Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween, you guys!  I hope you have a wonderful night and that your kiddies' costumes are a success!  I'll be back tomorrow to share with you our jam packed weekend.  Until then, you can enjoy my little one all dressed up for Halloween, as his favorite, the one and only Mickey Mouse!  And yes, I made the costume....I didn't like any of the pre made ones....I think it turned out pretty good.  Just disappointed we didn't get the gloves on him:(

Too bad you can't see his bouncy tail in this one.

Our 1st Jack-o-Lantern!

Happy Birthday Kylie!

I want to wish a very Happy 3rd Birthday to Kylie Marie over at Our Favorite Miracles.  I have been reading her Mom's blog for quite some time and have enjoyed following.  Kylie just recently got a baby sister, Piper and I think Katie has been busy busy with the two little ones while her husband is deployed.  Katie's girls are gorgeous and I love to see all the pictures she posts.  Head on over, take a peek and wish Kylie a Happy 3rd!

Happy 2 year Blogiversary to Me!

Two years ago today, I started my blog in anticipation of my little man's arrival.  Now 370 posts and 180 followers later, I'm pretty satisfied with what I have created.  Sure, I'd like to advertise and have a few more followers, but with working and being a Mommy full time I'm content with the content....ha.  I have met more than a few cool people that are now my Mommy blogger friends and have gained many new insights into motherhood and life.  It's a work in progress, but something I'm going to enjoy one day looking back on it.

To celebrate, I'd like to give my blog a facelift.  I've always done it myself, with the help of a few Internet friends here and there, but I think this month, I'm going to pay someone to do the whole shebang.  I just have to figure out what kind of theme I want, etc.  If you know of any good and affordable blog designers or any good websites to see samples, let me know.  Until then, Happy 2 years to We're In For It!

Nick......You're Slacking On Me

I have always been a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks.  I have read every single one of his books as they came out-skipping Message in a Bottle (because the movie sucked so bad) until last year, when I was craving a good romance novel.  It didn't disappoint and it even made me want to watch the movie again.  In any case, I'm not a good reader, nor am I an intelligent reader.  Call me lazy, but I don't want anything that makes me think or learn, I just want to read about some love story/family story, etc. that is just heartwarming and true to life.  I'm a slow reader and it's only for fun, so if I want to read my cheesy novels, I can. 

I have enjoyed every last one of Nicholas' Sparks book until the last two.  You can read my review about Safe Haven here.  I have even preordered the last few, just to get my hands on them quickly because I couldn't wait to read them.  And they are the only books I can read in less than 2 weeks a pop.  Although I wasn't a big fan of Safe Haven, I still couldn't wait to get the new one.

Nicholas Sparks' latest book The Best of Me is a story of two high school sweethearts that have since gone their seperate ways who become reunited.  Sounded like my kind of story and at times I couldn't put it down.  However, once again toward the end of the book, much like Safe Haven it became unrealistic and too coincidental.  Although not as bad as Safe Haven, I still didn't buy what he was selling.  See, for me, the book has to conclude well.  I don't care what leads up to it, if the ending sucks, the whole thing sucked.  In fact, I once read a book by Anita Shreve that I wasn't sure how I felt about it until the very last page and then I wanted to read it again, I loved it so much.  And I digress......bottom line, The Best of Me isn't a great book and am getting antsy for a new one by Sparks that I'll really enjoy.  Can you help me out, Nick?  Can you somehow find it in you to write a book like The Guardian or The Choice again?

Being that I'm hard to please, there are really only a few authors that I enjoy anyway.  If you don't like to read to think and just like to read to relax, check out Anita Shreve (above), Jodi Picoult and for a small town country feel, Dorothy Garlock.

Wordless Wednesday- Auntie Ann's wedding

Looking like a handsome young man

Gage (23 mos.) and cousin, Ianna (7)

Sweet boy

Cousin Madison (15), Gage and Ianna

Slow dancing

Gage and Great Uncle Jan

Gage and his Auntie Ann

Gage and Grandma Sandi

My favorite!

The beautiful bride

Happy Anniversary!

Although I'm not at home and can't post any good pictures, I do want to take a quick moment to give a shout out to my parents who have been married for 40 years today!  Wow!  I can't even imagine!  Happy Anniversary!  Love you guys!  Perhaps we have a special treat coming up in the future for you ;) ;)


Home tomorrow, thank God.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Although today we're celebrating a wedding in Austin, I had to pause a moment to wish Jacob over at  Our Family of Four a very Happy 3rd Birthday today.  I have been reading his Mom's blog for quite a while now and it's definitely something to check out.  Not only Jamie share all of the happenings of her kids' lives, but she also shows us her crafty side, as well as her cooking side.  You  never know what you're going to find...pictures, recipes, crafts, etc.  She also dabbles in web design so her blog always looks AWESOME! Head on over, check out her the blog and wish Jacob a Happy Birthday! 

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

In just a few short hours, we will be embarking on our 1st flight w/ a toddler.  Sounds like loads of fun, if you ask me?  See, I'm not a big fan of flying anyway, traveling stresses me out and on top of that, traveling with an almost 2 year old during his  nap time, on 2 different flights, half way across the country really stresses me out.  I'm trying to think the best and cross my fingers for an uneventful flight and a fun trip with family.  Luke's sister is getting married and it will be nice to see everyone, since we haven't seen them in 18 months.  But I have to admit, that what I'm really looking forward to is getting home....safely.  What can I say, I'm kind of a homebody.  Wish us luck, I'm sure I'll have some good stories to share.

Wordless Wednesday- Fall 2011

Gage and his buddy, Logan



Pumpkin Patch w/ the Brosius'



Pumpkins!

Gage and Mommy- Oct. 2011

Toddler Talk.....

According to most I've read, it seems that by age 3, 50% of your toddler's speech should be understandable to strangers.  I am sure that even parents who have kids with advanced vocabularies are still a little skewed when asked to make this judgement.  In our case, Gage seems to have quite an advanced vocabulary for his age and we get comments often about how much/well he speaks; however, I have realized recently that I probably understand WAY more of what he says then most others.  Not that that's not often the case, but in 'mommy' ears, 90% of what he says I understand.  Gage has actually begun stuttering lately and it's mostly when he strings 6 or more words together which makes sense.  I think his little brain is just thinking so hard of how to put the words together and his mouth is already running.  It has become a little more severe, but I do think it's natural.  In any case, I want to play a litte game.  Luke got about a 10 word sentence (no stuttering) on video the other night.  So let's see if you guys can tell what my little man is talking about!  Comment on your guesses!

Happy Birthday T and C!

Shortly after I started my blog when I began to  look for other Mommy bloggers, one of my real life friends pointed me towards her sister-in-law's blog about her 2 super cute twins. They are just a month older than Gage so it's been fun to follow them through the blog to see what they are up to and what Gage might/might not be able to do in another month.  I can't believe they are 2 and I'm sure Mandy can't either!  Head on over to Twice Blessed to wish Tyler and Caroline a very Happy 2nd birthday!

So Happy, So Busy, So Tired....

I am so so happy for a friend of mine and her husband who FINALLY after MONTHS of trying are bringing home the sweet 2 year old girl they adopted from Russia tommorrow.  It has been a long time coming and Malia has no clue how WONDERFUL her life will be because of her new Mommy and Daddy.

I am so so busy this weekend, getting ready for our trip to TX, preparing for traveling as well as preparing to be gone 3 days from work and meetings.

I am so so sleepy....it's been a long day and I have a long weekend in store for me.  Thankfully, I can relax tomorrow night and get to go see Zac Brown Band with a good friend.  Hope the weather will be nice.  Good night.

Sorry....

my cropping was AWFUL on yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post.  Ah...it is what it is.  Today is more of busyness, then a playdate this afternoon  w/ Sawyer.  I'll actually try and get some pictures this time......then more of the same.  I'll attempt to post something good this weekend.  BUT I did get the new Nicholas Sparks book this weekend AND I'm going to see Zac Brown Band!  Woo hoo!

Wordless Wednesday- 19 month photo shoot



Courtesy of Georgia Nelson

I am boring myself...

That's right, I can't even stand to read my own blog anymore.  Are you kidding?  I haven't written a post of quality since August, and probably mid-August at best.  I want to write, I really do, I just can't even think of sitting down for the 20 mins. that it requires. That's how busy I feel. 

I want to scan and upload our awesome family pictures from June (now 4 months ago).

I want to show you pictures and write about our fun day at the pumpkin patch with neighbors last weekend.

I want to tell you how CRAZY busy I am with school this year and being a part of a textbook adoption committee that has me disecting textbooks for their every number. 

I want to tell you that I'm using every free minute I have tracking down items to make Gage's Mickey Mouse costume with.

I want to tell you that my kid will be 2...yes TWO in 34 days!

I want to tell you that's it's incredible how MUCH my kid talks and how many titles of books he knows and how many songs he can sing word for word.

I want to write fun and interesting posts every day.

I want to tell you how much I'm NOT looking forward to getting on an airplane with an almost 2 year old next week only to get somewhere that we then have to drive 2 more hours to get where we're really going.

However, that would mean that I'd have to take 10 mins. out of my day to write something that doesn't totally suck and isn't stream of consciousness.  And I just don't have time for that.....

OMG...

I have totally lost my blogging mojo.  After a month's hiatus in September and my super busyness, I just don't feel like I have it in me anymore.  I'm in a rut, as I have been before.  I have just been so busy that each moment I have free time, I just feel like doing NOTHING.  I'm sure it will pass.  I'd love to blog about our family pictures that we finally got and our pumpkin patch outing today and the things that have been keeping me so busy.....maybe tomorrow I'll be in the mood.  This, too, shall pass......

Wordless Wednesday- A Year Ago

Fall 2010- 10.5 months old

Happy 5th Birthday, Alana!

Hey ya'll!  I'm back from my blogging hiatus and have lots to share!  However, 1st things 1st.   Alana over at more than a Mommy is 5 today!  Crazy!  I feel like she was just 3 last year!  I can't even imagine what it will be like when Gage turns 5.  In any case, I've been reading Alana's mom's blog since I can remember and although she's been busy with school she still has time to post pictures of her beautiful girls and continue her creative and witty posts.  Head on over to read her blog and wish Alana a Happy 5th Birthday!