favorite moments Friday!

This week has been a whirlwind. But, it's been good! Heartwarming. Lots of sweet moments. Encouraging moments! Seeing our boys grasp God's Word even more. Watching my hubby pour out his love on our littles and me. Getting some precious one on one time with each of my boys. Finishing yet another fantastic book this year. I could go on. No, not every moment of everyday has been stellar. It never is. But, I'm thankful for it all!

Some of my favorites of the week. . .

A beautiful orange Fall sunset

Pumpkin carving on a World Series game night! It's tradition in our house to do so! P.S. Did you see last night's game? Unbelievable! Here's to Game 7 and I must say, we are cheering for the Rangers in our house!

Going with Charlie on his first field trip! I loved it!

My favorite month (though it rivals December) is coming to a close, but not before a Fall Fest party, trick or treating at Daddy's work, a birthday party, Sunday worship, the Taylor Swift concert, and Halloween! I like this kind of busy!

food for thought Friday

For the last full week of October, you need to make these!! I was given this recipe 5 years ago, made it once (did something wrong---don't know how) and never made them again until last week. Oooooh how we've been missing out! These chocolate chip pumpkin muffins are delish!!! We devoured them and Luke has been asking for more everyday. I'm making another batch today. So, so yummy!

Start with the dry ingredients first.

Then mix together the pumpkin, eggs and butter.

Combine both bowls and add the chocolate chips. Then put some cute Halloween or pumpkin cupcake liners in your muffin tray.

Fill the muffin cups up and bake!

In about 20-25 minutes these bites of heaven are ready!

Enjoy!!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

1 and 2/3 c. flour

1  c. sugar

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. baking powder

2 large eggs

1 c. canned pumpkin

1/2 c. melted butter

1 c. chocolate chips (I used a smidge less--shockingly)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spices, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl. In a small bowl, beat eggs, pumpkin, and butter. Add this to the large bowl of dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into greased muffin pan or use paper cups. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. I filled the muffin cups all the way to the top because my recipe said they don't rise much---and that left me with 11 muffins. However, they rose more than I thought, so you can fill them up almost to the top and get 12 muffins!

hello pumpkins!

Hello 50 degrees! Does this mean I can officially turn off our air-conditioning? Hello rain and warm sweaters! I am ready to pull out little Miles' flannel crib sheets and add the olders warm blankets on their beds! Hello yummy smell of chili simmering in the crockpot! Watching the countdown on the crockpot everytime I walk by it in the kitchen has been painful--I can't wait for comfort food tonight!

Just a few days ago it was hot, for October anyway! I think it might have been our first family trip to the pumpkin patch in shorts and short sleeves! Well, except for Miles--he had a pumpkin outfit that had to be worn anyway! But the heat didn't stop us. We climbed on the tractor and headed off to the pumpkin patch. . .

Where Miles discovered he loves pumpkins. . .

and wasn't going to sit still too long. . .

because he had a hay maze to tackle and a photo to pose for that will make the little girls (and his Mommy) melt. . .

And older brothers climbed huge barrels of hay. . .

and had a blast swingin' on a tire. . .

Do you think they enjoyed the pumpkin patch?

I think so! Thanks again Cedar Hill Farms! You never disappoint!

motivating the Monday

Is this motivation enough for you? I'm often overwhelmed on Mondays with all I have to do after the weekends. Sometimes, I just don't know where to start. This quote sure helps me! Hope it helps you too! Happy Monday!

Fashion Friday!

I have a confession to make. I am not a shoe person. My sister inherited those genes from my mom. Somehow, they skipped right by me. I've never really cared about shoes all that much. When I've been shopping with my mom and sis and they've been looking at shoes for hours, I just follow them around like a little lost puppy dog. Don't get me wrong. I know when I like something and when I don't, but I don't need that certain red pair of shoes to go with "that" outfit.

However, since meeting with my good friend, Kelly, of Kelly Bourland Personal Style, I've been bitten by the shoe bug (don't worry hubby---it's nothing like my mom and sis. . .yet)! Kelly "owns" fashion! She oozes style. All of our friends agree that Kelly always looks like a million bucks! And, you know what? She pays next to nothin' for her style! She's a great bargain shopper and finds most of her clothes straight out of TJMaxx, Ross, etc! I could go on and on, but you will need to check out her website for yourself. If you live in our area, she's started up a new fashion consultant biz and it's awesome! I had the fortunate opportunity of being a "guinea pig" for her, which is where not only did I start falling in love with getting dressed everyday, but she gave me big shoe and accessory tips too! Just a couple of hours with her and I had a handful of new outfits from mixing and matching old clothes tucked away in my closet! She just has a knack for fashion!

If you don't live in our area, don't fret! Kelly has all kinds of style tips on her blog---good for the budget and for encouraging us not to wear sweatpants everyday. Not that there is anything wrong with sweatpants---because I know I will be in them some on those cold winter days! Right now she is in the middle of new series--31 Days to a More Fasionable Life. So, stop by and check out her blog. Her fashion advice is worth it! Now, if only I had her shoe savvy thoughts or my sister's awesome shoe taste when I got married. . . .

This is a photo of my sister and brother in law on their wedding day 2 weeks ago! 11 years ago I would never have dreamed of wearing red shoes under my white dress! BUT---I love this!!!!! Don't you??

Photo credit: Jeff Rodgers of Allison Rodgers Photography

6 years old!

It's birthday season around here! On Monday, our little Lukey turned 6! I think I thought 5 was old last year, but 6 is really old! I think I've thought every age he reaches is old (since he's our first to reach each age), but seriously, 6 is old. It seems Lukey has been building up 6 to be old too. You should have heard him around the house as 6 approached. "When I'm 6, I will get to watch Star Wars (really?)!" "When I'm 6, I will get to have Sprite (really?)!" "When I'm 6, I will get to. . ." you name it, he's probably planned it. And while we have never promised a Star Wars viewing when he turned 6 (maybe he will, maybe not), we did secretly plan to surprise him with Sprite on his big day!

Lucky Lukey had Fall Break on his birthday, so we planned a special day which included going to his favorite restaurant, The Flying Fish. Daddy, Mommy, Miles, Mimi, Grandpa, Aunt Mary and now Uncle Kevin all joined in on the lunch. Only Charlie had school that day, so he celebrated Lukey at our family dinner that night. We told Luke that he could have one present at lunch, but it wasn't one he could open. Luke was baffled, but in typical Lukey style, he processed and tried hard to figure it out! After we ordered, we headed to the fountain area to get our drinks. He, of course, saw the Sprite sign and was thrilled, but went to get water. When Chad told him he could get Sprite, his eyes were as big as dinner plates!! Sooooo, here's our beyond excited 6 year old and his first ever Sprite!

I so wish I had his immediate reaction to drinking the first few sips. He was not expecting the bubbles or the taste! He reminded me of a baby taking his first pickle bite! Squinched up face, but still excited! He continued drinking but kept saying it tasted like salt. After several more sips, he declared he still liked milk and water better, but he did like Sprite and then asked for water with the rest of his meal! Who knew that Sprite would be a rite of passage for our little 6 year old??!

That night we grilled out burgers per birthday boy's request and celebrated with family!

We were planning on cupcakes for dessert, but our fave cupcake place is closed on Mondays, boo! So, Luke's second choice was Baskin Robbins (you know it!) and he received his own bowl of rainbow sherbert, candle and all!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Lukey, Happy Birthday to you! Our first little baby to hold and a precious treasure you are! Lukey, we are so proud of the Lord loving, book reading, spy mastering, healthy eating, rule obeying, animal adoring, friend cherishing, soldier fanatic and so much more that you are! We love you with all of our hearts! Happy 6th Birthday!

FYI Friday!

October kinda snuck up on me with all the preparations for my sister's wedding on October 1st. This entire week after her wedding, we've all been decompressing and trying to get things back in order, catching up on sleep and our DVR (which we aren't loving since we started liking virtually no tv during the summer) and playing with the free time of fall break.

However, it is October, and we love the Fall! I am busy trying to soak up yummy smells and pumpkin season. But, something startled me this week. Know what it was? Not Halloween, though my almost 6 year old thinks it's hilarious to try to scare me with spiders and ghosts! Nope, it was that Christmas is less than 12 weeks away! Does that startle you? In the past, I hadn't had that feeling until about Dec. 8th, when there was less than 3 weeks until Christmas and I haven't done much shopping. But last year, with my 3rd little newborn in the mix (you may remember I was frazzled), I vowed to be on top of the Christmas season from now on! And so, I've created a Christmas binder, similar to our Family notebook.

This is nothing earth shattering, but I'm hoping it's going to help me! Maybe you too? Let me break it down. . .

--I have a binder. It's red, for the season! I also have 5 dividers. I got the kind I could write on the tabs and erase as I see fit. So far, I'm good.

--Before the first divider, I printed off the calendar months of October, November and December from this website. Yes, I think it's good to start getting my act together in October, when there is less hustle and bustle and I'm living in my dream land of caramel scents, pumpkin patches, cooler weather, warmer clothes, fall leaves, and comfort foods! I then started putting things on the calendar (special Christmas events we attend each year, perfect weekend for putting up our tree, Christmas programs, mailing cards, etc) just to get started. Obviously, this will fill up as the season approaches.

--My first divider is labeled TO DO. I have a sheet with things that need to be done. For example, buy or make wrapping paper, get supplies, buy Christmas stamps, make new Christmas CD, prepare Advent calendar, decorate, send off gifts, etc. etc.

--My second divider is labeled BUDGET. Yuck. Don't like it, but it needs to be done in our family. We have a long history of getting carried away and that's just not what the Christmas season is about. There is a Christmas budget worksheet you can print here as well. Something to work on this year and have nailed down for the next.

--My third divider is labeled IDEAS/RECIPES. If/when I see ideas for decorating or parties, or delicious recipes I want to make, I will put them here. I find them each year and think "OOOoooh I want to try that!" Then I forget about it when the time comes or can't find it. Pinterest comes in handy here, but jotting it down and having it in my binder/hands is the way I roll.

--My fourth divider is labeled CHRISTMAS CARDS. I have a spreadsheet of our Christmas card list, but ideally want to have addresses all right here too---rather than flipping through my old, scratched out twenty times, very small address book I use throughout the year. So, for now, my spreadsheet will work.

--My fifth divider is labeled THANK YOUS. My mom always taught me the importance of thank you's. Sometimes I fail, but I always try to return thanks and want to teach my boys the same lesson. Having a sheet to write things down as presents are opened is a good way to keep track!

There you have it. I may be adjusting this binder throughout the season. If I do, I will update. If you already have this kind of system in place, please share your thoughts and suggestions! And now I'm off to enjoy Fall!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Miles!

Our sweet baby is 1 year old now! Every milestone that comes, I find myself saying, "It's hard to believe!" Sure enough, it is! What a fun-filled and truly blessed year it has been with little Miles in our lives! He keeps us dancing and rockin' out with his little tongue clicks and side to side head bobbin! If ever we are distracted or flustered with life, Miles' sweet face and smile and seaching eyes meet ours and we can't help but melt into smiles right back! 

As with all birthdays in our house, we greet the birthday star with singing! Miles didn't know what hit him, but he sure loved being serenaded!

Miles' birthday party was small and intimate, with only a smattering of family. Bigger brother, Charlie, had the stomach bug the day before and we were in the midst of Wedding Week for Mary and Kevin, so a family party was just what we needed! Nana flew in (Poppy arrived the next day) and Mimi and Grandpa braved the remnants of the stomach bug to come give birthday kisses!

We started in the afternoon with some present openings. After already having 2 boys, what does a 3rd 1 year old in the family need, anyway? Not a thing, but of course, big brothers had to get Miles' something. . .a new musical sea creature bath toy--that he loves! Chad and I got him his own iPhone. I don't even have one of those. We really didn't get him a real one. It's a toy one that plays all different tunes and fits perfectly in his hands. He loves it too! But the real hit of his birthday came via the attic. The beloved toy from our other boys--the Learn and Play or Laugh and Learn Home, don't remember the name. He adores it, and so do our older boys---still!! They were all thrilled with this present!!

And after presents, we, of course, had cake! It was time for Miles' very first bite of sweets! Our wonderful cake lady (call me if you need one) made a perfect and delicious tractor cake for Miles, as tractors and barns are some of his favorites. He loves Margaret Wise Brown's Big Red Barn book! Miles wasn't sure what to do at first. He got some on his hands and was concerned. Got some in his mouth and made a yucky face. Got more in his mouth and had second thoughts---maybe it wasn't so bad after all? And then finally, after playing in it for a bit, he was much more interested in the balloons above him and was ready to get down and play!

What a fun time we had celebrating our little Miles (aka Miles a Moo, Milesy, My-yull, Baby Goodness)! You are such a blessing to us, Miles. We love you with all of our hearts and have treasured your first year of life! We are looking forward to each day we have with you and so thankful for the gift the Lord gave us on Sept. 28th, 1 year ago!

Miles' 1 year old tidbits:

--big-time cruisin' but not walking yet
--is a maniac for the stairs and will make a bee-line for them if the gate is down; can make it up the stairs faster than you can say Lightning McQueen
--loves books and has said book, though usually says "ook"
--is a cracker fanatic
--sleeps with his monkey lovie (maybe named Bud-Bud, Stripes or Mono--his parents can't agree on a name and it may just become He-Who-Doesn't-Have-a-Name)
--adores music and going outside and his brothers and Mocha and the computer wires in the office

a year in review. . .

Our baby turned 1 last week! Sniff, sniff, joy joy! Here's a look back over the past year. . more on his celebration to come!