Too Much On My Plate...

I think the title says it all! Today, I feel as though there is too much on my plate. I am staying optimistic though...I AM going to accomplish everything I need to get done! I know all of the items my plate holds right now are important...so I can't let any of them fall. It will take a few late nights, early mornings, hard work, patience...but I WILL get it ALL done!

In the mean time...here are some of my shining faces that keep me going!

Conflicted

Today is the 6th anniversary of my Dad's passing. 6 years...Really?! It's been 6 years since I've heard my Dad's boisterous laugh, his electric smile, how his eyes danced when he was being onery, the way he used to "joke" until the "joke" just wasn't funny anymore, and of course his wonderful hugs! I miss my Dad. My heart hurts today for him.

I have been reading "Heaven is For Real"...and am so conflicted on my thoughts & feelings towards this day in particular. I have such hatred for April 4th it's hard to put it into words. I HATE that my Dad was taken from me at 28 years old...on April 4th, 2005! I feel so selfish with my thoughts of what he's missing in my life. He never got to meet my wonderful boys. He's not here to see what we have become. That if I live past 56 years old he wouldn't have even gotten to witness half of my life! It makes me so sad to think about. This book sheds a different light on things for me though. With all of the references to Heaven & how absolutely wonderful it is...how can I still feel like this?! This was the day my Dad became healthy & pain-free again! This was the day my Dad got to experience everything he lived his life for! My Dad is in H.E.A.V.E.N.! How can I be so bitter when I know he is in such a marvelous place?! This book has done wonders for me spiritually - I feel like in some ways it's enabling me to reconnect with the very foundation my parents tought me for as long as I can remember...and I think that makes my Dad happy! Maybe he helped to guide me to this book...I felt so drawn to read it (which doesn't happen often). (I recommend this book to anyone...religious/non-religious those who have loved ones already in Heaven or not.) It is such a blessing to catch a glimpse in the glorious place my Dad now resides.

As I close...there are 2 things I know for sure at this moment & they are...
1. My Dad must have extraordinary Angel wings!
2. I can't wait to see him again one day!

A New Look...A New Beginning

I will be SHOCKED if anyone even reads this post to see that I'm going to start the blog back up again! As you can see, I'm working on a new layout & updating all of the pictures on here is next on the list!

I feel like there's just so much going on with our family these days...I want to write it all down before I forget something! I can't believe the last time I posted was almost a year and a half ago! The time has been moving at record pace & my next entry will include a laundry list of events that have occured over the past year and a half! If I can make it all fit & remember them all - Ha!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday to the most fantastic husband and father we could ask for! We are so blessed to have you in our lives and have the opportunity to celebrate your special day with you!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Halloween!

As you will see we had such a great time tonight with our Halloween festivities! We had a few friends over for some fun and then took the kiddos out Trick-or-Treating. This year the boys went as Backyardigans...Andrew went as Tyrone and Landon as Pablo. Andrew had a ball Trick-or-Treating, and was fearless this year. Landon on the other hand, was slow to warm up to the idea...but then had some fun with it too...as long as Mom was close by. Here are a few peeks...and if you want to see more go here.

Our Pumpkins - Beak 'Em Hawk & Pablo

Our Group




The Boys

Having Too Much Fun!

We have been having so much fun around here lately and I don't know how to keep up with everything! I have lots more pictures to update now...and am still trying to catch up with the old ones! Oh well, I love pictures...everything about them...so I pay the price when it comes to keeping up with my updating.

Here is a quick run down of what we've been up to lately...

Andrew is having a blast at school and comes home with the best stories everyday. He is learning a lot, loves his teachers, and is making friends with all of the other kids in his class. There is a definite gender division amongst the class and I got to witness this myself at our first monthly class social. We had a lot of fun, and it was a pleasure for me to meet some of the other Moms and some of Andrew's new friends in class.

Landon is changing daily. I think he adds at least 2 or 3 words a day to his vocabulary. He is an amazing little man. Overall, he is quite a happy little guy...and his smile lights up the room! Watch out though...his temper packs a punch...and you don't want to be in the way of it. You never know what might light his fuse...so he keeps you on your toes.

Cory & I had a night out last week, and went to see U2 in concert. It was held at the new Cowboy's Stadium and they really put on a great show. I didn't really know what to expect, but I came away a bigger fan which is always a good sign. The Cowboy's Stadium blew me away...although the navigation was a bit frustrating at times.

Cory had a major boys day out at the Texas vs. Oklahoma game on Saturday. It's a yearly tradition now for them to head down to the State Fair and make a day of it. I do have to say that Cory DOES proudly wear his KU colors to the game...he has to represent if he's going to go to a TX/OU game. From what I hear, they had a blast...and they can't wait until next year.

We went to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday. We had lots of fun petting and feeding goats, cows, and sheep. We got to ride a big hay ride and a little kiddie ride. Of course, we picked out some pumpkins to bring home too. It was a great afternoon out with the family...not to mention that we were eager to spend some time outside in the sun since it's been in hiding for 2 weeks down here!

Today, I took the boys to the "Big Park". Andrew's been begging for weeks to go...but due to the weather I always had to say no. We all had so much fun. Landon is fearless and will climb anywhere and try anything...which scared me one to many times today. It is fun to see him try to keep up with Andrew and the bigger kids...and I know soon he will be. Andrew couldn't be more social. He can make a friend at the drop of a hat, and has no problem going up and introducing himself (and the rest of the family) and getting to know the other kiddos. It's nice to watch the boys develop and become such well rounded individuals.

Well, it's getting late and if I hope to accomplish some of that updating I keep talking about I better call it a night. Keep checking back to Flickr...that's where the pictures are posted to.

Until next time...

Happy Anniversary!

Dear Cory -

Today is our 7th Anniversary and I couldn't be happier sharing my life with you. You are my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, and my rock. We have created so many wonderful memories together over the years...and whether we are glancing at each other from across the room to share an inside joke, finishing each others sentences, or sharing a quiet walk on the beach when no other words are necessary, I continue to realize that you are the love of my life. I don't know where I would be without you and I couldn't imagine having anyone else by my side. Seven years ago today was OUR special day...a day I will treasure forever...but seven years later I still want a piece of that cake! ;)

You are my everything and I know it will always be "Me & You"!
Love You Forever!
H