I'll give you one guess what Little Miss Baby-Cakes wanted to be for her Harvest Party at Preschool?

P R I N C E S S ! ! !

Okay, so this one just screams " un-uh, oh no you ditn't"

And what would a Princess outfit be without the BLING!!!?

It's all about the SEASON!!!

 It's official...Last Saturday was Abigail's very first pumpkin carving event!

And...she seems to be all smiles for this one.

 Sadly, Daddy and Tanner weren't home for this event, but we still managed to get the job done.

 AND...even enjoyed a few snapshots along the way! This one here is actually taken by sweet Miss Abigail all by herself. Gotta admit, not too shabby.

 Ta-DAH!!!

Though Abigail tried to tell me what 'face' she wanted on her pumpkin, I didn't find out until today (Tuesday) what she really meant. 

 Another photo op done by Princess Abigail. Fortunately, she managed to only cut off part of the pumpkins head, not mine!

 With "flash'

Without flash...my preference, for sure.

NOT your typical Fall day!

Okay, well maybe a field trip to the pumpkin patch is part of a typical autumn fall day ~ or rather it is the perfect activity for a fall day. On Wednesday, Miss Abigail had her very first field trip to Jubilee Farms. Talk about excited, she could hardly contain herself!!! Sadly (explained in part 2) I was not able to join Missy on this spectacular adventure...but her Grandma did in my place. AND...what's even better is that G-ma brought her camera and took pictures - isn't she the greatest!!!

The "not" so typical part of a fall day was that my dad (remember he is a cancer survivor - Yeah Jesus!!!) went in for knee replacement surgery on the morning of Miss Abigail's field trip (thus the Grandma substitution). Keep in mind, he celebrated his 81st bday in September and he did fabulous, thankfully through surgery and his recovery is going superb. In fact here you see him just 24 hours after surgery - go DAD!!!

Brand New Day!

It's a brand new day and with each new day comes ~

new experiences

new joy(s)

new blessings

new views

new feelings

new thoughts.

I came across a video on a fellow blogger's site and it contained many positive ways to "enjoy the ride" of life. I've taken a few of them and added a few of my own and listed them here:

• Take a 10-30 minute “Thank you” walk everyday; practicing gratitude while you walk. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
• Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
• Spend more time with people over the age of seventy and under the age of six
• Get more sleep – it’s the ultimate energizer
• Don't compare your life with others. You have NO idea what their journey is all about
• Choose to eat healthier
• When you wake up in the morning, complete the following statement: My purpose is to ____________________________ today.
• Pray, Pray and Pray some more. It IS the FUEL for our daily lives
• Light the candles. Use the nice sheets. Don't waste time saving it for a special occasion~ today IS special
• Do the “one thing” you have always wanted to do.
• Make peace with the past so it won't mess up the present
• Life isn't fair, but Life IS good
• No one is in charge of your happiness, except YOU
• Dream more while you are awake
• Don’t waste precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. 
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
• Realize that LIFE is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appears and fades away.
• However good or bad a situation is, it will change
• Don't take yourself too seriously, no one else does.
• Smile and laugh more every day ~ after all LIFE shouldn't be that serious. And in your laughter, be sure it's at yourself sometimes!
• No matter how you feel, get up ~ dress up ~ show up
• Remember you are too blessed to be stressed
• Enjoy the ride! You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy every moment.

SOOOO much to be thankful for...

then why do I feel so melancholy (that's a fancy word for sad), glum, somber???

I refuse, I mean adamantly refuse to believe that I could in any way be affected by...the weather?!? Okay...maybe just a little bit.

Alright, maybe even a LOT!

While driving to the orthodontist this afternoon, Noah and I were having a little conversation. I was expressing to him how I was afraid that I just might not 'make it' through this fall/winter season coming up. I shared with him that I was feeling as though there wasn't any hope. He asked me "hope of what?", of which I responded, "no hope of enjoying sunny warm days".  See with the 'less than desirable' summer weather we had this year it feels as though we are headed right back into the 'storm' of fall/winter weather without having a break.

Silly really, if you ask me. That I could have a feeling that the sun wouldn't shine again...after all, "ain't no Sunshine when she's gone!" But seriously, I really do feel this hope-less feeling inside. So, sitting here on this grey Seattle day, with the wind/rain pelting against my window is causing me to be reflective. I totally get the "chemical imbalance, reaction, whatever you call it' that could go with grey after grey after grey days. Yet, there is (I believe) a choice too that must be made on my part that says, "I could fall prey to this grey, BUT I choose not to and instead DO..." I must come up with some small (even seemingly insurmountable) things I can do to "brighten" (so to speak) my mood/feeling/atmosphere. Any suggestions???

Yes, it can will start with being thankful, for there is SO much to be thankful for:

1. I'm a new auntie (my new sweet little nephew will be coming home to America soon)
2. I have THE BEST husband ever!
3. My 3 boys are men to be adored!
4. I have been blessed with the sweetest Princess baby girl
5. I got a new job (totally giddy about this one - truly a God story to be told...maybe tomorrow)
6. I could go on...but I'm going to save it for a rainy day!

Miracles do happen...

even in your own backyard!

This is Nick!

2 months ago (though I believe he'd correct me and say 8 weeks and 5 days) he was in a horrible car accident.

Today, Nick is at home (has been for the past 6 days) and walking on his own 2 legs (even if they are a bit shaky here and there).

Yes...he's still recovering, but it truly is a miracle.

"Nick, we are so incredibly proud of you and all the progress you've made physically, emotional, mentally and spiritually over these past months. We are so thankful that God's plan for you is to bless our lives through your presence and that you are here with us today! We love you Nick!"