Happy Halloween 2012!!

Mulan, Dartha Vader, Spiderman

We had a great time trick or treating in our usual local neighborhood. The kids got plenty of great candy and had a blast! Happy Halloween!!!



Punkin' time

3 pumpkins with their pumpkin

We waited pretty late this year to carve our pumpkin. But, we finally bought 1 family pumpkin (as opposed to 3 or 5) at Publix and were tickled that it was a pretty big one. Rach and Brad decided on the face design, I sketched it, and Nick and I took turns carving it. Trent thought it was cool but wanted nothing to do with carving, de-pulping or designing it. We can't wait till Halloween!! Only 3 days to go!



Rachel Jane

Rachel Jane


Is filled with such beauty

Inside and out she is quite a cutie.



We love our precious daughter so

And are privileged and blessed to watch her grow.



She has a kind, caring, sensitive soul

And her joy for life makes our family whole.

Fort- Pt. 1

The kids have a new favorite place to play. It's just beyond our swingset in some overgrown trees and briars. They have recently braved the "terrain" and run through there with excitement, happy when they found shady, secluded spots to call their own place. However, the briars have left their mark (literally) on all 3 kids. There have been some ugly thorn extractions and scratches. But, that hasn't dettered the kids from wanting to play in there. (Neither has the thought of snakes, spiders and other bugs!) The plan is to build a fort with daddy (VERY soon) that they can play on in this special area. The kids are so excited about this possibility and I'm sure they will be a huge help when Nick begins building it. Anyway, I'm so thankful for our 2.5 acre yard with mostly grass, level ground and a small area of trees that makes it exciting enough for the kids to play in. We love our home!!

Daddy's Helper

No matter what the weather, Trent wants to go outside. His little body requires a certain amount of fresh air and being one with nature at least once a day. Whenever Nick has a task that he wants to complete around the house outdoors, Trent wants to be right in the middle of it. One of his favorite things to do is ride on the lawn mower with Nick. He doesn't understand (or care) that it takes Nick twice as long to cut the grass with a passenger. Trent will literally pout and look extremely sad if Nick cuts grass without him. Usually, if Trent rides on the mower for a little bit, he's okay with finding something else to do while Nick finishes. Then, he usually gets his small push mower and earmuffs and pretends that he's cutting grass too. Or, he'll ride around on his jeep and pretend that he's cutting grass. Nick's loves having such a precious boys as a helper!

The Joy of Swinging

Trent on his new swing

Trent outgrew his baby swing a good while ago, but we had never replaced it with a big boy swing. I was very tired of hearing the bickering over who got to use the big swings and for how long, etc... Thankfully, Nick got a new swing a few weeks ago, and Trent couldn't be happier! He was so proud to have his own big swing and be like his brother and sister. He loves for us to push him since he's not yet mastered the leg pumping swinging action. Unfortunately, he doesn't want to share his swing with his sweet sister and brother EVEN if he's NOT using the swing. Our Trenty is quite a little mess and is growing up FAST!!

Lifelong Friends

 There is something so comfortable about old friends. They have known you in so many phases of life. They knew you when you had ugly hairstyles (or hair at all!). They knew you when you were in the fun kid and awkward pre-teen stage. They knew you before you fell in love and got married. They knew you before you had children (and never had a free minute again). Even if you've ever said something to them that you really shouldn't have (or cussed at them for that matter), they forgave you and loved you anyway. Then you get to see that they're not just your oldest friends, they're really more like your extended family. You love being part of their lives and watching their families grow. Your children get to play with their children. It's nice and comfortable...and wonderful. Even though you make many new and precious and dear friends, there is nothing that compares to those "old" lifelong friends who knew you way back when. I'm thankful that my precious husband met these 2 great guys over 30 years ago in the church nursery. I'm thankful that I can call their wives my best friend and dear friend. I am thankful that they have all been blessed with a good marriage and adorable, healthy children. I'm thankful for lifelong friends.

Much love to my BF of many years, Jen, and her sweet husband and child...

and much love to my dear friend Ang, and her sweet husband and children.

Love you all!