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Hope y'all all had a great Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving

Fun In The Sun

Yes, yes, it's still in the 80's (sometimes) in November where we live...and I'm not complaining one bit! A couple of weeks ago I met my friend Beth and her son out at a local park. We all had a great time! I featured photos of Lia and I from that day HERE. Now it's Jacob and Justin's turn.

Meet Justin and Jacob. They're 3 months apart. They're best friends. They could pass as twins. Or not. I'm thinking they give Trace and Trevin a run for their money in the "look alike" department.

After initial hugs, first order of business it to run to the lookout to devise a plan of action. Decision is made - it's off to the teddy bears they go.

After all that running and playing it's time to dip toes in the creek. Boots and socks are taken off, pant legs are rolled up, and Moms have given explecit instructions NOT to get pants wet. There are no extra clothes in the car.

J&J decide to do a little wading. "Not to much Mom, just a little" "OK, but be careful, you don't want to fall. Those rocks on the bottom are slick" One little boy is very careful, watching his every step, the other, not so much

"I made it to the rock! I think I want to go over there to that other rock. I'll be really careful and hold my pants up so they don't get wet at all."

Guess who fell half way to the other rock - yep, the cautious, careful one. Isn't that how it always seems to happen? Mom (Me) about had a heart attack she watched her baby boy fall. Baby boy got up and walked the rest of the way like nothing had happened. Just had a few issues keeping his wet pants up. When you don't have hips, wet pants tend to fall.

And what's a boy to do when he's sitting by a statue that includes a frog? Well, try to open it's mouth even wider, you see. And laugh and giggle, and generally have a grand time making funny noises. 'Cause that's what boys do.

Since we're all wet anyway, don't you think we should splash each other? That would be fun. And while we're at it, let's see if we can splash our Mom's too. That'll get a reaction out of them! What a fun way to end our day at the park.

On a serious note now... This is called "The Children's Park". The park was created to honor the memory of local children who have passed away and in honor of special needs children. The parents of the children and local citizens did the physical work of building this park. The walkways are lined with flat stones that bear a childs name, each in memory of or in honor of someone's son or daughter. There are several statues throughout the park to honor a child, and several sitting areas. I've seen people sitting alone in silence. I've seen couples on the benches holding eachother, crying. I've seen families releasing balloons. And I've seen MANY children playing and laughing.

The Perfect Ending

In my book, this is THE perfect way to end the day - before the whole bedtime rituals of bath, teeth brushing, book reading, snuggling, and kisses. Jacob and I drink our "Special Coffee" together - complete with Mint Chocolate Truffle creamer, you understand. Really it's hot chocolate, but he likes to say it's "Momma and Jacob's special coffee". That's just fine with me. It's our special time together, just us two. Notice the two mugs we're using - we use the same ones every time. He loves his giraffe mug, and I love my photo mug. That was a gift to me after Jacob was born. Who knew 3 1/2 years later I'd be enjoying special bonding time with that new born baby over that mug.

This is the picture that's on my mug. My Dad took this photo as we were getting ready to leave the hospital after Jaco was born. The first picture of Jacob in his little coming home outfit. We were so happy to finally be bringing home that little boy and couldn't wait to show him off to the world. Precious, priceless memories. G'night!

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A few weekends ago we went to an awesome fall festival that my cousin Alison hosted. I'll blog about that later this week. This photo was taken down at the bonfire - my favorite son, my favorite TX nephews (vs my favorite GA nephews), and I. I love these little boys - they make my heart happy!

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Background:  Nana (my Mom), the kids, and I are just getting back from spending several days in San Antonio.  While there, Jacob enjoyed spending time brushing Nana's board strait hair one night. 

The Scene:  Me in my pajamas, Jacob in his pajamas, both getting ready to go to bed.

Jacob:  "Mom, can I brush your hair like Nana's?"
Me:  "No, Jacob.  That would hurt Momma."
Jacob:  "Mom, why your hair so crinkled?"
Me:  "Because God made it that way."
Jacob:  "But Mom, can you ask God to make your hair not crinkled so I can brush it?"

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The kids and I went out to a local park the other day and met a friend of mine there with her son. Jacob and Justin had a blast playing together while Lia and I had a good time playing too! My friend took these photos for me - the lighting's not good, some of them aren't as sharp as I'd like, but I love them. She did a great job of capturing the essence of what was really happening - Mom and Daughter enjoying just being together. Days like this make me so thankful to be a Mom - the BEST occupation in the world!

oh cool...I found Mom's sunglasses...wonder what I can do with them?

I'll try to put them on...

...yep, I'm one cool chick!

hummm...wonder what else to do with them?

...sit on top of Mom's back and eat them...mmmm good stuff

all tuckered out...it's been a good day and this thumb is tasting superb!

all better...the sun's not in my face now...g'nite!

This Little Boy...

made me a Mom. He makes my world go round.

I love you son!

I'm So Excited....

...and I just can't hide it!

* UPDATE - I drink this in hot chocolate, not coffee - I won't touch coffee with a 10 ft pole!

I was bemoaning the fact that the stores are already putting out their Christmas decorations as I was walking through Wal-Mart on Halloween. I mean, come on! I won't go on some tirade about the over commercialization of everything these days - not just one particular holiday - but I will yack on about something I love...THIS!

It is the one redeeming factor of Christmas stuff being put out so early. It's like music to my ears when I see it. (Does that make sense? Music when I see it??) It makes my heart skip a beat, my soul soar. The world stops and I am one with creamer. Or something like that. Ok, ok, that may be just a little dramatization, but not much. I love, Love, LOVE this! It's the half that makes me whole. Or the creamer that makes my backside larger. ;) Whatever it is, my life is a little more complete when it's a part of it. You may have your Ghirardelli or other fine, fancy smancy chocolates. As for me, I'll take just plain 'ole International Delight Chocolate Mint Truffle creamer thankyouverymuch. (Isn't that an oxymoron - "plain" and "chocolate mint truffle"?)

This is where I'd do a giveaway if I could - but I'm afraid creamer wouldn't do to bueno in the mail. So you'll all have to go get your own creamer. Your heart will be happy, everything will be right with your world. But hide the scale. It's the right thing to do. Then come back here and tell me how your life is so much more complete now that this little bit of heaven is a part of it.

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Another not so great pic - but the point is I'm in it...right??? We attended a high school volley ball game to support a friend of ours. It is now playoff season for HS volleyball and the game happen to be hosted in the gym of the shool where I graduated. I was glad to go as I hadn't been back to the school since I graduated - my how things have changed!