Off to Brevard, NC

We are off to Brevard, NC this weekend to visit with Hubby's family. It should be a wonderful time! Have a great weekend.....
photo credit

Eat Dirt...

That's what Reese has taken a liking to this week. Dirt! I read somewhere that kids crave it and they need the iron or something crazy like that.... yeah, whatever! Apparently, yesterday's dirt-eating meal was pretty messy. Daddy and Reese had to immediately take a shower to get all the dirt off. (That's my girl!)

Reason #81 Why I Love Fall

Walks with Daddy on beautiful days and walking through fallen leaves.....

Happy Halloween

Yep, you guessed it... Reese's Pieces! C'mon, I had to! Next year, she will be able to come up with her own ideas and mom won't have any say. Yes, I'm taking advantage of the lack of her language skills here. But she can still communicate that she is not happy with the hat, what do you think? Nice look! The second picture says, "You better not be putting that silly hat on me!" Although she did not like the hat, she was quite pleased with her onesie. She really did like the Reese's Pieces on her and didn't even try to pick them off! She strutted around the house today so proud of what she was wearing! It was pretty funny.

Hope you all have a fun Halloween!

Reason #54 Why I Love Fall

I just took this picture today at school. c'mon, you can't beat that blue sky!

Reese's costume is coming together...

I was hot-gluing last night.... it's coming together.... Halloween is a few days away... yea!

Somethin' is a Brewin'

It's Reese's Halloween costume....Went to Michael's tonight and walked out with a little of this, a pinch of that and brewed up a PIECE of her outfit. More to come....

proud moment

This book has been in Reese's reading rotation lately. She points to Hairy Dawg and gives him high 5's. And this morning.... she actually said, "Georgia!" I couldn't believe it! It sounded like, "Ja-Ja" But she says, "Ja-Ja Dawg" I'm so proud!

It's a cute book!

Football, FOOTball, FOOTBALL!

One of Reese's favorite things is to watch the pee wee football games at the park. She loves the cheering and the helmets. She definitely gets this from Hubby. He loves football!

Reese is starting to use her own spoon too. It's still a bit messy and I'm exercising my patience every time she goes for her mouth.

etsy love hoot hoot

I'm a sucker for owls lately... and it's not even because it's close to Halloween. I just like them for some reason. So that's why I am swooning over this cute invite over at Busy Nothings. I love the graphics on each invite. A friend of mine also purchased her daughter's christening invitation and they were adorable! Check them out!

welcome home mommy

The best part of my day is coming home to Reese's smile. Today Hubby and Reese were outside to greet me. It was so great to her running towards me. It's the best!

rainy day off

On my day off yesterday, hubby and I had a wonderful day with Reese. It was the perfect day to bring her to Imagine It Children's Museum . I love that place! And Reese did to. They added more things since I was there last with my sister and niece. Reese loved the fishing hole, the balls, dressing up, the slides, the performances, and just watching all the big kids. We had a blast with her. I highly recommend this place.

A day at the park...

This afternoon, Reese and I went to Chastain Park. I did my usual walk/run around the 3 mile route. I didn't need to rush home for anything, so we hung out for a while.

I love this park, it really has it all! If you have never been, it has a walking route around a golf course. You pass tennis courts, a pool, a school, and an equestrian center. Not to mention all the ball fields and playground it has for the kids. Oh yea, it has an amphitheater too that has great concerts! It's pretty amazing and I love that I work and live so close to this park.

I wanted Reese to see the horses and she loved them. She immediately started calling them dogs. No, honey, they are horses. She was mesmerized. One of the little girls riding waved to Reese and she then started waving to all the horses trotting by. As you can see, she's a fan, giving us the thumbs up.

Then we headed to the ball fields. Baseball and football are happening simultaneously right now and she was loving the cheering at the t-ball game. Reese started clapping when ever the fans would cheer. She also loved just running around. There is something freeing about an open field. I love it, and apparently she does too! There she goes....

I loved walking around with her. She was so into the action of the other kids playing sports. I can't wait for her to be that age!

Halloween Dead-Corations!

Thanks to Whisker Graphics, you can download these for FREE! WOW! So much to do with these cute owls....

Then you can go over to Paper Source and get some great decorating ideas and make some yourself. I love the cat!

Think Pink on Etsy

A few etsy finds in honor of Breast Cancer month. Let's think pink...get a mammogram, remind your mom, sister and friend to get one...hug them while your at it...

and check out these etsy finds...

1. Survivor necklace by ConFused

2. Diva card by Pie Safe Paper Gifts

3. Thinking of You card by formyboysjc

4. Hand knit beret by Hearts Run Free

Etsy Finds

Are you getting ready? Do you have your Halloween costume picked out? Candy purchased? Ghosts hung? What are you waiting for? Only 3o more days!

Here are some Etsy finds that I thought would be cute for your party...

1. Candy Corn Cotton Pennants by Pamwares.

2. Personalized Stickers for your candy bags, packages or cards by Little Beane Boutique.

3. Sport a Sweet tee by Bella Marie Designs.

4. Decorate with festive poms by Under the Oak.

I don't wanna...

Go to be that is...

After bath, little Missy noticed me taking out her mock Uggs and she wanted them on instantly! So, she had to run around with them for a while, check out daddy downstairs with fellow band mates, and ask for more milk. After that, she went to bed pretty easily. I'm thankful for that!

I'm a little behind on the Gratitude Challenge, I am writing thank you notes to a few people and thanking them for being an inspiration, a great teacher and a good friend.

Hey, and thank YOU for visiting me on my blog! Have a great day!

I totally want these...

Seriously!

But they don't make them... when they do... I'm on it!

yea no rain...

So we were able to go outside today and enjoy this beautiful day! After going to church, I ran with my friend Sarah. I'm using the term "run" very loosely... we ran most of the time, and walked the rest. Then Hubby, Reese and I headed out to the Sandy Springs Festival. Reese loved to people-watch, run all over and didn't quite know what to do with at the petting zoo.

As you can see, she took a spill and got her first skinned knee. There is a little blood, so it's legit. It didn't even phase her. All she wants to do is go up and down steps and that's where it happened. She was just so excited to be going up and down steps, that she kept pushing on up to the next step.

What IS bothering her are her molars! The dang molars! They really are giving her trouble. I guess it's the typical runny-nose, crankiness, but then she has a fever and just does not feel well. yuk! I hope this phase passes quickly!

Update on the Gratitude Challenge... this is now day 7 and I'm supposed to take a picture of something I'm thankful for... well as you guessed... I've just posted it... Hubby and I have a happy child and I'm so grateful for her. Day 6 was to call a friend whom I have not spoken to in a while and tell them that I appreciate her. :)

The Gratitude Challange

Take five minutes to write about how grateful you are for all of the wonderful things that you currently have in your life. Don’t long for what you don’t possess—instead, take stock of all the blessings you already enjoy.

• wonderful hubby who makes me laugh, who is incredibly positive, who is an awesome father and picks up a ton of slack!


• supportive family including hubby's family


• an incredible daughter who amazes me everyday and who brings me much joy


• awesome job


• house


• paid off cars


• no debt (besides home)


• incredible friends
  
• wonderful, supportive co-workers


• healthy family (especially my mom who survived cancer this year!!!)


• live in the USA

The Seed Factory plants another seed...

and a website has sprouted! One of my favorite children's shop is somewhat expanding and has started their very own website. You can learn more about the shop and keep up with weekly goings on by reading their blog. This was the shop where we hosted my friend's baby shower and where I like to take Reese to story time. It's such a great shop!

There is a great event that they are hosting next weekend. Rupa K. Photography is coming to the shop on Saturday, October 3rd to take pictures of your little one. The pictures are then placed in a collage like the super cute one below! Isn't that the best??! I'm so bummed we will not be in town next weekend. But if you are interested, you have to sign up on the photographer's website. This would be the perfect thing to do each year for your children! I love it.

Write a short message of thanks about the "negative" things in your life.

Well, the big negative that is facing us right now that I really can't NOT think of is living in a one income home. Hubby lost his job in June and has not found another job yet. It's that little black cloud that follows us around all day. It just hovers over us, it's kinda like when it rains for more than 2 days and you wonder why you are in a funk. There is never a moment I'm not thinking about money, a possible job, a contact we forgot to contact, or hubby's well being. It's a real blow to a man's ego. I wish it was me who lost my job and not him! I hate it for him. But this post is supposed to be about gratitude and not hate. So.... hmmm.... (this is pretty hard) I guess my short message of thanks is that I'm grateful for this time because it will only make us stronger as a family. We will get through this and weather this storm. It also gives me an opportunity to be more conscience about money and boy, do I need to do that! And I am truly grateful for the people who have offered advice, met with Hubby about possible jobs, and has continued to ask me about how things are going. That is really encouraging. :) So, in a way, I could be grateful for this negative time in our lives.

Gratitude Challenge

"Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today."

I am grateful for my daughter. Hubby and I are amazed at the little person she is becoming. I am so grateful she is in my life. I don't' mean to sound trite, but she has absolutely shaken my world and I am better for it. I love the way she can be so sweet and want to hug on you and bite, I mean kiss you. Then the next second, she is off.... She is off to play with her doll, drag her mower around the house, flip though a book, whatever it is, it's with authority... especially a temper tantrum! I am grateful for my precious little girl.

Tickeled with Target

I mean, who isn't??? These products impressed me during tonight's visit to Tar-Zhay. Real Simple's organization products. I really need the portable file tote. That would come in handy for my tutoring students. It felt pretty durable as well. Then I was impressed with Greenroom's recycled products. I had to buy the notebook on the right, it looks like wood grain... super cute! And I fell in love with the writing paper inside. College ruled, light brown lines on cream colored paper, perforated, 3-hole punched... it can't get much better than that!

The ABC's of Gratitude

Adversity – I’m grateful for the tough times I have had in my life, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

Blue skies

Camera to capture all of the moments with daughter and family. I treasure each silly picture.

“Duck” – I love hearing my daughter say duck and many other words.
Ella Maurice

Family & Friends

God

Hubby! Health

Instruments that make all the great music out there! Like hubby’s guitar… I’m grateful that I get to hear him play on a daily basis. I’m grateful for the music in my life.

Job – I am grateful for the job I have and my new position at my school. I’m grateful that it’s not just a job to me, I love the people who work there as well. The Schenck School is the best!

Karen, my sister and her hubby.

Laughter – I love hearing people laugh! I’m grateful that laughter has the ability to lighten up a tough or crumby situation.

Mother – my mother is a pretty selfless lady and I’m completely grateful for her

Niece and Nephew – Lily and Caden.

Okra – fried, Okra! It’s so yummy and it reminds me of the south. Even though I was born and raised up north, my grandfather was from Arkansas and a true southerner. I am grateful for him and instilling me a love for the south.

Parents and Hubby’s Parents

Quite time

Running buddies – a great group of girlfriends who make me laugh, even though I want to cry while running up a hill.

Students who brighten my day, make me laugh and teach me a thing or two as well!

Teachers – quite a few teachers at my school inspire me to be my best. I’m grateful for their knowledge and willingness to help. I’m grateful for the teachers who taught me, the good and the bad! And I’m grateful for my teachers at the program I am taking this year. They challenge me and really make me think about this profession.

Understanding – I’m grateful for the understanding people in my life.

Vocabulary – it’s one of the subjects I teach and I’m grateful to teach it. I have a great time with my students.

Wilmington – my hometown

X- Chromosome – two of them make women and I am grateful for being a woman and for the other women in my life.

Youmans family – I married into a wonderful family

Zaxby’s – I’m running out of things! They do make a good dipping sauce.

The Gratitude Challenge

In my gmail inbox today, I received an email from tiny*prints explaining The Gratitude Challenge. It's a 21-day challenge created to help you take note of the brighter side of life.

Take Note, Give Thanks

So I thought I would take the challenge and post for the next 21 days life's little blessings. Each day, they have little assignments to help you with this process. I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to take the time to look around me, take in all the positives in my life, and grow. I hope to inspire others to take this challenge as well. Perhaps I'll learn how to instinctively see the glass half FULL and not let negativity bring me down. I hope to see and appreciate the little things in life that can ultimately make huge differences.

So, here I go...

If you are interested in learning more about The Gratitude Challenge sponsored by Tiny*Prints, click here. :)

virtual window shopping

cool ring by MagpieLovely. oh, how i wish we had a money tree in our backyard.

Magpie Lovely.com was formed to introduce the boutique shopping consumer to the world of handmade, independent artists. The products featured here are made exclusively by independent crafters and artisans and are never made in a factory. These artists love what they do, are making gorgeous products at reasonable prices and are helping to keep our planet green. I wanted to create a place where customers can shop and know that they are purchasing a product made with heart and with a purpose. - Holly Craig, Magpie Lovely

Google Reader

Marta Writes is one of my favorite blogs to read. She asked a question to her readers yesterday to find out what they like about certain blogs, how they read blogs, what makes them return to certain blogs, etc. Interesting read, especially if you have a blog of your own. The comments are interesting too. Click here for her post... pop quiz: the art of blog reading.

It has convinced me that I need to start using Google Reader more. So, I took some of the blogs I read and moved them over to Google Reader. There is something about visiting the actual blog that I enjoy. I like certain blogs for their pictures, the design and overall look and feel of their blogs, so reading the posts from their site is better at times. However, Google Reader will give me the opportunity to scan more blogs at one sitting. Perhaps maximize my blog reading. (yea, all i need, like i have the time) But, I'm gonna try it with some of my blogs and if I like it, I'll add more.

Tell me what you think about Google Reader. Do you use it? Do you like it?

Riding off into the sunset...

It's been a long and lazy rainy day... Reese decided to get on her pony and take it for a ride today for the first time... BY HERSELF! She gets frustrated though, because she has trouble steering and ends up stuck against a wall or chair. Keep practicing, honey.

Welcome to the world, Caden

Welcome, Caden William Gunther! My cousin, Marian was in labor for almost 24 hours! She was 30 minutes away from a c-section, but miraculously, Caden decided to come. So needless to say, she was and still is, a bit tired. He was born September 17th and from the pictures he looks gorgeous! I can't wait to meet the little guy. Congrats Marian and Brandon!

I love these first pictures of Mama and child. You know, the typical picture of tired Mama with swaddled child. The one of me and Reese will be one that I will treasure for a lifetime. It shows the love and dedication you have for your child. Yes, you're exhausted, but you are so happy that your child is in your arms! You are full of wonder and overwhelmed with emotions (that you can't hold back at times). It's such a complex wonderful time that I am blessed I had the opportunity to have. I never want to forget it. I'm so happy for my cousin and her hubby. So, I apologize if you don't think this is the best picture, but I happen to think that it's a beautiful timeless one!