Wrapping up October...

October was CRAZY!!!

Jordan played football for the first time. Kayla turned 15. There were soccer games and piano lessons. Jordan played the trumpet with the 8th graders on Thursday nights, since he is in advanced 7th grade band. Kayla continued to march every Friday night with the high school band and had two band competitions this month. I turned 41. My son turned 13 today and we celebrated by volunteering at our church fall carnival tonight. It has been a month full of memories for sure.

We have been busy. Yes, I am tired, BUT I have enjoyed every minute of being there for my kiddos. I could have done without the turning 41 business a few days ago, but God and I have come a long way through the years, so if I was truly honest, I wouldn't change that either. God is good... and I am blessed.

I am in love with #32. (Even when the sun is in my eyes on the visitor side of the field.)

We celebrated Jordan's birthday Saturday night. Eight of his friends came to play. Nothing like a room full of 12 and 13 year old boys to test your patience level...just saying.

Friday night the band director let the band dress up in costumes. Kayla had several costumes, but most of them she couldn't march in, so we went with the old poodle skirt. It was cold that night, so she wore leggings. I wonder did they have leggings in the 50's? :)

Isn't she cute?! My mother-in-law made this skirt for her when she was in the 2nd or third grade and it still fits.

My trumpet boy.

Can you believe this young man turned 13 today? UGH!!!

I can't believe I turned 41 four days ago. Double UGH!!!

My two men. Love them.

Kayla and I ran the popcorn machine at the fall fest tonight.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday tomorrow.

Shine bright for Jesus in this dark world.

Pumpkins...

We finally had time to carve the pumpkins that have been sitting on my dining room table for the past two weeks.

Kayla's is the Minnie Mouse.

Jordan's is Spiderman.

Kevin's is the crazy eye.

It is a bit chilly today. Let Fall truly begin.

Have a Great weekend!

Birthday Cake...

Tonight my hubby told me to go to my in-laws house after the band competition. I got there and was surprised with some great birthday gifts.

(It is kind a secret, but I turn the 41 tomorrow. YIKES!!!)

I got new bath towels (Thanks Jordan!), some computer software I am anxious to try (Thanks Kev!) and a new BIG crockpot which I can't wait to use (Thanks Grandma and Papa!). And then there was the cake, made by my favorite gal in the world!

Oh how I love this girl. She makes me smile! :)

We thought it was funny that her red ICEE mouth matched the cake. :)

Happy Birthday to me!

I am blessed.

Football Festival Week...

Jordan is the one wearing the blue beanie on the back row. This picture was taken at their face painting party on blue and white day. It was 7:00a.m. in the morning. YIKES!!!

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It was football festival week at the middle school this week. Basically, it is their version of Homecoming week, without the Homecoming court. They just have a blast dressing up in costumes all week, painting signs, jeans and whatever else they can turn blue and play some football.

Jordan got in the spirit of things, all but one day. He dressed up like Spiderman on super hero day. Angry smurf on cartoon/movie character day. He painted jeans for blue & white day. And then he went and played some football and a little trumpet.

My blue eyed super hero.

La, la,la la la, la....

Kevin drew the football and helmet for the girls to paint at the sign party. He was super dad of the day. :)

My dinner every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in the month of October. Yummy!!!

My favorite number this year. :)

My trumpet boy. He is actually getting pretty good at his instrument. He is taking after his dad in that area.

It has been a crazy, long week. Yet, I am trying hard to enjoy memories such as these, for I know the moments are going to fly by and one day, too soon, I will be missing them.

Oh My Aching Back!!!

Saturday was just another day full of laundry and grocery shopping. My weeknights are so busy these days that it seems like I have to play catch up on Saturday. Yuck!

Only this Saturday, my body had a mind of it's own. About half way through the day, my back gave out. Plum gave out. Couldn't move without sharp pain. Couldn't move with out making funny noises to which my son thought was hilarious until he realized mom wasn't kidding around. (BOYS!!!) Not sure if it is a pinched nerve, muscle spasm or what. The tricky part is I have to be careful about what I take for it, since I am allergic to aspirin and all sister related drugs. FUN!

I didn't make it to church yesterday and I stayed home from work today to rest. I am better, Praise the Lord! I can move now which is a plus. I just wear out real easy and certain movements still cause pain, but I will probably get to go back to work tomorrow.

But this weekend has been full of blessings despite my painful state. I think sometimes God allows our bodies to shut down for a little while so we will "BE STILL" and know who God is. Somehow the everyday problems don't seem half as stressful, after rest and quiet time or BIG TIME pain. :)

I had time to talk to my parents on the phone. I got to nap and sleep in, things I usually never have time to do anymore. I received TLC from the hubby and kids. I was blessed beyond words (I will share later) and I was shown over and over that when you trust, God is faithful.

So, although my back was a achin', God was a blessin'. That makes it a pretty good weekend.

Have a great week!

It is a PARTY!!!

We celebrated Kayla's 15Th birthday with a "Cake Boss" theme. My mother-in-law graciously baked a small cake for each guest. I provided icing, fondant, M&M's and lots of decorating tools to help Kayla and her pals display their creative "sweet" side. They had a BLAST!!!

Kayla made her sign that hung on the wall. We had the party in our youth room at church. I bought cheap plastic tablecloths to cut down on the mess. Kayla's FAVORITE colors are purple and green.

I made everyone wear these goofy baker's hats for fun picture moments... including her "oh so cool" brother. :)

Here are a few samples of the cakes made by her friends...

This one was CUTE. Her friend Zach made cars our of fondant.

Chloe made an M&M cake.

They voted on the cakes and this "star" cake was the winner.

Cute little ocean scene made by friend Courtney.

Jordan was allowed to invite a friend who is the brother of one of Kayla's friends. His creation kind of scared me just a little...

Another pal created this pink and green starred cake.

Kayla's cake was suppose to be our dog's head on top, I think, but I think she gave it horns instead of ears. :)

Jordan's cake looked like something our of a Dr. Seuss book.

Daddy joined the fun too.

There were a few other masterpieces that didn't manage to get a photo op. :( However, every kid had a GREAT time.

Grandma and Papa came to see what all the fun was about.

Of course mom and dad got birthday hugs.

And "YES!" my kids really do love each other.

I promise!

Overall it was a fun day celebrating this beautiful girl, inside and out, that we love so much.

I am so blessed.

My # 32...

It is time for 7Th grade football and I LOVE # 32 in blue.

Jordan is still learning the game, finding his place among 80 plus, 7Th grade boys in his football class. Right now they have him learning how to play wide receiver and safety. Only time will tell if he stays with football, but for now I will have my camera ready to shoot my little man in uniform. :)

Homecoming week...

This past week was Homecoming week. It was our first year to really be involved in all the fun of the week, since Kayla is now a freshman. It was fun. Memories were made. It wore this mom plum out. Of course I had to take a few pictures of each day. Here are just a few of the hundred plus pictures taken during the week.

MONDAY:

It was dress up as a cartoon character day. We didn't put much money or planning into this one. She put on an old princess dress she had from a previous year, got a black wig to be different and decided to either be "Mother Gothel from Tangled" or a black haired princess of some sorts. After wearing the black wig for the day, I finally convinced her that she would not look good with black hair. (You know how you always wish, as a teenager, for what you don't have...) I personally like her blonde curls.

TUESDAY:

Duct tape/trash bag day. We made a shirt late Monday night. I thought it turned out cute for a couple of hours work. You should have seen all the creative outfits at school...WOW!

WEDNESDAY:

Battle of the classes day. Kayla's freshman shirt. CUTE!

THURSDAY:

Blue and white day (school colors). She painted a shirt, an old pair of jeans and a friend even painted her hair at school.

She played at the bonfire. (A friend took this picture for me.)

FRIDAY:

Dress up day. Wear your church clothes.

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Game time. My girl marched and played her heart out. Isn't she cute in her hat?

The last picture of the night. My babies. Oh how I love them to pieces. I am blessed.

What did you do last week?