Happy Birthday Hubby!

Today is Brent's 31st Birthday! I hope he has a good day! He will be working most of it but we are going out to dinner with family tonight to celebrate and I am going to surprise him with his favorite cake and some movies he has been wanting! (hoping he doesn't read this lol)

Brent is the best husband, father, and friend I could have chosen to spend my life with! And he defiantly keeps me on my toes! I hope we have many many more birthdays together!

Thanksgiving Weekend!

My weekend consisted of...

A whole lotta Turkey!

Family over watching Football!

Decorating!

And some napping!

Brent's dad (Papaw) got a new dragster that all the boys got to oggle at this weekend! I think that mine loved it the most ;)!

One last shot, Lucas next to the Christmas Tree in his Christmas PJ's! He is having the time of his life with all the Christmas stuff I'm getting out! Yesterday we put up all our Christmas lights outside and he loves looking at them all! He tells me they are pretty, melts my heart!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

What I am Thankful for!

I cannot believe it is Thanksgiving week! This will be Lucas' 2nd Thanksgiving, that just does not seem right!
It is also my very first Thanksgiving to host at my house! I could not be more excited! I love having family over to eat, catch up and play a few games I have up my sleeve!

But today I will post what I have been thankful for this year.

I am thankful for my family; a husband who is my best friend and is always near, a son who is so healthy and smart. Parents who are willing to help when they can. Friends who know me and keep me sane. A job that provides and co-workers who make my days fun! A nice home that we love and can share with others.I am thankful that Lucas can go to a wonderful school with teachers who really love him and that Brent's business is thriving. But I am most thankful for newly rebuilding my relationship with God so I can thank Him for all the blessings He has given me!

Yesterday we went to Lucas' school for "Thanksgiving Lunch" with his class. I love going to visit his class room, the kids are just adorable! Here are some pictures!

Hope everyone has fun and yummy Thanksgiving!

This time of year!

I don't think I have said it yet but I LOVE this time of year! I really love having our fireplace going every night and love snuggling on the couch with my family. I love the warm sweaters and leaves all over the yard! I told Lucas we would roast marshmallows and hot dogs in the fireplace one day soon so maybe we will do that tonight.

Anyhoo Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Some darn good advice!

Though I would share this with everyone....

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. you don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath it calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important vital organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone, everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good of bad the situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative- dying young.

37. Your children only get one childhood.

38. All the truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,

we'd grab ours back. <--- Love this!

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come....

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

Wordless Wednesday!

New Nephew's Baby Shower

Brent and I will be getting a new little nephew in January! I could not be more excited! I think I am almost as excited to see Waylon as I was to see Lucas, it's a different type of excitement but I cannot wait! I really didn't know if I would ever get to be an auntie! Kristin, Brent's sister didn't know if she would be able to have any babies and my brother Shaun is very involved in collage and not really looking for girlfriend, I don't think. My bother and I didn't have cousins growing up so I am also very excited for Lucas to have that special relationship!

Kristin's baby shower was Saturday I knew I wanted to make something extra special for her! I love making diaper cakes but hers had to be over the top! And I wanted it to express her personality; funky but modern and stylish! So without further adieu my masterpiece!

Ok I know it needs some explanation... The bottom is a huge box of diapers I wrapped in wrapping paper tied a ribbon around it (with some help of some hot glue of course) and the "W" is a wooden cut out I got at Hob Lob and spray painted white. Next layer is a hat box I found and glued some wooden feet to it. It was full of some baby stuff that I found the most useful with Lucas, I also spray painted those little feet. The top layer is a can of formula I decoupaged with scrapbook paper. With a sock monkey around it! Brent specifically asked for a sock monkey to be on it. Lucas' "Mr. Sock" was a life saver when he was little sometimes it was the only thing that could calm him down.

So there it is! I loved making it and cannot wait to make another! (hint, hint to a few girlies)
The shower was a success Kristin got a ton of great, useful stuff! I could not be more excited for her and our family!

Kristin, my mom and I at the shower.


Desiree and I at the shower.

Wordless Wednesday!

Weekend Fun!

We had a very eventful weekend! I didn't get my pictures on the computer until Yesterday! Sheesh!

So Saturday my best bloggy friend Jessica and I had a booth at our towns' 6 Annual Fall Festival. We were selling all our Arts and Crafts we had been working on for the past few weeks. We didn't sell much but had a good time. I didn't get any pictures but I think she did, I may post some later.

When I got home Saturday afternoon it was time to watch the Razorback game, or shall I say it was time for Brent to watch it. His cousin Aaron was over so I didn't feel to bad about not watching it with him. I did make them brownies so that counts for something but I spent most of the time the game was on reading. I am reading "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, it is by far the BEST book I have ever read! Amazing! She writes like you wouldn't believe and I just love the story, I can't hardly put it down and can't wait to read her other novels.

Back on track, speaking of track Sunday we spent the day at the racetrack in Centerville, Ar. Brent has raced a lot there this year and Sunday we had a lot of fun! They even served Thanksgiving dinner and had a pumpkin and costume contest. Such a good place for families.

Brent didn't win though he went 2 rounds and was out but we had fun!

Lucas playing at the track.

This is my favorite thing to do while at the track!

Lucas asleep at the track, we were up at the line (maybe 10 feet from the cars)watching Daddy race and Lucas falls asleep! The only kid who can fall asleep with huge engines all around him. Not to mention I had to drive the golf cart back to the trailer with him like this! Crazy kid!

All in all it was a great weekend! Couldn't have asked for any better weather either! I love this time of year! I have a busy weekend next weekend too so I will be posting that next week!

Have a great week!

A Family Tragedy

I have thought about doing this post for about a week now but I knew it would be a tough one to get through, but here it goes.

My dear sweet Mother in Law has Alzheimer's at the age of 53. She has lived with it for 6 years but the day to day is beginning to be a struggle, as we all knew was coming but you can never prepare your self. Her kids are so young and just starting families of their own. And this is the time in her life she has longed for, a time when she would have grand babies.

Brent takes it like any man would, he doesn't talk about it much unless something major happens that day but I know he lays awake at night thinking about it all.

Lucas is to young to know any better, I think but I can tell he senses something I can't describe it but I see it when him and her are together.

I think about her constantly, most don't know that. I think about what couldv'e or wouldv'e been like to really know her. And hear her stories and her opinions on things. She was a wonderful mother. My eyes are tearing up as they do so often when I talk about her.

Brent's sister Kristin is about to have her first baby without her mom truly "there", meaning she will physically be there but she won't be able to help out and lend support like most mom's do. It is heartbreaking every day as Kristin gets closer to time. The other night Kristin said to me "My mom, the one person I *knew* would always be there won't be able to" that hit me like a ton of bricks. As women we hope we pick the right man to marry and have babies with, one that will be there through the good and the bad but in this day and age you just never know but your mom you KNOW will be there for you when you go through that time no matter your age or circumstance. But her mom will not be. Kristin has a good husband and loving family all around her but it cannot and will not be the same.

This leads me to my Father in Law, he has stuck by Sandra (my mil) and loved her through it all but lately he is having a hard time, physically and mentally he is going through a crisis. My Father in Law (Larry) and I have become good friends since I married Brent, I don't know if it is because he knew I wouldn't be able to form a relationship with Sandra or because my dad wasn't in the picture like he is with Lucas but for whatever reason I enjoy him, he is very wise and really easy to talk to. But lately he has changed. We (Brent, Kristin, Jason(Kristin's husband), and I) as the "kids" of the bunch are at a loss on how to help him. Jason and I as the in laws to Larry and Sandra want what is best for them of course but we are more concerned about the welfare of our spouses. I cannot help but think that will change everyone in some way or another.

So right now I can only pray that God can heal everyone's emotions bring us close during this time of need and He can be with us in this time of loss. I can pray that he gives Kristin the strength to get through this and I know she will be good mother, she remembers having a wonderful mother if nothing else.

This is the worst family tragedy I have ever witnessed. I don't think words could describe all the pain surrounding it. Please pray for my family.

Chucky Cheese Trip # 2

Yesterday after I got off work my Sister in Law sent me a text message saying her school (she is a 2nd grade teacher) is having a fundraiser at Chucky Cheese and thought we might like to bring Lucas to play. Well of course I was totally ready to say "YES! we will be there" but thought I'd better give Brent a call and see if he was up for it.

We went and had a lot of fun! We ate pizza and bread sticks then went to play. Lucas is at a great age for Chucky Cheese, we can get away with spending very little on tokens! All he wants to do is run around and sit at the big games for a minute and turn the steering wheel and he has a blast! There was a few games for his size but he was pretty uninterested in those. He rode a few rides but mostly ran around the big kid area.

Here is is riding with Chucky.

Then he decides to ride in Chucky's lap for a little bit.

The "real" Chucky came out and I was a little worried what Lucas would do but he did great he wasn't afraid at all! He followed him around and was so curious. Wish I would've got a picture but the older kids had pretty much taken Chucky over! I am still surprised he wasn't scared, that mouse still gives me the heeby jeebies!

Here is his picture from last year, I think we've come along way! =)

Girl Time

Let me just start by saying that I LOVE my boys to pieces but there is just something about being with my best friend Desiree.
Desiree and I have been friends for 12 years now! Wow I hadn't added it up in a while! That is half our lives! Anyway we have been through a lot over those years; crummy boyfriends, family drama, living in separate states and countless friends have come and gone for both of us but we have never left each others side. We know each other very well and could talk for hours. We are opposites in every way but we still have a lot in common I don't know but it works for us. As I am growing into an adult I really appreciate the friend I have in Desiree and I am pretty much certain now that we will be friends probably forever.

We try very hard to get together at least once a week since we are living in the same town again so last night we went to Panera Bread for dinner then to T.J. Maxx to look around. I of course found some stuff I couldn't live without! (I am always the one buying something) We had fun chatting, planning and catching up on the week. She is such an important person in my life and I love her dearly!

We didn't however take ANY pictures (see Brent this is why I need an iphone!)

Wordless Wednesday!

Halloween Weekend!

This past weekned was a blast! It was Lucas' first Halloween to really go trick or treating and he loved it! We went with my sister in law Kristin, and her friends Liz and Tom and their little boy Carter, he is in Lucas' class at preschool. Brent was at the racetrack and missed a really fun night! The boys had a really good time, we pulled them around in the wagon and Lucas ate about 4 or 5 suckers while we were out so he really had the ride of his life. Ha!
The neighborhood I live in goes all out on Halloween one of my neighbors has a cotton candy machine out so that is always a hit with the kids and some of the big kids too ;)
We went back to the house kinda early, the little ones didn't need that much candy so we went to hand out candy to other kids and Lucas loved that, I think he thought he had tons of visitors that night! When the doorbell rang he would jump up and run to the candy bowl. He was so fun!

Sunday night we had planned a Halloween get together at our house for family, we made chili and cornbread and everyone else brought more treats! That is always a good time we love getting our familys together and everyone always enjoys seeing Lucas! My grandma, we call her Mema C., brought me a very special treat! A new pair of boots!
Mema C. loves Uggs ( I know the coolest grandma ever!) and she gets a new pair every year and last year she bought me a new pair along with hers so maybe she is starting a new tradition?! I don't know but I LOVE them!




















Anyway we had a fun weekned, Halloween is my 2nd favorite holiday so I am glad I am getting to share these good times with my little boy!