We Have Another Teenager

"Disbelief" is one of many words that I could use to describe this day. How can it be that I have an adult son and now have a teenage daughter?  What happened to all those days, weeks, months and years. I still want to tuck my kids in at night. I still want to take cupcakes to school for holiday parties. I want to see there faces light up when they see Santa Clause. All of those days are behind me and I just can't cope with it.
I tried to keep the festivities upbeat even though I was feeling a little glum about handing my baby girl over to the teenage society we live in. I started the day with some door decorations to break through.

I dropped her off at school right after we stopped for birthday Starbucks.

When I picked up her and three of her friends ( Morgan, Ella and Alyssa) at the end of the school day, we made our first stop at Dairy Queen to pick up a surprise birthday cake. I think it went over well.

We had to rush home and then rush to El Tapatio for dinner because they had to be back at the school for a ballgame by 5:15. None of the girls were excited about that. 

As we were eating dinner, I received a text from the cheer coach that the game had been cancelled because there was no one to referee. Talk about a birthday miracle. Those girls were ecstatic.  And that is when the party began.  All three girls ended up spending the night (a school night) at the house. There was giggling and tiptoeing later than usual, but they all eventually made it to bed. 

Cold November Rain

This month has started just as the  old Guns-N-Roses song "Cold November Rain".  Since we already had our first snow on HALLOWEEN!...We may not see a white Christmas, but kids have to trick-or-treat in the snow.  Crazy weather. Since the weekend was cold and dreary, I took Sunday, November 2, to assemble my brand new desk. I'm okay with assembly as long as no one bothers me. I tend to get cranky if someone is trying to rush me along.

I also got a new desk chair and assembled it too. 

I got all of my Halloween decorations taken down and packed away; however, since the days are shorter this time of year, I ran out of time to put up any Thanksgiving decor. Before I knew it, the weekend was over.

Treasure spent the night with Brookelynn on Monday, November 3. When I grew up, sleepovers were for weekends. Times have changed apparently. There are sleepovers on any given day of the week these days. 

Tuesday, November 4 was Election Day, so school was not in session. I had every intent of voting, but somehow the entire day slipped right through my busy little hands. As I set at Brooke's ballgame at 7:30 that evening, I realized that it was too late to cast my ballet. 

Brookelynn and I went to church on Wednesday evening, November 5 while the boys sat at the house. I also started reading a book entitled "You and Me Forever".

 Amy Profant recommended it. She and I have several things in common. She is a lot nicer of a person than me though.  Anywho, the book is about marriage, the importance of staying married and what marriage means in to us in our eternity. It's a good read. I like the authors' perspective on several things. And, I like that it was written by a man and his wife.

Fright-full Weather for Halloween

My family of four joined Darlene and Gary at O'Charley's Monday night, October 20, after Darlene and I worked on making Halloween cups for Matasia, Zander, Casen, Jett, Dash, and Grey. Dinners together are one of my favorite things.
Brooke and I went to Katey's house on Thursday, October 24, to make s'more wedding favors for her wedding on Saturday. They turned out too cute.
The wedding was Saturday, October 25, and although it took some strategic planning, I totally made time to attend the wedding and reception (insert applause here).

We finished the last week of October by running ourselves ragged. It turned bitterly cold on Halloween and even began to sleet and snow. Brookelynn came up with a last minute costume of "Flo" from Progressive Insurance.  It involved a white apron and some iron on's. Super simple and super fast for a last minute idea.

Our church moved trunk-or-treat indoors to help keep the kids warm. Although the weather outside was fright-full, we had a fun, warm time indoors.

It Takes All Kinds

I wish I could be one of those people who have stacks of money in the bank, but that will never be me. It's not supposed to be me. Everyone in this world has a purpose. Everyone in this world has a destiny. And, everyone in this world has a place.
I will tell you what I am NOT meant to be...rich, famous, skinny, genius or beautiful.  Here is the kicker...I am totally okay with that. Because I am loved, I am comfortable, I have been blessed to have both parents in my life so far, I am healthy and all of my needs have been met. I have more to be thankful for than I could ever begin to list.
I am always going to have to work for a living, I am always going to have to take time to think about tough decisions and unfortunately there will be many events that I am going to have to miss.
Take my dad's 77th birthday party for example...I totally had to miss it on Sunday, October 19th. My feelings were hurt, to say the least, but a lot of times, business gets in the way of my own agenda.  I am always going to thank God daily for His abundant blessings. He has sent more than ample business to me over the years. One thing I know for certain is that God provides for my every need (and yours too, in case you haven't noticed). Sometimes, I get selfish and wish that I could just lay around the house all weekend, or wish that I could attend all the events that I am invited too. I have to stop and remind myself how blessed I am to have a successful business and how blessed I am to have so many obligations. So, although I missed Daddy's party, I thank God that I still have my daddy to go visit on my day off.
It takes all kinds of people to keep the world running. What a great opportunity I have had to be a successful entrepreneur...just like my daddy. Thanks God.

Proverbs 10:4 

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Keepin' the Roads Hot

Brooke went to a concert (if you want to call it that) on Friday night the 10th.
Miranda Sings. She's a Youtube sensation...so they say. 

Stroker and I went to a Casting Crowns concert on Friday night the 10th. It was amazing. They sang all their hit songs (and I sang along).  Mandisa and Sidewalk Prophets were also there. We barely made it there in time for it to start at 7pm. We ended up eating stadium hot dogs for dinner. The show lasted until 10:45.

The kids and I went to the movies on Saturday, October 11 to see "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day". It was a rain out kind of  day and the movies seemed like a nice relaxing get away for a couple of hours.

We went for a soup lunch at Lee and Judy Roberts house after church on Sunday.  It rained again while we ate vegetable soup and relaxed on their couch.

Before we knew it, it was time for our trip to Gatlinburg.
We had a fun getaway. The Wilderness Lodge had an awesome water-park. I came to the realization that I am aging whether I like it or not. While on a couple of the water rides I feared for my life and was convinced that the contents of my stomache were going to make an appearance before it was over. We finally opted for a nice relaxing soak in the hot tub. You know,...where the old people hang out. Stroker became annoying as he kept repeating that he was going to buy a hot tub when we got back home.

We  had dinner at the Dixie Stampede. In case you are wondering...it was the best food. Being the frugal family that we are, we fasted for over half the day. We wanted to be sure we were hungry enough for all that food. We all cleaned our plates.

We strolled the streets of Gatlinburg and toured Ripley's Guiness Records Museum. It's not often that we take time to get away from the mundane. But, I'm so glad that we did. We were all ready for a break.

Bring the Rain

Seven days of October have passed and here is a few things that you've missed.

ATMS football team won the championships

Brookelynn has had a headcold for over 2 weeks (and she loves the gloves at the doctors office)

Devin likes to get comfortable when we visit with Mama.

Brooke hosted a "Ready for Fall" sleepover. 6 girls total. 

We took Kimba for one more stroll at Dogwood Park before the nights get too cool. The fountain was the only one ready for this photo.

Great Aunt for the Eighth time.

Rain everyday for 7 days in a row.