Car accident

To make a long story short...I was in a car accident on Saturday. No injuries, only damage to the car.

I was suppose to be enjoying myself at a scrapbooking retreat. The retreat soon turned in it a "no good, terrible" kind of weekend, with one exception...I did get 20 plus pages completed. I was able to go to the retreat with my good friend Laura. I was able to spend time with two friends Cathy and Tammi and get to know each of them a bit better. I got some alone time and two great workouts.

But on Sunday I locked my keys in the car. So it became the "no good, rotten, terrible" kind of weekend.

Until I got home and was able to go to our church harvest carnival with my family and share a very tender time with Alyssa. When I returned and she was listening intently to me tell the story of my weekend to Chad. I said "I'm just done...just done, I'm on the verge of crying". Alyssa quietly went off into our room. When I passed by I could tell she was upset. I asked her what was wrong and she ran off crying. I went in to talk with her and by this time she was sobbing. I was worried maybe she wasn't happy with her costume or was having a melt down right before we needed to leave for the carnival. I got her to tell me what was wrong and said with much empathy (still sobbing) "I just feel so bad for you, I love you mom, I'm sad it's been such a bad time for you". She clung to me, as if she was afraid something else bad might happen to me. She said she was glad I wasn't hurt, and that she loved me so much." Since I've been home she has been near me, looking for my attention, room on my lap to cuddle and for extra kisses and hugs. It just reminded me how important my family is to me and how important I am to my family. As I'm struggling to balance my desires to be a good wife, career woman, involved mom, friend, etc I realize that my time spent with my family is what really matters.

New Orleans and some things I learned

Chad and I were fortunate enough to escape for a long weekend in New Orleans. I had to travel to NOLA for a work conference so we decided to leave early and enjoy some time to ourselves...which seems so hard to come by these days. TT and John and my mom and Chuck took kept Alyssa and Owen from Saturday until Tuesday when Chad got back.

We had a great time. While away I learned:

1. That time alone with my husband can revitalize a marriage that seemed drab and predictable prior to leaving for NOLA.

2. Hours spent on a plane is equivalent to rest.

3. I can enjoy myself without being with my kids.

4. I can enjoy my husband.

5. I still very much love my husband.

6. There is much beauty, history and devastation present in NOLA.

7. It's fun to drink hurricanes and try new foods.

8. NOLA is somewhere we'd love to go back to.

9. Bourbon street is fun the first and second time you go there, the third time is a mistake.

10. There is nothing better to coming home to your family who is so excited to see you.

Pirates and Witches OH MY!

For the past five years Chad and I have managed to get out of dressing up for Halloween.

This year our kids have asked and asked and asked "what are you going to be mom, what are you going to be dad?" So we decided to give it a go and dress up.

We went with the mini me theme.

Fall Rituals

Yeah, fall is here which means back to school and Emily chairing the Harvest Carnival

Talking about what costume the kids will be wearing. So far Owen has changed his mind 19 times.

Caramel Apples, need I say more.

Pumpkin Patching and selecting the right pumpkin.

Hot cocoa and mini candy bars.

Displaying the cute little wooden pumpkins my best friend Angela made.

Long sleeve shirts and cute tights under Alyssa's dresses and skirts.

Turning the heat up to 70 degrees.

Leaves changing.

Homework at night.

Traveling for work...Chad gets to go with me to New Orleans this weekend. We are so excited.

Oh how we love the fall.