Halloween 2009

Last month we hosted our 3rd annual Halloween party with our best friends, Justin and Danielle! Here are some photos from the event!

Our guests went all out on their costumes! Our family was a swat team, fitting in what had happened earlier in October... :-) The food was great, the smoke machines were great, the party was great! Hope you can join us next year!!

Happy Birthday Tessa!

23 years ago our family truly changed! My beautiful sister Tessa was born and the family was never the same!!

Tessa, you are such a beautiful, intelligent, fun and caring person. I couldn't imagine my life without you, and couldn't ask for a better sister or godmother to Nate. Thank you also for living with us this year, it has been so great for all of us!!

Happy Birthday!!

my knight in shining armor came...

and swept me off my feet yesterday! Nate had a difficult night the evening before, so momma had one too! He woke up sick, and I could feel a migraine coming on. I tried to go to my mom's prayer group, but made it to Starbucks instead. I called Ry on the way back. Crying. I can't do this. Can you come home for lunch?

So, we made it home, and were settling to watch a little Law & Order, and who walks in? My knight, my husband. He sweeps Nate away, and tells me to rest a bit. I laid down for about an hour, and woke up a new mom. It's amazing how a little rest, and a little peppermint mocha make everything better.

Thank you, my beloved husband. You truly saved me yesterday!! I love you!!

sweet 16 months...

okay, he's about 16 1/2 months now...

Let's see, what is Nate doing... walking, running, climbing, cleaning, eating, sleeping, playing, sweeping...guess that is about it! Oh, and there is super Nate (complete with dish cloth cape and rag in hand). He also found a new hiding spot, by the bookshelves in the living room.

One thing we've noticed this month is that his hair is growing. finally! I may have to trim some hairs by Christmas! He's also using more sign language, and Mama got him set on how to go to bed. yea!!

October was chock-ful of playdates, classes, visits from the fam, winery tour, Halloween parties (3!), and birthday parties!!

For Halloween Nate did have 2 costumes this year - his skeleton costume (also pj's) and his swat officer costume (like us). We went trick-or-treating with the neighbors and another family...and Nate got the hang of it after a few houses. By the last one he was knocking on the door and grabbing handfuls of candy! We have tons of Halloween photos, I think I'll post 'em separately.

Small Successes - Nov. 12

Okay, these are few and far between, but fun to do! Gotta give myself props :-)

1 - Already have in hand our Advent/Christmas gifts to our godchildren! Just need to wrap and mail before the first Sunday of Advent!

2 - Created a meal schedule this week and stuck with it! Also made lots of spaghetti sauce, so we are stocked in the freezer for awhile.

3 - Had a fun Pampered Chef party on Sunday for my friend Laurie who is just starting out. Been trying to plan this since August. Got the house all clean for it, and it has stayed that way!! yea!

For more small successes - click here.

i won!

yea! all the freebies and contests have paid off - I won this week a free grooming for our dog Charlie. I'm super excited - it is the best thing I've won yet!

The company is Bow Wow Hair Salon and they come to your house to groom your pet! Charlie is going to look super cute this Christmas.

If you want to find more info on the freebies I get, check my post from last month!

the devil vs. us

Ryan and I have been talking lately on how the devil seems to be attacking our family. From stresses at work, our home broken into and the trials of stay-at-mom-dom, it seems that he is working extra hard. When this happens you seem to question everything - your vocation, your love, your security.

But the last couple days I think we are fighting back. Our home is now protected, and we've been able to discuss these difficult issues that seem to hide in the shadows. That's where he likes to lurk, you know.

So devil, I know you are out there. There must be something great in store for our family, since you are fighting soo hard. But you will not win!! We are fighting back and you better watch out!