potato head pirate pumpkin :)

my 6 things...

my friend dawn gave me this little 'award'. cracks me up because i have always noticed these blog awards, but didn't know they came with a price :) it is a chain letter of sorts, so if i pass this award on to you and you don't have that kind of time...i completely understand!!!

List 6 things that make you happy:

my boys...all of them. saturday was my birthday and shane played at legend's bbq. (if you have never heard him sing go to http://www.ashleyhopper.com/ and he is the background music for my sister's photog site) my sweet family met us there for dinner and the boys were going to get on stage with daddy and sing me happy birthday. tate had even drawn a picture of the big event and it was complete with cousins bobby, haley on stage and ava sitting on the steps to the stage all singing happy birthday to mom! these boys always make me smile. they are my life. my husband bought me the most perfect card and wrote something in it that i have needed to hear for a long time. 'let's both start taking life as it comes, then more importantly, letting it go when we need to' i have recently been in a funk (which i am proud to say almost never happens to me) over some friend issues. sounds like i'm 12 years old, well, that is what it felt like. no matter what the outcome may have been, i now need to just let it go and stand firm in the knowledge that my God has provided me with multitudes of wonderful friends throughout my life, and more importantly an incredible family. my husband is my best friend and i appreciate him so much...

number 2. the bible. i came across an old bible study book about realizing you're already a virtuous woman in Christ. i had done it when we lived in CO. it's timing was perfect. 'she looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat.' proverbs 31:27 bread of idleness for me = gossip, discontent, self-pity

i am through eating that bread...too many time wasting carbs!!! i have better ways to spend my life on Earth.

3. pumpkins. take your kids to carmichael's in bixby!! stealing grams from work early to go with us for camel and pony rides @ the pumpkin patch. perfect weather. what else could you ask for???
4. keeping secrets from my little sis who will be home for thanksgiving. we want to WOW her with all the new hotspots after a day of black friday christmas shopping. so fun to talk to her and give her little hints about our 'plans' she is a hip chick who is very missed!!

5. blue diamond natural brown sugar and cinnamon almonds. a recent diagnosis of two types of arthritis will jump start you into a new lifestyle. after visiting the arthritis center and seeing all of the pictures of the crippling effects it can bring, i have researched the most natural ways to feel better. the paleolithic diet approach is basically eating all things hunted or gathered. the lack of carbs and preservatives will lessen the flare ups and ease the joint stress. -11 pounds and several inches has made a dif already. i feel better. but these little almonds have helped me through a few rough spots.

6. reasor's online shopping. see previous post :) unbeatable happiness when pulling through that drive thru!!!!!! yea reasor's!

ok ladies, tag you're it...and the award goes to:

kim

ashley hopper photography

mama bear green

julie

kimberly

jeanne

new blankie...

lollie (a.k.a. grandma ed) made wyatt a new blanket and in the box that she sent i found something else so special. she had kept the flowers that she and my dad and the kids had worn during shane and i's wedding. it was this perfectly preserved set of memories that made me cry the second i saw them. that box had been through a lot, but managed to remind me of everything from that incredible day and from the last 8 1/2 years. the crazy thing is, with my dad's job that box of flowers had moved 6 times and been through 2 hurricanes! amazing! thank you lollie for sending such wonderful, priceless treasures. my boys will forever love their soft, special, chenielle, one of a kind 'lollie-pop' blankies!!

yesterday, we ventured out to the most glorious place on earth...no, not the grand canyon or pikes peak, but the pumpkin patch. to me, it is just another one of God's miracles. maybe it is because i have an october birthday or just because the weather this time of year is irresistible, but i will always believe that a pumpkin and i have some special connection. they are just so darn cute and the colors are awesome! i love just letting the boys loose with the maze and wheelbarrows and the hay. we had a ball and it's always a treat to have cousin b come with, oh yes, and you too granny!

impressed...

a mother's strength is a hard thing to match. i try not to ever complain (my husband might laugh at that statement...he lets me whine as needed) but the heartload of a mother can be difficult. i don't care if you are mother to one, mother to five, step-mom to two - just whatever the case may be you love your children beyond measure. you love them with every ounce of who you are. tonight i got to deliver my clipboards and i was reminded of a mother's strength. if you don't know her, you should visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/haleypalmer Jennifer is about to open her new shop in Owasso and it is going to ROCK!!! i was so impressed and could not help thinking how proud haley has to be right now...