Busy Season is Over!

Us at the EIU Homecoming Parade

Just waiting for all that candy!!

Me and Dr. B at the Swisher wedding

This fall has been SUCH a busy time, but this was pretty much our last event so we should be able to spend a few weekends relaxing before the Holiday Season begins.

We all (like you, im sure) are hoping stay as healthy as we can, and get out as little as possible during the flu season. If there is anything more miserable than being sick, its taking care of sick kids and/or being sick trying to take care of sick kids.

We are looking forward to some beautiful fall weather before winter comes, too! Hope it happens, its so fun to play in the leaves!

A Mother's Worth

Some of you moms might have read this study that was done several years ago, but i love it. It just goes to show that, as mothers, we wear many different hats. This shows some of the monetary aspects of our job:

Based on 17 key occupations, Edelman Financial estimated that a mother's worth is approximately $508,700 per year

The 17 key occupations that mothers typically perform, with their median yearly salaries, are:
Animal Caretaker $17,500
Executive Chef $40,000
Computer Systems Analyst $44,000
Financial Manager $39,000
Food/Beverage Service Worker $20,000
General Office Clerk $19,000
Registered Nurse $35,000
Management Analyst $41,000
Child Care Worker $13,000
Housekeeper $ 9,000
Psychologist $29,000
Bus Driver $32,400
Elementary School Principal $58,600
Dietitians/Nutritionists $41,600
Property Manager $22,600
Social Worker $30,000
Recreation Worker $15,500
http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content5/mothers.worth.html

This doesnt take into consideration the things that we mothers do everyday that are priceless, though. There is no job title or pay for the little things we do for our kids: Like teaching them to tie shoelaces and cleaning up 15 spills a day. Like watching their favorite movie over and over and over with them because they love it. Like having having their favorite blanky clean and warm right of the dryer when its bedtime. Things like that. These things are priceless to our kids. And our rewards are priceless, too. Becuase no one adores us like those little guys/girls.

Pumpkin Patch

My little angels at the Great Pumpkin Patch (Arthur) last weekend. :)
Bella

Daddy and Sophie picking out some pumpkins

Bella enjoying an apple cider slushy

Sophie

Our Punkins :)

Love those wagons!

Aug/Sept 2009

1.) bella flower

2.) sophia on beach

3.) bella outside w/flower prop

4.) bella again w/flower

Our Doggies

♥ Sophia giving Gemma a kiss ♥

Our little boy, King Leonidas

and, of course, Cinderella Cinderella

me and Gem

Cinderella and Leon are buddies

Summer turns to Fall

Its starting to feel like fall, and i love it. i am lovining the cool evenings and leaves starting to turn.. and i especially love Football season.

My Sundays are now officially lined out for the next several months: church, lunch then football all afternoon and evening. :) there is something relaxing about sitting on the couch listening to an announcer narrate the plays that i can either see for myself, or just listen to with my eyes shut while im snuggled under layers of fleece blanket while the kids play around us.

I am VERY into fall, we are already going crazy with the Mums, but ive killed most of them, so i think i will have to buy some more. Also, its time for some updated family pictures. I cant wait, already picked out the color themes for our outfits! But i also like to take a lot of candid shots of the girls this time of year, because you cant beat the fall colors!

As for my seasonal fragrances:
Im buring MACC Soy Candles in Pumpkin Spice & Cranberry Apple Marmalade and my house smells like an Autumn Dream!!

Also tried the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte today, it was disgusting. What i DO like though, is Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard. Mmmm!

I would like to mention that these pictures were both taken last October, so our new fall pix will be coming soon. I just found these and thought they were cute and fit the theme. :)

Jimmy Needham: Forgiven and Loved Lyrics

Tell me I’m forgiven and loved

Cause I hear it from the street corner priests

On how God is love, and how man can be clean

But my joy has been a holiday

And my peace has almost passed away

Tell me I'm forgiven and freed

Oh I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation

But the bottom line, I still have work to do

Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation

But there is no condemnation in You

Oh whisper to me now that its for real

Cause in the silence of these walls

righteousness lost its appeal

Dirty deeds have done me in

O but that can’t stop the Faithful Friend

Giving mercy once again as You heal

Here it is I’m feeling it

Oh He died, He died

to rectify my hopeless situation

And His blood commands my guilt to leave

Now on Calvary I stand

Empty pockets, open hands

Oh there is no condemnation for me

Child you're forgiven and loved

Child you're forgiven and loved

Child you are forgiven, And Child you are loved

Child you're forgiven and loved

editor's note: i absolutely LOVE this song. i wish i wrote it.