Grief Help...

A lot of people ask me questions about grief and what they can do for friends who have lost loved ones and I give suggestions, but ironically I don't always feel like I'm an authority on the subject. I just finished reading, "The Grief Recovery Handbook". It was recommended to me and the first book I've ever read about grief. I felt like this book was quite educational and helped explain what grief is and how we aren't raised to be equipped with "loss". I don't recommend buying it unless you have lost a loved one, but I recommend anyone to read the first chapters because it just helped explain what people who have lost loved ones are going through and I think even I will be better equipped to help, "mourn with those that mourn." This book also validated most of the feelings I've felt in the last two years and makes me realize how normal my feelings have been!!

Bakugan Anyone?

Emmet is in love with Bakugan. Bakugan are little round balls that when they connect with a magnet they pop open. I am not kidding Emmet asks me daily to call the local Wal-Marts and Targets to see if the stores have any Bakugan. Usually they don't this toy is in such demand. This last Saturday Emmet's grandpa (Sam's dad) took Emmet to Toys R Us to a Bakugan tournament. Emmet played one round. He lost, but he was also the youngest kid there by three years. Despite losing Emmet couldn't stop talking about it. He is obsessed. Everyday I'm trying to avoid calling stores and playing round after round of Bakugan. I usually have played at least one round of Bakugan by 8am!!

My Baby Brother is Engaged!

Chance proposed this weekend and Angela said yes!! I am so excited he's found such a wonderful girl to marry him!! I can't wait to meet her in person, not just on i-chat!! They're getting married in San Antonio, Texas which makes it even more fun. I've never been to Texas and I've always wanted to. So, congrats Chance!!

My Favorite Thanksgiving

Most of you know I really dislike Thanksgiving. Growing up I always thought of it as a "boys" holiday because they got to play football, eat yummy food, and watch more football. While I always helped in the kitchen making a meal that took days to prepare and only 30 minutes to eat!! But, I do have a favorite Thanksgiving and I wanted to make sure I wrote it down for my kids. It was in 2005 the year Emery was born. We were living in Maryland and that year my youngest brother Chance came to visit. We decided to make our own Thanksgiving. Sam loved to cook, so he was up for the challenge. I think we made so much food we ate it for a week. Sam cooked the turkey himself, he made homemade stuffing and I made my grandma's yummy fruit salad. I also made pumpkin pie (my favorite Thanksgiving desert). I have to say the Turkey turned out great, especially for our first time and using our dinky apartment oven. Sam and Chance stuffed themselves silly and very little football was watched that day! The kids were taking naps while we ate, so we actually could carry on a conversation without crying kids. I look back and am so thankful for our time in Maryland and for my tiny apartment!

Happy Voting Day!

I love voting day!! My kids and I headed out the door at 7am hoping we wouldn't have to stand in line too long. We were there for an hour and it was so fun explaining to Emmet and Emery why we vote and how special our country is. I am thankful to live in a country where my voice can be heard.

Halloween Fun

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for Halloween, my kids had a great time!! They both loved dressing up this year. We kicked off the week by carving pumpkins. My kids were little to no help with this. They think pumpkin "guts" are disgusting and wanted nothing to do with the carving! Emmet chose to be a Ninja this year because it came with 4 weapons!! He carried two big and two small swords on his back. He absolutely loved the weapons!! Emery was of course, a Pink Princess!! She loved wearing her dress, but did not enjoy trick-or-treating. I called her the "mute" princess when it came to trick-or-treating! We spent Halloween at Aunt Shelley's annual Halloween party. The kids loved seeing all of their cousins dressed up. This was the first year Emmet really enjoyed Halloween. And most of you wouldn't believe how gorgeous the night was. I was in jeans, flip flops and a t-shirt and it was so pleasant. We are so lucky our kids don't freeze on Halloween.

Treadmill Suggestions

I am on the hunt to buy a treadmill, but I'm struggling to know which one to buy. I've been doing my research, but there are so many to choose from. So, I was wondering if any of you could recommend the treadmill you have!!