Giving Thanks

I have had a hard time sleeping in the past few days that I have been off work for Thanksgiving Break. It kind of ticked me off yesterday, but this morning I am thankful for the quiet. It gives me a few minutes to reflect on my many blessings, and offer a prayer of gratitide for them. I'm so blessed with a wonderful family; husband, children, parents, siblings, inlaws, nieces and nephews. I'm blessed that they are all healthy and safe. I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, food on my table, clothes to wear, a vehicle to take me where I need to go. I have a great job that allows me to be home when the kids are home, and provides the extra that we need. I'm blessed with a testimony of my Savior, and to be a member of His church.

I love Thanksgiving, and the opportunity that it gives us to reflect on all of our blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope you have a wonderful day!

Woohoo!!

Our 2009 Fall Soccer Season is now over, and it ended with a bang... we are State Champs!!

Great season, boys! Congratulations on a well played season!

Sounds of Saturday Morning

Dishwasher running because child assigned to do it last night was too tired to do it 

Dad watching Sports Center

Snoring coming from my oldest

Son getting ready for his State Soccer Tournament

And me... clicking away on the computer.

I LOVE lazy Saturday mornings!!

Host and Soccer

We have laughed around here that we are experiencing a soccer season that never ends... it just keeps going and going and going! A couple of weekends ago, Josh's team placed second in their Regional tournament, qualifying them to move on to Area, which was played this weekend. After going up against some stiff competition, Josh's team won the tournament, advancing them on to State this coming weekend! We are really proud of him, but we are also really ready for this season to be over! Josh is thrilled, since an injury last year kept him benched during both Regional and Area (his team didn't make it past area). Thankfully we had beautiful weather last weekend, and we are hoping for more of that this weekend!


While Josh was playing soccer on Saturday, the other kids and I headed up to Fayetteville for the annual "Host of Christmas Past" festival. We enjoyed yummy food, good music, Christmas decorations, family, and laughs to boot! We love this festival... it's the perfect way to get into the Christmas mood.

Drama, Soccer, Halloween, Hair

Our lives have been really busy the past 3 weeks. I guess with 4 kids all involved in so many different things, that is bound to happen.

First of all, soccer tournaments have been keeping all of us running. Both of the boys won second place in their regional tournaments, and moved on to area. Kyle's was played this weekend, and while his team played their hearts out, they didn't get very far. They won the first game, but lost the second, eliminating them from the tournament. Josh will play his games this coming weekend in Huntsville. If they manage to place then, they will go on to state next weekend. Then, finally, this soccer season will be over.

Josh has not only been busy with soccer, he also has had several drama performances/competitions that he has been involved in. A few weeks ago both he and Kayti performed one act plays that their classes have been working on, then this past weekend they had a regional competition at their high school. They were both very nervous about the whole thing, and really wanted to receive a rating of "Superior" which meant that they qualified to go on to state at Troy University next month. They were both little sneaky devils when they got home and told me that they lost, and when I asked them what their scores were, they replied, "Superior... we are going to state, baby!!" So proud of them!!

In between all the soccer and drama, we celebrated Halloween. We made a quick trip up to Fayetteville on Halloween afternoon so we could visit my sister's Chocolate Shop party. Then we had to hurry home so Kayti and Josh could get ready to go to a party, and Meg could go trick-or-treating with a friend. Kyle got the short end of the stick and had to hang with me that night. Of course, he got to go to a party the night before, so don't feel too sorry for him!

Megan decided that she needed a change, so she cut off her hair, and dyed it red! She loves it, and it matches her sassy attitude pretty well! :)


I couldn't stand to let the beautiful weather waste away yesterday, so I grabbed the kids and we headed out to the new greenway in town. The kids were not all too happy with me, because of course I grabbed the camera, but I did manage to get one great shot of all of them together (despite their best efforts to the contrary!!)


Barry has been crazy busy with work. He finally had this weekend off, and we enjoyed having him home. His job really bugs us lots of times, but I am very thankful that he at least has a job right now!

So, that is our crazy life in a nutshell. We are really looking forward to a day off of school this week, and then Thanksgiving break in 2 more weeks. Ahh... the Holidays are coming!!

Fall Afternoon with Megan

Megan got the itch to go out and take pictures today, so I took her to downtown Madison and let her go. Here are some of her favorite shots from the day.


And last, but not least... one of mine


As we were leaving, Meg turns to me and announces that she has a future career as a photographer. I think she may be right!

What I am listening to...

I think this one is going to have to grow on me. Kayti described it as "slow" but it really come across to me as very melancholy. But, considering that 3/4 of the book is Bella in a depression, I guess it fits.

Can't wait... 2 more weeks!!