Goody Goody Gumdrops..

Our trip to St. Louis has been fun-filled! We drove in last week and joined Auntie Evonne in Kansas City for her graduation. After a great weekend, we headed back to St. Louis where Granny Smith had some fun adventures planned. She found a gingerbread house before we arrived and decided it would be a special project for Kennedy and her to undertake. Well lets just say Kennedy LOVED this first time experience. It takes a lot of patience, a lot of love, and a BIG sweet tooth (Kennedy has that one down). Thanks for a great time Granny!

Our gingerbread house started here...

We added a little love...

and couldn't forget the goody goody gum drops...

and we ended up with the SWEETEST gingerbread house in St. Louis!

That's all folks!

(Thank you Nana for our wonderful surprise we received today - the dress is beautiful!)

The Only Thing Missing...

The only thing missing is you...

We've had an amazing 2 weeks in Ohio. Great company, Great food, and Great memories. Kennedy and Landon have enjoyed the mill and all of its secret spaces. My sister Meaghan has been a tremendous help and its been wonderful spending precious time with her - thanks sis for making this transition so much easier. My mom - well what can I say??? You always have a way about you that makes a day seem brighter. Thank you for the way you love my Kennedy and Landon so well - your a beautiful Nana! We had a chance to see Auntie Nicole at her home in Cincinnati - thanks for a wonderful dinner and great company we can't wait to see you on Christmas. The Navy has had an interesting way of revealing some truths in my life. One of them I've come to understand is the true value and importance of our family - you are my rock and I'm so grateful to have you in my life!

As each day passes without Jared, I'm amazed at how God has given me strength. It's not a strength that is understandable right now but it has lifted me up when I need it the most. Kennedy dreamt of Jared a few nights back and she rolled over and said, "Mommy, daddy's going to be gone for a while isn't he?". In that moment, I realized the true innocence of her childhood. She does not know how long and how many days will pass until daddy is home but I hope she knows she can wrap herself in my arms and feel secure. 

We love you daddy!

 

St. Louis here we come!

GOT GRAPES!?!?

You may ask, "What is this that I see?" Well put yourself in the mind of a 3 year old and let your imagination run wild. Traveling is a great thing for young minds - let this picture be proof! Kennedy was in her world o' fun and she picked all of my moms jade plant droppings from the floor. She proceeded to put Becky (in case you don't know Becky, she is Miss K's favorite baby doll) in Landon's highchair and broke all the jade leaves into tiny tiny pieces. She added a little dried leaf garnish and feed her Becky a "grape" dinner. YUMO!

A little laughter goes a long way when we need it the most - thanks for brighting my day Kennedy!

 

Goodbye my love...Goodbye my friend

Today was the day.

Today was the day I said goodbye.

 It came on a rainy fall Ohio day.

With unspoken words of sadness, each lasting moment I held close to my heart.

My heart breaks for Kennedy and Landon as they miss the joy that their daddy brings to them day to day. We'll miss the sound of his whistle saying hello after a long day. We'll miss the way he fills our days with love and laughter. Most of all, we'll miss having the person that makes this family complete.

Jared - you've captured my soul in an indescribable way. You've been that person that lifts me up when the world seems so empty. Thank you for who you are to me and our two precious children. I pray that this time passes and that you always know that your loved and cherished in this family. LOVE YOU!  

ADVENT CONSPIRACY

~WORSHIP FULLY~

~SPEND LESS~

~GIVE MORE~

and most of all

~LOVE ALL~

Church today was awe inspiring! Christmas is here and the hustle and bustle is about to begin. We are so fortunate and blessed as Americans to celebrate this amazing time of year. However, there are so many who spend this time in need, despair, and without hope. Instead on focusing on the material THINGS (because that's really what they are) what if we came together to give people clean water, hope, and love. Christmas IS about giving and it's IN the giving that we receive!

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Apple and Cake

"CAKE"

This past weekend I celebrated my 28th birthday with the people that I truly treasure in life  - Jared, Kennedy, and Landon. My most thoughtful husband surprised me last week with a new Macbook Pro Laptop! It's quite amazing to say the least. A whole world different than a PC but completely up my alley - it's simple, clean, modern, and fun (in other words I love it love it love it!!) In addition to my new fun toy, Kennedy had a beautiful surprise waiting for me after I got my birthday pedicure. As I was gone, Jared had Kennedy create a beautiful painting for me named "Cake". It was such a sweet and thoughtful gift that I'll truly treasure forever. I have it hanging where I can see it every day - it brings a huge smile to my face. 

Jared - Thank you for making my weekend so special. You are an amazing friend and husband who continues to cherish me in countless ways! I love you!

Off to Neverland!

"When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies" ~ Peter Pan

My Peter Pan ready to fly!

There's no Peter Pan without his sidekick Tinkerbell!
Pumpkin fun!

YA LIKE??

3 of a kind

Kennedy was the official candy distributor - she loved her BIG responsibility!

I got a little love from Peter Pan....

and daddy got some too!

TRICK OR TREAT?