Kentucky State Fair

Our family LOVES, LOVES, LOVES going to fairs. It doesn't really matter if it's the local county fair or if it's the state fair - they love it! We had the opportunity to go this past Friday & could not have asked for better weather. It was beee-you-tee-ful out there!

A few things, in no particular order - that really cracked me up. What better reason to go to the fair that to have your funny bone tickled.

Not so sure Jr liked being 'penned up' with the sheep.

Rebecca & Emma both were fascinated watching the little piggies enjoy their dinner. Rebecca was just a tad bit puzzled though and asked me (after watching them rooting around) if they were trying to wake their mama up. Needless to say, there were lots of laughs around us!

I needed that shirt!

And wish I'd had the nerve to buy a hair piece like that!



I really think this one is just fine without a caption.

For Today

Outside my window: It's dark and fairly warm. We had a few days of fall type weather but it seems like the hot days of summer have returned.

I Am Thinking: About stress. Keeping it all inside is really not a good thing - but telling everyone how stressed you are isn't a good thing either. What is the answer? Sometimes I feel like God just has to be tired of my worrying, I know I am!

I Am Thankful For: My sweet hubby - I'm always thankful for him. I could have searched the world over and never have found a better mate. So thankful that God is faithful to look out for me even during those times I wasn't really smart enough to look out for myself.

From The Kitchen: Nada. Nothing.

I Am Wearing: Khaki shorts, white t-shirt. Barefoot! I love going barefoot!

On the 'Go Organize' Front: We tackled the basement (aka - playroom, junk room, scrapbooking room, office stuff room) - it's not done yet, but we made a good dent. I LOVE it when Brian is in de-junktify mode. Bless Rebecca's little heart, she's told us thank you several times for 'making it neat' down there. Now if she'll just keep it clean.

We also finally got around to hanging pictures in the girls room. Still need to take a couple of things from China to a frame shop. Just really haven't had the extra money to spend on framing. We also still need to buy a bed for Rebecca as her mattress set is sitting on the floor. Just not sure how to find something that looks similar to Emma's and really do not have the money to buy new beds for both of them. Dilemnas, dilemnas.

I Am Going: To bed soon, still tired from the fair on Friday.

I Am Reading: Still haven't made it to the library. Picked up a Grisham novel the other day but finished that in just a few nights.

I Am Hoping: That Rebecca has a wonderful birthday this coming holiday weekend! She is very excited about her big day!!!

I Am Praying For: Friends from church, with a very sick father/grandfather - wonderful, wonderful people that we enjoy so much.

I Am Hearing: The dryer just buzzed - again. Laundry, seems like it neva' ends.

Around The House: House fairly picked up, with the exception of boxes that had been brought up from the basement. I finally got around to sorting out the 3 boxes I had brought home from the job I lost back in January of 09. Painful few hours for me, but it needed to be done. The company I had worked for was big on awards, cards and the like ... it was difficult to read through the notes about what a great job I had done and then try to reconcile that with a layoff.

One Of My Favorite Things: Watching the kids at the fair. We went this past Friday and could not have asked for nicer weather. It was BEAUTIFUL! The kids were so good and had such a good time. But I tell ya', they wore themselves out at the midway. Emma asked as we were leaving if we could come back the next day!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: Baseball games for Ryan on Monday & Thursday. Choir practice for Brian on Wednesday, they are already working on Christmas music. Gymnastics for the girls on Thursday. Somewhere in all of that I need to get by a bakery and get a cake ordered for Rebecca. Also need to buy the other things for her party as well. Brian is going to take Ryan & Emma shopping one night to pick something out for her too. She is VERY excited about turning 5!

Have a great week everyone!

Starfish Babies

As many of you know, Rebecca lived with Amanda at the Starfish Home in Xian, China. Amanda's mission in life is to help medically needy orphans get the medical care they need and then to take care of them until their forever families arrive. Words just can't describe enough how much I respect and appreciate her life work!

I really haven't had the time to reach out to every family who adopts a Starfish child but a couple of new families caught my eye the other day, one in particular because they are from Tennessee. Makes me smile to think of another little Chinese child with a southern accent :-)

Anyway, these two families will be traveling to Xian soon - check it out, wish them well and remember them in your prayers!

"Immeasurablymoreblessed"

and

"FaithWithOutWorks"

Tomorrow we will be welcoming home some friends who have traveled back to get their 2nd daughter. I need to make sure I take my kleenex to the airport, a new child home with their forever families ALWAYS makes me cry!

Back On Schedule

School is back in session which means we're back on a schedule. Fall baseball started for Ryan and gymnastics starts back up for the girls tomorrow. Brian is back to choir practice on Wednesdays. Homework. Reading. Some more homework. A 7th grader that does his homework without any reminding. A first grader who tells me she hates homework. But I'm thinking she didn't hate it until she realized she had to do it herself. At least I think there is a direct correlation. If any more nights are like tonight (in the homework department anyway), I think I may just run away from home :-) The assignment was to use each of the words on her vocabulary list in a sentence. Tears, footstomping and lots of "I can't ..." ensued. She said "I don't like homework" then told me she didn't know how to use the word "don't" in a sentence ... hmmm.

Calgon, please take me away - this is not a good way to start the school year.

Site Seeing

We happened across this sign while we were out and about the other day. For some reason it really cracked Brian up, guy humor maybe? Somehow he had watched a youtube video about this place as well.



men ...

Happy Birthday To My Better Half

Today is my sweet husband's birthday. We celebrated a little early this year, trying to procure overnight child care can be a tad bit complex. Just getting up enough nerve to ask someone to stay with them is difficult as it is! We haven't had been anywhere overnight without kiddos since Ryan was probably 4 or 5 so we were long overdue. Thankfully, Emma's first teacher Amy came and stayed with the kiddos (bless her kind soul). We went and had dinner - alone! Checked into a lovely bed and breakfast that overlooks the Ohio river, went for a long walk then spent some time on the deck just talking to each other and enjoying a beautiful sunset. It was so nice having that much time together to just do nothing!!! The next day we went to a small town and walked around checking out a few cute little stores and few antique stores. It was really, really nice & it's something we really should do more often.

Then last night we went out as a family and enjoyed some yummy Indian food!

Happy Birthday Brian - Love you with all my heart!!!!

First Day of School

First day of school today ... 1st grade for Miz Divine & 7th grade for Ryan. My babies are growing up. I swear Ryan sprouted up a good few inches over the summer. Won't be long until he's taller than me. Now that's just not right!