David's Belated B-Day Pictures - (sorry David)

After posting Robert's birthday pictures. I realized that I never posted David's pictures. So here they are. He turned 12 way back in August. Remember, we all complained about it being too hot, now we're freezing.


It's very hard to get a "normal" picture out of David. Sometimes I don't event try.



Wait! This one is fairly normal!




We celebrated David's birthday for the extended family on the Saturday before his birthday. On his actual birthday, we let him invite a couple of friends. This is the cake for that event. (Never miss an opportunity to make and eat cake.)



The gang.

Robert Turns 8!

At the beginning of November, Robert turned 8. These are a couple of pictures from the day we had his party.





His favorite color is yellow. Can't you tell? My cake decorating services are available for a very high fee.






Robert has always had a fascination with reptiles, specifically the crocodile/alligator. This webkinz is a big hit with Robert





He's actually reading his card before opening his present. I'm so proud of him! :)




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Apple Shed Pictures

We went to the Apple Shed at the end of October. I'm just now putting the pictures on here. It's so sad, isn't it?


Robert's not all that mechanically inclined. He needs his Dad's help on this one.

The corn slide is always popular.

David - I think this might be one of my favorite pictures of him. He's quiet! :)

I'm not sure which group I want to bring home.

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The Difference Between Work and Play

Now , if I would have said, "Let's go outside and rake the leaves!" I would have heard groaning and moaning. Since I said, "Let's go play in the leaves." They were quick and happy to respond. The leaves were still raked, but the attitude was completely different.





Last Friday was probably the last of its kind for this season. It was warm and sunny. A day I could not even justify staying indoors. I prefer to remain indoors, but once I force myself to venture out I have a thouroughly good time.













The kids were so impressed with the work that they did, I had to force them to play in their piles!

OK, this is my oldest who told me he was too "old" to play in the leaves. Who can resist a great, big pile of leaves?

Guess who was the first one out Sat. morning to play in the leaves......yep, the "too old" David.

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"LIKE" Update- I'm still saying "like" all the time, but at least now I'm hearing myself saying it. Admitting I have a problem is the first step, right. Oh, and Amy...very funny comment. Way to make fun of my insecurities! :) P.S. It was your mother who was one of the ladies who brought this flaw to my attention. I forgive her since this is my one and only flaw. :)

Thank you

Moments ago, I read a friend's blog, Amazing Love (see side bar). She shares some of her thoughts on this Veteran's Day. Yes, this is a day set aside to honor those that have served in our military. A day to remember their sacrifice for American freedom. Her words reminded me of the sacrifice of the wives, husbands, children, family and friends. I know Julia did not write her blog in the effort to glorify herself, but it did make me appreciate more the sacrifices of the families of those in the service of our great country. I knew Julia's husband was in the military. I, also, knew that he was not there for the birth of their first child. I knew that she was without him for a great amount of time, but I don't think I ever really thought about it. How difficult it must have been for her. Never thought about what a debt of gratitude I owe to her and those like her.



Although I honor and greatly appreciate the brave men and women who have and are serving, I want to send a special thanks to those who were left at home. Your sacrifice was great. Your sacrifice was for me and my family. From the bottom of my heart ...Thank you.

It's like.....

Has it ever come to your attention that you do something that you didn't realize you did? Like, if you were asked if you like did this thing you would like say "no". I had one of these realizations last Sunday night. I say the word "like" like every sentence. Like, how incredibly annoying! What am I....like 12?

If you would have asked me Sunday at 4 pm how often I said the word "like" inappropropriately, I would have said occasionally. Actually, I probably would have said "like, occasionally." At about 5:45 PM, I found out differently. Two ladies were with me in the nursery at church and were commenting on how often I said "like". They weren't being mean, just observant, but I'm bitter so I will call them extremely cruel! At first, I didn't believe them, but then I heard myself try to say something, making an effort not to say the dreaded word, and I couldn't speak. Every other word was "like".

I've decided to try to work on this. Now, I don't want everyone to correct me when they hear me utter the word. That would drive me crazy, but I do want to cut down on my usage of the word. It will be a long, hard journey, and it may take me years to get out of the habit, but I will beat this.One likeless sentence at a time. When you hear me say "like" ignore it, please. I will ignore all your annoying habits, too.



For the record, we sang "It's Just LIKE Jesus" in church that night.