you see him, give him a "High Five"

Togetherness

Beth over at I Should Be Folding Laundry does a weekly photo challenge and this week it is all about "Togetherness". Having done a wedding this week I caught many photos defining togetherness. My all time favorite (sorry to the bride and groom) is one of my hubby and I.

Can you tell that I love this man more than the world?!?!?!  I wouldn't be who I am without him and I only feel complete when I am in his arms.

Don't get me wrong -- he does irritate me and make me angry sometimes -- but at the end of the day, my "Togetherness" always involves being wrapped in his arms with both of us smiling because of the unique love that we share!

What is your idea of "Togetherness"?

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