Bugs & Peanut's Day Out

I was lucky enough to catch a ride back home the day before Thanksgiving...with the intentions of helping my Mom prepare the meal. Let's get real here, I am not sure how much help I actually was considering I had plans to sew a stocking for Bugs (which required a lot of assistance from my Mom) and then I distracted the entire cooking crew with a trip to lunch and target...but it was a fun day spent with my Mom, Sister, her baby- Peanut, and Sister-In-Law. 

 Bugs and Peanut loaded up ready to go on our outing.

 The pair at Panera...snoozing through lunch.

Cruzin' target

Gushing Gratitude

It's nearly 2 am, we just finished a night time feeding and as Bugs drifted back to sleep he at chatted at me with his sweet little voice. I imagined he was telling me all that he was thankful for...his amazing dad, milk, bathtime, his sitter Erin...it got me thinking about my list. I have been thinking all month about "my list". I am not sure that I have ever been more thankful on a Thanksgiving. This year I feel so abundantly blessed it is almost overwhelming...

I know that my list only scratches the surface of the things that I am thankful for, but they are the things that are written on my heart tonight, so with out further delay, I give you my gratitude list.

I am thankful for:
- the unconditional love of my Savior that I cannot truly comprehend, and the example that he left for us to follow.
- an amazing man to share this journey with. I am thankful that the Lord blessed me with him. He is kind, helpful and supportive. He even laughs at my jokes from time to time.
- my healthy little guy and all the joy he has brought to my life since July. I am thankful for baby snuggles and giggles. I am thankful that he came into this world without complication.
- for my parents. As far as parents go I have the best. I am thankful for their example of christian marriage, for the foundation for faith that they laid and that the blessed me with 4 siblings.
- for my crazy siblings. I am thankful for the 4 plus 1 plan, for the uniqueness of each of us, and yet the similarities that we share. I am thankful for all the laughs that we have shared and the support that is offered in hard times. I am thankful that they have such great taste in spouses...as our family grows it just keeps getting better. I am thankful to be an Aunt.
- for my extended family, friends, co-workers and in-laws.
- nature. The beautiful sunrises and sunsets, the stars in the night sky, wildlife, fall leafs and peaceful snows, the ocean...the beauty that surrounds us is amazing.
- the "things" that make my life easier, a home, food, transportation, heat.....

I am once again delayed in making this post, but I am none the less thankful. We had a wonderful thanksgiving. My stomach was filled, but more importantly my heart was filled.

4 months

Dear Grady,

Once again the month has flown by. You are growing and changing at an amazing pace. With each new stage I am torn between the excitement of your new discovery and the sadness of another stage completed. This month brought some fun events, scary moments, exciting news and lots of smiles and giggles!

You are Daddy's little buddy. My heart melts listening to the two of you "chat" and laugh together. Daddy found out he got a new job this month and we are both so proud of him.

You are really holding your head up and when your on your back you really scoot around. 

This month you have really started to notice the dogs more. You will look at them when they are around and even laugh at them.

You ventured to the pumpkin patch for the first time, unfortunately you were asleep by the time we got to the pumpkins.

There was no shortage of pictures this month. We did a photo shoot with Hadley and one with all Mom's family.

This month brought a couple trips to Urgent care...one which earned you a chest x-ray. It was tough for both of us, but we are thankful you are A-Okay.

You spent time hanging with GG while Aunt Nancy made your costume.

This month you have really become expressive and giggle and smile all the time.

You made a very cute Bam Bam for Halloween, even if you didn't win the contest.

You met Daddy'd friend Nick and his son Ryder who is just a few days younger than you.

You started sitting up in your Bumbo seat.

You visited Mom's school for the Halloween parade and needed a little rest while you were there.

You went on your first hay rack ride.

Happy 4 months Sweet baby Boy!!!

10 years later...

This weekend we attended my 10 year class reunion. It was great day of catching up with old classmates, and it was also the first time Chad and I have gone out since Grady's arrival. This milestone made me reflect on the past 10 years. Time is a strange thing...it use to seem to pass so slowly. As a kid it felt like an eternity between Christmases. As an adult it scares me to think about just how fleeting and precious time is.

The last ten years have been full of blessings. Looking back I know the good memories have far out weighed the bad. Here are a few of my favorite memories of the past 10 years:
- attending college and obtaining a bachelors degree
- fulfilling my dream of running college track
- falling in love with an amazing man
- marrying said amazing man and creating a life together
- spending a week in Kauai
- becoming both a sister in law and aunt as my family grows
- ran a half-marathon
- landing my first job
- buying a house and making it home
- adopting two pups
- obtaining my master's degree and starting a fulfilling career
- taking a special trip with my dad
- becoming pregnant and adding a sweet baby boy to my life!

Halloween Happenings

I really love holiday festivities. The anticipation, planning, memory making, ect. I love an excuse to make a day a little special. Halloween has never been my favorite, but I enjoyed it so much more with my little pumpkin.
My Godmother/Aunt/Sew expert helped me (and by helped I mean she did the work and I watched) make costumes for Grady and I. We planned to be Bamm Bamm and Betty with Hadley going as Pebbles. They turned out great...

We attended a party at my parents church, where Grady earned a participation ribbon for his costume.
Chad and I carved a snoopy pumpkin while Grady slept one evening. I'm pretty proud of our handy work.

Grady joined me at school on Halloween to participate in the costume parade, where he was quite a hit.
Later that evening we attended the not-so-short hay rack ride before returning home to warm up and climb into some "sweet" pajamas.

We also enjoyed jack-o-lantern burgers on two occasions.

Fall Craft Day

Hosting a craft day was on my fall to-do list, and I got it crossed off a few weeks ago. I only had a couple crafters join me, but it was a fun day of hanging out, eating and creating. I managed to make complete a few projects including a candy corn footprint, fall activity board, a glass block and two sets of votives with vinyl phrases. My friend Janae finished a fall wreath and started a tutu.

 Fall To-Do List

 Janae's Supplies

 Crafting Assistants

 The finished product