Some Things We Never Outgrow

Today would have been my Papa's birthday. He was such a great Christian man and an amazing grandpa that went to every softball and basketball game I ever played. He was funny, charming and believed in doing the right thing. Papa was truly thankful for every day he had on this earth.

There are so many things I remember vividly about him...one of my favorite things was his smile - he would always get a big goofy grin on his face when he was trying to make us laugh. His favorite color was red and he quite often sported a red blazer to church. He made a mean peanut brittle. He loved to watch wresting. He always smelled a bit like Vapo Rub, and he loved his grandchildren.

I miss him a little bit every day - we were very close and losing him had a huge impact on my life. It's strange that the biggest life lesson he taught me was during his last days. I was in Junior High and I remember being at my grandparents house visiting Papa when he was in his Hospice bed. After we talked with Meme and Papa for a while, I told my mom we needed to get going because I was in a hurry to get to some unimportant teenage event. Little did I know that was the last time I'd see him. The last time I'd smell that VapoRub and the last time I'd feel his frail arms around my neck.

I always feel sad about that day - being so rushed - but Papa taught me so many great things in life, I know he wouldn't want me to dwell in regret. And at least I was THERE that day, with him, not anywhere else. I got to see him that one last time. More than anything, I wish he could have met Josh and played baseball with Grayson. They would have LOVED him!

They say grandgathers are someone we never outgrow our need for, and that is so incredibly true, but I know my Papa is always watching over me - and smiling that big silly grin as he watches us grow.

I've Been Smiling for a YEAR

Josh and I celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY on November 1st!

I know people say the first year is the hardest, but this has quite honestly been the best year of my life - and I have my fantastic husband to thank!

It does NOT seem like a year ago...

Here are a few things I've learned during our first year of marriage:

• There's something very comforting about leaning over 2 big dogs to kiss your husband goodnight


• Men will never understand why we hang dry certain pairs of jeans


• Most arguments will seem really funny tomorrow


• However, if you are losing an argument...CRY! Works every time :-)


• Sometimes it's OK to pretend you don't hear the dogs wanting out in the middle of the night, he'll get up eventually (sorry, honey - but I know you do it, too!)


• There is no greater feeling than watching your husband play with kids and imagining what an amazing daddy he'll be one day

Josh - it is such a privilege to wake up next to you every morning and come home to you every night. You put up with my constant singing & dancing, sit next to me through every celebrity entertainment show on television, and you're not afraid to set me straight when I veer off course. Thank you for making sure you kiss me every time you come home, and every night before we go to sleep. Thank you for talking to me like I'm your best friend, not just your wife. You are smart, handsome, hilarious and caring. Thank you for being a good man, standing up for what you believe in, for putting family first, and for giving me a great life. You truly are my sunshine :-)

We celebrated our anniversary with a nice romantic picnic at Devil's Den and walked around and enjoyed the fall leaves, then had dinner at Pesto and went home and ate the top tier of our wedding cake. I was actually impressed at how good it tasted after being frozen for a year!!! It was a perfect day!

A Little Perspective

I feel that I have to write about the tragic events yesterday. It makes my heart ache, makes me sick to my stomach and makes me so angry.

Maybe it's because I know what these soldiers sacrifice in order to protect us....maybe it's because I know what it's like to send your Daddy away to fight for families, friends, and people they've never even met. I know what it's like to surrender your Daddy to your country. And I know how proud we feel as military families.

Or maybe it's because I remember how excited I was the day my dad came home from Iraq. We spent the entire week before his return hanging yellow ribbons, making "Welcome Home Daddy" signs and preparing to welcome him back. I remember as the soldiers filed into the room, lined up, still standing at attention, and I was on the tips of my toes trying to find my dad admidst the sea of camouflage. I remember running to him and jumping into his arms.

I can't imagine the devastation these families felt when their loved ones were within reach, returning from 15 months in a war zone, and they were taken from them in an instant. Or the families that had prepared themselves to send their heroes into the line of fire, but they never made it off base.

As you go about your daily life, please try to take a moment and remember why we are allowed the freedoms we have. Say a prayer for our military, both home and abroad. Donate blood. Put out your flag. Next time you see a soldier in uniform, simply say "thank you." Be proud of them. Whether or not you agree with the war, soldiers are there and they are fighting. For you. Every day.

Hooooowl O Ween

Halloween was such a blast this year! On Friday, my sister and I took Grayson trick-or-treating on the square, and stopped by Jesse & Josh's office (they work in the same building)...

Friday night, our neighbors had a Halloween party and Josh and I were SOOO excited to dress up as...

Dog & Beth Chapman

"DOG" the Bounty Hunter
(Josh was devestated that I did this to his dog)

Illegal Alien & Carrie

We had a really great time, and the best part was we just had to walk across the street! And apparently I was having too much fun to take many pictures!

SATURDAY night, we went to our friends house and went trick-or-treating with about 15 of our friend's kiddos!

Holden & Grayson enjoying their candy!

Drinkin' & Trick or Treatin'

I guess pushing the stroller was tiring,
so Josh needed a cold beverage

Mary, Me, Leanne & Holden

We're Having a Girl???

HA HA!! I found this website called http://www.morphthing.com/ where you can morph 2 pictures together and see what your child will look like...so here's how our little one turned out...

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? I knew we were gonna have a girl :-)

I wanted to test the "morphing accuracy" of the site, so I morphed my sister and brother-in-law to see if it looks anything like my newphew...

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? Shadowy child ?

I prefer their sweet little blue eyed boy...

Everything's Good, Nobody's Happy

I saw this YouTube video today and it's hilarious! It gets funnier the longer you watch it...It really puts all our complaining in perspective!

CLICK BELOW to WATCH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXStPqhLmIk&feature=related

Where My Crazies Are

My friend Emily recently posted a blog project she found about HOME, and it really struck a cord with me. She wrote all about HOME and what it means to her. I realized home has very different meanings for everyone. I immediately think of 2 places, my home with Josh and my parent's home.

For Me home is...the way my husband’s beard tickles my face. My Nanny braiding my hair. Week long birthday celebrations. Big cups of coffee. Where I dance. The smell of my dad’s cherry pipe tobacco. The leaves changing in fall. The place I will raise my children one day. Wearing comfortable clothes. Waking up next to him. Where I can sing as loud as I want. Big holiday dinner tables packed with family. Dogs taking over the bed. Walking through the door after a long day and being greeted a kiss. Where I can act like a child. Long talks on the back deck. The sound of football games roaring through the house. The smell of Josh's cologne. Home is where my family is.

Here are some of my favorite phrases from the blog project...

What does HOME mean to you?