Fall fun......

Just like his daddy.....

Trae loves using chopsticks. I am grateful for the invention of the fork! We were out eating Chinese and Sam wanted to be just like daddy and did pretty well for being 2.

Before,during and after....

Andrew decided recently he wanted to go short again! He is handsome either way and we had some creative fun in the process!

A big dose of love from big brother!

Just wanted to say hi....

Hi Papa Mason and Grandma Sylvia! Remember all our fun peekaboo times?! Miss you much! Love, Sam

Our little shopper.....

Here she goes again....

OK, you might be wondering when I was going to go back to my list of things about me!

21. I am incredibly and constantly amazed at how God loves me. He cares about the little stuff, huge stuff and all the in between. I could write a book on His incredible faithfulness in my life. I am eternally grateful!

22. One of my favorite things about going on a vacation is picking out which book I will bring. I always bring more than one! It is always a big decision and something I pray about. I can tell you years later which book on read on each vacation because I always connect that vacation with that particular book.

23. I don't drink milk and either do my kids. It was their choice not mine but never something I would encourage them to do. They did drink it until they were 2. They do get milk in their cereal and also when it is used in cooking or baking.

24. I used to be a night owl but Sam changed all of that. I realized the reason I was a night owl was because I could nap during the week if was super tired. I can't really do that anymore so I rarely get one and am ready for bed by 11. I actually like it much better.

25. I don't like shopping for shoes or purses. I do have a strong love for sandals due to our climate and how we can wear them for 7-8 months out of the year!

26. I don't like coffee at all. I wish I did but I can't stand the taste. Love the smell as it reminds me of my grandma. We joke that I drove Trae to drink (coffee that is!) and he has been a coffee drinker since about a year before we got married! Actually it was the long commutes with his job, 2nd job (to pay off debt), late night talks that made him learn to love the benefits and perks (no pun intended) of coffee!

27. I love, love, love fall! It is my favorite time of the year. The cooler temps, warm palette, baking, comfort food, turkeys, grateful hearts and focus on what matters is my favorite!

28. Cooking and baking for my family makes me really happy. They love it and to know I am giving them something that no one else can makes me super happy.

29. I think kindness is underrated and most people need a huge increase in the amount of kindness they give. It is amazing to me how people that are Christians can be so stingy with their love. I don't pick up an offense and dwell there as that would only hurt me but I don't think they realize how loudly it speaks.

30. One of the hardest things to do is to wake a sleeping baby! But I must do it so bye bye for now! Notice I call him my baby.....he is 2 years and 10 months BUT still our baby.

Fun memories......

A few highlights.....

Last week I went on my 2nd girls cruise! We started the tradition last year and had so much fun we decided to go again! The group is made up of dear friends who have crossed paths at church. All but one of us are married with kiddos. To be disconnected from cell phones, the normal daily and everything else is a rare treat! 5 days, 4 nights, lots of laughter, heart connecting, being carefree, savoring a book, naps, yummy meals not cooked by us and much more! Oh and the boas! You might be wondering what those are about. Before we went on our first cruise one of the ladies thought bringing a boa and where it when we sailed off and at dinner at each night might be fun. Some groups have T-shirts printed up for their group, where tiaras, etc. We were boas and we leave our mark (literally with feathers all over the ship) wherever we go! We have started buying them with coupons during the year at Hobby Lobby and Michaels to help coordinate with our evening outfit. We passed them around and let one another borrow too!

Missing our pup...

Just this week Jacob told me that he was missing our dog. He said he cried in school thinking about him. That broke my heart. Made me for a minute ponder could we get another dog, what would we get....but I knew that wasn't the answer. He was missing his dear old friend and no one can replace that. I am so glad we have the sweet memories and pictures of our pup.

To sweet not to share.....

Oldie but a goodie! This was to sweet not to share.

Sentimental Sunday....

I was a young mommy (by choice) and loved every minute of it. Andrew made me a mommy when I was almost 22 and he was very much desired, celebrated and loved. So grateful for the pictures that capture seasons gone by. The good stuff can last but seasons change.

Good Morning....

Sam woke up and the first thing he said was, go eat breakfast, go to Costco and eat popcorn. He must have really enjoyed the popcorn roadshow there a few weeks ago! He hates caramel corn but likes the regular stuff a lot!

Following.....

Sam is always wanting to be where his brothers are. They obviously have freedoms he doesn't due to their age difference but it is doesn't stop him from trying!

Sam loves to go into our study and this picture is him trying very hard to see if brother might let him in. If he would go in and play on the computer that would be great but this little guy would rather reprogram the computer! He is a fast one, figured out a mouse long ago and if you tell him to X out of something he knows exactly what you mean.

Jacob is wearing a size 10-10.5 mens show now. They swallow Sam up but he couldn't help giving them a try.