Past, present and future...

As usual, we've had a lot going on lately. The third weekend of October rolled around (and if your an SEC fan you know exactly what that means!) so the hubs wisked me away to the Mountains for a weekend. With a little football thrown in the mix. ;)



I was so excited thinking about the trip. My parents took the boys for the whole weekend and while I waited for hubby to get off of work I relaxed and pampered. I soaked in bubble bath while listening to favorite tunes, gave myself a pedicure and enjoyed Sonic for supper while watching TiVo'd recordings of Project Runway. It was a truly girly night. And I needed that.





*Disclaimer: I realize that this is not a picture of my soaking in bubble bath but I promise this is much cuter. *

There's never a bad trip to Neyland. How can you be in that atmosphere, win or lose, and not enjoy it? We had awesome seats and to-die-for weather and despite the game outcome, it was a perfectly lovely night.


The mountains were nice with color scattered across the landscape. Since it was just the two of us we indulged in a Sky Lift trip up the mountain. We hadn't done that in a long time. We talked and walked the Gatlinburg streets holding hands. We felt like we were dating again. And it was nice. Just me and him. And we woke up to views like this from our balcony:





But so it goes that all good things must come to an end but turns out that just when one good thing ends another begins...if you let it.


We returned home to three squealing boys who were happy their mom and dad were home. Reunions are always the best with the warmest, sweetest hugs.

Then, when we weren't looking, Halloween crept up. And somehow my peanut turned five years old. I had one very unhappy camper when it came time to don Halloween costumes but a few thousand tears later and he was rarin' to go.

Oh, the agony!


We trick-or-treated with friends just as we do every year. It's fun to compare pictures from previous years to see how they've all grown.


This year I was escorted on our Halloween venture by Harry Potter, Indiana Jones and a cowboy. Handsome little lads.


Peanut's birthday was very low key but that's what he wanted. Out of all my boys he's probably the easiest going and fun loving. Laid back, really not a care in the world. When asked what kind of cake he wanted, his answer: green. Well, that was easy. So green cake we had. And he was pleased as punch.







At his birthday party, the amazing dad came up with a game which doubled as yard clean up. Now that's my kind of game! Throw the walnuts into the bucket. They stayed out there forever tossing the walnuts about. They had a blast!



When it was time to go in Jagger was the first to want to help. I'll bet that bucket of walnuts weighed close to what he does!


So, currently, at present, its a whopping 75 degrees on this November late afternoon. The sun is already beginning to set at 4:54. I've had a bit of Christmas fever and surprisingly, I've started a wish list! I NEVER have wish-lists. An occasion such as birthday or Christmas will roll around and if I'm asked what I want, my normal response is a shoulder shrug followed with something close to, "Oh, I don't know. I don't NEED anything!"

But as of late, I have run across several things that I don't need but...kinda...want. Very random things. Like an apron. Or a fabulous camera strap. Both of which I found while perusing Etsy. Man, I LOVE that website! So many creative things! Not to mention the talented people out there!





So, all the wish list making brings me to future. I'm excited. I'm already anticipating cinnamon scented candles lit, Christmas music playing softly in the background while me and my three littles place ornaments in just the perfect spots.

I'm looking forward to the annual Christmas shopping spree with another family while my kids pick out gifts for a child who doesn't have what we have and who otherwise would have a very gray Christmas. It's important to me for my children to learn to give rather than just receive during the Holidays.

I'm looking forward to a warm and inviting Thanksgiving meal with lots of family gathered 'round. The smell of cornbread dressing in the oven and fresh rolls baking. The sound of the Detroit Lions playing football coming from the family room. Babies being passed from one set of twitching hands to the other so those of us who are done having babies can get our "fix". :)



Past, present and future. It's all good, baby!