Tidbits

I'm super sleepy today, so I don't feel like I'm going to make much sense if I try to make a huge blog post! I just had a few tidbits to share! :) 

We had a wonderful weekend! We got some good family time in and then spent an evening with some friends on Saturday night. It was so much fun! Sunday we had more friends and Derek's family over for some meatloaf cupcakes and homemade macaroni and cheese! It was SO good! 

Yesterday I had a lazy day so today I'm trying to get lots of things done! I feel like things are suddenly extremely busy, even though I don't think they are! I've got to plan Thomas' birthday that's coming up in a couple of weeks, so that has me pretty distracted! 

My 2-year old class did so good today! I'm really getting excited about how much they are learning and interacting. The first week was pretty tiring for me, but now that everyone is getting used to school they seem to be loving it! I'm going to attempt to make some finger paints for Thursday. I think everyone is going to really enjoy that! I've been looking for lots of toddler activities, but I'm always looking for more ideas! Any tips or ideas for 2-year olds would be great! There are 3 teachers and 11 students if you count Thomas. I'm thinking about putting together some small, basic sensory bins too. I think they might enjoy that. 

I'm going to a La Leche League meeting tonight. It's something that is very special to me and I am going to start learning more about becoming a leader. I'm excited about getting to help other moms! 

We had a crazy week last week and I had several meals left over to make- so I didn't post a new Menu Monday this week. It's kind of nice to have everything I need for several meals- made my grocery shopping much easier! 

I'm really excited about the fall premiers coming up! Thanks to DVR Derek and I are tv junkies! ha. We will give just about any show a chance. There are some new shows out that look really interesting! I can't wait to see how they turn out! 

Well I'm off to clean! I promise to work on using my camera more this week too! I know picture-less posts are just no fun! 

Random Happenings...

This week has been such a good week, but it's been really busy! That's the way I like it. I just wish I was not so tired! I've been really bad about staying up late- that just seems to happen when we are out until 8 or 8:30! 

I made the scarecrow crunch mix on Monday. (I know, I'm going overboard with talking about this stuff...) It turned out so good! The recipe made enough for about 2 1/2 gallon size ziplocs! I sent one ziploc to Anna-Kate's school and then we ate a good portion of it at our Bible study. It's nearly gone because we've also been munching on it quite a bit ourselves! From what I've heard, it was a hit with Anna-Kate's class too! 

Derek and I have been doing a Dave Ramsey financial class the past few weeks and it is so good! I was a little worried that we weren't ready, but really it is good for people in all stages of life. Today, I've been working on organizing our student loan information and it's driving me crazy! I really it was easier to deal with student loans! 

Although, I might understand it better if I had not gotten distracted by this website my mother-in-law told me about- 6pm.com! ha! I've only checked out the kids shoes, but it looks like a great place to get good things for less. Anyone else know about this website? I've got my eye on several different things and am fighting the urge to search for some things for me! :) 

Thomas looked so cute at lunch today! I'm still needing to get him some jeans and our weather today is (beautiful) only around 70, so he wore a hoodie and shorts. I don't know why, but I think that's cute together! ha. Plus, with all of the Hogs things he's been into (I still need to share that), I thought he needed a little Tennessee infusion- you're welcome Grandpa! 

Anna-Kate was in the paper this week! Her class visits Harding's retirement facility every month. This month they read a story together about fancy hats and they took a picture with everyone wearing their hats! It's pretty cute! I didn't realize she was in the paper until Wednesday, so I didn't get a copy of it! This morning they had a Thank-You letter in their box with a copy of the newspaper article and a picture of their class in the hat! I'm so glad to have that! 

I am so excited about fall! I think it's my favorite season because it's so busy and it leads right up to my favorite holiday (Christmas)! I love all of the fall smells and the leaves turning colors and falling. It just puts me in the best mood! I'm looking forward to actually getting my fall wreath from last year down and hopefully doing a little decorating this weekend. Hopefully even making a few new decorations! I also found a recipe for a homemade pumpkin spice latte and you better believe Derek and I will be trying that asap! If it turns out good, I may even make it for our Bible study group! It's also time to get started on those Halloween costumes! Halloween is extra exciting this year because we will be in Franklin- the first time in YEARS! 

I am constantly feeling God's blessings all around me and I am so thankful to Him. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm off to do the cleaning that I can't put off anymore! 

Random Happenings...

It's been a BEAUTIFUL week here! I am loving the break from the hot weather... although Thomas has gotten a little longer and so all of the pants I had set aside for him to wear this fall and winter are too short... so I'm hoping the warm weather stays around for just a little bit longer! :) 

Thomas started his first type of preschool this week. He's with me and my two year old class, so I count that as starting. He's enjoying it, but he definitely does not like sharing his momma! He's been a little congested this week, so that's made him a bit more attached. Thomas also took quite a spill the other day and face planted into the side of my (rock) house. I think he wanted to make sure he got plenty of sympathy from me! I'd show a picture, but it looks pretty rough. The side of his little nose is scraped, and he also managed to get a bump on each side of his face, scrape under his arm and his leg! It was so sad! Last night he was playing in our church nursery while Derek and I were in a class and he fell and his his cheek, so he has a big bruise there too! It's really pitiful! 

Thankfully, we decided to have a day at home, cleaning and baking some cake pops for a friend's first birthday! This morning Thomas and I took a nice long walk around our "neighborhood." 

Anna-Kate has had a great week too! She was home with us on Monday, for Labor Day and so we all 4 enjoyed a nice day at home getting things done. Monday night she got to go play with some friends, Shelby and Riley. She loved that! I love how close Anna-Kate and Kristen are, but I think it's good for her to make other friends too. Shelby will be 4 next month and she is hilarious! She is always saying the funniest things! One day, I watched her and she said "Thank you for having me over. I had a nice time." So cute! Anna-Kate got to go to Uncle Ryne's football game last night, which is always a favorite for her. She and Kristen each filled up water bottles with rocks. I think I have mentioned before how opinionated she is about clothes. It seems like there is something wrong every day. If I'd let her she would probably wear the craziest things and shoes that are about 5 sizes too big. I got an idea from my doctor to try and give her one or two days a week that she gets to pick out her outfit. So I gave Anna-Kate one day of her choice and told her that if it went well she could have another day. She chose Saturday (yes!!). That was going well until we had a huge fit over something I picked out and I took her day away. Now she's back to the same old routine of fighting with us about everything! Shoes she used to love, she hates. Her pants are too big or sag. She doesn't like t-shirts. Anyone have any suggestions on what worked for them, besides making her wear the same outfit every day? I'm probably going to re-introduce the one day of the week thing, but I still think she's going to fight me! Anyone want to take her when she hits 13?? You can give her back when she's over the teenage phase... :) 

Derek has had a pretty good week at work. He's just struggling with the motivation to keep going. His job is challenging Derek in ways he didn't expect. I am so proud of how hard he is working and I know that things will get better. He just has to keep fighting through! He does such a good job balancing family and work. I know it's draining on him but I am so grateful that he's always here when I need him.  

Okay, sorry for the randomness! I just felt like I've missed out on updating about us! I feel like I do too many link ups and I forget to share about what's really going on! I love the link ups though... so tomorrow I'll post my normal Friday link up! 

I've been a terrible photographer and have barely busted out my camera, but here are a few of Thomas lately! 

He cracks me up!