Lucky Me...

Today, I consider myself the luckiest girl in the world. No, I didn't win the lottery, or sell my house... but I recieved something in the mail that made me realize just how lucky I really am. Recently, I posted a blog about being on a mission to find a four-leaf clover. I've never had one, and I've been searching soooo hard! One of my friends that I have known forever sent me this in the mail today!!!

Here's a link to her blog: www.sundbergfarm.blogspot.com You should totally read what she wrote~ it brought me to tears- especially the part about her dad.

I can't tell you how much this made my day... and it really made me think. I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family in my life. I am truly blessed. Thanks Angie sooo much... I have already framed the clover and I will always cherish it... and it will be a constant reminder about just how lucky I really am.

When I was taking this picture, I realized some of you might think I'm crazy for what I have on my mantle... But I've decided that I want to have a house full of meaningful things to me. People often wonder why I have a Smucker's Jelly Jar in my bedroom on our side table... It was actually given to us during our wedding ceremony and our pastor talked about "loving kindness." It's a reminder to Brendan and I both about how to treat each other... I also have this random old tin Prince Albert can that probably makes no sense whatsoever to most people. I remember growing up, my mom used to tell us when she was little, they would prank call the grocery store and ask, "Do you have Prince Albert in a can?" They would always say, "Yes." And then, my mom would say, "Well, you better let him out." I always found this hilarious... and to this day it makes me smile. Next time you visit, make sure you look for the four-leaf clover... I can guarantee it will be out somewhere in my house... and I hope it brings you luck... or at least makes you smile like it did to me:)

Safe travels...

Thank you soo much to all of you checking on me... I'm happy to let you know that I made it back safe! Hurrican Ida-ho, no U-da-Ho as Ashley would call it ended up not being as bad as we thought... but I will just go on the record and say that anyone staying for a bad hurricane is CRAZY! Ash's beach condo is in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama and is on a tiny strip of land with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other. Her road floods, so Rusty advised us to either "get out" or plan on staying until Thursday! Jen actually had to leave us early Monday morning, and after trekking down to the beach for pictures, Ash and I packed up and headed out. Here we are unshowered, with no-make-up, braving the storm:) And yes, we're in matching shirts- which later got us totally laughed at when we ended up shopping at a mall in the hood:)


Jen, Ash, and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning having a middle-aged woman slumber party... and it was great! When it was time to go, Ash and I did what every person fleeing a storm would do... we picked a city and decided to go explore it! We went to Montgomery, Alabama to shop, eat, and relax! We would have relaxed a lot more if my directions were better. We were trying to find the hotel... and I typed it into Ashley's GPS on her phone... After driving for way too long while following my directions, Ash decided to check out the phone... when she saw that we had "1 Day, 8 Hours" left, she knew I had messed up... Let's just say that we know know there is a Carmichael Drive somewhere in Cali. Oops! Let's just say it was not Thelma and Louise at our finest!


The girls and I had a great time even if it rained on our parade...

Today, it was back to life as I know it. I would show pictures of Christopher, but Uncle E took him to a class at L.A. Boxing!!! He loved it and I think we may sign him up- It's actually a workout class geared for little kids and I think it would be great for him during these winter months.

While Chris was doing his thing, I was with Addie Tay at Nona's. We were talking about how she has ballet tomorrow... and why do you think she is laughing so hard? Could it be because Nona surprised us both by putting on her 1980's leotard and twirled around demonstrating all of her ballet moves? HILARIOUS... wish she would have let me get a picture for the slog, but my life was threatened!

Oh, Addie... Really?

I had such a good time on my girl's weekend... but it was back to real life today... and it was great even if it was more "work." I mean, how could I resist this little face?

Best Friends

We have become really good friends with a family in the neighborhood that just happen to be Hokie fans... surprise, surprise:)!:) They have two kids and one of them is Addie's little best friend. It's nice having kids that get along~ We had them over for the Tech game last week and the kids were playing the night away in the basement... At one point they came upstairs... all dressed like this:


Addie came running up the steps shouting, "I a fireman, I a fireman." It was so cute... I mean doesn't every fireman sport a tutu and necklace?

And here are some pictures just beacause:)

Alive and well... for now

Have you been watching the news... because we forgot to this week... Mama needed some R & R this weekend, so I made a trip to Alabama for Amy Crittenden's wedding (It was gorgeous and more details are to come)... and then Ashley, Jen, and I ventured to Gulf Shores, Alabama for a girl's trip... A couple hours ago we came back up from the beach to see the pool guys putting up furniture... and we hear "mandatory evacuation." Oops... Hurricane Ida is headed straight for us. Out to the hot tub for now... wish us luck:)

Happy Blogiversary to me!!!

Well here goes... It's officially been one year since I started blogging! I'm so glad I started on this adventure because I would never be able to recount half of the stories, sayings, and happenings of our family. My children are my everything and I'm so glad that they will be able to look back on our every day life. This blog has had it's ups and downs... ummm can we say posting my weight!?! And I'm sure some of my ramblings and every day stories bore some of you to pieces... but it's our life and I love it... and I'm so glad I get to share it with you.

Thanks for reading:)

And just for kicks...
Chris~ Hey Mommy, Guess what... I'm a professional.
Mommy~ Oh really Chris? A professional?
Chris~ Yes, mom. I'm a professional Hungry, Hungry, Hippos player. I beat Dad seven times in a row. I'm such a professional.

HA!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The kids and I had a great Halloween... We started the day with a flag football game where Chris (along with almost every other kid from the other team) ran the length of the field for a touchdown! After that, we had a neighborhood parade and children's party. It's so cute- all of the kids in the hood meet at the clubhouse and "parade" around the lake where other neighbors are handing out candy! We also managed to visit Nanny and Pappy to show off our costumes:) At night, we had dinner at our neighbor's house and then hit the streets to trick-or-treat. Chris was so excited- he was a Clonetrooper, and Addie was a princess ballerina- Shhhh, don't tell her that we reused a costume from two years ago... She said she wanted to be a ballerina and we already had everything... but then I had Mommy guilt feeling like she was suffering from the second child syndrome, so I took her to pick out a new wand:) Brendan and I both decided that from now on, she gets a "new" costume! She totally played the princess part- she had to ride in a stroller between every single house and I had to get her in and out everytime... Can we say spoiled!

Halloween Happiness:)

Halloween is Chris's favorite holiday of the year- even more so than Christmas! He loves everything about it- the decorations, costumes, scarey stories... everything! My friend, Katie, hosted the best Halloween party on Friday and it was right up Chris's alley! Addie stayed with my parents because she was not acting herself and I didn't want to get anyone sick:( Chris got to jump in a moonbounce, decorate a pumpkin and cookies, bob for apples, roast marshmallows, go on a wagon ride, and participate in the best scavenger hunt! Thanks soooo much for having us Katie! The scavenger hunt was sooo cute... and I totally know what we're doing for Chris's birthday next year!!! Yes, go ahead and call me a copy cat:)