Ten on Tuesday - combined

1. Well we have managed to survive another year of funrun fundraising at our house.. barely. I am totally serious when I say that Bella is like living with the Kirby salesman during the week of the funrun. And in all seriousness, I would almost rather roll the dice with the door to door salesman. At least I know at some point he is leaving..

2. After gathering her pledges, I sent Bella to school with a word of caution one day. "This is it. Do not come home again asking me to call anyone else asking for anymore money. I don't care what they tell you, this is what I'm telling you." My friend tells me that they are like frat boys of fundraising and she isn't kidding because wouldn't you know my sweet obedient 6 year old walked in the door and said they told her she needed just one more pledge. Next year the week prior to the funrun you can find us at the beach. Or maybe Disneyworld..

3. Isabella entered a Christmas card contest at Poppy's plant three weeks ago. She had to draw a Christmas scene on an 8x10 sheet of paper and the contest was for anyone from three to ten years of age. We found out she got 2nd place!! She was so excited!!

4. We packed up our Halloween candy and took it to Mr. Rowe and his fireman this week. Will decided that the firemen could eat on their way to save the people in the fires and if you've been reading long enough, you know there is nobody better than Mr. Rowe as far as Will is considered.

5. To make Will's day even better, Mr. Rowe brought Will his very own fireman shirt. We can barely get it off of him. Mr. Rowe really hung the moon now..

6. Today at school our CD player didn't work. I told my kids I would have to sing our morning songs rather than listen to the CD like usual. One of my little boys said "Oh no that's terrible" I asked him what was wrong and he said, "well you can't sing but you sure are pretty". I love my job and the honesty of kids. They always make me laugh!!

7. My parents closed on their house last week. Yay!! So nice to have them less than five minutes away from us. We went over as soon as Bella got off of the bus today to take dinner and help with unpacking... so fantastic.

8. The kids went with my parents to Indiana for a Christmas party this weekend. They had a fabulous time and loved taking a road trip with Nene and Poppy.

9. Will sang in the choir performance before church on Sunday. I have to give it to him, he looked so cute singing and dancing up there. We were so proud of him!

10. Bella finally lost her top front tooth last week. It was literally just hanging on waiting to fall out. So disgusting. Last Thursday night, I told her it needed to come out and she finally just pulled it out with her bath towell. Finally!

Giving Thanks..

1. In the words of Amelia, when you ask her every time what she is most thankful for she will respond first with Jesus..because he died for us.

2. My husband. People were shocked that we got engaged after three months of long distance dating but marrying you was the best decision I ever made..

3. My mini-me, southern belle, cowboy and silent operator. They bring continued joy every day into our life and I will be forever grateful that I was chosen to be their mother.

4. My parents, for always loving and supporting me and finally moving south to be with us. I guess they realized we really weren't leaving..

5. Southern weather.. I'll take the boiling heat for no snow. Or snow that comes once a year.

6. My church family. I love my church and the people in it. I enjoy being there everytime the doors are open. I hope you feel the same way about yours.

7. My work family. I always knew that I probably wouldn't be a big career driven person. I wanted to be a mama. This job, while I'm not making decisions that change the world as a whole, gives me the opportunity to change individual worlds.. It is the best job I have ever had and I love it. I love the women I work with and am thankful for the friendships I have there..

8. Our military. So many men and women have fought and continue to fight to give us freedom. There is no way to ever repay them for the sacrifices they make.

9. My friends. They are like the sisters I never had. I love you all.

10. The teachers that teach my children. You are giving them a foundation of learning and loving them when I can't. I will be forever grateful for the hard job that you do, every day.

Veteran's Day Parade

Today my biggest girl and I walked in the Veteran's Day parade. Bella has been waiting to participate in this parade since we started watching it several years ago. Finally her day came. She was able to ride for her Daddy, her Gramps and both of her great-grandfathers. We wrote all of their names on the papers and stuck them on the float. She was super excited and road through the parade saying Happy Veteran's Day. She was so proud and excited to honor her Daddy. I know a lot of people are proud of their veterans but no one more so than my Bella. She is so proud of her Daddy. Jason will very rarely offer up the information that he serves his country but his children proudly will..
We love you Daddy and are so proud of all you do for us and your country!!

costume day at school

I love the ladies that I work with..we always have such a fun time. On Monday all the children and most of the teachers wore their costumes to school. Here are a few pictures.

Ten on Tuesday

1. This week one of Will's little friends said, I'm going to marry you Will. Will, as serious as can be replied: I'm already married to Chloe. You have to marry someone else.

2. Will told his Daddy when he was helping him cook dinner that "Chloe is the love of his life" I tell Will he is the love of my life in case you're wondering who he hears that from.

3. I'm not sure when we willl stop talking about Chloe like Will just sat and played with her this afternoon, but it's going to be a sad day for this mama.

4. Amelia is learning letter sounds every week at school. I asked her before school the other morning if she wanted to wear a dress and she responded with "Ja-Ja-Ja-jeans please."

5. It's fall and in the fall I get to hear one of my favorite songs ever. Mr Turkey Big and Fat. The Drew Ross rendition is just about the cutest thing I've ever heard.

6. Drew also had a birthday party at school this week. A birthday party in two year old land is a b.i.g deal of fun. So much fun that Drew sang Happy Birthday to me for two days after the party.

7. We began our fall break this week.. Will and Amelia headed to Nene's Ohio house for hopefully the last time. Yay!!

8. Bella is enjoying the extra time alone with Jason and I. We have gone out to lunch, for icecream, met her at school for lunch and went to the PTA meeting - something she always requests. I asked her if she was having a good week and she said Yes! I get all this time to myself, I don't have to share the TV and by the time they come home, Drewbie is going to like me the best!

9. After two days of two kids, Jason and I are a little shocked by how easy two kids are. We would be totally bored as a family of four but it really is a nice little vacation..

10. Nene and Poppy signed papers on their house this weekend!! YAY!! They will be moved in hopefully the first weekend in December! We are so blessed and so excited to have them here with us soon!!