How can October be gone???

Miss me?  I thought you might.

Anyone else feel crazy right now?

I absolutely adore Autumn.  LOVE the change of seasons.  The trees changing.  Ahhhh...

I just don't feel like I have been able to soak it in this year.  Might be the 2 crazies I have tailing me.  Or, it might that we are just so blessed in so many ways right now that I can't seem to remember what day it is.

Blah, blah, blah.

All that to say... I missed a few days of blogging that I wanted to do.  You lived.  I lived.  All is well.

Something super fun.  We just got back from a little mini-vacation to Branson!  LOVE it there.  We usually go at least once a year, and it is usually with my super-great mom and dad-in-law.  They love our kids so much and we love spending this awesome family time together.  (I bet they are always more than excited to get back to their "quiet" lives after spending extended periods of time with the crazy.)

We did so many fun things, but also relaxed. 

We went to a really neat cat refuge.  It blows my mind that people choose to take on, oh say, a tiger OR a bear as a pet and then decide after the poor animal is mostly grown that they can't handle it.  Really!  Blows my mind.

A bear... always a good pet choice.

Love this one and his expression!

There was a monkey named GOOBER... awful close to someone
else's name! 

So many of these animals had just been released into the wild.  Can you imagine?!?!  Some, had been rescued from their homes after owners decided it was too much.  I just couldn't begin to wrap my mind around it.  There are lots of them.  Dozens of tigers, lions, bears, a monkey, caracals and other cats like panthers and more.  My house feels like National Geographic at times with 2 dogs, a cat, a lizard and a frog.  But, wow.  Crazy...

We saw a fun show that was full of pets.  Cats, dogs, pigs, birds, oh my!  It was so kid-friendly and my two boys loved it.  They could be loud during parts of it and not get shushed!  So great.

We did a bunch of shopping.  Because, it is Branson.  Love the shopping.

Cooper went to a show with Grandma only.  Elvis.  Loved it.  He now has some new "moves" and a love for a dead performer like no other.

We went to the Butterfly Palace.  Always fun.  The kids still don't understand why they can't touch and pick up the poor critters. 

My kids look excited... I know.

We ate.  Oh, did we eat.  Lots.  We had a few "moments" in restaurants, but mostly they were because of a lack of decent service.  We did find a mexican restaurant that was AWESOME.  I love that kind of fare.  LOVE.

The trees were in full color this weekend.  It was beautiful.  I, of course, couldn't catch a decent shot of it while we were driving.  I tried.  Really.  But, this photography thing... not my thing.  I am happy with a couple decent shots.  My photographer friends will cringe, I am sure. 

I wish I could have captured it better.  It was something.

We laugh so much as a family.  I am very thankful for that.  There are times when I could lose my mind, but we usually find the comedy in it.  For instance...

Carter took a bath with his daddy, (I am sure Cory wants me to share this!) and he is learning to use the potty, (see previous post!) and there may have been a moment when Cory was yelling for me to come into the bathroom and I was doing my best to not hear it.  Maybe.  It is amazing how quickly that little one can tell you what he needs to do and then... Whoops!  Does it.  In the tub.  With his daddy.  HA HA HA HA!  I laughed.  Cory did too, I promise.

Also, Cooper always, always makes us laugh.  His one-liners and zingers keep us on our toes.  He was feeling a little car sick and Grandma was trying to help by pointing things out to look at outside as we were driving.  Cooper looked at her and said with much concern... "Did you forget my stomach hurts??? Can you stop talking?!?"  Oh dear.  NO manners. 

Then, he was watching a video on the way home and was repeating a part of it where a little boy is singing (badly out-of-tune) to a little girl, whom he loves.  Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.  Finally I looked at him and asked why he had to keep watching that part?  (The out-of-tune was wearing on my nerves.)  And he let us know he was getting ideas for one of the little girls in his class.  Great.  Already. 

I could write a novel just on the things that make us laugh coming out of these two boys.  Maybe someday I will. 

We had so much fun.  We laughed and pulled our hair out.  All-in-all, a success!!!

Love & Laughter,
abby

Valued

My darling husband came home today and wished me...

"Happy Bosses Day."

Rightfully so.

(At least I am known for something around here.)


I love that he can make me laugh.  Especially on stress-filled days.


In other news,
Carter is using a potty.  He's 19 months old.  And, a boy.
(I feel like I have to point this out, because, come on!  How many 19 month old boys do you know who are doing this???)

AND, he is telling me he needs to go.  TELLING ME.  This has to be some sort of record. 
(If not, please don't burst my bubble.)

It isn't every time, and really, I don't expect it to be.  I didn't expect to be jumping up and down in the bathroom over my child grinning about what he just made appear in the potty for at least another year.  But, I am oh-so-happy. 

It's the small things really, that make me happy.

Because I know, in the not-too-distant future, he is going to pull a stunt like Super Cooper did in the car yesterday.  Fish around in his nose, then fling it in my face.  I couldn't locate the foreign object, we'll call it, hence the screaming, and combing through my hair, followed by the silent treatment coming from me for the duration of said ride.  (My husband laughed.  Oh, yes.  He did.)

This is my life.

I know you are pea-green with envy.  Admit it.

Love & Laughter,
abby

Three Word Thursday...

Boys are c.r.a.z.y.

Love & Laughter,

abby

Serious Question

I am contemplating a big change for next school year.

Really big.

We have been looking further into the homeschooling option. 

I know there are lots of opinions out there.  I know it is a monumental choice and an incredible commitment.

Let's be honest.  Public school... well, it's not perfect.  And I grow more dis-enchanted with it the "wiser" I become and the longer my oldest is in school.  (I am not bashing the teachers!  Some of my dearest friends are teachers.  And I adore them and am in awe of what they do.) 

He is unhappy.  He comes home wiped out and disagreeable and incredibly emotional.  Often. 

Homeschooling looks better and better. 

The question...

What opinions are there on program options??

I want to be educated in this before the decision is made.  I want to know that I have chosen the best option for my babies.  I want the experience to be inspiring for us all. 

To be honest, I don't know tons about it.  I have poo-pooed the idea countless times because I didn't feel "qualified".  I need to catch up and embrace my inner teacher goddess and I want to be informed.

Those who have gone before me, or done any homework on the topic... bless me with your knowledge.

Many, Many, Many thanks!

Love & Laughter,
abby

Pictures from the last few days

Oh my.  Love these two!  Enjoying a fire
in the backyard.  (Look how skinny my man
is getting!!  So proud of him!)

Who wants to pinch these cheeks??!? 
Too much cute in one little face.

Thanks brother!

He's OK!

Adore this man.  I mean, treasure him completely.

Let's talk addiction...

I have bought more strawberries in the last
month, than I can ever remember.  He says
berries and please so well... I can't say no.
Ridiculous.

Hysterical.

 

Love & Laughter,

abby

Real

Today I felt (ok, still feel) rockin'.  I just am happy and excited and full of joy.  You know, the kind of day where you are dancing around the house, singing at the top of your voice, a little obnoxious (even to your 5 year old).  No??? Just me??  Ok.  Well, that's how I feel today.  ROCKIN'!!!

Perfect time to take a picture with my babies.  Not that I am looking super fabulous, I just wanted a picture of what I am feeling.

They may or may not look like they are trying to escape the lunatic...

This is the BEST one out of the bunch.  And I mean bunch.  I kept asking Cory... "try, again".  Bless him, sometimes you just can't make it happen.  But, he is a good sport and kept trying.

So, I AM rockin'.

But, my kids aren't feeling it.

Bless them.

I hope you all feel rockin' good today too!!!

Love & Laughter,
abby

Excited!

Tree in front of my house.  My FAVORITE!  Starting to change...

October is probably my favorite month out of the entire year.  The windows are open almost constantly.  The leaves begin to change.  It finally feels like summer won't have the audacity to check in.  LOVE IT.

This October is especially exciting to me.  So many things to look forward to other than the weather.

Garage sale... first one on my own.  (I know!  Go me!!)

Prep... ugh.

Exciting events at church. 

2 trips... (One just a girls weekend away.  Aahh...)  Branson and Dallas.  Happy places.

And, it is the 2nd full month of our AdvoCare business.  Which has been just plain awesome the first month.  I am so excited to see what month 2 brings.  Plus, Cory and I feel crazy, ridiculous good.  Which is a nice feeling.  So very nice.

October promises to rock!!  What are you looking forward to??? 


Love & Laughter,
abby