Pumpkins

Even though we were rushed and I had serious doubts about if I even wanted to carve pumpkins, I am glad we did. I didn't get out of work till 5:30 and by the time we had finished dinner it was 6:30. I was going to stop by pumpkin place on way home and when we got there all the pumpkins were rotten and nasty. Arden started crying saying that she wanted to pick a pumpkin "PLEASE". So I called Lowes and they had a few left. I had to go all the way back to hixson BUT they were 50% off. They weren't very big but they even had white ones. :) So, we grabbed one for Shelly too and were on our way about 7:20. We had to carve them in the laundry room because it was already dark when we got home. But Arden said "those are awesome" after Matt and I finished so it made it all worth it.

7 Random facts about me

Alisha tagged me so here we go......

1. In my high school year book I said in 10 years that I would be working with my family(at the shop) and married. Even though,I thought this was the last thing I might do (when I was in college)-Here I am. I don't know if it really pleases me that I could predict that at 18yrs old. I don't know what that means about me as a person. It sure makes me seem predictable and boring however I don't think of myself that way. Working for my parents has afforded me all kinds of blessing. Namely, I get to be a working mom with a career and still don't have to do take my daughter to daycare-because she comes to the office with me everyday.

2.I am suprised that my mom was right about "it isn't always best to tell the absolute truth". I swore up and down that it was considered lying and that especially in relationships we should tell each other point blank. Not always the best thing for your partner's self esteem if you think they are a slob or have gained 10lbs. She was right "if you can't say something nice-don't say anything at all".

3.I also love coffee shops and am a closet coffee snob. I love flavored coffee. I worked at a coffee shop in high school and college for a bit. I love to go to Books-a-Million and get a coffee and read all the new magazines. I used to go all the time when Matt was out of town and we were childless. I would go almost every night. You can read alot of books for free. I have such good memories of those times and spending an hour or more a night educating myself--all for the price of a cup of coffee. Between that and HGTV I have alot of stored up home improvement knowledge.

4. My car is a trash can on wheels. I used to be so embarrassed about it. It was like I wanted to die if someone saw my car. The only thing is that even though it embarrassed me, I never did anyhting about it. I finally decided to just embrace it. I make jokes about it. I can always find an extra shoe(not a pair) or sportsbra in the back. I am so happy that I have just given up on it and not let it be on my guilt list anymore....so not worth it.

5.I don't watch many movies. I suck at the game "Scene it". Please never have me on your team. I just recently saw one of the Godfather movies. I haven't seen all of them. I have seen the most random list. I hate to watch movies twice. Only the precious few are allowed to be viewed 2 times (most of them have Adam Sandler at the main Character or might be cartoons). I do love my shows on TV though. I can watch old reruns of The Office or House anyday.

6.Since my sister died, I have a very real fear of death. Not for me but for people I love. I can't stand to watch shows where children go missing and can't even think about losing my parents. It has changed my life. It makes me Cherish life much more--that is the blessing. However, it has given me a fear because Death is so much more real. Satan tries to trap me with this one ( I know he did after I had Arden) but I try to resist him and trust that the Lord is right there with me.

7. I enjoy being a mother more than I could have ever imagined. I was always scared that it wouldn't fit me. Like i might not have the instincts but (thank goodness) I DO. It seems to really be easy and I just enjoy it. I thought (in college) that it would be a burden to have to give up living for myself all the time. Not that I am saying I don't like my alone time. But there is so much freedom in seeing the Joy & Innocence that only a child can show you. It is like when I think about my life before Arden---it seems so boring. Now carving pumpkins or going to dinner can be so much fun! I just enjoy having her for a daughter and friend. Mom used to tell me that she still wanted to hold us and smell us even when we were bigger. I can relate to that. If I rocked my daughter every night and just kissed her little face after she was asleep-----I would still want to do it the next night again. That is a miracle.


I tag Andrea, Lori, Diane, Kristen,Abbie,Leiann, and Erin

Fun Girl!

I love all these pictures! She has started to like to just be silly and wrestle mom. It makes her laugh like crazy. She had to sport her new George pajamas-that she picked out from Walmart. They really help with a house that doesn't have heat. Ha. It did work for a little last night.
On a side note-I am so thankful for my Sister-in-law's birthday gift to me of a Starbucks gift card. It is a treat to use it on trips out of the office to post office or bank. The small things make all the difference for Monday.

BOO at the Zoo!

At Normal-Palooza
We had a fun Saturday! We went to Normal Park's annual Normalpalooza carnival. It was good and Arden got her face painted. We made cupcakes and took a nap. Then we met our friends at the Warner Park Zoo. It was packed out but Arden still loved seeing the Animals. I liked the Red Pandas best. I also liked just being with our friends from small group. We went to Rembrandts after and had some soup out in the cold. Arden had milk and kept calling it her Coffee--to be like me and Daddy. It was a nice day! And Arden was so cute!

Disney on Ice!

Mickey and Minnie

Mom and Arden

Arden and Felix
This could have been the most fun event of the year. Arden LOVED it! and Mom didn't think it was too bad either. ha. We went with friends -Felix and Cassie. We had to get all the garb and "do it right" with the popcorn,icee, and light up wand. It was great! Arden yelled "hi" to the characters and clapped and cried when we had to leave. One funny thing was at the intermission when we went out for popcorn and potty, We were coming back down the steps and show had started back--Arden starts yelling "Here I am Mickey Mouse, Don't worry, I came back". I couldn't stop her and she just kept on. People were laughing.
When Tinkerbell left she was waving to her and stuff. I even thought about taking her back if I could find some cheap tickets. It wasn't full so maybe we could move closer once it started. That is how much i liked it. She asked me this morning if we could go back to her "movie-show PLEASE!!!"
She is still talking about it and using her Mermaid wand to make people turn into princesses.

Camping fun

I am super behind on my blogs so I am going to do 2 today. First I forgot to blog about our camping trip. It was so much fun. We went with mom and dad's church (and most of our family) to Fall Creek Falls. It was gorgeous! We have been enjoying the fall so much this year. We have really taken every opportunity. Arden loved spending time with Ellie and I got to spend time with Chelsea. We got to take a long walk on Saturday. It was fun sleeping in the cold tent in our shared sleeping bag and roasting marshmellows. I need a camper! I keep telling Matt that. But if we had one we would NEVER be home. I think we would use it alot however right now we are not going to take on another financial responsibility. We are actually thinking about renting our Hixson house. We don't know why we didn't consider it before. It is a great house. Fully updated with all appliances--even washer/dryer. It even has rugs and curtains. 2400ft. 4/2bath. We are going to rent for $1200mt. So if you know anyone reliable. We are going to screen pretty hard to ensure no one messes it up. We think it is a great house and would like to keep it for investment and we should have thought about it before now. If it sells between now and November 30 great! but if not then we think this is a good plan.

Arden likes to "MOVE IT"

So, I have got to get Arden into some kind of dance class. She just watched Madagascar and she wants to sing the song and dance crazy all the time.

headache....ouch!!!

I am surprised I can even blog today because my head is killing me!!! It has been hurting ever since I got out of bed this morning. Hurting behind my eyes too :( So that is my sob story.My "Bay" isn't here today so i had to put a picture of her and Arden up. Bailey is my cousin and she comes to the shop 2 days a week--we pick her up from Daisy Elem. and she stays with us till her parents get off work. She is so sweet and Arden loves her!
I have been going to Bellydancing class on Mondays. Yes, you read that right. I LOVE it. It is so much fun. Women of all sizes and shapes. The instuctor is so encouraging about "love you body etc." Mom does it too and some ladies from her church. It it my new favorite getaway pastime. So relaxing. My fav thing that our instructor says is "let the belly be soft-stop sucking in". I think hoooray!!! ha.
We are headed camping this weekend and have a candy-making party at our house tomorrow night with the young professionals at church. It should be an eventful weekend.

Halloween Party

So this was our first one of the season. There are many more on the calender so you will see this costume alot unless we buy another. We went to Fisher and Ellie Bryden's house to have a "just for kids" halloween party. Matt and I couldn't resist to dress up too. It was so fun!Arden is so proud of her craft necklace that Daddy helped her to make. Arden didn't have a nap that day so she barely made it through. We escaped right before melt down time.
This weekend was very good. We were home most of the time. Arden ran a temp on Sunday but I didn't see any symptons. I kept her home just for the benefit of other kids. Yesterday I learned a valuable lesson that prepared me for a hectic Monday at work. Staying at home all day is LONG!!! I did make it out to go to the store and we did have cupcake making fun last night but still... Wow! From early in the morning till late at night pretty much undivided attention and making mess runs you down. So "hats off" to you stay at home moms. My house is much cleaner when I go to work and it breaks things up nicely to have other people to "get me some drink!" and other such demands. Also, my hubby surprised me with new grass!!! While i was gone he went to Lowe's and sowed our whole front yard. Not only that---he also bought pumpkins and mums to decorate the steps.looks awesome. I will have to post pics later.

We did it! We did it! We did it! YEAH!

Okay so Arden's newest thing is Dora. I thought it was so stupid but I get caught up on it after a while. It grows on you. So we had to sing "We did it!" outside the post office today when Arden put the mail in the box. She also thinks we have to dance along with our singing. Good thing I don't care what other people think.

Work. Work. Work .Work

I probably put in 60 hours last week and I am about a month behind. Super busy! We had and ebay live Auction this past weekend. We lost internet connection 3-4 times in the sale and not to mention that we haven't done one in about 6 years. (since Matt and I were engaged). We have never used paypal and it has been a mess. Phone constantly ringing and people wanting to pay etc. Only Mom and I know what is going on so it is like a 2 person team with everyone else clueless about the whole ebay operation. Poor Arden. I feel sorry for her being at work with Mom at times like these. I did take about 5 min to stop and paint her finger and toe nails this morning and after lunch we read a book. It has been a mad house. I have fallen asleep twice this week on the couch, when I sat down at night to watch tv. I wake up at 3am with Arden smashed into me asleep in my clothes. Sad huh? Other than that things are going well. Work is crazy but life has been good. You know there are so many other things more important than work and God is good to remind me of that, when it would be easy to forget. Thank you God for perspective!

Camping

at Dixie Stampede

We had the BEST time camping. It was so great! Chelsea came and met us from ETSU.It did rain on poor Matt while he put the tent up and Arden and I sat in the car. hehe! In fact it rained all day Friday and some of Saturday. Our campsite was on the creek so Arden got to feed the ducks bread. Friday night we went to Dixie Stampede. Arden loved that and the adults had a fun time too. I forgot how fun it was(haven't been since I was 12). It was super redneck but redneck isn't always bad--in fact sometimes I prefer it. Arden stood up and yelled "oh my goodness, look at that Goose" when the ostrich came out. It was cool. They are about 9ft tall. We stayed up late talking in the tent. Me,Matt,Chelsea, and Arden in a 4 man tent. It wasn't cold at all so we didn't have that to worry about. Saturday morning we went to Cracker Barrel and ate a big breakfast. Then me and Chelly took Arden for a walk in the hiking pack. We went to the Old Mill and looked in all the little shops. We skipped lunch because we were so full and went to the outlet mall instead. That night we went to Conner's and it was really very good too. We had our old fashion picture made (I will have to scan that). Then Matt,Arden, and me crashed while Chelsea stayed up to study. Sunday was our day full of dollywood! It was a nice day. We really enjoyed it. We thought we would only be there about 3-4 hours and we were there all day. I think the kettle corn could go down in history as the best food ever and the bbq could go down in history (it was bbq and bluegrass day) as the nastiest. RAW! It was so gross. We ate enough candy and other junk to make up for the gross bbq. I have never seen more big people that don't ever look in the mirror to see what is hanging out as I did that day--with the exception of when we went to Splash Country about 8 years ago. I can't believe people would go around with their butt or belly hanging way out of their clothes but they do. I would say that Dollywood is definately everything I love about the South and the reason that people call it "Dirty South" all rolled into one. I still loved it and wish Matt had said okay to season passes. Arden had a blast!!!!! So did I. Did ever single thing that I wanted all weekend. It was so fun to see my Chelly too-we love all the same things. I loved it all.

feeding the ducks

at the wet campsite


on ferris wheel
look at all the cool pumpkin decor