trick or treat

Here's a first for us. The kids got to go to the store and pick out whatever costumes they wanted... with no help or pleading from Mom. As you can see, we ended up with three dragons. Ellie threw on a necklace for a feminine touch. :) Even though it isn't what I would have chosen for them, I can't help but love that the two little ones wanted to be just like big brother. And I love that big brother was ok with that.

Happy Trick or Treating everyone!

a day in the life of...

Today has been one of those laid-back kinda days.

One with the calm that was meant for us rather than the craziness of packed schedules we find ourselves in.

It felt good. I want more days like today.

enjoying some homemade granola.

nebulizer-cartoon time.

art table.

jelly smile.

daddy took a turn with storytime.

rare afternoon chill out.

loving my new s&p pots (wink, wink joy and diane.)

baked potato soup.

chipping away at my recipe book. yawn.

send-off.

pumpkins and popcorn

We took advantage of Daddy being home tonight and carved our pumpkins. Don't tell Miss Elle, but Cindy-relly has a butchered arm or two

and some wacked-out eyes. FYI... Momma's not so good with carving tools and white pumpkins are a little tougher to cut.

 I also attempted caramel corn for the first time. Oh yeah. 

doughnut man

Hayes and I got in the kitchen today and made doughnuts. We tried a new recipe from Food Allergy Mama so Embry could enjoy them with us.
We had fun mixing, cutting, frying and shaking them in cinnamon and sugar.

At one point Hayes asked if he could make a sign for our doughnut shop. After he made it, he headed outside...
I thought he was hanging it on the door. After he was gone for awhile, I went out to look for him. He was sitting on the curb holding his "Open Today" sign.
Cutest thing I have seen in awhile.

lunch date

We've been missing our buddies so we decided to meet up in Stillwater for lunch and a walk on campus. Someday we'll be able to jump in the car and head to Joe's from the same direction. :) I love Stillwater. It's just got this small town college atmosphere that is hard to resist. The fact that I had to use my GPS once I got into town means it has been way too long. We're gonna have to make a regular date, girls! Thanks Katie and Paige for a fun day!

pumpkin patch

We discovered the perfect little pumpkin patch the other day. It was a breathe of fresh air compared to the one we usually visit. We walked along the path of pumpkins, playing games until we reached the big hay maze. The owner took us through the garden, showing the kids all of the vegetables and herbs. Have you ever smelled chocolate mint? Yum! There is a beautiful, red barn (which you should know by now that I am a fan of a good barn. :)) filled with goodies to buy... like pumpkin butter. Double yum! There was also a petting zoo and a tractor available for hayrides. And the nicest people. Seriously nice.

Now to get the pumpkins out of my car that have been in there for three days.

                                      

peek a boo

the boy turns 34 today.

It may be that I am still in the high school reunion mindset, but all I can think about after this past weekend is how lucky I am

that you are the one I ended up with. We've done nothing but grow closer and stronger in this life we have together.

When I think about what I love most about you lately, I think of...

you getting up each morning with lack of sleep and never complaining about it

your fascination with sushi and lunchmeat

you snuggling on that awful couch with me while we watch tv

you braiding Ellie's hair

you happily making waffles for the kids

you allowing me, more like encouraging me to take alone time

your ability to fix any problem or at least knowing where to start

you dealing with all of the crap you deal with... way better than i ever could 

you teaching Hayes to draw

you finding the humor in my cooking catastrophes

your fascination with those dang online 'deal' websites

you taking Embry on special jeep rides

you exploring your new passion of biking

your different voices that make us all laugh

you sitting down at the piano to unwind

your bedtime stories for the boys

your bedtime songs for the girl

you truly loving me for who i am

you dressing the kids on your own and bringing them to church to meet up with me

your fascination with drawing the perfect tattoo

you encouraging me to see past the things that get me down

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

I like you. A lot.

Happy Birthday, birthday boy.

Love you.

you're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree

You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me

Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne

Soon we will be coming home

You're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity's shore

Where death is just a memory and tears are no more

We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring

Your bride will come together and we'll sing

You're beautiful

We love Phil Wickham's music at our house. I listen to it over and over. Even the kids love to sing it out. Well, this song has rocked my world twice lately.

Once, when I was driving early in the morning as the sun was coming up and last Sunday night at church.

Just thought I would share in case you need your world rocked. :)