Grannies and Werewolves and Mustard, Oh My . . .

Halloween came a day early to our house. The high school and middle school in our district allow their students to get dressed up for school. The elementary school doesn't. I, personally, think it's a horrible policy. I remember dressing up and parading around the school and even in front of the school if the weather permitted. Now, my son's class doesn't even have a Halloween party. Times have certainly changed. They do, however, have a Masquerade Ball at the elementary school tonite. Son #3 wants to attend for the first time and we're going to have to juggle our schedules to make this happen. Son #1 has what could be his last football game of the season tonite and I don't want to miss it. Hubby kindly volunteered to take #3 to the ball and then meet son #2 and I at the football game later on. I can't believe we're adding a #4 to the mix!!! :)






Anyhoo . . . this is what our house looked like this morning. Connor wanted to be an old lady so he bought a wig, a pair of pearls, borrowed my MIL's walker and I bought a housecoat for him. You should have seen my husband trying on housecoats in Sears yesterday to see if they would fit Connor. I literally almost wet my pants with laughter!! I told him that it was definitely true love when you tried on housecoats to make your wife happy!!



This granny is 6 foot 2 and weighs 240 lbs. Her boobs are made of bubble wrap.











I had to get a shot of the bun . . .















and of how his shorts hung below his housecoat.


He even borrowed my husband's slippers and a straw purse I picked up in Turks and Caicos. He had a lipstick and compact in his purse because what Granny would be caught without a lipstick and compact? All his own idea, I swear!!!





I told him to go easy on the lipstick because I don't want him playing on the offensive line tonite with pink lipstick stain on his lips. I never thought I would ever hear those words come out of my mouth!! : )


Son #2 was a container of mustard. His friend that is in most of his classes is dressing up as a hot dog. I hope to get a picture of the two of them together later on. I was able to get a picture of his friend, Dylan, who knocked on our door this morning looking like this . . .











Needless to say, this didn't go over very well with our two dogs!!


Just another day in our life!!









And last nite, we carved our pumpkins. It was nice because the whole family actually got involved.





Trevor striking a pose while Brendan gets the "Shmutz" (as he calls it) out of his pumpkin.











More "shmutz."









Brendan drew his own design this year and Connor helped him draw it onto his pumpkin. I cut it out so it was definitely a group effort this year. I haven't carved a pumpkin in a couple of years and I forgot how much I liked doing it. Judging by the huge hug and kiss and "Great job, Mom" that I got from Brendan, I did a pretty good job. : )





And here are the finished products . . .






Brendan's Masterpiece!!













Trevor's Masterpiece!!











Hubby's Masterpiece!!












From our house to yours, we hope you have a safe and SPOOKtacular Halloween!!


Many blessings ~ Wendy

I'm Lovin' this Weather and I Have Some Special News to Tell You . . .

It's 40 something degrees here right now. The wind is getting a little bit breezy and the rain is coming down. I AM IN MY GLORY!!! I have errands to run but am still in my jammies. It's after 11:30 in the morning. After the boys all got off to school, I put my head down on the couch and fell asleep again for a little while. I've been wide awake at bedtime but very tired in the morning. I haven't said anything yet here because it's still pretty early on. And I apologize to friends and family that read my blog that don't know yet and are finding out here for the first time ~ we are expecting a new baby. We found out on my husband's birthday, September 25th. My husband has no biological children of his own. It seems like God was preparing him for three sons his whole life, though. He has become an incredible father to the boys and has told me many times that he couldn't love them anymore than if they were his own.

When Jim and I started dating and knew it was getting serious we talked about having another child. Honestly, I wasn't so sure how I felt about it. I was just turning 40 when we met and I didn't know if I wanted to start over again. I have big babies and c-sections. I love my sleep. My kids are very independent now. I love my sleep. I don't need to pay babysitters anymore. When we go to the beach every summer I actually can relax and have a good time without chasing kids around. And, most of all, I love my sleep. : )

I also didn't like having the power in my hands of being the one to tell someone that they can or can't have a child in this lifetime. That was the biggest part of this whole decision for me. Jim left it up to me and said he would honestly be fine either way. If you know Jim you know that he tells the truth all the time. Sometimes a little too much. : )

There is a whole lot more to this story but I want to save that for after we see the doctor tomorrow and know that everything is okay. So far, this pregnancy is very different from my first three. Next to no nausea, lots more fatigue and definite mood swings as my husband and sons will attest to. Sorry guys. This, too, shall pass!!

I feel good and happy and emotional and can cry at the drop of a hat and am going to enjoy every minute of this journey because this is the last time I plan on taking it. I'll be 43 when this baby is born. How the hell did I get to be almost 43?!!? I figure this baby will either keep me really young or else make me feel really old. Either way, he or she will be coming into a family filled with laughter, joy, yelling and screaming, neighborhood kids traipsing (don't think I spelled that correctly) in and out all the time, cats, dogs, dust, crazy schedules, a father that's never changed a dirty diaper before, a mother who will be fighting his/her father for toe nibbling time (Jim and I are both still obsessed with Brendan's feet and he's seven!!) and more love than anyone could hope for.

Amazing Grace.

Many blessings ~ Wendy

The adorable picture above is by Anne Geddes.

Sunday Sayings . . .

" Every experience God gives,
every person He puts in our life
is perfect preparation for the future
which only He can see. "

~ Mi Sun


Many blessings ~ Wendy

Living Life Just for Today . . .

It's a rainy Wednesday morning in New York. I just love the sound of rain in the trees and on the windows. It's supposed to clear up later on but I'll enjoy it while it's here. I even heard a rumble of thunder!! All of our windows are open and there's a wonderful breeze coming into the house. It's still quite dark for 7 am. Autumn is definitely here although our trees are just starting to change their foliage. Lots of my friends in blog land have been taking pictures of the foliage in their neighborhood and some are still pretty green like ours. Others are on fire with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows!! That will happen soon enough for us but, until then, I'll live vicariously thru them. :) For now, the most brilliant colors seem to be on my front door. I love the contrast between the door color and the wreath color. I couldn't resist taking this picture.



Recently, I made one of my all-time favorite purchases on Etsy. These wool felted seed pods are absolutely adorable!! I found them in my new friend Meli's shop called Woolicious. You can find it here. She has some of the prettiest things I've seen on Etsy!! I've mixed her pods with some wool felted acorns that I found here. Another pretty shop that is filled with lots of goodies!! I'm really a minimalist when it comes to decorating. I believe a few special seasonal touches here and there are so much nicer than cramming a lot of stuff into a small space. This sits on a little table in the entrance way of my home. I found the metal dish in Pier I years ago on clearance, after Christmas. I think I paid a dollar for it. : )



It's hard to believe another week is flying by so quickly. This time of the year always seems to be a big blur to me. This month is Halloween, next month is Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I have to take things one day at a time or else it all becomes very overwhelming. Just for today, I wish you a day of peace, a day of joy and a day of love.




Many blessings ~ Wendy

Oh How I Love Thee, October . . .

Pretty dramatic title, huh? : ) The month of October brings out the best in me. I LIVE for this month!! It's only 31 days long so I try to savor every moment of it. My favorite holiday falls in October. You know the one I'm talking about. Think candy ~ lots and lots of candy!!

Another thing that I love about October are the autumn skies. I swear they just seem to move in overnite.

What is more beautiful than fiery red and orange leaves against a brilliant blue sky?

Why is it that autumn skies seems so much more intensely blue?

Mother Nature does some of her best work in October, doesn't she?

These photos take my breath away!!

Just gorgeous.







This is probably my most favorite of all.






May your October be filled with thirty one days of brilliant autumn skies!!









Many blessings ~ Wendy