Thankful

Before the gorging of my most favorite meal of the entire year begins, I want to share some thoughts on what this Holiday is truly all about; being thankful. 

I am whole-heartedly thankful for:

Good Health.  I am so thankful to have 2 healthy babies and a healthy family.

My job.  There are so many people without one right now.  I am so thankful that I have one.  My job is necessary evil and it frustrates me to no end.  My job is to find homes for abused and neglected children.  There aren't enough homes that will help, which is very frustrating.  On the other hand, my job is completely amazing because of the amazing people that do foster or adopt that I get to meet and come to know.

My big, crazy-awesome family.  I am so thankful for each and everyone of them and the relationship that we share.

My friends.  I have amazing friends near and far.

This incredible man and this sweet baby.  I am so thankful for this incredible man, husband, father and best friend.  I am thankful that he sits on the sidelines and cheers at every game.  He never stops pushing me and us in the right direction.  I learn something new from him everyday. 

I am also thankful for this sweet baby that has brought so much joy to his house and our life.  He is in every possible way - amazing.

This koolaid face-soccer player.  I am beyond grateful for his sweet words and the way he feels about his Mommy.  I would not make it through the day without his laugh or him constantly making me laugh. 

God.  I am thankful to God for providing me with all of the elements of this list and beyond.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent Cookies

Thought I would share some of my most recent cookies.  I was asked to make Texas A&M cookies for a very loyal alumni.  I really liked how these turned out (all 4 dozen of them!).

 They were packaged 3 to a bag; one big square and two small squares.  There will be more of these awesome cookies in near future.

My friend Amy (Tooie) will be welcoming an Austin of her own in January.  The footballs, basketballs and baseballs were for her sports themed baby shower.

The soccer balls went with Austin to celebrate the final soccer game of the season.  I bagged these individually and tied them with black/white polka-dot ribbon.  The kids loved getting them.

All of these were actually for this weekend.  I will start again tomorrow on next weeks cookies.  I guess I am now a recruitment supervisor by day and a cookie maker by night (and early morning hours)!  :)  More to come.

In the blink of an eye

I must have blinked causing five very quick months to go by since I've had Jackson.  Today someone asked me how old he is and it took me a minute.  I stunned myself. 

I can already tell that this sweet little boy is going to be completely different from my first little boy (aside from looking identical). 

He has been drooling profusely since he was 3 months old.  I am seriously expecting a tooth to pop up any day now.  He will put anything within an inch of his little paws into his mouth.  He still sucks his thumb but only while trying to fall asleep.

Jack rolls all over the place and is already starting to get up on his knees to scoot himself.  In my near future, I foresee a child that I am going to have to chase all over the place and worry about falling off of something he has managed to climb onto.

He still doesn't sleep through the night.  I have only been that fortunate four times.  He wakes up because he has scooted himself to the other end of the crib, face down, in the corner.  I have to say though, I enjoy the night-time feedings because it is my cuddle time with him.  He doesn't fall asleep in my arms often because he won't stop moving when I'm holding him and he is so used to going right to sleep in his crib. 

Knowing that Jack is 5 months makes me think that Austin will be five years old soon and that makes me want ball my eyes out. I will blink again and they will both be in high school toting some girl on their arm and totally embarrassed that their mom still wants to give them hugs and sugars.  My heart will be crushed. 

A few of my favorite things

This post is dedicated to a few of my favorite pics taken by one of my favorite people, my niece, nanny and self proclaimed God Mother of my children, Donna Dean.



 

Our first family pic which was taken on Waylon's birthday.  This pic is one of my favorites because it is such a true depiction of what my sweet, little family is like.  I look like a grease ball; Waylon looks like he's had one too many (even though he hadn't); Jack is spitting up and Austin is giving that weird smile that he does now a days with a snorkel on his head.

 This pic reminds me of one of my recent favorite memories.  This is Austin's Papa Joe.  Papa Joe is an amazing man.  He served in World War II among many other awesome accomplishments.  On this day, Austin asked Papa Joe if he would take him to this bridge to see the water.  Papa followed Austin without hesitation.  It was an amazing moment.  Lots of pics were taken here but this one is my favorites. I hope that both Austin and Jack someday understand how completely amazing this man is.

 I am usually not in the pictures.  I am usually behind the camera.  This one is one of my favorites because it is simply me with my baby.  If I had the power to photoshop this pic, believe me, I would have!  But again, it is simply me and my baby.

 If this picture had sound, it would be so loud and at the highest possible decibel you could ever imagine.  This is my sister, Lendi baby-talking to Jack.  Her baby talk would knock your socks off.  Your ear drums would bust.  But it would be worth it.  It is one of my favs because she loves talking to babies and babies love hearing it.

 Brothers?  Nope.  That is Aus and my nephew, Jake.   Unfortunately, they don't get to see each other much but when they do, they pick up right where they left off.  Just as it should be.

 The next two pics are my favorites for two reasons: #1 Donna Dean's room is in the back ground.  She has the freaking cutest room you have ever seen.  #2 Her cute room makes for a very cute backdrop for my very cute baby.

 This pic is also my favorite because this is my blue-eyed baby looking like he looks at all time; drooling! He is teething early so this is a 24/7 occurrence.

 Here is the woman behind all of my favorite pics - Donna Dean.  She has the kindest heart and most giving spirit.  She is WAY to good to us.

 Jack and his Aunt Shawn and Tattie.  How could you not LOVE this pic?  Tattie knows how to make Jackson laugh and Jack makes everyone smile.  Perfect combination.

My final favorite pic is of Granny and Austin.  Granny has been apart of making a few of Austin's Halloween costumes.  The time, effort and memories mean so much.  I just love this picture.

Chef Austin and Roasted Baby Jack

I have succeeded one more year in putting together the costumes for Halloween.  I just know that Austin is going to want some plastic TV character costume next year and I am going to have to cave.  Nothing against them but I just love how original homemade costumes are.  They are also fun to make and usually a group effort.  Halloween was awesome despite Austin's continuous fever for the entire weekend.  My poor little man was really excited about trick-or-treating and seeing family. Lots of pictures here and more to come.  My niece took some really cute ones that I can't wait to see.



Introducing Chef Austin....





 and his baby chicken!





Jackson fit perfectly in this roasting pan that Austin picked out.

 I fell completely in love with the knitted hat and booties that I found on Etsy.  I had to have them for Jack. 

 We had a small get-together with the fam.

 I made some rockin' spider sangria.

 Oh yeah, and the blues brothers stopped by.

 Thank you to everyone who came out to see the boys and to Granny for making Chef Austin's pants!