the "peace treaty"

When Kid1 was sworn into the Navy on Thursday it was a long day for him. He waited and waited at Atlanta MEPS, luckily his dad waited with him while Batgirl, Weezy, Kid4 and I shopped at the nearby outlets until it was time.

Once it was "time" it all went so fast! They called his name, Mr. B stood upfront and did the swearing in. It all happened in about 2 minutes. I got as many pictures as possible and then we were shuttled out the door.

As we left Mr. B wanted to check one more time on Kid1 and said he would join us in the truck in a minute. We walked out and were talking about the weather and how quick it all went and Kid4 interrupted and said "Is Daddy coming with us or is he staying at the Peace Treaty?" We were silent and all tried not to laugh- she says the BEST things!

I love this picture of my brother and my Great Grandma.

My brother has had some really tough times in his life and he looks so happy here. Happy to be with his Grandma, happy to have a simple day. Just look at her hands on his arm- oh' she loved him!! I miss my Grandma's and my brother.

he did it...

Well he did it. He joined the Navy. I can barely believe it myself and I was there... it hasn't sunk in yet, it probably won't until he gets on a plane to boot camp. At least we have a few months. He still has to finish high school first- whew! We're all tired, it took all day. He's a grown up boy and I can't believe it!

sailing toward an empty nest

my first born love his first minute

My son, my oldest child, the one who made me a mother, the one who we tried all our parenting tactics on and decided if they were stupid or not, the one I use to hold and gaze into his eyes and couldn't believe he was mine, the one I use to hold and cuddle because I was in awe of him, the one who taught me how to change diapers, how to make bottles, the one who showed me what what truly loving someone unconditionally means, is joining the Navy TODAY.

Today we are driving to Atlanta to see him get sworn in, Mr. B. is doing the swearing in- in his uniform- they will be so cute together! I'll get lots of pics, but let me ask you this my friends... WHEN DID MY SON GROW INTO A MAN?

sigh..... does this mean I'm old?

(my son would tell you I was old because I bought a halloween sweater for my dog yesterday)

Jack O' Lantern face

She finally "let" me pull it...

new friends

Our new buddy is an absolute doll! He is sweet as candy! I got him a new toy (one of those long toy dogs) and he loves it! I haven't ever had a dog who loves toys and it's great! Here he is sleeping with his new friend. He spends quite a bit of his day chasing his little blue buddy all over the house. Our sweet new puppy has been the perfect addition to our family. We love us some Maximus Dinosaur!

I AM NOT a terrorist...

(this is the note I had to send to school today with Kid4, I of course used her name and the teachers.)

October 3, 2010

Dear Miss (insert teachers name here),

This weekend I fumigated my preschool and I called it a “bomb” in front of Kid4. In fact I said “Don’t let me forget to bomb the school this weekend”. Kid4 has repeated this in public quite a few times and I am concerned she is going to say it at school and you (understandably) might get nervous. Please be assured that I was referring to a bug bomb and am not a terrorist…

Thank you, have a great week,

Ashley

little johnny

Kid4 woke up and said "I'm suppose to dress like Johnny Apple Cider today, it's Johnny Apple Cider day at school". I laughed because thats just one of the million cute things she says every single day! She said that Johnny Apple Cider wears jeans, a white shirt and tennis shoes.

Here's my sweet and hilarious Kid4 on "Johnny Apple Cider" day!

forget me not!

The last time we went to Roswell to visit my sweet Hunter we drove and drove and DROVE... and spent two days with my baby boy and then headed home on Sunday evening as always- thats our routine. We leave my parents house, fill up with gas, get dinner and hit the road, it's just what we do.

So we said our goodbyes, got gas, debated on dinner and decided to get something in the next town- we were 20 miles out of town, near nothing and I got a very important text.

"You forgot 2 dolls"

These aren't any dolls- one of them (Bitty Baby) is a very trusted friend and the other she just recently fell in love with. There was no discussion, as soon as I read the text out loud, Mr. B. turned the car around and said "Well... we CAN'T leave them and we're still close, we'll go back"

So back we went for these two friends and this is what was waiting for us. They knew we'd come back! :)

Fall Decorating

I love fall, it's so amazing.

I love the tumbling leaves, the reds, oranges and yellows of the dancing trees.

I also love decorating for fall.

Aren't pumpkins just the perfect shade of orange?

I love everything about pumpkins (except the way they rot)

I love to pick them, decorate with them and eat them.

Pumpkins are a perfect pleasure.

Fall is a fantastic feature

and I am crazy creative this time of year.