Belated Thanksgiving Memories

Happy Belated Thanksgiving! Here is a quick trip down memory lane...

Connor loved eating - mostly his graham crackers, but was a true delight to watch as he navigated his own way in our big family!

We got to see Pa Cole. He shared with us some of his memories from holidays in the past. He is such a wealth of wisdom and never hesitates to show his love to us all.

Daddy got some good giggles from Connor...

And Landon...

As always, we really enjoyed seeing and spending time with Moo-moo and B. Seriously, could there be a cuter more wonderful couple?

And Ross brought back of old family memories by eating an entire pumpkin pie!!!

We also had some great time with my family and was able to even get a good picture of Karen and I!

And me and my adorable little nephew, Zaiya, who grows cuter by the day!

We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday and Landon was so pleased to be able to share in the pumpkin cheesecake!! Yum!

We shared some wonderful hugs and quality time.

Zaiya showed off his muscles and tried to push his two cousins around in a laundry basket...hilarious!

We got to visit with my brother, John, who is was on a brief leave from the Navy. We are all so proud of him. I really think my dad is the most proud, though.

We got a special treat to see some of my cousins. This is Haley and Greg. We had a great time catching up with them and sharing stories from growing up. It was so great to see them!

We also got to see my cousin, Rebecca, and her husband, Eamon. What a great family Thanksgiving! Catching up with Rebecca is always so heart warming. Love that girl!

And, a nice shot of Rebecca and I, my other sister. :)

Landon helped in the kitchen. As you can see, his cars also helped...

We went to see the lights at Tanglewood. The boys did great all snug in their pajamas!

Landon helped Pop make Papa's famous Old John Sauce. What a treat it was to watch as my dad made his dad's recipe with my little boy. These memories are things I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Santa Train 2010

Yep, this about says it all.

Last night we went on the Santa Train with Sophia and Janise. Landon and I had the best time!
These two had their faces painted, rode the Santa train complete with meeting Santa and drank hot chocolate while Janise and I marveled at the joy of watching our children.

I had to share this picture and plan to post more later. Enjoy!

I am a Technology Turkey

So, I tried. For an hour and a half. There is my stinking tiny mosaic from Thanksgiving. I will try again later.

Thirty-Three

Well, on November 18th, I turned 33. Janise's birthday is the day before mine and our playgroup had a celebration for us on Friday! Look at that awesome cake from Lucia who has a 2 week old!!! My baking hero!

I had a blast celebrating this year. Stan gets major props for taking off an hour early on my birthday to make my cake with Landon- you can see Landon enjoyed every minute!

Stan also took care of dinner for my birthday and let me go shopping with Allison on Friday, drove to Greensboro on Saturday so we could be at Heather's daughter's birthday party and let me go shopping with Janise on Saturday just before he took me out for dinner!! Seeing Allison, Heather and Janise in one weekend was such a gift - having dinner alone with my hubby was also a special treat (thanks to Moo and Nanny for that one!)

I find myself reflective over this birthday, realizing that I am quickly stepping into my mid-thirties. Wow. There are so many great things about my thirties, I thought it would be a great time to list those out. I continue to be at a constant push and pull with my flesh to allow God to mold me and shape me into the woman he wants me to be. I learn more daily as he prunes me, especially through the gift of motherhood.

• I can laugh at myself much more than ever before
• I am ok with who I am (of course there is room for improvement, but I am less affected by other's opinions than I used to be)
• I am stronger than I used to be (I remember when a wise mentor told me I needed to get thicker skin. I was offended at the time - in my early twenties- but now I get it)
• I am getting better at sharing my opinion in a tactful way even if I know others won't agree (especially when relating to sharing my faith)
• Thus...I share my faith more
• I am choosing to spend my time more wisely
• I am choosing to surround myself with those who uplift me and devote my "friend time" to those people instead of spreading myself so thin in less than uplifting relationships
• I am talking to my husband more (instead of holding my hurts or disappointments in)
• I am generally more thankful
• I am learning that sticking through the tough times can really make relationships stronger that I may have otherwise written off
• I am learning to accept constructive criticism better and apply that to making a better me
• I have learned the freedom in forgiveness and plan to do it more quickly
• I am learning the freedom in vulnerability and realness, I treasure my "reality friends"
• I am enjoying staying home with my boys and feel less pressure all the time to work more (thanks in large part to my supportive husband)
• I am learning to be more patient (still have a ways to go on this), esp. from my boys :)
• I am learning how truly short life on this earth is and am looking for ways to make lasting impressions, especially as a mother
• Had one of the biggest joys in motherhood this morning when Landon asked, "Mommy, can you read me the bible?

Well, there is a lot more, but I am going to go work out now. I am also learning to value in doing the things I need to do for myself in a less than scheduled pattern. Both boys are down, my BLOG is updated and dinner is leftovers. If I work out now, I can do my quiet time instead of working out tonight and that sounds like a great ending to my day.

Happy 33rd to me. Hard to believe. Thanks for reading and for the support and friendship you each give to me in your own way.

Cole Family 5K!

Well, Stan and I made a huge accomplishment for us...we took the two kids, two strollers and two 30 + year olds and ran a 5K!! We managed to run the entire race and finish with a smile. I was so pleased! I would love to be able to do more runs together and raise our kids to understand the importance of exercise. My personal goal is a half marathon (without the stroller), so we shall see. Maybe once the kids are a little older. :) It seems so difficult to find time to do these things at this stage of the game. I am glad we made this happen and now I know we can do it!!

As you can see Connor finished well...

It was so nice to be with Stan for this race. His work has been doing it for 10 years to benefit the Food Bank. We got to see all of his co-workers and participate in something meaningful to him. It was great to do a service activity with our kids as well. It was a great family event. We love our daddy Stan!

And, last but not least, the boys in their pumpkin hats. I had wanted them to wear them for the race...but they BOTH had other ideas. This is the best picture I got out of several I took the morning of the race. Oh well. They are cute anyhow!!

Fall Reflections

I love craft time with the kids. Connor, of course, is not quite into it, but Landon loves crafts. I love the time spent focusing on a craft so his little mind just opens up and he shares it with me. He shares his thoughts about:

• God: "Mommy, why did God paint my eyes green?"


• His friends: "Mommy, I have an idea, maybe Porter and JD can come over and play with me. I really like to play with them. They are my good friends."


• His daddy: "Mommy, my daddy is really strong and he showed me how to wrestle."


• His Nanny: "Mommy, Nanny is my best friend. I love her a lot."


• His teacher: "Mommy, Ms. Ruth used to be a stranger, but them I got to know her. Now she is not a stranger anymore. Now I love Ms. Ruth."


• His brother: "Mommy, I love my baby brother, I want another baby brother."


• His stuffed animals: "Mommy, my buddies are tired, they are ready for a nap. I will read them a story and then I will tuck them in. If they are good boys and girls, I will give them a treat when they get up."


• His feelings: "Mommy, sometimes I feel sad when you are not here. Then I feel happy when you are here. Sometimes I feel mad and frustrated. Sometimes I feel excited. Sometimes I think about dinosaurs that are extinct."

Snippets of time. Oh, how I love this journey. I am reminded to slow it down. I pray that God will help me be content. I pray that God will guide me as a mom. I pray that my priorities will mirror those that are of eternal significance. I pray that in this season of hustle bustle, I will take each day and live it to the fullest, praising the God of the universe who has given us life, abundant, loving us and lavishing us with that love each and every minute. Let that love be my guide in this journey.

I also love listening to Landon talk with his friends while doing crafts together. Sophia and Landon are just the best of friends and had a blast doing this craft. I think it took 15 pictures at least and a bribe with M and Ms to get this picture!

Finished products. So much fun!

Landon shows off his imagination by creating a new superhero power- Lightyear Mini-lasers, aka marker tops. :)

And, last but not least, my little cowboy!

Enjoy!

So Thankful

I am not trying to jump ahead to Thanksgiving...but in the spirit of the new fall season beginning with Halloween behind us, I wanted to share just how very thankful I am. We had a wonderful Halloween with the boys. Landon was Buzz Lightyear and Connor was Mr. Potato Head. We shared the evening with Derek, Janise, Sophia and Emelia, our dear friends who we celebrated with last year as well. We also had the pleasure of having Nanny join us again- dressed as a cowgirl, no less! Landon just belly laughed when he saw her.

We walked down our street in our annual Halloween parade, put the "Tator" casserole in the oven, grabbed a glass of wine and took our kids for their first trick or treating experience. Janise and I took Landon, Sophia and Emelia to about 10 house with our cameras and video recorders in tow...what an absolute blessing! The kids had a blast and I truly believe that Janise and I had just as much fun. It made me just gush to see my sweet boy old enough to say, "Trick or Treat". He and Sophia held hands and helped each other not be scared.

We made memories. We stopped to smell the roses. Though motherhood is so trying at times, these are the rewards. What a blessing to share motherhood with such dear friends as we watch and marvel at the little lives we have created blossoming before our eyes. I am so thankful.

It would be so nice if kids would look at the camera...alas.

To infinity and beyond!

Too darn cute.

Landon, Connor, Sophia and Emelia all looking at Nanny who was being her sweet silly self. What a crew!

Nanny and Mr. Potato Head.

A family photo- not too bad!

Nanny and Buzz.

I couldn't believe we were able to get this shot! I love my little Connor bug!

We had to bribe Landon to get this one...with more candy. :) Three year olds!

A mommy picture for a change! Janise is such a dear dear friend. I don't know how I would get through this time in my life without her! Those days when I need to hear it most, she is so encouraging and always pointing me to God for strength. I am so very thankful for her friendship! Love you Janise!

Speaking of thankful. This lady is a treasure. I absolutely adore my mother-in-law. I know I am biased but I really believe she is the best mother-in-law in the world. I don't know how I would get through this journey of motherhood without her either. The number of times she has just showed up, given Stan and I a date night, cooked a meal, helped me in a bind, played Santa's elf, got me out of the house, etc...the list goes on...is unparalleled. She is the most self-less person I have ever met, never meets a stranger and her heart just radiates love, esp. to her family. Kay, you don't know how much you mean to me! I love you!

Sophia and Landon really are two peas in a pod. I love watching these two together, though we are learning that adolescence may need to be a time of close supervision! :)

Here Landon and Sophia are checking out their loot. They got plenty of chocolate, enough to get them all sugared up before bed. Who didn't do that on Halloween? Hope you enjoyed!