Halloween Parade

Laney's preschool had their halloween parade today and it was so much fun watching all these little people dressed up parading around. Half the kids were actually walking and the other half were wandering around. It was cute! Check out my little lady bug!

Quirks

Have you ever noticed that you have quirks or pet peeves or stuff that bothers you or stuff that you HAVE to do or the world will end? I have noticed that I have many but three stick out very loudly!

1. I dislike PA drivers (can't yield, drive in the left lane 10 mph below the speed limit and drive with their turn signals on for miles)

2. I wear my shoes in my house all day long...why do I do that when I love to be barefoot? I'm weird!

3. Every night before I go to bed I HAVE to put on a new pair of underwear! Even if I showered at 2 in the afternoon! I can't sleep in underwear that I have worn all day long!

Those are my top 3 what are yours?

The Little Things

It's amazing what a bag full of hats, scarves and gloves can do to my kids! They played for an hour and a half with them!

Harley

My parents decided to go on vacation to Florida for the week and have entrusted their 5th child to a sitter! They actually have a man staying at their house to watch him, feed him and play with him. This man works during the day so they have rallied us kids to come over during the day to play and love on him.

You see he is smart and knows that mommy & daddy are away and gets very sad and lonely. He is used to spending everyday all day with his daddy. So being the spoiled child that he is, he requires much attention! I had the privilege of spending 2 hours with him today, and he was so excited to see me that he knocked me over and jumped on me. He loves giving kisses and he gave me all he had!

Here are some pictures of him calm...that only lasted 2 minutes! Meet Harley, the 100 pound American Bulldog.

Kitchen remodel

Back in January my hubby knocked down the wall that separated the kitchen from the living/dining room. He added an island with a bar counter top, new counter tops, and back splash.

Sorry that there are no before pics....our computer crashed and we lost those pictures. Let me describe it to you. green laminate counter tops, white laminate back splash, and a big tan wall.

I am my hubby's biggest fan, I love his work even though it took him 8 months to complete it!!!

My awesome find

My hubby has been asking for leather couches since we bought our house 6 years ago but we just never had it in our budget. Every once in awhile I would look at different furniture stores in their clearance section but nothing was ever "that on sale" that we could afford.

A few weeks ago I found a leather sofa and love seat on Craigslist for $400 and I emailed the seller inquiring about them. I didn't hear back so I assumed they were sold. Well two days ago she emailed me back and told us they still had the set. I sent hubby over to look at them since they were for him and he loved them! He did admit to me that he was a little unsure at first because of how cheap they were but then he saw them he bought them right away!

The story behind them...two people fall in love, get married, have a hard time, get unmarried, meet new people, new woman doesn't want couch from old relationship, old couches get new home with Klingers for $350!!!!!

The ones we sold were olive green and they were free and great couches but losing support and the wood frame was starting to pop out through the material. They got a new home with a couple who just purchased their first home.

So here is our transformation of couches!

My Girl

I have to tell you that raising a strong, independent, outgoing, leader of a 4 year old has not been easy! And yes at times it's been quite difficult and not fun. BUT there are times when I see the light at the end of the tunnel and for a small brief minute I see breakthrough. I only kid...we have our good days too. They aren't all bad!!!

Some of my favorite times are when she looks up at me with lips puckered and says, "give me some love mommy." Or when I don't hear her and I go to investigate and find her lost in the land of make believe playing with her animals. Listening to her makes me realize just how much they pick up from your words spoken to them. She looks at her bunny and says, "what did mommy tell you about your attitude? Do you want to go to your room to change it or can it be changed now?" I just have to laugh at the way she says it....almost exactly like me!

My fondest times are when she has to tell me a secret and pulls me close to her and whispers "mommy I love you so much" I mean that just melts me to the core! Or when she asks me a million questions in the 5 minute car ride to the store. Her little mind at work trying to figure things out and wanting to learn how things work and why makes my day very interesting!

I love my girl and wouldn't change her one bit...I just hope I can raise her to be the great woman of God she is destined to be!

well, I can't be right all the time!

I used to think that sending a two year old to preschool was more for the parent's benefit than the child's. I say "used to" because I have changed my mind. Although I do enjoy the break from my toddler...he has benefited from it more than I have. He talks so much more and I can actually understand him. Before it was like he was speaking in tongues, almost like he received his prayer language before learning English.

He pooped on the potty within 2 weeks of going to school, he made friends and talks about them and loves going to school and leaving his mama...for a few hours. He runs over to his Diego book bag and screams with excitement...which melts my heart.

I have seen him change and become more social than ever before, although we are still working on the hitting and hording of toys! He loves to sit down with his little lunch box and lay all his food out and eat the good stuff first, leaving dessert for last.

I have to be honest and tell you that I have had to sacrifice a lot to send him but I am realizing that it is so worth it!!!

Flame of Change

Two years ago God began stirring my heart for a change. I had no idea what kind of change it would be or how exactly it would look like. I still to this day have no idea. I just know that I felt it was going to be a big change.

Over the last two years I have questioned whether or not I heard correctly from the Lord. I would have times of great faith and then I would wavier in doubt and disbelieve. Just when I began to give up hope, a couple visiting our church spoke a word over Dan and I and sparked the flame of change again!

I won't go into detail now but the word was dead on what God had spoken to me two years prior. God had confirmed to me that He was still there and had not forgotten what He spoke. The only thing my little mind can think of is that this change will be so big that we needed two years to prepare for it.

My heart has begun stirring again and so much lately that I am aching for a change. I am no longer content with where I am and need God to move mightily. I know He will in His timing but until He does, I am holding on to the words spoken over me!

I'm Back

Ok so taking 4 months off to adjust to life with 3 kids 4 and under...I'm back. And I decided to come back with a fluff post and then hit you with some hard stuff later. Amongst my friends I am known for fluff...I have perfected fluff.

Enough about fluff!!! I have an amazing friend who can do anything...and I mean ANYTHING! She is one of "those" people that picks up a hobby and masters it within minutes and does it with excellence. I admire here and look up to her. I did not know what I was getting myself into when God brought us together as friends but I truly could not live without her now!

So I tell you all this because she picked up a camera one day and mastered it the next! She has blessed me with family pictures and I will share with you her talent! Check her out...http://www.tiffanyruda.com