303 Trunk or Treat

It was raining but we made it to our first Trunk or Treat.  We have been wanting to go for a while but we just never make it.  We had a blast even though it was raining.  Here is Gabrielle going through her loot.

300 Pumpkins

"Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.  God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.  Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for the entire world to see."

 This is a copy of the lesson I made for child care at church tonight.  I loved that I found a way to connect the upcoming Halloween holiday with God's love. 

299 my 31st birthday

This is my beautiful necklace from Gabrielle.  She told Mike I needed a shiny, butterfly necklace.  They both have great taste.  I had an amazing birthday filled with love.  I have a very blessed life.  I have the best husband in the entire world.  I also have the most incredible daughter in the world.  Their cards brought me to tears.
Mike's card:" For my beautiful, amazing, wife Every so often, I look at you and forget about work, bills, errands, and all the other stuff that clutters our lives.  It all fades away and I see just you-this absolutely marvelous woman who I'm lucky enough to have by my side.  And although I may not tell you often enough how much I love the live we've made-with its ups and downs, twists and turns-I do.  I do because I love the woman who's at the very heart of it all.  You, my wife. My beautiful, amazing wife. Happy Birthday." 

We had a crazy year with health and court and jobs and such.  I feel like I am the lucky one to have him.  Every day I wake up blessed and grateful for my marriage. 

Gabrielle's card:" Mom if I could give you anything for your birthday, it would be all the happiness you've given me just by being my mom."  Plus She got me another next.  My first necklace that says mom.  It's a silver heart. The box says "All that I am, all that I hope to be, I owe to you, Mom."  The silver heart says "Mothers hold their children's hands for awhile and their hearts forever." 

It was so perfect.  I seriously was in tears.  I have an amazing life.  I am blessed beyond my dreams.  I am thankful for every year God has given me on this crazy world and I pray I am lucky enough to get many more years on this crazy world. 

298 - Helping

I love helping out at my daughter's school. I've been doing so since she was in preschool. This year I get to help out 2 days a week. I love working with the students and helping her teacher. I consider it a joy to do so. I know I'm blessed to be able to. I know a lot of parents work or are more sick than I, so they can't help out. I treasure each day that I get to.

297 pure cuteness

Maisy and Dallas are still figure each other out.  They love playing together.  Dallas still wants his space at times, but she isn't learning that so well.  She is still scared of our cat.  So we are working on introducing them and getting them use to each other.  Her house training is going remarkable well.  Here is the cutest picture of the day.

296 apples and pumpkins

Yesterday we went to Radar farm in Bloomington.  We go every fall.  They are always adding to it.  Gabrielle loves playing in the hay, hayback rides, picking pumpkins, and so much more.  We have a blast.  Today we went to Tanner's Orchard with Mike's parents.  Gabrielle wanted some Grandparent time.  We had fun playing in the hay, pedal racing, pony riding, and eating apple treats.  We had a great weekend with great weather.  I hate to see the weekend end.

295 first sleep over

Gabrielle had her very sleep over.  Her best friend, Talia, stayed the night.  We ate pizza for dinner, went to the non-scary haunted trail, played, and now donuts for breakfast.  They had a blast.  There was no fighting.  They fell asleep by 10.  They even slept in until 7am.  I am sure this is the first of many sleep overs.  I hope they all go as well as this one did.

 

294 new addition to the family

Introducing Maisy Quinn.  She is a 5 month old red haired dachshund.  She was born in a puppy mill.  She was rescued in September.  We have adopted her.  She is a sweet puppy.  Our cat is ignoring her.  And Dallas isn't sure if he likes her yet.  We know they will be BFF before we know it.

292 Notes Left Behind

I am only 40 pages in this book and it has already impacted me.  This is a true story of a mother and father who lost a young daughter to cancer.  This is their journal during the time she got diagnosed to the end and beyond.  Their sweet daughter left notes hidden around the house that they found after she died.  I am tearing up writing this.  They wrote the book to tell their daughter's story and to remind people to treasure the time they have with their loved ones.  I don't need a book to remind me.  I have known too many people taken too young in their life.  I have had near death experiences.  I feel blessed everyday that God chooses to give me another day with my husband and daughter.  I try to make everyday count.  I know some days I get lazy and don't do much.  We all need those days every now and then.  But I am not one to take for granted my time with my loved ones.  Everyday I thank God for the many blessings He has given me.  I believe this book is going to be very moving.  I am sure I will be in tears by the end.  I guess the point of the blog is to remind YOU to take the time to love on your children, to play what they want to play, to really listen to them, to cherish them.  Before you know it, they will think you are uncool and not want to hang out with you or your or their time could be up.  So cherish them.  Love on them.  Don't take them for granted.  Just my two cents. 

289 LOVE THIS PROGRAM

Our PTO does a great program called the Secret Pal program for all staff.  Any staff at her school can take part.  Then they get matched with a family that wants to take part.  The family leaves surprises at least once a month for the staff member.  It's a way to thank them for all they do.  At the end of the year we do a reveal breakfast.  I am shadowing this program and will be in charge next year.  I love it.  We have taking part every year.  I love giving surprises.  I think all schools should do this program. 

288 My legacy

 I say this quote on facebook.  I love it!  My goal in life is to leave a positive legacy.  I want people to remember me for the good I did in life not the bad.  Now I know there are people who have only known me during dark periods of my life when I was on the wrong path making wrong choices.  I wish I could find everyone of them and show them were I am today and apologize for any wrong doing.  But I still think some of them wouldn't let go and believe I have changed.  I am better person now than in college.  I was lost and confused then.  Weren't we all?  I don't want people to remember me for those mistakes.  Here's what I want people to remember me for:




That I just took risks instead of sitting back and thinking what if.  That I followed my dreams while not crushing someone else's dream.  I want to be remembered as a great mother and wife.  I want to be remembered for all my volunteering and helping others.  I want to be remembered as making people's lives better.  This is why this quote today hit home.  I really want to give it a try instead of wondering what if.