Just Two Weeks

Just two weeks from today my baby boy, Collin, will turn 3.

Three? Already? How can that be? 

But, it will be.

He will be 3.

Christmas is almost near!

Christmas Time Contest Entry--You should go enter, too!

Every year, two Sundays before Christmas my father's side of the family hosts a large Christmas party, complete with Santa handing out presents to the kids, grab bag gifts for the adults, lots of food, and fun. 

This year, my Aunt decided to join my father on the Santa team as Mrs. Claus. While Santa got ready, she read "The Polar Express" to the children. They were all captivated, especially Bailey. (Not so much Collin.) 

After the story, she handed out m&m candy canes and bell's "from the story".

My children are still convinced adults can't hear them.

When I saw my buddy Trish started a new blog, complete with her very first contest I new I had to participate.

Add in the amazing incentive of a $20 gift certificate to My Four Hens Photography and of course I had even more reason to get my entry in!

If you're into photo editing, you should go enter as well! Just go see Trish at Tutu's And Sneakers!

Not even winter and yet...

Already missing Summer...

Wordless Wednesday

Today, One Year Ago-Take 4

One year ago, I was in my 39th week with no idea my daughter would be born in just two days.

I was so stressed, but you can read that yourself, here. 

Crazy to think that a year ago I was so close to meeting my beautiful little girl, and now.. 

I can't imagine life without her.

 

Awesomely Autumn

Fall 2008

I don't know about everyone else, but Autumn is my favorite season of them all. Spring is a close second with the like temperature's and all, but Autumn clearly is number one. Between being able to choose short or long sleeves in the early fall, or hoodie or coat in the late fall, there are so many other amazing aspects to Autumn.

Fall 2009

Of course one of the best highlights to Autumn is the amazing foliage and beautiful colors! Who doesn't love just jumping in a big pile of leaves?
I absolutely love taking pictures of the pretty colors, and making crafts with the kids out of the leaves! Who knew one red leaf placed on white paper in a $1 frameless picture frame would look so amazing when you have three people making on and you put them one beneath another on a small wall between a door and a window.

And the foliage also makes an awesome backdrop to random flowers and plants that are dying due to the early frost

Fall 2008

There is something about knowing although the leaves, plants, and flowers are wilting away, they will grow back in the spring. Autumn is always so refreshing to me to know that after the hustle and bustle of all the holidays, things will calm soon. Many people do spring cleaning. Not me. Instead I do Autumn cleaning. Those first nice days of spring should never be spent cleaning with young children in the home. They should be spent at parks, playgrounds, and hiking trials. That 1st really crisp day of Autumn when you are too shocked to leave the house? Now that is perfect for "Spring Cleaning."

Fall 2008

Over at Mama Kat's, one of this weeks Writing Prompts were, "10 reasons you're glad it's Fall." I know I had to choose it. If you can't tell, I love Autumn! Absolutely love it. Well everything but the financial stress it always seems to bring! 

First of all, I still focus on the school year, not the actual calender date, so Autumn starts Labor Day weekend to me. Now, my 10 reason's I am glad it is fall!

1. Thomas' Birthday always starts it off!

September 6th, 2010

2. Apple Picking

Fall 2007

3. (This reason is beginning this year!) Bailey's Birthday

Turning One on October 2nd!

4. Foliage

Image Souce

5. Pumpkin Picking

 2009

6. Halloween

2009

7. Those last few walks before it gets too cold.

Nov 2009

8. Kicking threw the leaves on those walks.

Nov 2009

9. Thanksgiving

Thankgiving 2009 at Rachels

10. Getting ready for Christmas with my children

Making our own pine and pine cone wreath - Nov 2009

With past memories like these, wouldn't you love Autumn?

This post is inspired by one of this weeks

Weekly Writing Prompts @ Mama Kat's

Fast Approaching

My only daughter, and more than likely last child's 1st birthday is almost upon us. Just over a week away. Wow. Saying it like that scares the shit out of me. Especially since just yesterday I saw this.

Now she is walking, saying her 1st words, behaving like...well...a toddler..

Last Saturday I took her out to do her 1st Birthday portraits. I have yet to decide what photo I will use to be passed out at her birthday party. Or to decide what photo I want printed as a 10x13. Or to decide what other photo's I want displayed . I had so much fun photographing my only daughter. My last baby. Ah. I keep struggling to hold back the tears when I think of her growing up. And when I think of not having a baby in the house. We changed outfits 3 times and went to 3 locations. Unfortunately the sun came out at the second location and we only got one picture there, and it is more of a snapshot than a portrait to hang on display.
Here are some the pictures finally. And to think, I originally took well over 450 pictures and have already narrowed it down to 45. All my fault for always going overboard.

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Today, One Year Ago-Take 3.

 

I am not too sure about one year ago today as September 2009 was such a busy month! Between Thomas starting preschool, me being in the home stretch of my pregnancy with Bailey, field trips, birthdays parties, and more, busy is an understatement!

I do remember Thomas having his very 1st field trip this week last year, and his family getting to join him.

We went to a local orchard with the school. Pumpkin picking, apple picking, a hay maze and hay ride. It was an amazing day I love to look back on.

Do you want to look back on our family's amazing day? Of course you do! 

Blogging

For the past few weeks the Writing Prompts over at "Mama's Losin' It!" have far from inspired me. It wasn't until I came across another entry in my reader that I remember to check this Thursday's prompts.

One of the options was:

Write about what blogging means to you. Why do you blog? What purpose does it serve you and how have you benefited from sharing a piece of yourself online this way?

Hmm.. Why do I blog? What purpose does it serve? Do I benefit from sharing myself online?

As far back as I remember I have always had diaries, journals, memory books, and random writings, doodles, and what not in my school notebooks. All of which I always would purposely leave around for my husband, then boyfriend, or friends, or family to read. I wanted people to know my innermost thoughts and feelings.

While I do have a tendency to open up. A tad bit way too much, I wasn't always this way. I never spoke up. I never spoke my thoughts, opinions, or feelings. I was always far too embarrassed. I mean, what would people think if they knew what was really going on in there?

With writing, I was able to manipulate the way my thoughts and feelings came across. I could get my point across without making people feel like it was their fault, or that I was crazy and needed to be instituted.

Back in 2000 I started my own Angelfire webpage and began my blogging career. I wish I could come across some of my old "websites". They'd be pretty amusing. Then in 2005 I discovered Myspace, and its blog feature and began my 1st real "blog". At some point during the time I blogged on Myspace it was recommended I move to Blogger. It took some time and a few good online friends to start for me to make the switch. I am so glad I did. I love going back and reading little flashes of my past.

The purpose my blogging serves is having a place to look back on with my thoughts and pictures, in one place. I can put my opinion and feelings out there and get real non-sugar coated advice, sympathy when I need it. I can make a whole community of online friends when I do not get out much with three young children. I can let my thoughts and obsessions out with out it turning into and inward battle in my head.

The purpose it serves me is simple. It's purpose is to help me stay sane.

I guess I also just answered how I benefit by putting myself out there within that paragraph as well.

I am just so glad I discovered the world of blogging.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Sniffles and snot,

Yawns and nods.

Sore throats and itchy eyes,

Fevers and achy bods.

Baby keeps wailing,

Daddy tries to calm her.

Mommy is in a daze,

She can barely see blogger.

Yep, Bailey and I are sick. I blame the school system. Damn me having a child in school, bringing home these yucky cooties. 

Daddy's home,

Laid off again.

Mommy's stressed,

Let the fun begin.

Back to living,

off the state.

Back on WIC

Our bills are late.

As I mentioned here, the hubs is laid off again. This time there will not be any unemployment. At least not for 6 weeks or more. As much as I hated having to do it, we went and applied for SNAP (food stamps) and WIC. I also put back up the hubs Craigslist ad. Fortunately, my father has a teensy-tiny bit of side work, starting tomorrow. I am so glad he won't be home during the day!

The "Z's" are floating around my head.

Whispering softly, "It is time for bed."

The pillows beckon and blankets call,

"Good Night, Sweet Dreams, To one and All."