The spooks were out and asking for candy.

It's a good thing they were super cute or I would have kept the chocolate!

 

Summer Recap

Summer has come and gone too fast yet again. We are back in school and the days are getting shorter and cooler. We traveled and played a lot this summer. The following pictures are only a few peeks at our adventures. 

Thanks to you. . .

If you're reading this today, thank you. Thank you for coming to see what thought or adventure has come to fruition on this site. As a busy mom, I don't get a ton of quiet time to work on hobbies or be creativity. This blog is an outlet that fulfills my quick need for expression and/or creativity. I love being able to just be myself in this forum. I love that it allows me to be random too because life is random even when your a "planner" like myself.

Brother & Sister

"Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring, quite often the hard way." - Pamela Dugdale

Dear Jonah & McKenna,

I hope you remain the best of friends throughout the years. I hope you continue to find each amusing and amazing. You have a special bond and it's wonderful to watch to grow, change, bend, stretch and get stronger each day.

Love,
Mommy

Creating a finish line

I have adopted a concept that I have read from a couple other bloggers that I follow. It's creating "a finish line" for your day. It's very handy for ending your working day. I usually start to wrap up my work day around 4:30. Sometimes that's not always the case but it's what I strive for. Here's what I do:

• Response to any quick emails
• Reflect on how my day went - where did I have success or where were the challenges?
• What did I learn today?
• What do I plan to do different tomorrow?
• Jot down those "to-dos"
• Make sure my to-do list is clear so I can rock and roll the next day

Work finish line created _________________________

I do the same things as I wrap up "the day". This usually done when I lying in bed and about to fall asleep which is always a great time for reflection.

• What did my kids teach me today?
• Where did I success with my family?
• Does everyone know how much they are love?
• Is there anything that I need to tell James that I may have forgotten?
• Is there anyone I need to touch base with?

Day finished ______________________

[the short list] - things that make me happy

reading fiction. . . watching movies. . . a nice cold beer. . . painting. . . organizing. . . hearing my kids carry a conversation with one another. . . sitting by a pool. . . listening to music. . . sleeping on a pool float. . . exercising. . . running. . . writing. . . singing out of tune in my car. . . people watching. . . hearing the rain hit the bedroom window. . . being creative & crafty. . . the smell of bacon & coffee. . . having someone else make a meal. . . the first sip of hot Irish breakfast tea. . . knowing the kids are tucked in their beds. . . that my mom is a phone call or a 35 minute trip away. . . sitting in silence. . . the smell of roses. . . a margarita made by my hubby. . . digging my feet into the beach sand. . . and of course these three pumpkins . . .