Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow (until I have to drive in it)!

On Monday, November 17, I was home during the day and it started snowing, big, big flakes that quickly covered the deck and hillside. I love the first snow of the season! I immediately fixed myself a cup of cappuccino, got a warm blanket, my book I was reading, and sit by the door to enjoy the snow. By the time that Maci got home, there was quite an accumulation on the ground. As much as I LOVE the snow, I HATE driving in it. Jim came home and agreed to take Maci to piano (thank goodness, I thought we might just cancel). By the time Tuesday morning came, I wasn't so much enjoying the snow. It was slick! Maci and I headed out at 6:30am to Ripley. I had her praying all the way to town! God answered our prayers, we made it safe, although my knuckles were white from squeezing the steering wheel so tightly. Who hasn't caught snow on their tongue? How fun!

Molli's Engaged

On Friday, November 7th, I got a text message at work (along with Morgan, Maci, and lots of others) that Molli was engaged. How exciting! Tyler proposed while they were bow hunting in a tree stand. Lucky for us, he had it videotaped. CaSandra and I immediately were on the phone trying to get questions answered (apparently, you can't talk on the phone while you're hunting). Ty and Molli stopped in the office around 2pm to show me the ring. You can only imagine the wait from the time of the text at 8:01am till 2:00pm. CaSandra and I called each other no less that 5-6 times. The first time I called CaSandra I asked about the possibility of doing an announcement, because she does such cute ones for Kensley. I no more than said announcement than she said she was already on it. Great minds think alike! By the time Molli and Ty stopped in the office, the draft and plan was complete. CaSandra took the pictures and she and I tweaked the layout. Molli was so kind to let us enjoy the excitement!

***This is so exciting, but I must say, I'm a little freaked out about being a mother-in-law, but it will be nice to say I have a son.***

The Engagement Announcement These are just some cute pictures that were taken, but not used, for the announcement. These two are both just so photogenic that it was hard to decide on just one picture.

Because Tyler proposed while he and Molli were in a tree stand bow hunting, I thought I'd include these cute pics.

Twenty Wishes

I recently read a book in which a group of friends decided to each write their twenty wishes. These wishes are things that can be achieved through goals and planning, and some that are just fun things I would like to do. The wishes are not things in which we really have no control over such as to live a long, healthy life with my husband, or to see my girls walk down the isle, graduate, or hold my grandchildren. These wishes are things that continue to present themselves over time. Well, here goes....These twenty wishes are in no particular order, nor do I have twenty at this time. I will add to them till I reach twenty. Also, I will let you know when any of the wishes come to fruition.

Lucinda's Twenty Wishes

1. Go to Hawaii on a week long vacation with Jim

2. Take a girl I love to the American Girl Place and purchase her a doll and clothes

3. Water ski

4. Start my own business

5. Take a photography class

Sleepovers

The only evidence that remains after the sleepover.

Maci and her friends, Lexie, Sarah, Ashtyn, Emily, KayLee, and Mollie take turns spending the night at each others house after each football game. I love to have these girls here. It keeps me young. They snack, watch movies, snack, play games, snack, and then sleep anywhere that they can find an empty space. Jim and I go to our room, put the earplugs in, and sleep while they have control of the house. On the Friday before they come over, I always get a grocery list. It includes: 2 pepperoni pizza's, 2 cheese pizza's, peanut M&M's, cheetos, doritos, mountain dew, dr. pepper and two or three scary movies. They are such good kids! Someday, all too soon, I'm going to miss having all these friends at the house.

Country Roads Take Me Home.....

Isn't this breathtaking? The trees are just so beautiful. Every morning on the way down the hill, I say to Maci, isn't this just breathtaking. Now I just say, Oh Maci, and she finishes with I know, this is just breathtaking. Although she says it somewhat sarcastically, I still answer, "yes, Mace, it certainly is." I prefer to live in town, while Jim prefers to live about 100 miles away from the nearest neighbor, so we compromise and live about 5 minutes out of town. Which is very fortunate because there are days that I make about five trips in to town and back. Although I prefer a city dwelling, I just could not imagine not taking in this beautiful scene everyday. Each morning, along with the proclamation of isn't this breathtaking, I also sing (out loud) Country Roads Take Me Home till Maci turns the radio up loud enough to drown me out. Oh well, with beauty like this all around, how could you not praise God all the way down the hill? The scenery, being able to take Maci to school, having a warm house and a gorgeous husband to return to at the end of the day, plenty of food (too much actually), great friends, and family close by, it does just take my breath away. It really is breathtaking!

Indiana Oiler?

Isn't he just yummy? This hat caused me great stress for a while till I finally just gave in and let him wear it. He loves this hat. Dad and Mom got it for him three or four Christmases ago. I've come to love it too. Just because it makes him happy! For Halloween, in his treat bag, he got the fourth Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The girls had gotten him the first three Indiana Jones movies for Father's Day. Needless to say, we watched it shortly thereafter, him in his recliner and me on the couch. What a GREAT evening. I love this man!

Ghosts, Goblins, and Cute Kids!

Trick-or-Treat!

I had such a good time preparing "treat bags" for these kids. I had forgotten how much fun it was. I used to make them all the time when Molli, Morgan, and Maci were in grade school. But now I get to make them again because I had to mail a "treat" to Molli at Marshall, and Morgan, Dustin, Austin, and Sarah at UT. I also made one for Jim, Maci, and Tyler. I go to Mom's house in Fairplain to hand out candy with her. My friends bring their kids there, and the kids from GLBC come to see Mom. My cousin, Paula, came and handed out candy with us. We had such a good time! Maci, and friend Kaylee, were a little old for Trick-or-Treating, so they along with about five other girlfriends, went to the house of Emily's grandma, Jill "Giddy" Canter to hand out candy on the avenues. I know that they had a GREAT time because when these girls get together, they are a hoot!

Morgan and Samuel Pierson, children of one of my best friends, Melanie, showed up first for their loot. I can't believe how fast these kids are growing up. I remember Jim and I having these two in Preschool Church.

My Little Pony, Kensley. How adorable is she? I love to see her many expressions. Her father, Rob, works for the City, and her mother, CaSandra, has become a dear friend. They are such wonderful parents! Kensley is one fortunate little girl. I am so blessed that they have allowed me to share in their joy. Kensley gives me my "baby fix" every so often, and I love to shop for little girl things (brings back memories).

Ivy and Walker Shouldis are two very special youngsters. I babysit them from the time Ivy was two years old and Walker was a newborn. For a time, Walker even called me "Mommy". How sweet is that? Ivy has grown into such a fine young lady and Walker is all funny boy. Their mother, Christie, is one of my dearest friends, although we don't get to spend much time together at all anymore. These two entertained us most of the evening.

A group of kids from Dad and Moms Kenna neighborhood stopped by. Edwin Stover, Tory Scholl, Laine Stover, Ivy Shouldis, Walker Shouldis, and Tobias Scholl. Tory and Tobias' dad, Toby is in the picture also. I used to babysit Toby and his brothers what seems like not too awfully long ago. These kids also go to church with Mom and she just loves them.

Cousins Darby "the old woman" and Dane "the pirate" Petersen, along with the Pete's Hot Dogs mascot came next. The old woman had some good news, she had just won the Fairplain Elementary School spelling bee.

Congratulations Darby!

My brother Fred's grandson, Luke, came as the Incredible Hulk, although I thought he was the Green Giant (I only had girls and not a one of them ever wanted to be a super hero so I'm kindof lost on boy things). He got his treat bag and took one to his brother, Matthew, who had football practice and couldn't trick-or-treat. This little guy has the most gorgeous blue eyes.

After all the trick-or-treaters there was still alot of candy left, so Paula and I had to help get rid of some of it. It was so nice to get to see, and spend time with, these cuties. They are ALL so, so funny and fun to be around!

There were no TRICKS this night so the TREATS must have been OK!