Thankful

Yes, I am behind on my posts and I know everyone is anxious to see pictures of the 4 cousins together again.  They were quite cute, tons of fun and work.... but among the caos I LOVED every minute.

Thankful.  I have had that subject on my brain for weeks.  I have so much to be thankful for it was hard picking just one thing, so I picked more than one.  (They are not in any order!)

First, I am thankful that everyone in my family is healthy and happy.  That is a HUGE blessing in itself.

Second, based on the past year, I am very thankful for my talented, well educated, witty, and loving husband.  As my grandmother would say, "We made lemonade out of lemons."  Yes, we had to leave our Virginia home and start a new adventure in Milwaukee, but I am eternally grateful for our family being together, a roof over our heads, and a great future.  David, I am really proud of you and of us.   

Third, I am thankful for Kohl's!  They hired David, moved us to Milwaukee and offered us an amazing opportunity!  They are not only a great place to shop, but a great place to work too!

Fourth, I am thankful for the opportunity to step on matchbox cars and plastic dinosaurs, treasure maccaroni & bead necklaces like diamonds, masterpiece marker drawings adorning my fridge,  lots of "i love you mamas" and hugs from little arms, independant minds, swings flying in the sky.... way up so high, scooter races in the driveway, caotic morning routines, and 2 sweet little children of my very own.  Kate and Stephen, everyday you fill my life with joy, laughter, passion, and love and for that I am ETERNALLY THANKFUL.

I love you all and I wish you nothing but blessing this Thanksgiving!

Together Again

This is how we found them, sound asleep holding hands...

(Of course prior to this moment was lots of giggling, sillies, and wiggling.)  

Post Halloween

This is how my kids have dressed the entire week.  I wonder if they will be wearing the same hats at Christmas?

Happy Halloween

I am happy to report that our first Halloween in Wisconsin was without snow.  It was sunny, a little brisk and thank goodness, NO RAIN.  Normally you would hear my speech to my children on how rain is good for Our Mother Earth, but we have seen too much rain.  Instead of beautiful autumn October days, we had lots and lots of rain.  According to natives, October is the last beautiful month in Wisconsin before the snow and bitter cold descends.

At 5 sharp, all the little trick-or-treaters decended upon our neighborhood.  At our house, we had Hannah Montanna, a witch, and a green dinosaur.  Also known as Peyton, Kate, and Stephen.

The kids had a blast, running from house to house and Stephen did his best to keep up with the girls.  I love tha Kate's feet were not even touching the ground in this photo.  At one point Stephen sat down on the ground and proclaimed, "I can't walk."  We did have the wagon, it was full of coats and warm beverages.  As you will notice, the kids did not have on coats, but they were very layered underneath.  (Stephen had 5 layers under his costume, he even looks puffy.)

Kate's costume is very special.... It was the same witch costume I wore when I was her age.  Mom made it for me and I remember wearing it on a few Halloween nights.  I think the last time I wore it was in middle school and I wore it with jeans.  We did add a few new items, a pointy hat care of Madeline Grace, the black & white striped shirt, polka dot tights, and her favorite.... clicketty-clack-shoes.  She really loves the costume and has continued to dress up post Halloween.  She even worn the pointy hat to the grocery store and the park.  She proclaimed that she plans on being a witch next year too.  I love that she loves that costume...  How can she be scary when she looks that cute!

  

The Good Samaritan

I lost my phone the other day.  The last place I remember having it was when I was bucking Stephen into his carseat.  We were on our way to pick up Kate from school.  I got to Kate's school, no phone.  I got home, no phone.  I searched all over the house, even the kids got involved, no phone.  I searched my car with a flashlight, no phone.  We then took a walk around the neighborhood, no phone.

I felt so stupid... who looses their phone!

I love my husband, he can make me feel better in an instant.  I told him when he got home how stupid I felt for loosing my phone and he said, "Erin, why do you feel stupid, people loose their kids, you lost a cell phone."  Yes, child vs. cell phone, no comparison.

Later that evening, I see MY cell phone come up on the caller id.  A nice man is on the phone telling me how he found a cell phone on his bike ride today.  (About 2 miles from our house.)  He found "home" on my phone and called the number.  Yay, a good samaritan!  David went and picked up my phone, it is a little battered considering I think I left it on top of my car while buckling in Stephen.

Scratches and all, I am SO glad to have my phone back.  And, yes it works great!