Gobble On

We had such a great Thanksgiving! This time of year is for sure my favorite. I get giddy {giddier} and cheesy {cheesier}. Brent would probably muzzle me if that were considered acceptable behavior.

Tuesday was my sister's birthday and Trent's Thanksgiving feast at school, so I took a half day from work. I brought my sister Starbucks and worked from her house for a few hours. Her kids were so confused why I was there without my kids!

Happy birthday to the best sister ever!

When I got to Trent's lunch he told me 'This is the best day ever!' If that doesn't melt your heart!

After I got the kids from school, we went to my parents. My mom was keeping Patty's kids so she could go out with friends for her birthday.

Trying to get a picture of all 5. Yeah, it went super great.

We SO deserved some wine!

Clean baby ready for bed

Wednesday the kids didn't have school. We stayed home and were bums. 

Starving! When are the cinnamon rolls going to be done?!?!

Guess how much they ate? About 1/4 of one together.

By Wednesday evening, we were a little stir crazy {I even started cleaning if that tells you anything}. Rhonda invited us over to play for a bit and have dinner. Trent plays great with Rhonda's girls, and he couldn't get in the car fast enough.

This makes my heart happy. Friends!

My 2 turkeys laying on our bathroom rugs under Drew's blankets.

We spend Thanksgiving Day with Brent's family, Brent got to do some hunting too, and the day after relaxing at home. {No Black Friday shopping for me - that would be more like torture!} Trent spent the night with Brent's parents, so he was in HEAVEN.

Saturday we celebrated with my mom's family. We also celebrated my dad's birthday {which was Friday} and again my sister's. It was a fun birthday because my sister turned 36 and my dad 63. My grandpa died when he was 62, so I was especially thankful to celebrate this birthday with my dad. I pray I get a lot more birthdays with my dad then he got with his.

Happy birthday to 2 of my favorites!

We also took a picture as a family for my parents' Christmas card. Again, it isn't an easy fete to get 5 kids to smile, look at the camera, and not act like torture victims.

#fail

I'd say he enjoyed himself.

Trent went with me to Target today, and he was so sweet and adorable, I bought him about a million things. My mom bought us a little tree for our apartment {it makes me both happy and sad, ha}, so Trent insisted we needed ornaments for it. And he HAD to have a snow globe. And some books. And a new Christmas t-shirt. 

My excellent shopping date

I rounded out the weekend with a movie date with some of my book club ladies. We saw Mockingjay Part 1. I'd say it was a pretty perfect weekend!

Book Club Book Review: Me Before You

I'm being super lazy {as can be evidenced by my lack of blogging}, but I'm tired and a little sick, so the thought of uploading holiday pictures and blogging about the goodness that has been the last few days must wait. {grin} Instead you get the latest book club review! Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Plot: I really don't want to share with you the full plot of the story, because I think it gives the ending away {or at least it did for me}, so I am going to give you just a portion: Before Louisa met Will, her plans didn't reach beyond their tiny English town. Will, when he wasn't closing multimillion-dollar deals, blew off steam scaling mountains, leaping from planes, and enjoying exquisite women--until an accident left him paralyzed and seriously depressed. When his mother hires Lou to keep his spirits up, he meets her awkward overtures with caustic contempt, but she's tenacious and oddly endearing. Their fondness grows into something deeper...

Review: I absolutely LOVED this book. Amy {who also picked Before I Go to Sleep} chose another winner! Was it the best book I've ever read? No. Was it the best writing ever? No. But was the story beautiful? Yes! Did it make me think about life from a different point of view? Yes! Did I cry at the end both happy and sad tears? Yup. I also felt like it gave us some really good discussion because we had some differences of opinion for our questions, and I really think that makes for a fun get together [nerd alert]. Added bonus - this will be our 5th book being made into a movie! Can't wait!

Favorite Family Photos #NovemberBlogathon

Fall Fashion {Yes, I Laughed as I Typed That}

Today for the #NovemberBlogathon topic today it's about Fall Fashion. Which I have little of...fashion that is, ha. Maxi skirts and Old Navy t-shirts are my favorite 'outfit'. I don't experiment with color or print or fun jewelry very often. But I do have a few things I like to pull out periodically for fun!

I'm getting into scarves and especially infinity scarves.

I'm wearing a black t-shirt but look so cute, right?

Skinny jeans + riding boots or flats - LOVE!

Dresses and leggings! 

I love taking a summer dress and being able to wear it year-round

What do you love to wear in the fall?

My Childhood Dreams

Today's #NovemberBlogathon topic is about our childhood dreams. What I wanted to be as a kid and how that panned out.

Growing up, I thought I'd be a teacher. Do what you know and all that... given that both my parents are teachers. We used to raid the lockers on the last day of school at the high school my parents taught at - and take old lesson planners and grade books from teacher. My sister and I played school ALL the time.

I would say even in high school I just thought I'd be a teacher. But when I went to pick a major for college, I didn't choose education. I just couldn't pull the trigger. And I definitely think that was the right decision. I think I'd be a horrible teacher. I decided to major in accounting after taking accounting 101. I was good at it {I thank my math teacher dad for that}, it would be a solid career, and I could make good money.

So that's what I've been doing for 11 years. And I have never felt a passion for it or really enjoyed it. I was good at it, my company is great, I love my co-workers, but have I ever really CARED about what I was doing? Nope.

Once I started toying with the idea of natural child birth with Drew {after watching The Business of Being Born}, I learned a lot about what a midwife does, what happens at a birth center {which Brent never agreed to}, and what support you can have. That's when I learned about doulas. And I knew in my heart that is what I wanted to do. 

I have a plan for getting my certification. I hope to start on my journey in the next few months. I don't know if this will ever become my full-time job, but I know without a doubt childbirth {and especially natural child birth} and newborn care {breastfeeding especially} is what I am passionate about. If I were 18 again, I would study to be a midwife. And who knows - maybe someday I still will. But I know I will someday be a doula, and even if I do it for friends/family only or just as a side gig, I know I will do it.

Confession Wednesday

No offense to Kristen, but I didn't like today's #NovemberBlogathon topic {writing an apology letter to someone}. So I am going to participate in Karen's Confession Wednesday.

I confess that...

It is 2:21 PM, and I am still in my pajamas. I had a meeting that started at 8:00, so my reason for getting dressed {taking the kids to school} didn't happen because my parents had to take them! Have I ever said before I love working from home?

I did brush my teeth. And wash my face...I think.

I strongly believe People Magazine has nailed it once again.

I am beyond ready for the holidays to commence! I need some family time, yummy food, and vacation days! I am not ready for more 25* weather. WTF Texas? Although I guess our 10 day forecast looks mighty wonderful!

What are you confessing today??

Currently: The November Blogathon Edition

Kristen gave the prompts for this edition of Currently. So let's go! #NovemberBlogathon

Currently:

Remembering: Aggie Bonfire fell 15 years ago today. 12 students lost their lives outside my dorm being a part of a huge tradition. My heart still hurts for those students and their families.

Giggling about: As usual - my kids. Drew is just so hilarious right now. She attempted to wear a romper today, then a sleeveless dress, then a onesie with pants. We finally settled on an outfit, but it took some negotiation.

Planning: My 'work from home' cleaning schedule. I have A LOT of conference calls where I could sweep, dust, mop, fold clothes, etc., so I'm trying to figure that out. I am beyond excited that I can hopefully keep the house clean for the first time in my adult life!

Anxiously awaiting: More progress on the house! We've got framing going on right now, so I can't wait to see more. I saw it the day they started, and Brent saw it a few days later. I think we're going to go back today after work with the kids to take some measurements.

Interested to know: If I'm going to finish our book club book {Me Before You by Jojo Moyes} before our meeting on Friday since I am 17 pages in right now.

Baking: Ha ha ha ha. Nope.

Keeping a secret: I have a friend who is pregnant. It is killing me that it isn't public yet, ha. 

DIYing: Nope. I'm starting to look at ideas for the house and thinking of tackling a few DIY projects. I don't want to change too much about Drew's room, but Trent's room needs an update, we want to revamp our office, we have a guest room again, and a playroom to decorate! Lots to do!! I can't wait to start sharing ideas!

I'll See You Around...Around My Hometown

Today's November Blogathon topic is to talk about your hometown or current city. I have pretty much lived in central Texas my entire life. I've bounced around a few cities, but with the exception of my 5 years in college {Gig 'em}, central Texas is home. And what a home it is!

This picture pretty much sums up central Texas.

There's pretty much everything you could ever want to do here in central Texas.

Food - BBQ and Mexican - you'll die a happy person eating those 2 meals. You can't go a block without finding one or both.

Activities - everything from 6th Street to shopping in Boerne or Fredericksburg. Wineries, Mt. Bonnell, the state capital, Lady Bird Johnson wildflower center, the bats that fly out every night, the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum...the list goes on and on!

My person favorite thing about central Texas is the bluebonnets. I still absolutely die over this picture of the trio...before they were part of the quintet.

And that's a bit about my hometown! Errrr...home 'area'! #NovemberBlogathon

Bittersweet

My last audit report EVER got issued yesterday. {Cue the FIREWORKS!} Which is why I've slacked on blogging this week. When you leave work at 10:00 and have a 45 minute drive home, blogging isn't a top priority!

This client was actually the first audit I was ever a part of. Kind of fitting that my first audit would also be my last. {It's the circle of liiiiiiiiife.} I've posted before {here and here} about being on this client. I can't believe I have issued 13 audit reports at that client.

I am beyond excited to be done with audit. 11 years was more than enough. Like way, way, way more than enough. I already love my new job {that I've only been doing about 50% of the time} - I have a great team, great bosses, I just feel very supported and excited about what I'm doing. 

But I'm leaving behind a lot of great people. I keep reminding myself I'm not quitting, but that doesn't make it easy because I won't see these people very often. {An upside of that, though, is because I'll be home. Every day. Not in business casual. OMG.} 

All that to say I'm super happy but a little sad. Excited for what's to come but a little nervous about learning a new job. Wondering if I'll be successful and if my bosses will like me {once a nerd, always a nerd}. But at the end of the day really excited for the challenge!

I can't have a blog post without 1 pic of my babies. {grin}

P.S. - I wrote a post for AMB yesterday that has had 20,000 page views. We have a contest every month for most page views. Check it out, like it, share it - I'd really like to win!

My 3 Favorite Posts

It's hard to remember every post I've written in 6 years {wow!} of blogging, but a few popped out that I thought would be worth sharing...oldies but goodies you might say.

1. My 100th post with 100 things I love.

2. I still love how I announced our pregnancy with Drew. {grin}

3. And my favorites are still the birth stories of our babies.  Trent's is here, and Drew's are here and here.

And a few favorites from the weekend... Brent was hunting all weekend, so it was just me and the kiddos. We had a great weekend - seriously one of our best ever.

This was technically Thursday but sue me. I really have the cutest kids.

Somebody did great getting a haircut! Ice cream for everyone.

[Ignore his hideous shirt]

Messpot here had ice cream everywhere then peed her pants. 

#winning #toocutetocare

Saturday we had a lot of adventures. Grocery store, new library cards for everyone {passing on my bookworm gene}, and a stop at Starbucks. Drew from the backseat 'choc milk, choc milk' the WHOLE way there. Ha!

Think they like it?

It's about time you gave me my damn milk, woman.

Sunday we did church with my mother-in-law and she took the kids to her house for Drew's nap so I could shop. Drew got a new carseat to get her out of her infant carrier. She's still rear-facing, but now in 1 that will be her seat until she is out of carseats {it's the Graco 4ever, and I'm in love}. I had 2 hours without children just leisurely shopping {sad though that my stops were Babies R Us and Carter's}.

New digs

Hope your weekend was filled with favorites too! #NovemberBlogathon

Fall DIY

I am not a DIY person. I honestly would rather pay someone to make it than deal with making it myself. The few times I have tried to do something it usually ends up fine, but I get so frustrated right in the middle and then am too critical.

With that said...I do love 2 fall decorations my sister made last year incorporating all our kids.

I actually did help Patty with this, and it was really easy!

Being the season of Thanksgiving, a year ago today, our very sick little boy was admitted to the hospital for our horrible journey of a leg strep infection. We have no idea how he got that, but we are so thankful he recovered so quickly with no side effects. Looking back on what was to come that week, I am beyond thankful for health right now!

Do you DIY? I think in the new house I'd like to attempt a burlap wreath for the front door. We'll see if that ever happens... #NovemberBlogathon