Pumpkin Patch

We have our very own pumpkin patch this year! Lynda's garden was HUGE - thanks to her son Paul, who planted everything under the sun in it! It was a great crop and she canned somewhere in the range of 150 quarts of beans! WOW!!!

We dug up our potatoes...holy moly, those things were big! One potatoe equals about 2 1/2 regular sized potatoes. We were able to sell alot of our pumpkins to the local grocery store which gave the kiddos some extra spending money! I didn't help in picking the pumpkins this year, but I did dig potatoes! I always think it's fun!

Here are some pictures of the crew!

Chicken Pox Baby

Poor Grady, just when I thought that he'd already gotten the chicken pox from his daddy...he GOT THE CHICKEN POX FROM HIS DADDY! Bring out the Oatmeal baths, Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Calamine, and of coarse the TLC.

Grady started coming down with them on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 10th), while his momma and big brother, Blake, were on their way to Nebraska to see the family and get some pictures taken. I really fell out of the running for Mother of the Year on this one. Although, I'm sure the "let my kids run around in diapers and underwear all day" and "chicken strips/mac and cheese/chocolate for breakfast" probably knocked me out of the running a long time ago!

He's on the mend now I think, 7 days later. He's still got the pox and they're scabbing over now. I'm sure he's excited for a good night's sleep one of these nights. He's been up every 2-3 hours during the night. Feels like we have a newborn again!

Here's some pictures of the little squirt.

These were taken on Wednesday, Oct. 13th

They became far worse than this, turning angry red and forming little pustuals.

He still managed to have a smile for the camera.

Fall Pictures

I had such a great time these past few days getting to photograph some really awesome families. It's so fascinating to see their different personalities. That's what I love to photograph...personalities. Here are a few of the pictures. There will be more to come!

AHHH

AHHH...exactly how I'm feeling right now. Resting in the ole recliner, listening to the coyotes howl outside, both babies in bed and LOVING OUR NEW HOUSE!!!!

Yes, we're finally here!!! I cannot believe it! It seemed like the wait was a LONG, LONG time, but now that I look back...it was a LONG, LONG time!!!! HA ~

The house is amazing! It was nothing like I had pictured in my mind. It's got so much room - closet space - a GINORMOUS toy room for the boys and a beautiful view. I'm in LOVE!

The moving is going well. We are completely moved out of the rental and storage unit and I have just a few boxes left to go through! The garage is now filling up with garage sale items! It will be good to get rid of that stuff! I still feel a little anxious though as I'm unpacking boxes, wondering if I'll ever have to pack this stuff up again? NOPE....

I promise I'll post some before and after pictures. We're getting new carpet in the family room and Grady's room in a couple weeks, so I'll wait to post the pictures until after that. I also have some awesome pineapple globe lights if anyone is interested???

"Chicken Pox" for the soul...

I always like how right before something major happens...something major happens! Poor Mike, he came down with the Chicken Pox. He'd been feeling pretty punky for the past 2-3 days and then Grady was feverish and acted like he had a sore throat. So, a trip to the clinic Saturday morning, revealed that Grady did not have strep throat, but Mike had Chicken Pox. He is now covered in a zillion spots. So between the Motrin, Tylenol, soda baths and TRYING not to itch, he's also not been sleeping well at all...until today, I gave him Benadryl and he slept GREAT!!! I might just take some tonight!

He's better and Grady is still cranky at times. I'm waiting for him to start with the spots, but so far, I've only seen a couple. Hopefully, he doesn't get it as bad as his daddy did.

Mike told me that I couldn't post picutres of him, so I guess it will remain confidential. Maybe, I'll use it for blackmail???

Anyway, hopefully they'll be over it by the end of the week when WE MOVE!!!! YAY~ I cannot wait. I went and picked out paint samples today. I'm so excited to see the house.

I'll definetely post some pictures of it!  Only 3 more days!!

A New Journey...

WOW! What a week - only 7 days left until we move....7 DAYS!! I thought this time would NEVER come and it's almost here...and I've so not gotten things packed! Oh well, only going 5 miles, can't be too bad...right?

But, that's not all that's been happening. After months of feeling like my life just isn't quite what I want it to be, Mike and I came to the decision for me to cut back hours at the hospital in order for me to be home more with Blake and Grady. A very GOOD decision!

I've been doing alot of praying that God would let me know what He wants me to do with my life and my job. Low and behold, my prayers were answered. I was offered a job at the Five Counties Nursing Home here in Lemmon to do their Staff Development Coordinator position. The gal that has been doing it is wanting to retire. I pretty much got the job on the spot...then had to fill out the application! Don't you just love small towns! Anyway, I'll be doing the CNA (Certified Nurses' Aide) training and some other things. The greatest thing is that I get to schedule my hours during the week...no weekends or holidays...and NO NIGHTS!! WHOO-HOO!! However, I'm cutting back to supplemental status at the hospital which only requires me to work 1 weekend a month which I'll miss the hospital, but I'll still get to be there monthly. Lemmon is only 5 miles from the ranch instead of a 30 mile drive. And with these winters, I think it was the right timing.

I'm so excited. Taking this position will have it's challenges, but I'm very excited about it. Doing teaching and getting to set my own hours and to be home ALOT more with my boys...it was a quick decision! THANK YOU LORD for giving this amazing opportunity to me and my family!

Well, that's the latest here on the old home front! Ready for this next week to get here and to FINALLY get to see our new house! Been a long time comin'!!!!

Bye for now - wanna come and help me paint?

10 days left...

Only 10 more days and we get to move into our new home!!! I can hardly wait. Six moves in 7 years has been a bit too much; although, it seems like it wasn't all that long...probably because it only lasted 7 years!

I'm SO ready to see what the house looks like...nope, haven't got to see it yet...I know weird huh?

What will the floor plan be?
What will the carpet look like?
I already know the what the stove and refridgerator will look like because I had to order them...another story
How big will the rooms be?
What colors to paint the walls?
If the shower head is high enough?

So many questions...I'm SO EXCITED! It will be great to finally be settled and to unpack for good and not have to worry about moving in 1-2 years ever again!!!

AH! Great feeling...