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.