Sam turns 30 on Friday, so we started celebrating today!  A few months ago I bought his big gift.  I even had my friend, Courtney keep it at her house because Sam is just that good at spoiling the surprise.  So, I picked it up this afternoon, set it up in the living room and when Sam got home he found COltan and I inside of his brand new tent.  It swallows our living room it’s so big.  Here’s a little video of the boys wrestling in the tent.  I think they both like it…a lot! Can’t wait to go camping!!

This year, our actual day of Thanksgiving will be a bit…untraditional.  So, we decided to have a little meal at home tonight to make sure we enjoyed the traditional parts we love.

I did a cheap and cheating Thanksgiving dinner with stovetop stuffing, a turkey breast, gravy from a packet, cranberry that jiggled, greenbean casserole that I’ve never made before, microwaved sweet potatoes with brown sugar and butter, and a pumpkin pie.  I spent under $30 and it took less than an hour of hands on time.  I’m thinking my gourmet thanksgivings might have to make room for some of these more simple but delicious finds.

My happy boys after dinner…

Next up, Thanksgiving Part 2 and Sam’s turns the big 3-0!!

We’ve been doing a gratitude calendar this month.  Most days at dinner we each say what we thank God for.  Here’s Coltan telling you about it…

We headed to Lake Rabun with the Douglases last weekend.  It was so beautiful!  Minus a nasty cold for Coltan that gave us all a rocky night’s sleep…we had an amazing time.  I used to think I was through and through a city girl, but what I’ve realized is that I’m just an extreme girl.  I like city.  I like country.  I just don’t love the in between.  So, I definitely soaked up some time in the North Georgia mountains…100% country!!

Here we are after a “hike” to the falls…it was more like a long, bumpy climb up stairs.  So pretty.

Katie’s parent’s house.

the gorgeous lake.  They drained it for the winter so people could work on their docks.  Who knew you could do that?

And the stars of the show…

One of my favorite things has been to watch Coltan learn to jump.  He would be convinced that he was getting air but really just sort of bounced and stepped.  Now, today he is consistently getting both feet off the ground. He is thrilled with himself and of course so am I.

We had such a fun night at Art and Katie’s jumping in the leaves with the Defeo’s and all the girls!  Coltan didn’t hesitate for a second.  Loved it!  When we left, Coltan said, “We have good freinds, mom.”  I couldn’t agree more…so blessed.

I stumbled across this list on a blog and I just love it…some more than others but it inspired me. I’m definitely working on #2, #23 and always #10.  How about you?

50 Life Lessons

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

I love Halloween.  We always went all out growing up. My favorite memory is of my brother RJ and I dressing up in scary robes and masks and pretending we were statues on the front step and scaring people.  Isn’t that so mean? Now as a mom, I think it’s kind of mean, but still funny!

Halloween is now all about the kiddo in the Blossom house.  So, this year, we went to the zoo in costume with Aunt Lisa and Braxton.  Braxton was a sweet little scarecrow.

We made it about 45 minutes before the rain came.  And the rain stuck around!  It seemed fitting though, cause my other memories of Halloween include many layers under our costumes, runny noses, and bad weather.

Then on Halloween we headed over to hang out with friends (AP, Alea, Loa & Adelie, and Jake, Lindsay, Zoe & Eli) who live in a big family neighborhood for trick or treating.

It was so much fun…even with the rain.  I actually loved that my nose was cold…I just love this time of year!

Happy Halloween!

I know I’m really slacking on this blog.  No real reason I guess. I just get the desire to write in fits and spurts.

Here are a few more pictures from our weekend with the Blossom grandparents.

Tom and Susan on the wagon ride through the apple orchards.

There were tons of old tractors around for Coltan to ride. A big hit!

I’ve already made two apple pies. We brought home a huge bag of all types of yummy apples.

I could have easily taken these little guys home.  The petting zoo was so much fun.

oh I was in heaven with these puppies!  I used to go to a pet store in college to play with all the puppies and kittens as a stress reliever.

there was an awesome tricyle track called the John Deer Derby.

oh those dimples. sheesh!

He learned to say “ride em cowboy!” and the man taking care of the bull taught him to put his arm up like that.

And one more pictures at home of Coltan bowling with Papa in the foyer.

we LOVE having family visit!!  Who’s next??!!?