O-M-G

How can it be the end of November and I STILL havent caught up with October yet? What the heck have I been up to? Lots and nothing all at the same time.

Let me tell you though, I have been working hard at one thing in particular and that is my weight. My brother has been training me and its been a slow work in progress, but the weight is coming off. Im more determined than ever.

Other than that.. every once in a while I will cling onto a subject and study the heck out of it.. get immersed in it and forget about everything else. That is where I am right now. The new is starting to wear off a bit, so I plan to get back to the ho-hum of every day life real soon.. boy bet ya'll cant wait! hahaa

So.. for Halloween... Hunter knew wayyyy back in the year, maybe even after last Halloween that he wanted to be a zombie. I was so happy because I love doing the makeup and well he has always been scared of scary costumes {still is} but was willing to do this. It was quite hilarious.. and as you will see in his photos.. if he'd been a different color he could have went as "Buckwheat" from the Little Rascals hahaa ;)


He was hilarious and even made a video for me that was just a hoot!

Hunter with his pumpkin {was a skeleton}
This was my niece Alanas... she didnt have a pumpkin so we gave her one!
Here is my pumpkin.. hehee
Another close up of Hunters pumpkin. I tell ya, my arm muscles were killing me the next day from scraping so hard on those pumpkin guts.. and this was the first time ever I actually had awesome, big, fat seeds to dry and bake.. mmmm :)

So how was your weekend??? Mine was ok.. getting back into the groove of things finally.. at least my house is semi clean. Lots of stuff going on this week with Thanksgiving plans. Thought Id catch up some more on my October stuff. The following pics are for Red Ribbon Week. The war against drugs. They had a crazy dress up week. The first day I didnt get a pic.. it was wear a red shirt day.. Hunter chose a Cardinals baseball shirt to wear.

Crazy sock day-these are actually my socks.. so funny!
These two pics are from NERD day.. he even had the nerd personality down.. he was a cross between Napolean Dynamite and a real nerd. LOL
This was hat and sunglasses day. Daddy decked him out in camo everywhere. He also had a lil trip to the fire station that day, so Im sure he needed the sunglasses since they walked from the school. :)
The last day was dress up day/Halloween. Hunter chose punk rocker and I made him a cardboard rockin' guitar. hehee We had blue paint for his mohawk, but I used it to paint the guitar.. little did I know that stuff wipes right off.. what a mess!!!
Back with more tomorrow.. :)

Two days in a row.. whats up with this picture. ahahaa Well, it just so happens Im up in the middle of the night, a bit nauseated.. so thought Id share some fall pics and a pic or two of my Aunt and Uncles 50th wedding anniversary party. This took place the 3rd weekend of October. I tell you, I did not unpack my bags til November?!!!! Heck to be honest my suitcase is still in the bedroom floor! ha!!

Anyway.. This is my Aunt Pat and Uncle Ben.. they live back home and I miss them so much its not even funny. Aunt Pat is my Moms sister. She has had a rough way to go in her life.. so many medical problems. And after their party the following Monday she went in for a biopsy/surgery to remove breast cancer cells. Every thing went well and the nodes are all safe from cancer cells.. praise Lord! She is still having radiation just in case. She is a strong woman and we are all so happy. I tell ya, I was just sick there for a while. But God does answer prayers! I hope she will continue to get better. She was really shy getting her pic taken with me. hehee :)

While back home I visited this crew... My friend since foreverrrr Rhonda and 2 of her daughters, Lakyn and Jodie and her granddaughter Taylor. We had a fun day at the park. Hunter isnt pictured but he was with me and we just had a great time catching up in the sun.. as a matter of fact for October I got a lil sun on my back/shoulders. Funny!

The day we left I colored my hair.. hahaa. So anyway, I had to pose with my Dad, its a great pic I think. Thank you Hunter the photog!
Hunter and I took the long way home to see what we could see along the bluffs of the Missouri River.. back home as I call it. But the trees still hadnt quite turned. It was a nice drive anyway and Hunter learned all about "bringing in the crops" as we saw a LOT of that going on! ;)
This is an old railroad trail that the state turned into a walking/biking trail called the Katy Trail. It is a LONG ride/walk.. miles and miles along the river bottoms and cliffs. Someday Im going to walk or bike it. Ive went for short walks but not like its meant to be enjoyed. :)

Anyway.. weekend 3 down of October. heheee Back with more laters!

A little bit of a catch up if you will..

Hi ya'll.. Ive neglected my blog long enough. I have been blogging on another private blog for the past 3 almost 4 weeks, it consumes a lot of my extra time so that is why this one is getting neglected. Argh.

Sooo let me take you back to October and the 2nd wedding of the month~
My niece Amanda got married to her b/f and baby daddy.. Jon ;) They had a beautiful outside wedding at the Lake of the Ozarks on a dock by the lake. The entire family and friends stayed at a huge resort in cabins. It was awesome!!! In our free time we all spent time in the jacuzzi in our room that overlooked the lake! Everyone was jealous of our jacuzzi eheehehe.. but when I researched I figured I better get what I want as I may not have another chance to vacation this year.

Here are some pics from the wedding and our time at the cabin, ps: Preston even showed up the day after the wedding for my birthday lunch!! ;O)
My birthday lunch my boys posed for me :)
Me and my sweetie!
Hunter loving the bubbles in the jacuzzi!
Justice said he soaked away all his troubles and worries hehehee
My niece Amber with Amandas baby girl Addison.. she is a DOLL!!!
Todd and Hunter on the boat after the wedding. Long story short, we ended up getting stranded in the middle of the lake because the boat ran out of gas.. thankfully someone got us to shore and we walked back to the resort.. The boys say.. That wasnt a boat ride, that was an adventure! hahaa
The happy couple-Jon and my niece Amanda-she looked sooo pretty!
Jon and Amanda
My brother Neal and his daughter Amanda getting out of the boat! Getting ready to walk down the isle.
The boys enjoying the pool at the resort, there was this bridge over the center of the pool. We had a lot of fun in that pool, til Todd dived in with his cell phone. hahaa. oops!!

Thank you!

Thank you to all the Veterans today and always for everything you do! I so admire each and every one of you!

ps: ONE of these days I'll update further on my blog.. I almost forgot my login/pw.. crazy huh?

So many things.. so little time!

Sooo.. I will totally have to catch up on the October.. since it flew by. But for now.. leaving you with a picture of Justice in the hunting blind with his brother Preston hunting. They didnt get anything and only saw a doe the last like half hour. They shot at her, but nothing.. too far away. I like that Preston took him hunting and played a very important role in his brothers life. Nothing like it in the world. I hope it made Justice feel as special as he is!

Well hello blog..

oh how I have missed you!!! I cannot believeeee how fast October has went by!!! I have a super ton of catching up to do. I will try to get that done over the weekend this weekend. I will finally be home. Our house is a disaster and I STILL havent unpacked fully from the last weekend I was gone. How bad is that?

I did manage to capture a picture of "Cousin Eddie" before he went out to a Halloween party this past Friday. hahaa More pics and updates to come. And dont worry.. I'll be visiting YOUR blogs soon.. I miss ya!!! :O)

Isnt he just precious? ;)

Raising Hope

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!



I just laugh and laugh watching this show. Todd even likes it. Im so happy I decided to tape the series. I need a laugh now and then.. we all do!

Speaking of which.. how ya'll been? Good I hope? ... Got your fall decorations out, winter clothes out?... I have and am... altho I hear this weekend it will be warm, high 70's. Perfect really for my niece who is getting married Saturday and lucky for her it will be beautiful for her outside wedding! We cant wait.. we are off tomorrow and wont be back til Sunday sometime. I have a horrible cold but hoping that it will calm down or pass before the festivities Saturday and the BBQ Sunday!

Have a great weekend! :O)

Honey, you sure clean up good!

My sweet hubby Todd~

My sweet baby and me~

Beth and Matt-The happy couple!~

Todd escorting Bridget{Beths sister}

Hunter and I~

Matt and Beth Johnston~

I hope you enjoyed the photos from our friends Matt and Beths wedding. They got married last night out by a lake.. it couldnt have been more perfect!!! I am so very happy for them. I know Beth had a hard time with the planning and didnt have a whole lot of help. But it was pretty, classy and we had a really good time. If I was to complain about one thing, it would be that it was held on a Monday night.. but hey, its their day so why would I complain. ;) hehe.

Todd sure cleaned up good dontcha think??? He was super handsome I thought. Hunter was wanting to stay and dance the night away but we just couldnt he had 4 pages of homework to do and I had sleep on my mind after a busy day at work. I told him not to fear we have one more this coming weekend-wedding that is!!! My niece is getting married Saturday and we are leaving Friday night to go down and spend the weekend in a cabin at a resort at Lake of the Ozarks. I sooo cannot wait! Woot woot!

Have a great week! :O)

heheheee

I double dare you to have a great Saturday!!!! ;o)
ps: we are showing our house at noon today... wish us luck!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Just checking in to say hello and because I feel its super important that you do this... please go in for your yearly mammograms and check yourselves monthly. Early detection can save lives. Ive always told my friends if you are too scared or nervous to go, please ask me to go with you. I dont mind at all. Or I can be of support in any way that youd like. Just go! :O)

I dont think I have ever really posted much on the subject of breast cancer. But most people I dont think do- unless they know someone who is a survivor or victim or someone currently diagnosed. My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, altho I did not know her during her battle, but if I had I would have been posting this then. I would have joined her in the battle and supported her in any way possible. I intend on doing just that for my Aunt Pat who was diagnosed with breast cancer this past Monday. Its been really hard and I cannot say how many tears were shed at first and how bad it made ME feel. I finally quit feeling bad for ME and apologized to the good Lord for being so selfish and started praying for my Aunt. She goes in October 11th to find out what the treatment plan/surgery is going to be. Her heart is very weak at this point so we are fearful that they wont be able to do much. I do pray however that God is with her and eases the pains she will feel in the coming days, weeks and months.

Starting October 11th I have decided that I am going to do what I need to do to get my life in order. I just feel like this is a sign from God that I have a chance.. weight is the only thing keeping me from living a healthy lifestyle. Im thankful that I am young enough to turn it around and I pledge to do so in my Aunts name. I can do this. I will do this. Its time. I will do this alone on my own or with a partner, we shall see.. it doesnt matter because in my mind I am going to push away the pain like my Aunt has for years with her bad health, put a smile on my face, work hard and push through until I am the healthy person I deserve to be. I know this is the only wish she has for me. I completely feel indebted to her and will do this for her!

Sorry this post is so heavy.. its the way my entire week has been. Im hoping the beautiful weather will be a breeze of relief and put an end to all the yuck. Hope you have a great weekend too! :O)

Hey there Mr. Blue...

Justice and I at the Finn Inn back in February 2010.

Seriously.. how sweet is Justice in this picture??? I feel like I never post enough about Justice. He is the middle son, 10 years old.. he lives 2 1/2 hours away from me all the time. He is my most sensitive son and wears his heart on his sleeve 24/7. He is smart, emotional, loving and talkative. He also marches to the beat of his own little drum!

For some reason.. or many Justice is having some issues right now. I think for a while now anyway. He was raised and is raised by his father and has been with his father mostly until about 2 years ago when he got remarried. Not only did he take on a new step-mother but step-siblings as well. Its been a hard adjustment for him. He has never really "understood" the break up of his father and I. Two weeks ago he was talking to me and expressed once again how he wished that his Dad and I would still be married. He loves the idea of "family". And he wants us all to be together again. Its hard on him. He cant understand it fully.

Later this morning Justice will be seeing a Licensed Counselor to see if maybe he will let out some of his thoughts, talk things over... find alternatives to escaping..which is his survival code at the moment. Get some insight to things that his Dad and I cannot do. I hope that this is what he needs and that he gets the help he needs. I fear that I have not been such a good Mother and have been out of his life too much. I will never get over that fear ever Im afraid. I just hope to be better in the future. I want him to have the future he deserves, the now that he deserves. It kills me to see him so unhappy and sad. His teacher told us that he is having daily crying spells up to 10 times a day. This just isnt good. Something is eating at this lil boy. I pray and hope that you pray with me that he gets the answers or at least the understanding that he is lacking and that I cannot give him.

I love him so much... he is my shining star and I want him happy like every child should be!!!