Has it Really Been a Week?

Wow it does not seem like it has been that long since I posted. We have been steady busy during this holiday.Looks like it was monday the last time, so here we go. Tuesday was busy with work, then homework, then off to basketball practice. Wednesday was busy preparing to go out of town for the holiday. We did eventually decided against this not knowing how our business will be. After a holiday it is usually slow. Thursday was a laid back day around the house with family. I cooked a big meal and we just relaxed and played the WII and of course we had the almighty nap. Always required after a large Thanksgiving meal. And don't forget the hours searching the sale ads to have a game plan for friday morning. Austin and I were getting bored so we headed out to another movie to see Australia, it was good. Thank goodness we can see movies fairly cheap. Then I was off at 5 am to targets on friday to get the best deal. Only to find myself behind 300 other people. But as usual target is one of the best at this and I was in the store in about 10-15 minutes. And had my item in hand 20 minutes after the doors opened. A little more shopping at JC Pennys and Old Navy. Awesome deals at all those stores. Home for a nap and then off to Charlotte to visit family who was visiting family. A lot of fun all evening. Austin had a blast playing with his cousin Sean and it was great to see some new additions also. Matthew sure is a cute ball of fire and baby Chase is a handsome sweetie. We arrived home at 1 am and caught some sleep and we were back up and off to basketball practice at 8:30 am. After practice we met up with GramGram and caught the new James Bond movie. It was really good and full of action. Then we went by and visited some friends for the evening. I think today we will just chill around the house and get some chores done. Hope everone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The Santa's List

Well Austin has finally finished his list. And seems eager to get it in the mail to make sure Santa gets it in time. I think he is up to twelve items. Usually he has ten. He knows he only gets a few from the list, and let me tell you he has put in the research. Hours of searching web pages and toy catalogs. To insure the proper and coolest items are chosen. Oh I can remember the days of preparing the list. And all the excitement of the season. He has been playing holiday music in his room since before Halloween. And that is all we listen to in the car. He loves the holidays and can not wait till it gets here. Top of the list is the I Pod Nano and Lego Star Wars. With some WII games also. He will be patiently waiting til Dec. 25th. And about to explode with excitment.

I'm Already Missing This

I was just thinking how I will miss getting together with family at Thanksgiving. We always meet in Georgia with my husband's family. It seems we will be the only ones traveling this time. We will still have a nice time visiting with Grandma. Austin is looking forward to that. But it will not be the same without Uncle Ralph and Aunt Trudi. I guess every year can not be the same. and things and circumstances change. But we sure will miss them this year and hope they can make it next time. it sure teaches us not to take things for granted. I wish everyone a Happy thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend it with the one's you love.

At the Movies Again

Well we have seen two movies lately and they were both awesome. They usually are around the holidays. Bolt was to funny. We went to a sneak preview last week. And last night we went to see Twilight. it was really good. Austin had been begging to see it so we picked him up from school early and went to an earlier show as the evening shows were sold out already... I am told this is a book series. I had not heard of it. But it is really popular. Anyway both of these are a must see.

It is saturday morning and we are headed off to basketball practice bright and early..... Catch ya all later... Thanks for looking.

Dart Mania

What can we do inside since it is 35 degrees outside???? Nerf Dart Wars!!! Total fun and all the kids want to come to our house after school. Austin and his friends build forts and run wild through the house having a blast. Great Christmas idea Nerf Dart Guns. You can never have enough. Even the adults get into it. Total blast!!

Gonna Miss This

I love fall. And I think it will soon be gone as it is getting colder and most all of the leaves are gone. I even think it might snow more this year. I hope. The smells of fall, the crisp leaves in the yard, pumpkins, apples, and just a fresh feeling when the chillier air moves in. I love the warm days and cool nights. The leaves sure were pretty sight this year, I love riding around and being a leaf looker even though we see them daily, they look different if you slow down. Austin mentioned the other day how cool all of the colors were. And how he thought the moon looked really neat. I love it when he notices things like that. I hope he always sees things in nature that are truly God's creations and see how amazing our surroundings are. I will miss his outlook on things as he matures and grows up.

Favorite Foto Friday

Moments I Will Miss

I have been reading this new blog about moments in life we will soon miss. You post about it and link your blog back to hers. Very interesting. The things I will miss will be the hugs out of no where, the little I love you's that brighten my day. I look at my son at the age of ten and see him still as a child, but also as a little man. He is so smart and caring and seems to make the right decisions. He has an infectious laugh that I could listen to for hours. I love just hanging out with him watching Nic or Disney channel. Making chocolate chip cookies and snuggling on the sofa. These are the little moments I will someday look back on and appreciate all I had and have. Life is full of simple pleasures and moments if we slow down to see them. Hope you have some simple moments this week. And slow down to notice them.

Happy Veteran's Day

I seen the quote on another blog and loved it.

"We will always remember. We will always be proud.
We will always be prepared, so we may always be free."

~Ronald Reagan on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day~

Just want to say Thank You to my dad and all the men and women who serve and have served so we may live free and safe! It is a good feeling when we lay down at night knowing you are out there to protect all of us even with your lives. Thanks again for the sacrifice!!

Missing Family

We have been hanging out at the house all day. I have been cleaning, Jason is cleaning up the million leaves that fell I believe just yesterday, and Austin finally got his monthly coupon for a free game rental at blockbusters. So he has been playing Guitar Hero World Tour all day. And wishing his cousins and Uncle Eric were still here to play with him. They had a blast playing the WII while they were here visiting a few weeks ago. Sometimes it is nice just to stay home and chill out. Tonight we are going to a local fundraiser for the youth football league. It will be the firemen against the local sheriff's dept. I think it will be a lot of fun. Happy Saturday!

My Thoughts on the New President

I just wanted to comment slightly on this. Congratulations Barak Obama. I believe you have just become the MOST prayed for man in America. And we will pray for you daily. I trust God will lead you to make the best decisions.

Bad Hair Day

On the way to school I noticed the barber shop open and decided to get Austin's hair cut. He had some length on his bangs and was partial to keeping them. But all of the sudden decided to cut it short. Conversation went something like this" I want to get it short again. (Again being the key word-as in wanting it cut like he used to have it.) Can I get a mohawk, I explained no because that is an incentive for the honor roll. Then he said he just wanted it short. Paul the barber said "All one length?" Austin replied "yes". Before I could say no, we usually cut the top in with scissors he made a pass from front to back with the clippers. I about died right there. Austin not having his glasses on could not see what it looked like, until he was able to look in the mirror when he got back in the car. He had tears well up in his eyes and said I didn't mean that short. And then decided he could not go to school for four weeks and informed me I would have to talk to his teacher and home school him. I told him he could not stay home and he would have to man up and go to school. He started digging all through the back seat to find a knit hat and off to school he went. Only to have the teacher tell him to remove his hat since they are not allowed to wear them in class. All and all he will survive. And a lesson has been learned to be more specific about how you would like your hair cut. It will grow out in a few weeks. But as a mom I will never forget the "look" on his face. I just wanted to take him a out and buy him an ice cream and tell him it would be o.k. But as my neice Tabby told me let him grow a set and let him handle it on his own. It can only make him stronger. I have included a before and after shot. And as Austin put it he is all forhead now and headed for the marines tomorrow....

Lowest Gas Price in SC

I went down to Spartanburg,SC to pick up a few Christmas gifts and to my disbelief gas was only $1.98 at Ingles and $1.95 at Sam's club. Hard to believe. I hope they stay this low for the holidays.

Very Cool Scrapping

My niece is into digital scrapbooking. This a really cool page she made from our photo. Great job!! I love it.

Family Photos

It was great to have family visit from Florida. I have so many photos that I want to share. These are of my niece's baby Destiny. Austin, Brandy, Destiny, and Uncle Eric. Then my niece Rachael. As I probably said before Austin loves to spend time with family. He is all about his cousins. Telling everyone they were coming two weeks before they got here. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I will post some more tomorrow.

Halloween Hauntings

This was Austin's costume this year. Really creepy. The picture was taken before we borrowed some brown gloves which really finished off the look. He scared alot of kids with this one and had fun trick'r'treating with his friend Devon. After that we headed off to grab some dinner. Hope everyone had a scary night. thanks for checking in... By the way we want to thank our bestest friend Evie for sewing the robe. Even though you were sick you came through. THANKS!! We love ya!