Carving the pumpkins.

It involved a little apple cider - alot of laughs, and of course -  a 'few' pictures.

Yep. I loved every minute of it - and I'm pretty sure they did too.

YAY for HAT day! [Okay - well... not really.]

Every year at the kids' school they do 'vocabulary day' in place of Halloween.
I get it. I totally get it ... but, I still don't like it.
They both pick a word - then they have to make a hat that goes with it.
Problem is? The NEVER want to make the hat.
They just tell me what word they want, and the rest? It's up to Mom.
I don't really understand why that is - being that they LOVE to do crafts normally, but for some reason, every year when it comes to this - it's the same.
Kaylee's word was 'PARTY' and Layton's was "FIRE.'
I never take too much time on doing these projects, and this year was no different.
A trip to the Dollar Tree - and there you have it.
Two silly looking hats - for two appreciative kids:

[Please note: This picture KILLS me - but it was taken VERY quickly on my way out the door this morning. I didn't even look at it on my viewing screen like I normally would have. (As you can tell.) Seriously though - WHAT is UP with Kaylee's face?]

So, this is what sleep feels like.

For a long time now - I have struggled with sleeping at night.
I have drove Lee crazy for years with how 'obsessive' I am about bed-time.
I have rituals:
I have to have certain pillows - positioned in a certain way, it has to be SILENT - except for the soft sound of a fan by the bed, and he can't make ANY noise. He can't snore, and sometimes - just the sound of him breathing... ticks me off.
It always took me 2 HOURS to fall asleep, and then during the night - I would wake up 6 to 8 times, and always have a hard time going back to bed.
EVERY NIGHT - the same thing - for 6 YEARS.
It was HELL.
After he went back to work - I struggled with a new dilema: being SCARED.
[Of course - this only added to my problem.]
But, lately?
I've been sleeping like a baby.
I have no clue what has changed - but I'm not complaining.
I wake up rested [most days] and am usually ready for bed by 10:30PM every night.
[This beats the usual 1 or 2AM bedtime that I am normally accustomed to.]
It's like something just changed overnight.
I don't worry about every little sound I hear, and when he is home - the sound of the T.V. doesn't drive me crazy.
Trust me when I say this people: THIS is a MIRACLE.

How am I supposed to keep up with this?

After avoiding laundry for a few days [like I always do] I figured I'd spend the morning catching up.
I realized something while hanging up Layton's jeans - this kid is hard on his clothes. HOLY COW.
All FOUR pairs of 'new' jeans that he got for school have the knees almost torn out of them.
Seriously. NOT. COOL.
So, I guess not only do I have to worry about Kaylee 'growing' out of hers at a rapid speed? I now have to deal with the boy - simply RUINING his.
Oh - joy.

Pumpkin picking.

We hit the pumpkin patch last night.
The kids have been patiently waiting - and since we missed it last year... it was a MUST.
I just LOVE watching my family in action.
The kids ran all over the place and fully enjoyed themselves.
and a MAJOR highlight for me?
The AMAZING Apple scone that was TO DIE FOR.
[Lee and I got one to 'share' - HA! ...Poor guy.]

A change.

I went a bit crazy at the salon yesterday.
I went SUPER short.
[I'm talking 'you-can-now-see-my-ears' short.]
It's a bit 'over the top' funky. [Meaning I can do some CRAZY things with it.]
But, I think [once the SHOCK wears off] that it will grow on me - I'm hoping so anyway.
Add to that [NEW] glasses, and you have quite a change in appearance.
It's all good though - I think it was time for one.

REAL men wear PINK.

Layton wore a little 'pink' to his game this evening in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Not only did I find it extremely cute - it was all HIS idea... which made it that much more special.
[Way to go #11!]

Finally - DONE.



After avoiding it for weeks - tonight I actually did it.

I cleaned out my side of the closet.

I have put it off for awhile now - considering that it actually SCARES me a little.

There is so much to go through, and I just haven't been in the mood to take it on.

But, tonight? I went for it... and?

IT.WAS.A.DISASTER.

Lee is constantly complaining that I have too many clothes [which I totally don't agree with] - but I AM female, so my oppinion probably doesn't count.

I decided that it was time to 'organize' after I was unable to find numerous items for the past couple of days.

It only took me - 2 hours.

After about 5 trips from the closet to the bed with all of my layering tanks... I decided to count them. [Just for the fun of it - of course.]

The GRAND total? 52. Is that bad?

Now when I usually 'clean out' something... I have a REAL problem with actually getting RID of stuff.

Tonight though? I was pretty proud of myself.

I had a GARBAGE BAG stuffed FULL.

I couldn't help but smile with such a great feeling of accomplishment.

Seriously - The hubby will be PROUD. [For a second anyway.]

Because, now? I really NEED to go shopping.

A ride down memory lane.

Last week Kaylee spent a few days with my parents.
When she got home she told me she found something of mine - then handed me one of my old photo albums from High School.
It INSTANTLY took me back.
Inside were pictures of all my 'old' friends.
It's funny how pictures can bring back memories and almost make you 're-live' them.
I remembered the relationships, the friendships, and endless memories.
I remembered the fights, the drama, and all of the silly-ness of being a teenager.
I remembered the laughs, the tears, and the feeling that we would never drift apart.
Then? Life happened.

After graduation - some moved away, some went to college, and  then there was me: I got married, and started my family.
Of course it wasn't going to be the same. But, back then?
We had no clue.

I pulled out old photos of years ago, of when Lee and I had just started out.
Again - it's funny how quickly you can 'go back' to that place in your life.
Man, we were different back then.
I was different. He was different.
Just starting our life together with a baby on the way.
I was happy, in-love and scared shit-less.
We experienced so many emotions, and struggles & we made it through some tough times together. Throughout those hardships - I finally found the true meaning of love.

I stumbled upon pictures of me pregnant with Layton, and remembered how freaked out I felt to be having a boy.
I actually would lay awake at night and worry that I wouldn't know what to do with him.
Looking at him now? I couldn't imagine my life without my little-man.
There were photos of  Kaylee holding him for the first time, pictures of them in the bath together, pictures of them painting pumpkins on his first Halloween.
Endless pictures - of this awesome family of mine that God has blessed me with.

It made me realize that my friendships back then were even different.
I only had a few close ones, and truly believed that nothing would ever change that.
Then? Life happened.

I have learned that people change - and when that happens the dynamic of friendships change with it.
It took me awhile to accept it, or even understand it.
But looking back now? I'm ok with it.
It's all part of this journey.

There were pictures of beach trips, Christmases, and birthdays.
Pictures of my nieces when they were babies.
Pictures of church functions - VBS, and Harvest Festival.
Pictures of Hawaii.
Pictures of Vegas.
Pictures at the lake.
Pictures of the kids - starting school.
Pictures of the kids - playing in the snow.
Pictures of camping trips with my parents.
Pictures of friends - old and new.
Pictures... just endless pictures - each one helping me to remember.

I look at my life right now - and I feel so honored to live it.
I love my family, I love my friends, and I feel so blessed to have them to share it with.
I can't imagine it changing - but after going through all these photographs?
Well, I know that's just crazy.

I look forward to what's ahead - knowing that some things will be good, but some will be bad.
I look forward to 'looking back' in 10 years from now, and having these same feelings.
Feelings of sadness and happiness...
All at the same time.

Not sure WHO he gets THIS from.

Sometimes I seriously wonder about my youngest.
Lately? He is obsessed with helping me clean house.
He follows me around - asking constantly what he can do to help.
He wants to dust, begs to use the swiffer mop, and loves cleaning the toilet.
Yes. You heard me right... he LOVES it.
When I ask him if he'd rather be playing - he just replies: 'nope, this is funnnnn'.
Yeah, I can't say I agree with him.
Actually - at this very moment?
He's scrubbing the kitchen sink with a washcloth and Dawn dish soap.
Seriously - this kid may need a CAT scan.

The TOUCHDOWN.

Yep. That's right - Layton scored his FIRST touchdown [in an actual game, that is] last night.
It was a pretty proud moment - for him and the ENTIRE family.
Oh, and the best part? Afterwards - in the end-zone? He busts out with his HILARIOUS 'happy dance'.
[Because this kid of ours? Yeah, he has no personality.]
It was truly one of his most AWESOME moments, and I will always remember it.

Is it bad that I just want to hide sometimes?

Most days - I totally enjoy being around my kids.
Some days - [like TODAY for example] bedtime couldn't come soon enough.
Blame it on me being totally drained from a busy day, or the fact that we CANNOT keep the dog out of the damn trash, or maybe because I have been up since 6AM, and still haven't had time to sit down?
Whatever the reason or 'reasons' - I have just HAD IT with today.
Tonight? I'm just tired, and cranky.
Tomorrow? I'll be rested, and [most likely] - apologizing to some pretty cute kids of mine.

Only little boys.

Layton got the bright idea to try and 'wear' the dogs tire toy as an anklet last night.
It was all fun and games until he discovered that it wouldn't come off.
Lee was working so that left only me. [of course.]
After almost breaking his ankle, and pulling skin off in the process - we got it.
THANK.GOD.
A trip to the ER would have been pretty embarassing for the little guy - given the fact that even now, he doesn't find it the least bit funny.
[Me on the other hand? HILARIOUS.]

Yeah, I'm pretty confident that after this little ordeal?
The boy won't be trying this again.

Is he trying to tell us something?

It gets a bit rowdy around our house on weekends.
Saturday's - we watch college football, and Sunday's - the NFL.
We like to root on our teams and we like do that very LOUDLY.
We have discoverd that Bentlee doesn't enjoy it so much.
Everytime we do our little 'freak outs' - he literally tries to tackle us to the ground.
EVERY TIME.

It's got to be one of two things:  We either annoy the living crap out of him, or he just isn't a Falcons or Beavers fan.
[For his sake, let's hope it's the first thing - because otherwise? We may just have to trade him in for a puppy.]

What is so great about GLEE anyways?

Okay, okay - so, for the past... well, FOREVER.
Close friends of mine have been RAVING all about Glee.
How great it is, and how much they love it. Blah, blah, blah.
Personally, just the previews alone - usually get on my nerves.
[Just wayyyyyy too cheesy & corny for this girl.]
Well, recently - Lee's side of the family decided to also 'jump on the wagon'. So, [of course] they all started in on me as well.
I had a feeling after that happened? There was no chance I was getting out of this one.
Lester asked me to just try the 1st DVD of the 1st season before I formed an oppinon.
It was a bit painful for me, [okay, VERY painful] but, I agreed.
And?
Well..............
I.FREAKIN'.LOVE.IT
What the hell is wrong with me?
[In my defense however, I WAS right - it is super cheesy, and beyond corny.]
But the humor? It's pretty hilarious.
And the music? It kinda rocks.
I just can't believe it - I was WRONG.
Geez, that hardly ever happens.
[Tee-Hee]

It has arrived.

FALL. That is.

















Yesterday was the first day that it actually 'felt' like it.
[Which is kind of crazy since we are well-into October.]
There was that chill in the air that actually hung around all day.
It didn't wear off around noon with the heat of the blistering sun - like is has for the past TWO weeks.
It's actually here, and I'm happy to see it.
I even took a fleece blanket to football practice last night, and bought hot chocolate and whip cream afterwards to 'warm-up' after being outside for an hour and a half.
So, I'm thinking it's almost time to break out The North Face, and my cute hats.
I also think it's time for my 'welcoming fall' ritual: Sock shopping.
[Yeah, I'm a bit obsessed with fun, fuzzy, comfy, and cozy socks.]
Looking forward to adding to my ridiculous collection this week.

(... Oh, and If you are wondering if I took this super cool picture? Unfortunately, I didn't. Instead? I stole it from photobucket.)

Sweet moment. RUINED.

Friday night Layton had a sleepover with Benjamin to celebrate his 'best buddies' birthday.
Not sure how late they stayed up, but one thing is certain - he was super pissy last night.
I kept asking him if he was tired and of course I got the irritated and flustered "NO" as a response.
I tucked him in my bed for a movie, and about 30 minutes later?
THIS:

[See? I'm no fool.]
Now, of course I had to grab my camera right away and take his picture.
[DUH.]
Then? I 'tried' to put him to bed without waking him up.
But, when you have a mom with a bad back, a 50 pound kid, and a loft bed 6 feet off the floor?
Yep. You guessed it.
FAIL.

Girls night.

A stop at Sweet Papaya for dessert: $8

Bath & Body Works mini-body splash for her purse: $2

Super cute boots for her feet: $45

Cranking up the tunes in the car and singing at the top of our lungs, endless conversation about everything under the sun, and getting an overdose on laughter from the COOLEST 9 year old in the world? PRICELESS.