From Start to Finish...Halloween is OVER!!!

Thank goodness for the relaxation piece of the weekend. I am sure we are not the only family who was up at the crack of dawn with school parties and trick or treating on the agenda.Lets just say that my boys were AMPED up and it was very difficult to deal with today. I got some great shots today and I will narrate the pictures so you know what is going on...NOT my typical mode (its actually a pet peeve to do that)! Hope that everyone who celebrates had a great time!

I was in charge of this group of hooligans!!! Luckily, with all the other moms help..we pulled it off! And it was spooky and exciting..Just the way 2nd graders like it!

Below is a pic of Mason and for him (more mom) today was bittersweet. It was his LAST day at his old preschool and he begins a new one on Monday. So we had lots of tears as he left his buddies, teachers and as mommy cleaned out the cubby....So Sad...seriously.




Their relationship in a nutshell + about 50 various pieces of candy added on top of it..

My little tree-huggers. They were at least interested in a couple of pictures which is more than I can say for previous years...


And were off to Trick or Treat. Of course Mason ran the exact opposite way of this picture but how cute would it have been with both of them??? Guess I have to settle for one...=)
Well.I am off to lay on the couch and indulge in an enormous bag of Reeses or Snickers...Full size bars this year at most of our houses...so, I did not have enough calories with the little ones...=)

Friday Funnies...Halloween

Here is another really great pic of some cool things to do with a pumpkin....

Hope you get a little chuckle off this one! Is that really meat?

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

For more Friday Funnies, check out Homesteaders Heart.

Thankful Thursday....Senses

Today's Thankful Thursday topic is the 5 senses, so be prepared....this one could get lengthy.

Sight - I love the sight of sight of my boys playing together. Now, I am not talking about the fighting playing but real playing...reading books or cars, hockey..

something other than screaming!

Hearing - I love the sound of a crackling fire. It is especially peaceful at a fall bonfire.

Smell - My favorite sound is silence. Honestly, I don't get that very often but I love that sound.

(OK, I did not intentionally do that but now it is too funny and I just have to leave it)....Maybe being a mom does fry your brain...or maybe you should not be on the phone while trying to blog!

Taste - Chocolate chip cookies! Best taste ever!

Touch - I love the touch of a really soft smushy blanket up against my face...the BEST way to take a nap or end the night!

For more Thankful Thursdays you should check out Grace Alone.

Wordfull Wednesday...Politcal Humor!!!

This movie was filmed in Minnesota so it has some "roots" here. I just thought that it was funny. I know that everyone is thinking about the election these days, I am NOT utilizing my blog as a forum for any political backing. I am just making light of the election where ever possible. Although, I do see this as a serious matter, my sense of humor allows me to see past all that!!!

Tuesday Technology Tidbit...Zombify

So, if you know about Picnik (ahhem and you should) then you should check out some cool new Halloween options that they have. I made the 2 collages above in picnik, do all the normal editing and then you click on Zombify and it makes them really cool like this!

Just thought I would share...a different way to scrapbook your kids Halloween pictures...mine always seem to look the same but with different costumes!!!

Your Gonna Miss This....Preschool

I know that I have said it 100 times but I frequently have to remind myself how I am going to miss the little things. Mason is 4 years old and today Erik and I decided to enroll him into Montessori school. We have been feeling an urge to pay a little closer attention to his education and FINALLY we just did it.

With that being said, it is a little bitter sweet because the preschool that he is at has made him a HUGE part of who he has become. A little man. The facility that he has been at has chapel, play time, outdoor time and he gets to stay for lunch. All his favorite things. He has developed a huge interest in letters and numbers and spelling all largely due to the teachers and care givers at his old preschool. He also LOVES music and they have fostered this to the best of their ability and I am truly grateful to them.

So, it is with a slightly sad, but hopeful heart that we bid ado to his old facility and move on to bigger and better things for Mason.

This picture is from his LAST field trip on Thursday.
We had a wonderful "Mom and Mason" day. Sadly, these do not happen that much.
We played at Pump it Up, Went to Pizza Hut for lunch, and then the Pumpkin Patch....
Our letter of the day was obviously "P".

Congrats Mason on being a Big Boy and for being excited about his new school....now talk to me next Monday when I am balling my eyes out!!!

Not me Monday...(OK, I wait all week)

This is my favorite, favorite meme that is in the blogging world. If you have not tried it PLEASE do yourself a favor and visit MckMamma and get yourself on the list. Most of us ladies spend Monday just reading all of the "Not Me's" that other ladies do...but as we all know, this blog is about my Not Me's...here I go again!!!

1. I did NOT consume over 50,000 calories in 2 days at a weekend girls getaway...that would be insane and un-sensible. Plus, I DID NOT think about even once hopping on the treadmill...NOPE, Not Me!

2. It was NOT ME who opened up a box of "Fiber One" pop-tarts at Target this week to satisfy my 4 year olds craving and to also make my shopping seem a little more reasonable...(I think if I were new to this store, it would be one thing..but since I am on camera at this location almost 3 times per day and spend almost all our paychecks at the joint...they let me open it right...)

3. It was NOT ME who just created the longest run on sentence in the history of blogging....(see # 2 for proof) =)

4. I did NOT ridicule another child in my mind when my son was a little let down at a sports try out.I would never do this and I recognize how immature it was. However, I am pretty sure the parents could NOT see my eyes roll when their child's name was called....CLASSY!!!

5. I DID NOT spend way more money on a pair of jeans than I should have...I am on the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace plan and that would be unreasonable and a total want....but I DID NOT need them. Not Me!

6. I did not feel fat this week...Nope Not me!

Hope you all have great Not Me's!!! I am waiting over here....ready to comment!

Songful Sunday...and Saturday

This weekend, I went away for a much needed relaxation weekend (thanks to Kate for opening up her family cabin to all of us)!

I just love to be around ladies who love the Lord and it is evident in many of their actions. Thanks to all of you for once again for showing me grace and acceptance! I really appreciate it.

Here is a song that is from Toby Mac. If you are not familiar with his music, you can check out more from him @ Toby Mac. Let's just say that this man is anointed, and can sing his back side off! I just love his music!

You can also check out his music on the local Christian Radio Station KTIS / 98.5 or another trendier station that has a little more "bounce" to the music as my boys say...that station is 97.7 !! (Of course I am speaking of Minnesota, sorry out of staters)!

I hope you rock out to this one like I do.....PLAY IT LOUD!!!

Missed blogging.....

Friday Funnies...My 1st Attempt

So there might be a small chance that I am kicked right out of this little club because it is the 1st time I am playing "Friday Funnies". Now, let me just preface this photo...I am in no way, shape or form making fun of anyone who holds a sign. I am highly sympathetic when we encounter someone but if I had seen this sign for real...there is a chance that I would have wet my pants right on the spot!!!

This gives you a little taste of what my humor is like...C'mon you gotta tell me...

Is It funny? Or not...I can handle it if it is not your cup of tea!

Head over to Homesteaders Heart for more of the Friday Funnies...

that just might tickle your funny bone!

Thankful Thursday- Special Friendships

Some of you might find that this post reads like an acceptance speech, sorry about that but it just about the only way to make it sound "real"..So here I go:

First and Foremost I would like to say Thank you to my Heavenly Father up above, for allowing me to grow dispite all my numerous flaws. Thanks to him for creating all of the individuals he has placed in my life at various stages. All of my friends are special and mean a lot to me.

Secondly, for my husband Erik. When we first got married he was exactly what I was looking for (being that my dad is a pastor, I knew that I could not handle that life, so I picked someone a lot like my dad but without the Theology degree)! And now that we have been married 10+ years, he is developing into not only the man and father that I need him to be but also the man that God wants him to be. His desire to grow and be open to new things spiritually is really helping us get to the next level not only in our marriage but in our parenting and friendships. Thank you to him for all so putting up with me on a daily basis, I am a work in progress and believe me when I tell you it takes a "SPECIAL FRIEND" to deal with this girl!!!

Thirdly- I posted last Thursday on Joy and that my Cousin Mimi is a Joy in my life, this week nothing has changed there. We have been through a lot of "Life's Struggles" and one thing still remains: He placed us together for a reason. This paragraph could get lengthly but I think enough said. Can't "DO LIFE" without her...

I have known Kate for several years but more recently, God has placed us together and is growing that friendship. I really feel like at this stage in my life, Kate has tons of great insight and the passion that she has for Christ in infectious. I am becoming a better Christian because of her influence.

Lastly - My boys. I know that this might sound a little strange but my boys are my buddies. I can't imagine my life without them. Even though somedays that "Ugly Mom Voice" comes out, they know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE them and that will never change. I can not wait (Lord willing) to see these boys grow up to be Godly, Respectful, Full of Life young men. And to be perfectly honest..most days they just make "THIS LIFE" worth living for both Erik and I ...Thank you Jaxon and Mason...Mommy and Daddy Love you!

Thanks so much to Grace Alone for this subject...Please check out more!

Wordless Wednesday - Partners????

Tuesday Technology Tidbit - Kids Eat Free!

Well, this was a big movement when my parents were raising me and my brother...they would hunt out restaurants that offered "Kids Eat Free" night. Now, I will be the 1st to admit that when my family is hungry we do NOT drive around the city looking for a sign that says "Kids Eat Free" to oblige the hunger pains....we simply plop down at the closest place and pay $5.99 for a kids meal or two....

But, I have to say that something has struck a cord with me since my husband and I have been doing financial peace with Dave Ramsey. Save money wherever you can, and for us that means hunting out such "Kids Eat Free" places!

So, my Technology tip for the day is to Google Kids Eat Free, Your City, Your State: Example:
Kids Eat Free, Minneapolis, MN

Here are just a couple of the "Great" restaurants that popped up!

Can't you just here that extra money in your wallet screaming THANK YOU!!!!

Tip Jar Tuesday

Here is a really great tip for those of you who might clean your car yourself (I happen to be one of those people). I simply can NOT pay $30.00 for a car wash when I have 2 boys and a vacuum at home! Oh, but I can spend $5.03 per day on a coffee, so I guess maybe this tip is not coming from the best of sources (HA)!

For cleaning bugs off the grill of your car use WD-40 and a paper towel...Works like a charm and also makes me wonder what they put in WD-40 but I might save that for another post!

So, if you are in the mood for a really clean car this fall....remember WD-40!

For more tip jar Tuesdays please check out BlogMommas!

Not Me Monday....Yeah!!!

This is my 2nd installment of "NOT ME" Mondays, and I have to say it is quickly becoming my favorite. If you have not played along before you simply have to check out MckMama! She has a HUGE following and some of the things that come out of the "NOT ME" Mondays make me wet my pants with laughter!!! So, here I go:

1. I DID NOT obsess about the "Not Me's" this week. That would be strange and obsessive and I am none of those things.

2. I did NOT go through the Starbucks line, promptly spill my drink in the car and turn right back around to go through a tell them they did not put the lid on tight....I would NEVER do that for another drink....NOT ME!
3. I did not make my 3 yr old wear the same jeans 2 days in a row just because I did not want to wash them...there is nothing wrong with that right? NOT ME...
4. I did NOT have a "FREAK OUT" session at the Tire store this week when my fairly new car needed all 4 tires. That would be embarrassing and very NOT WWJD.....Nope NOT ME!!!
5. I DID NOT stay up until 4am on Thursday evening with my husband while we were renovating a cabin up north (Fenn Family Cabin).

6. I did NOT promise my husband that I would make dinner every night this week only to find out that I failed by Wednesday...NOT ME! I keep all my promises!

Hope everyone has a great week...and don't obsess about the NOT ME's like I did this week!

Your Gonna Miss This Moment....Pick Your Own PJ Night

In our family we have a little tradition going, it is called Pick your own PJ night. For the most part, I allow the boys to select something every night but they have to be paired PJ's....except one or two nights a week the boys will ask me or dad "Can it be pick your own PJ's tonight?" and almost always we will say yes (thankfully they only ask once or twice)! The best part? We never know what we are going to get! So, as you can see last night was pick your own PJ night at our house and even better...they both selected jerseys without even talking to each other...BROTHERS..AHHH!

Anyhow, I will miss this moment later, I know I will and I will also miss the Elmo bottoms with the Vikings top! Mason is sooo creative! Jaxon still on the conservative side, still selects something that needs to be matching!

Thanks to Pam for allowing me to play along...check out more @ Your Gonna Miss This!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday...Better Hands

Are you a Natalie Grant fan? This is song is so insanely powerful that I can barely make it through the song without bustin out the box of Kleenex. We all struggle with our own mindsets, not giving everything to God like we should and this song makes me realize that I am in better hands!! I hope you all enjoy this song just like I do!



For more TSMSS please visit: Signs, Miracles & Wonders

Friendship Award

I have been nominated for the "PERFECT BLEND OF FRIENDSHIP AWARD" and I have graciously accepted (This is like the Emmy's for Blogging...)..so here is my acceptance speech!

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood? Only a couple, My dad was in the army and a pastor so we moved around frequently.

2. What do you value most about your friends? That they always tell me that I look good (hmm...this would be honesty)!

3. Are your friends your sounding boards? Absolutely, aside from prayer and my husband, they are a large factor in big decisions.

4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends? Bible / Book Study, Scrap booking, Coffee, and Facebook (another new addiction)

I am passing this along to a couple of lucky ladies:

1. Jenny @ Hansell Happenings

2. Melyssa @ Beau and Belle

3. Karin @ Selinger Family

4. Kate @ Team Chapman

5. Annie @ Epic Adventure

Thankful Thursday...JOY

Today's Thankful Thursday post is Joy! How excited I am about this subject because,

I have tons of Joy to spread (it is my middle name you know)!

Not only that but I am going to tell a little bloggin secret that maybe should be kept in the dark but I just can not help myself!

I am He & Me + 3's cousin and just as I am named Tarah Joy she was

named Mimi Joy 6 years earlier. We always joke about how I am named after her

so...here comes the relevant part:

I am thankful for Mimi Joy today, and all the positive things that she provides for me in my life! There are very few people that I let "DO LIFE" with me, and she is someone who is in the inner circle! She is a great sounding board for all things parenting, marriage and life in general(and I am sure that a lot of you are finding out what a blessing she is)!

Thanks Mimi Joy!!!

For more Thankful Thursdays please visit Grace Alone

Wordfull Wednesday...When I just can't be Wordless!!

Are you kidding me? Let me set the stage for this fantastic turn of events.

I get a low tire pressure symbol on my car about 2 weeks ago.

I get air in the tire...symbol goes off...Life if good.

Fast forward a few days and it happens again, I check the tire and I find a nail.

Simple enough or so I thought...turns out that my tire had 3 nail holes in it and

was irreplaceable (thanks to a few new roofs in our neighborhood no doubt)!


Here is the BEST part...or the Worst part depending on how you look at it.

I own a sweet 2007 Honda Pilot. Apparently this vehicle is smarter than God

himself because not only do I need 1 new tire but apparently, I have a system

called Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) AND THIS SYSTEM TATTLES ON YOU!!!

What? I bring it into the tire store and they promptly hook it up to the machine that tells them that I have not had my tires rotated in 11, 780 miles (OK, that one is my bad but c'mon and roll with the story)!!!

So, bottom line is this. My car is a year and a half old and I need

(4...yes I said 4) new tires...Why (4) you ask????

Because TPMS will not allow you to change out 1 or 2 or 3 tires...

the system has to reset itself with all 4 tires.....

I have NEVER heard of something so preposterous!!!!

HELP ME ON THIS WORDLESS WEDNESDAY to

NOT HAVE A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN!!!

PS. We just spent $670.00 for new tires on my hubby's sweet 4 door family sedan...

PSS...You think this picture is a co-ink-i-dink....NO, they make HOT AIR BALLOONS to make fun of my situation and of the TPMS.....Uh, those tire people...

Hope your Wednesday is actually Wordless....Mine however, IS NOT!!!!!