Getting Ready for Christmas

We have been getting into the Christmas spirit around here with our crackling fires, roasting marshmallows, gingerbread houses, and cookies. Madeline had just finished tanning that's why she was in her swimsuit while making cookies. Just kidding, no really she came out na*Ed and wanted to put it on. I think she wanted to check to see if she had packed on the pounds yet with all the baking we have been doing. No worries, it still fits. Lucky!!! She went to an indoor swim party the other week and has since been obsessed with wanting to go swimming and to the beach.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Marathon

Lance ran his first marathon this past Saturday in Memphis. He ran 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 49 minutes. His goal was under 4 hours, so he was pretty pleased. Earlier in the week he was concerned that he might not even finish because he has developed a little bit of tendinitis in his Achilles heal. At mile 9 he started to hurt then stopped to stretch, then he slowed his pace down some. I got to see him at mile 4, 7, and 22. A good friend's sister lives right on the race route, so I was able to stay warm in her house in between. Thankfully everything worked out for Lance to finish. I am so proud of him. Unfortunately, Lance's mom (who was keeping Madeline for us) ended up in the hospital Friday night due to a pretty terrible nose bleed. So we headed straight to T-town to see her and pick up M. If you all could pray for her we would appreciate it. Its been over a year that she has been doing some form of chemo and its just taken its toll. My mom is doing better, thanks to everyone who prayed. They are still working out medication and do not know why she threw clots, but things are looking better.

We listened to most of THE GAME on the radio on the ride back, but it was still great. ROLL TIDE!!!!

My Friends

These are my sweet friends from church (minus a couple who had sick kiddos). These women have been some of the closest friendships I have had in my life. Its been a blessing to walk along side them through struggles and joys and to see how God is writing their stories to make them more like his son Jesus. They have been the hands and feet of Jesus to me many times, and a constant source of encouragement. Two of them moved this past month which is a huge loss for me personally. I will miss you Kate and Lory!

Mom Update

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. Mom is doing okay. She is still in the hospital. It was also determined that she had some pneumonia and has been on antibiotics for that as well as the blood thinners. Friday was frustrating as the doctor was not the best and my mom and dad had to put up a bit of a fuss to get better care. They did determine that there were not any clots in her legs, just the 2 in her lungs (though the legs would have been preferable to the lungs). The update is that she will hopefully be released tomorrow, and will have to give herself shots of the blood thinners. Your continued prayers would be appreciated. She will now have to be on blood thinners for the rest of her life and they still do not understand where these clots came from or why she began to throw them. Thanks again friends (and blog stalkers).

My Mom

Could you all please pray for my mom, Carol? She just called to say that she
is being admitted to the hospital in Cincinnati. They did a cat scan
this morning and found a blood clot in both lungs and both legs. She
is on blood thinners, and expects to be there until Monday or Tuesday,
but that's about all I know at the moment. Surprisingly she is totally
calm. Said what could she do, she's in the Lord's hands. I on the
other hand am pretty upset. Most of you know I'm kind of crazy when it
comes to blood clots. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Fall Festival

Madeline went as a "Tinker Bell, Fairy Princess, fairy godmother" (all things she told people throughout the evening she was dressed as). She will tap you with her wand and say "I turned you into a princess." And that is all her wand turns people in to. I can't believe that all of my friends and I can't remember to get our kids together for a picture each year. We all have cameras, but it is rather chaotic. Oh well, maybe next year. The only friend pic I have is my friend Meredy and her son Walker Bocker (as we call him) who M is BFF with. There was home spun cotton candy, which was the highlight for me personally. This was Madeline's first time getting back on the horse so to speak since May when she fractured her collar bone in a jumping castle. She did tell me prior that day that "I'm afraid to jump. I don't want to break my collar bone." Though all fears were gone upon arrival. She headed strait for it and didn't want to leave. She was sad at the end when they were breaking it down. She goes, "Oh no! They popped it!" Couldn't persuade her to do the pony ride though. Maybe next year. Also, M will randomly say from time to time, "I'm excited about going trick-or-treating!"
Man, I am the queen of the parentheses.

***New posts below***

Pumpkin Patch-Year 2

We got to go to our favorite pumpkin patch 2 weekends ago. It was the first nice day in a long time, so I knew we needed to be there as close to opening as possible. I am so glad that we went on the hay ride to the pumpkin patch first thing. We walked right on and there were not too many people out there yet. But the patch was pretty picked over already and when we got back, there were at least 200+ people standing in line to go. Not sure of the order of these pictures but they are pretty self explanatory except the one of M in the car. She was eating freshly popped kettle corn on the ride home (one of the main reasons I like to go this patch!). As soon as she finished her cup, she fell asleep with it still in hand.

***Another new post below***

Birthday Celebrations with M

A little late, but I'm trying people. We have lots of cake/cupcakes during the month of October. And we got my cake early, that's why its almost gone. Hey, we were going out of town, it would have been gross by the time we got back, so we started early (and shared a few pieces along the way with friends).

SF/Napa pictures

Here's the link to our SF/Napa pictures. It was a great trip! While we were gone my parents came down to keep Madeline...in addition to keeping our daughter, they did a million things around our house. Lance's mom also came up to help pitch in on some yard work. Our parents are an incredible help to us. Thank you guys again.

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want To

So I'm finally in "the club." I have not been looking forward to this birthday, goofy I know. My 30's will be great I am sure, I just never really thought of myself as 30 or 30 something. Anyways, the celebrations began last Friday night while my sister was in town. A few friends had a little surprise party for me and Lance surprised me with my real gift. We leave this Saturday for San Fransisco and Napa! I know, I have the best husband in the world. Then, just when I think it can't get any better, this morning he gave me another present. A beautiful book with all the pictures I had taken of M back in May at the botanical gardens. I had lunch today with some of my girls (3 had already left by the time I remembered I wanted a picture). Now I just need to finish cleaning, packing and getting things ready for my wonderful parents who arrive tomorrow to keep M for us. Lance also extended the trip though his birthday (Oct. 6), so let me just say happy birthday to my wonderful husband who I cannot wait to toast with a bottle of wine on his day (only 29 this year for him). Thanks for making today so special and for all your hard work!

For Mom and Dad

Best Things We Have Ever Bought

According to me of course. Lance would probably say his Garmin watch, but these have changed my life! We sold our old washer/dryer with our condo so we " had to" buy new ones. I highly recommend the pedal stools. I would otherwise be on my knees doing laundry on a concrete floor. Also, for all my blogging friends that like to tell about the great deals they get shopping, let me just brag for a moment about my latest trip. Some of you know about the REAL Gap Outlet store they have in Cincy. Its all Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and a couple of other brands that Gap owns. Well, they send all the left overs, damaged, irregular, stuff to this place. Its a huge warehouse where nothing (except shoes and coats) is over $20. People, all jeans are no more than $12.99!!!! You have to search through racks though, and try on. I put back more usually than I get. It has men's, woman's, kids, babies, maturity, shoes and a lot of coats. So I happened to frequent here on my last trip and I got:
1. a pair corduroys
2. a cardigan sweater
3. 4 shirts (2 gap, 1 BR, and 1 Old navy)
4. a belt

How much you ask? My bill came to $41.53!!!!! I got Madeline a jacket, 5 shirts, 5 pants, and a pair of real crocks ($10) all for $60. I love Bama, but some things are still just better in Cincy.

Tree Cutting and Wood Splitting

Before-You can see by the shade that we had a complete canopy from our front yard
After-there is at least now a break in the middle of the yard. Hopefully we will have grass by next summer
Just one of the 5 trees was usable for firewood. One was a dead pine, 3 were sweet gums, and this was a giant red oak. All other trees in our yard at 50-100 feet high and leaning towards the house. We'll have to have them professionally done.
This used to be a pretty bush before we had to bring one of the trees down in it.
Our friend Stephan totally decked out to wield a chainsaw for 3 hours and cut down and chop up 5 trees in our yard. 5 down, 10 to go.
Timber!
Stephan is amazing. He works with Lance as a full time actuary. He and his wife have a cattle farm just south of town, and he has a full workshop for woodworking (as his other hobby.) Oh and he just happens to have all the gear and knowledge for cutting down trees from growing up in Canada where they only had a wood burning stove to heat the house.