Happy Halloween!

We had an awesome Halloween! We had the company of Darth Vader, Buzz Lightyear and an 80's rocker. Here are a couple pics!

Things I've learned.......

As our two years here comes to an end- I've been reflecting on the past 24 months. Things I've learned, things I didn't see coming and things I want to change. I have met some amazing people here in WV- some that have changed my life for the better. I've also had relationships come to an end. I honestly believe that every single relationship we have is to teach us a lesson about ourselves. So here are a few things I've deduced.

1)NEVER, under any circumstances try to "recreate" something out of your past. There is a reason life went on.
2)LET GO. Of all the resentment and misgivings of the past. Move forward always.
3)NEVER live more than 20 minutes from base.
4)EVALUATE schools before moving.
5)Keep evolving. When you stay the same person for too long you become stale.
6)READ the Bible. There are great lessons that can keep you from making mistakes.
7)FIND a teen Mom and spread acceptance.
8)How you deal with things define your character.
9)SAY "I'm in my 20's for AS long as possible." It makes for laughter.
10)CHERISH the friends I've made- no matter how far I am away. Many times recently I've gotten EXACTLY the right words from some of my most long-distance best friends. I only have a handful, and I keep them close.
11)TOMORROW is a new day. Just get through the climb of this one.
12) I don't need so much STUFF. It clutters my house and my mind. SIMPLIFY.
13)CONTINUE to listen to loud music with my kids.
14)Be open-minded and NEVER judge-It's the right thing to do.
15) When you don't know what to say, just smile.

Labor Day weekend

This past weekend was Labor Day, so I searched for some fun and inexpensive things to do in the area. First up was Cacapon State Park. It is BEAUTIFUL...and this is the perfect time of year to head to the park. It was warm, so we went to the beach and made a sandcastle.











Next up was the Air Show which was fantastic. The boys are HUGE into jets right now and they LOVED the fly-overs. It was a great day!






And the last but not least spectacular event of Family Fun Weekend was *drumroll*.......HOMEMADE cinnamon rolls. Yep. Gooey amazingness. Can you smell 'em?

Reunion

For my entire life and then some, my Mother's side of the family has had an annual reunion. It's every summer and although the locations have changed, the 3-4 day long event always promises the same- fun family time. Last summer was the first reunion I had attended with Mark and the kids...and after that, we promised to be back. You see, we could spend the money to take the kids to Disney, which I'm sure would filled with great times...but there is just something about pure family time. No cells, laptops or TV. Just a lake and TONS of family is all we need. We have a talent show- and this year Adelle got into a "dance-off" with my cousin! It was a riot!
The kids had a blast with all the cousins, and it brings back memories of when I was little, sippin' on soda dangling my feet in the lake with my cousins.
(Sorry about picture overload...there were just too many cute ones!)


2009, the 30th Short Family Reunion








2010, the 31st Short Family Reunion

Fewer and fewer

my blog posts have become. Summer is a busy time for us, and although we have been home from vacation for 2 weeks now, I'm still drained. I am slowly catching up to my pre-KS routine. We "vacation" to KS (did I really just write that?!?) every summer for at least a month. The kids enjoy spending time with the family, and we just relax. We had many happenings this summer which include birthday parties, ice cream dates with cousins, movies, 4th of July, Cole's first B-day, boating, cliff jumping, tea parties, Mexican Train, surfing, pool time, river walking, and bike riding. Mark and I also had an overnight trip to KC kid-free which was so much fun! We had a fabulous time and can't wait to go home for Christmas!
The latest picturoos~

MIA

Wow, it's been awhile since I was on Blogger. My life has consumed me! May is our busiest month hands down. Since my last post, we had Adelle's First Communion, family here, Ethan's birthday, end of school, potty training Max (successfully), MOPS wrap up...I could go on and on. My last few weeks have been filled to the brim with things to do. As the middle of June approaches, we are finally slooooowing down a bit. My mother is here on Tuesday, and then the kiddos and I are headed to KS for a month. Everyone is happy and healthy, and I can't complain. I'm looking forward to some long days in the KS summer sun. Here are the latest pics....enjoy!


Uncle Danny and the kiddos




My chunky monkey nephew Cole



Adelle's big day



Ethan is 6!

Carnival

Saturday we went to School Carnival. We enjoyed watching the kids partake in pony rides, face painting, jumping on inflatables, dancing and hula-hooping. Afterwards, we took the kids to our new favorite place for some Italian ice. Fun family day!

~I love my Mom because~

She inspires me
She always wants what is best for me
She knows how to put me in my place
She loves my kids more than anything
She endures
She pushes me
She gives me great advice
She has never scared me
She laughs
She cleans
She makes fun of me
She is thoughtful
She steals my purses
She lets me steal hers too
She is faithful
She still does my laundry
She isn't scared to tell me like it is
She is sincere
She laughs when I have to give blood
She reads
She is my best friend
She gives me the best "Mom" hugs
She teaches
She is kind to people
She taught me so much, and still does
She has put up with me
She teaches Mark how to put up with me
She has dealt with all the curveballs I've thrown at her with grace
She still lets me polish her toenails and cut her hair
She loves her Mother
She loves her Mother-In-Law
She taught me what love is

Bye-Bye Stroller, Hello Bikes!

Dear Stroller,
We have had a great relationship. You have been there for me in times of need and distress. You have been strong enough to hold my purse, diaper bag, smallest child, and usually a jacket or two. Your straps have been a saving grace to hold down the kicking and screaming 2 yr old. You have had juice spilt on you, crackers crumbled into your fabric, and never said a word. You have traveled through many states, amusement parks, zoos, malls, State fairs, and MANY walks with us. Thanks for your unconditional support. It's been real, but the time has come to let you go.
Your grateful friend.

This will be the first stroller-free Spring, and I have to tell you- Mark and I are so excited to move into the phase where we can go biking! The kids are LOVING this time together. We took off Ethan's training wheels, and he needed no help at ALL! We are headed to Western MD rail trail tomorrow to go for a long family ride!

Snapshots

Happiness....

I'm happy.

I mean really, really happy. And the funny thing is I have NO reason to be...Mark is leaving for the "sand box" Tuesday, my BABY Max is turning the big 3 on Monday, it's that time of the month (sorry Dad), the weather is cold, Mark just bought a truck we can't afford, my house is dirty and I'm having company in 2 hours....the list goes on and on.
But I'm happy. It's good to be happy when all things in your life are spiraling out of control. Right? Or, on second thought, that may be the definition of delusional.



Hmmmmmmmm.

Oh well! Have a HAPPY day!

My "happies"

Stolen from my dear friend Terri...things that make me happy in no particular order:

Answered prayers
My kids belly laughs
Warm summer days
Sprinkler playing
Christmas cookie making
Inside jokes with Mark
My Moms hugs
My Dads hand-holding in church
My cutie butt nephew Mr. Cole
Memories that make me smile
Clean kitchens
Dave Matthews concerts
cutting hair
bleached fresh towels
Guitar playing
traditions
happy tears
Adelle's pink toenails
Target clearance
watching Max dance
how Ethan is truly "Mark Junior"
listening to "Ave Maria" at Christmastime
watching how far Mark has come
shoe shopping
scrap booking
blogging
news-watching
My parents garage
MOPS
moving past the "baby" phase
calla lilies
the smell of IKEA
car washes
old friends
great books
exactly where I am in life.....