October 29

Jill and I took Hannah, Austin and Morgan to lunch today and then to see a movie. It was parent teacher conferences and Mike and I couldn't be more proud of Hannah. She is doing AMAZING in school - reading at the keel of a fourth grader! She is a wonderful friend to all of her classmates and is always willing to help out. Honestly, words can't truly describe the pride we felt when we left that meeting today.

October 27

Tonight we went to the Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church Fall Festival. The kids dressed up, played games, rode a train, got their face painted and walked in a cake walk... all in all, a great night for everyone!

October 28

This afternoon, we went to the park and threw the football and had an impromptu soccer game between Morgan, Hannah and me against Mike and Austin. It was a wonderful fall afternoon, filled with laughter and fun. So appreciative of moments like these to run and laugh with my kids.

October 26

Tonight was our weekly Hawthorne's pizza night - just the four of us. It's been a long week, and today I am grateful for a nice dinner with my sweet family.

October 25

We went to the mall today with Aunt Jill and look who NEVER comes away empty handed! He is spoiled rotten!

October 24

There are no words for how grateful I am for having Jill and the Thomas family in our lives. Mike was working late tonight and I came down with a fever and wasn't feeling well at all. Jill came over and picked up the kids and took them to Chick-fil-A and then to Bass Pro Shops to see the pumpkin patch. Honestly, I wouldn't know what to do without her in my life.

October 22

They play so well together!

October 23

Tonight I read some poems to Austin from Shel Silverstein's book "Where the Sidewalk Ends." He giggled and giggled as I read to him from one of my all-time favorite books. How cool is it that I get to share this awesome memory from my childhood with my kids?

October 21

Great day with my babies! Wish there were more like these... Started off at the pumpkin patch, next to the mall for some shopping and ended it with a picnic at the airport watching planes take off and land. Here's to a GREAT day off!!

October 20

Today I am grateful for a view like this. I can't believe this is in our neighborhood!

October 19

My baby boy is sick today with a fever and a sore throat. It's so pitiful!!

October 18

I spent the morning helping out in Hannah's class, went to see her Compound Word parade, then came back to have a picnic lunch with her in the courtyard. It was good to be with just my girl. We don't get that one on one time nearly enough!

October 17

A beautiful day at the park - sunny and 70 degrees. The only thing that could make it any better is this sweet boy having the time of his life. Check!

October 16

So this is what happens when Austin has to sit through yet another one of his sister's soccer practices. Sometimes I just embrace the technology and roll with it.

October 15

Today I am simply grateful that my babies are healthy and safe.

October 14

Just a little painting in their Pj's to start the morning off right!

October 13

I just went in to tuck my kids into bed and I told Hannah "I love you sooooo much." She simply replied "I love you more." I said "That's not possible, baby girl." And she said "Anything's possible."

Man - I am so blessed with these children!

October 12

Look at what my baby drew at school! Dinosaur!

October 11

Daddy took his babies to qualifying at the speedway tonight.... They loved it!

October 10

Today I found a sock in our chandelier. Really?! These kids are crazy!!!

October 9

I am grateful for my kids and their sense of humor. I love hearing them giggle and play together. It's music to my ears.

October 8

Making wishes in the wishing well. I hope all their wishes come true.

October 7

Spent the day at home with Mimi and the kids. We watched tv, decorated for Halloween, played UNO, played the Wii and cleaned out Hannah's closet. All in all - it was soooooo nice to finally spend a day at home - no obligations, nowhere to be. Ah, life is so good.

October 6

Picked out their Halloween costumes today! Waaaa Haaaaa Haaaaa!

October 5

One of the best parts of my day, every day, is when Austin reaches up to hole my hand. He does it without being asked. Our hands fit together so well. It's like his hand was made to fit into mine.

October 4

Mimi is here. It has never felt so good to hug my momma! I love having her here so much.

October 3

It was national walk to school day. It's awesome that we live in a neighborhood where we can do this. And where the school is such a big part of the community.

October 2

My baby girl is doing so great in school. She recently got a progress report and is doing wonderfully in 2nd grade. Hannah is a little hard on herself when she doesn't score perfectly on a test - buy we are working on her realizing that as long as she does her best - that we will ALWAYS be proud of her.

October 1

Austin can be found at any free moment lately in this position. His new favorite thing to is have me print a coloring page from the computer (even though we have a million coloring books!), and trace it with his trusty sharpie and then he colors it in. He finishes the picture off with a title an he's done. He does this SEVERAL times a day!! I love how determined he is!

September 30

Today Hannah was talking about how long my hair is getting and how I have "Fangs." Umm.... Fangs? She meant bangs. I LOVE it when a "Hannah-ism" creeps up!

September 29

What a pleasant surprise I got today!

September 28

Today I let the kids go on party city.com and look at Halloween costumes. That may have been a mistake this far out from Halloween. It's ALL Austin has takes about for HOURS. Gonna be a long month!