Halloween twenty 12

We have enjoyed celebrating Halloween twenty 12 with lots of fun events!  Tonight was the holiday finale.  We met with our small group, had dinner and headed out for some fun trick or treating!  It was pretty chilly but not too bad if you dressed warmly.  The kids were all troopers!  So thankful for these sweet individuals in our lives!

 

Caroline said "Mommy will you take a picture of me twirling???"

Before heading over to our friends house, we stopped by Pop and Peep's.  Caroline was more than excited with the yummy treats she received from Pop and Peep!! 

 Andy and I noticed she was really quiet in the back seat.  This is what we found when we got to Rhett and Farrah's.  I wasn't what kind of attitude we would get when we woke her up.  To my surprise she said "Hey Mommy, I took a long nap did I.  I am ready to go trick or treating!" 

Woo Hoo!

 the kids attempting to contain their excitement and actually eat their dinner

 thankful for these sweet Cowboys-Griffin and Gray

 our best attempt of a group shot

(Rylie, Catherine, Caroline, Liam, Griffin and Gray)

 Farrah, Liam, Rhett, Rylie

 Catherine and Charissa

our family photo 

 and we are off!

 the girls loved pulling the wagon and Liam was good for until the first stop

 watch out world, here they come!

 cutest little fellow

 sweet girls

 Caroline pulled the empty wagon most of the night.  After about an hour, she and Catherine decided to hop in. :0)

 love this one...Caroline is back to pulling and Catherine is done...feet propped up and everything!

So thankful for the memories we made tonight!  Until next year...

Smoothe sailing or rocky seas???

 One thing that I have learned about parenting...every day is an adventure!  There are days this sweet little girl makes me the happiness mommy in the world!  She has the best manners, says the sweetest things and just makes my heart swell with love!

Then there are days when all I get is the attitude in the above picture!  Everything is a discussion...nothing goes the right way...and the meltdowns are constant.  It's during these days that I feel like I should definitely be nominated for "Worse Mother of the Year" award.  I totally come unglued...and in many ways stoop to her level!  By goodness, if she can stomp her foot and walk away, I can too!  (anybody else every feel that way????)

 

And then while we are both in time out (cause Lord knows if I don't take a few minutes to calm down it's going to go from bad to ugly really quickly!) I have a minute to reflect...think about the love our father has for us...how often do I stomp my feet and walk away from him?  But does he leave me there?  No he gently takes my hand and allows the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart.  He doesn't give up on me or point his finger at me, no he loves me unconditionally and helps me work through it.

 

Today is one of those days.  Breakfast wasn't what she wanted, she was "freezing" in the short sleeve pj's that she wanted to wear, she couldn't find bears clothes and worse of all, she missed Doc McStuffin on Disney!  All this before 8am!  And did I mention I was trying to get a few things accomplished around the house?  I was so over this day...that is until she and I sat down and had a heart to heart.  It was during this time that I really realized that all she really needed was a little of my attention.  A little snuggle time with mommy...We both regrouped for the day and so far, so good. 

 

I have said many times that the Lord gives us children to keep us on our knees!!!!   Regardless of what kind of day we are having, I thank the good Lord for this precious gift he has entrusted to Andy and I.  I pray everyday that God will equip me to be the mother she needs and that she will LEARN from my mistakes! Because Lord knows I fail every single day and have to ask forgive from not only my saviour but my precious little girl...oh the joys of motherhood! :0)

Afternoon Fun

We are loving these cool fall days...cool enough to be in warm clothes but still warm enough to enjoy being outside.  Caroline and I headed out for an afternoon of fun.  I rocked in my rocking chair and read my book while she played with bubbles and chalk.  She asked me to help her draw her picture so we did.  

 

She asked me to draw a "Caroline" house.  I traced her body and she added fingers and toes.  I asked her to count her own toes before she drew the toes on her "house."  She did and decided each foot needed 10 toes...oh well, another lesson for another day!

Andy decided to join us in the back yard and carve our pumpkin.  Caroline picked out the stencil she wanted and we went to work.  These stencils are cute but they are a little difficult...

Caroline said "I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT!"

helping daddy

the finished product...not really sure what it's supposed to be...

making memories...

Ocean Lakes Halloween Fun

Once again, we enjoyed a fun Halloween weekend at Ocean Lakes.  Tomi Jean and Greg were out of town so we got to bring Jack and Grace with us...  It was their first time camping. :0)  Caroline loved telling them about everything she thought they needed to know about camping.

 

This year was a little different from last year in that tropical storm/hurricane Sandy passed along the coast on Saturday.  Thankfully the weather was great Friday night.  We got to enjoy grilling hamburgers with my brother Daniel and his family as well as Jennifer and her family.  We got a late start so we didn't get to hang out too much.  Wish I had taken pictures...don't have any of the kids...

 

Saturday the weather was cold and rainy.  We tried the scavenger hunt but had to quit because the rain came back and we didn't have a weather shield for our golf cart.  Ocean Lakes moved a lot of the activities inside so we were able to enjoy the costume contest.  Surprisingly Caroline wanted to participate in the contest.  She actually made it across the stage by herself which is HUGE for her...

We went swimming in the indoor pool which had more that enough chlorine to kill anything that it came in contact with.  Mommy left her goggles and therefore her eyes were bothering her.  Hence the reason for holding her had over her eyes...



The staff couldn't figure out a way to do trick or treating in the rec building so it was outside.  Thankfully it only drizzled the first 10 minutes or so and then moved out for the rest of the evening.  The kids all LOVED getting candy and other yummy goodies.  No visit to Ocean Lakes is complete without a picture with Sandy the Starfish.  (How ironic that the storm was named Sandy...)  After dinner we enjoyed hanging out by the fire making smores with my brothers and their families. 

We were able to make it to the beach this morning before we left.

Love these three!

 

Looking forward to next year!

11 years ago today...

The last weekend in October is a special one for the hubs and myself.  12 years ago on Sunday, we went on our very first date.  Many were skeptical given that it was a blind date AND an ALL DAY date at that.  He picked me up around 8:30 that morning for a fun day at Williams Brice Stadium (USC vs. Tennessee), we came home, cleaned up, went out to dinner at Red Lobster and then watched "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" at my apartment.  The movie ended around midnight and we both hated to see the day end.  Little did I know, he told his mom later that weekend that I was the girl he was gonna marry if I would have him...talk about making a good first impression!!!! 

But back to today...11 years ago today, Andy purchased his first home.  After closing, we (Andy, myself and his mom) all met at the house to begin cleaning and moving furniture and such.  We had decided early on that we would celebrate our one year anniversary that night because we would be too tired on Saturday after working all day on the house.  I left the house around 4 to shower and got dressed at my cousin Richards house and met Andy back at his house around 5:30.  Before we headed out, he gave me a gift.  (which we had decided early on that we wouldn't exchange gifts given that he had just purchased a new house)  I opened the box to find a beautiful Bible with both our names on it.  I noticed a white string hanging out and when I pulled it out, attached was a beautiful diamond...it didn't take me long to realize the ring was the one my Uncle Bill had given me the night I graduated from high school.  It was my Aunt Shirley's ring and Uncle Bill's mothers ring before gave it to Aunt Shirley.  Andy added a few diamonds to each side of the diamond...I was in love!  Loved the fact that he had taken the time to get the ring and add his personal touch to it!  (every time I look at it I think of the amazing women who wore it before me and the history of the marriages that were blessed by it)  On the front page of the Bible, Andy wrote, "This is the only thing I want you to love more than me!" 

I was so excited about our engagement and couldn't wait to tell everyone I knew!  I called my parents, they didn't answer.  Andy called his parents, they didn't answer.  We called several other people and NO ONE ANSWERED!  That should have been my first clue... Andy told me not to worry, that we would try again after dinner.  He blindfolded me and drove to our "surprise" location.  Once inside, he removed the blind fold and we walked to the back room of our favorite restaurant Micheal's.  There waiting for us were our parents, aunts, uncles, close family friends, etc.  It was such a fun evening of celebrating!!

Thankfully my parents stayed over and on Saturday we had a huge family workday.  My parents, Andy's parents, my cousin Richard and many others helped hang blinds, fill the freezer, stock the pantry, etc.  We made a lot a sweet memories in that house and spent the first year of our marriage there.  :0)

It's hard for me to believe that Andy and I have been together 12 years.  So thankful for his Dad and Sharon being persistent and encouraging him to ask me out!!!  I can honestly say that was the BEST blind date ever!!!!

Obedience

When Caroline was a toddler I read the book "Don't Make Me Count to Three."  One of the key points that I quickly put into practice was "Caroline you will obey all the way, right away and with a happy heart!"  This crazy young mother was living legalistically...ruling like a Pharisee.   Along this journey, the Lord has convicted me of my view...do I obey all the way, right away and with a HAPPY HEART???  Oh no very far from it...I often choose to disobey and when I do choose to obey, often times it's surely not with a happy heart!  I go kicking and screaming...questioning what the Lord is really asking me to do...just like my 4 year old little girl...complaining and whining about it along the way.  Why does my stay at home journey look so different from others?  Why can't I have a pretty new mini van?  Why is Caroline an only child when we desire a sibling for her?  Why can't I memorize or recite scripture like so many of my friends?  WHY, WHY, WHY???  So many questions...but the truth is I have taken my eyes off Jesus.  I have taken my eyes off of his word and his promises found in scripture and allowed my circumstances to control my outlook. 

In our small group, we are studying the book of Romans using an St. Andrews Expositional Commentary by RC Sproul.  Just last week, we were looking at Romans 6:4-11.  RC wrote "Think of how many times we have grumbled about what we did not get.  Think of how many times we have lacked contentment and been dissatisfied with the hand God dealt us, and then look around the world and see the vast multitudes who have no idea what it means to be born of the Spirit."

And then I realize, once again that I am blessed...I have a Saviour who loves me, a Saviour who died for me...died for my sinful thoughts, deeds, actions.  A Saviour who forgives and accepts me...AND I have an amazing husband who loves Caroline and I, a daughter who is beautiful inside and out AND is healthy! We have an amazing family who encourages us, loves us and is always there for us!  We have food on the table at every meal, we have friends and family who help clothe our daughter in total cuteness...My Envoy may be 9 years old but it gets us where we need to go...and most of all, the Lord meets every single one of these needs as he allows me to stay at home with our precious daughter!  Oh Lord I pray that I will keep my eyes focused on you...and what a gift it is the called by you!

Fall Festival

my girl missed the memo "no hands"

A few years ago our church started hosting a small fall festival.  Nothing huge but totally relaxed and very manageable!  The kids go from station to station playing games and creating different crafts and such.  This year was wonderful!  Everyone had a great time, even the adults!! :0)  So thankful for a fun church family!

Caroline and Kate

 decorating her pumpkin with paint and glitter

 Caroline and Abby-oh how this sweet face matches the clown paint!! :0)

 thankfully my sweet girl shared her cotton candy because it was oh so yummy!!!!

Stacey definately wins the prize for the best adult costume!

 

 my little candy corn!!  love her

so thankful Kate came to my rescue...don't know about all but twirling around and around makes my head spin these days!

 

 playing kickball with friends using a basketball :0)

 Caroline and Isabelle

 my sweet girl

 Abby, Kate and Olivia

 waiting patiently for her number to be called on the cupcake walk

Have I ever told you how much I love fall????

Happy birthday Pop and Peep

Andy's parents birthdays are just one day apart.  So we usually celebrate them together.  This year Peep chose Cracker Barrel.  Sadly with the business of the restaurant and having to sit at two different tables, this was the only picture I got from the party.  However, the food was yummy and everyone had a great time!

Happy birthday Pop and Peep!!  We hope you had a wonderful day!! :0)

Sweet Potato Chips

A few years ago, our friends Wes and Sage introduced us to Sweet Potato Chips.  We were addicted.  Once I quit working full time and the budge changed "just a little bit" they became a total splurge and mostly for special occasions.  Well guess what, not any more!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found a super simple and super easy recipe to make my own chips.  Granted they don't taste quite as good as the ones at Wal-Mart for $3.50 a bag but they are healthier and much cheaper.  I picked up 4 sweet potatoes at the market for about $1.50 I believe and only used two.

• 2 sweet potatoes
• olive oil (I have a pump spray with olive oil)
• sea salt

The recipe says to slice the sweet potatoes into 1/8 inch slices.  I just guessed.  I would recommend trying to slice them as evenly as possible.  Otherwise some chips are really soft in the middle while others are almost burnt.  I sprayed with olive oil (drizzle if you don't have a pump) and shake sea salt on both sides.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes flipping once.

Enjoy!

31 day Challenge

My sweet friend Vanessa has challenged her friends to the 31 day challenge.  I got started a little late but I am loving each "moment" I stop to think about or observe something special.  It's easy to get caught up with the schedules of each day, the craziness of life, the need to not disappoint others, etc.  However, this challenge has made me slow down to find something "amazing" about each day.  The interesting part is that the more I "look" for the amazing things in life, the more I see them.  My view of amazing is changing.  And the best part about all of this is that it doesn't require me to add anything to my day.  It simple calls me to slow down and appreciate the things around me.

**Sadly, I am at my limit for photos on my blog...Will have to check into "buying" more storage for my blog account.  So pictures are missing for the moment but hopefully I will be able to get some storage pretty reasonable.  So here are a few of the things I have enjoyed the last 10 days or so...**

1. While stopped behind a school bus, Caroline and I looked at the beautiful leaves that are changing colors.  We also watched as the leaves slowly tossed in the wind as they fell to the ground.
2. Walking inside from school, we saw a flock of birds/geese/etc. fly overhead and listened as they "chatted" with each other.
3. While at the park, she and some friends enjoying playing in a pile of leaves...oh the laughter was contagious!
4. Caroline offered to help me rinse the dishes...yes it took an extra 10 minutes to complete the process but how sweet that my girl 'wanted' to help me.
5. I got to have coffee and lunch with a friend while Caroline and her friends played outside.
6. We got to walk around the neighborhood while Caroline rode her tricycle...what a gift that our girl is completely healthy and capable of riding a tricycle.

So are you up to the challenge?  Will you make the choice to see the good in your life on a daily bases?

ready for church

 

She thought she would dress herself for church...