Fall Fun!

I've never been big into Halloween and this year was no different.  It really felt like it snuck up on us.  Between all of the kids' parties at school, work, and trying to find costumes I lost track of time!!  We were finding costumes and candy the day of Halloween.  Since I had to work, I didn't get to walk around with Josh and the kids for very long.  I work the night shift so I was able to trick or treat for an hour or so.  It was so much fun seeing the excitement on their faces as they walked from door to door.  Emma was a cowgirl and Peyton was batman.  Of course he had to be a superhero :) I searched and searched for a cowgirl costume for Emma but didn't find anything worth spending money on!  We ended up throwing some stuff together and I swear she was the cutest cowgirl I had ever seen, freckles and all! 

We met my mom, sisters, and cousins at my aunt and uncles house a few miles down the road to trick or treat in their neighborhood.  I guess it is sort of a tradition because we do it every year.  My sister and two cousins were princesses...and they were so cute! After trick or treating everyone ate chili together...I was at work grrr!  

This fall has been full of smiles and laughter, I can't wait to add more! Thanksgiving is coming up...spending time with the people I love the most, eating, and shopping!! What more could a girl want?! My life may not be perfect, but it's just the way I like it :) 

Financial Peace University

My husband and I have been trying to get ahead financially, but have really struggled trying to figure out how to do it.  Obviously we can't spend more than we make, but the two of us aren't the most organized of people so it is sometimes difficult for us to keep track of every dime spent.  We are also working hard to pay off debt  and build our savings.  I've heard from a lot of women that I work with and some from church that Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University is awesome and really turned their life around.  I sure hope they are right!  Due to our hectic schedules, my husband and I are unable to make any of the classes that are offered so we ordered the online course.  We finally decided it's time to stop the craziness and make a plan! I'm very excited to start this course with my husband and see how well it works out for us.  Here is the link if you want to check it out!
http://www.daveramsey.com

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week!

Family First

I'm a little behind on my blog post this week, but the past few days have been packed full.  Friday night was spent celebrating the marriage of one of my good friends.  It was a lot of fun to see so many familiar faces and reconnect with old friends.  We shared softball stories and the wonderful memories we made growing up together.  Saturday was errand day!  It seemed like everyone was having some kind of party.  We had to try to make it to see everyone, and find the time to get the house ready for Peyton's 4th birthday party!

This was the first party that we have hosted at our house since we moved in, so I was little nervous.  My family members came to my rescue and helped me pull everything together.  My mom came over early Sunday morning and immediately started cleaning.  Josh's parents helped out with the food and decorations.  It was like God was helping me with everything I knew I couldn't do on my own.  It was truly a blessing and I'm so thankful for my family.  The party was a hit!  We didn't have one crying child the entire day! I hope this birthday was one Peyton will remember forever.  After the party, everyone worked together again to clean, clean, clean.  Before I knew it my house was so tidy you would never know 10+ wet little toes were running around.  Here are some pics from the party...

This weekend was all about family.  During the party, I looked around at all of the smiling faces and thanked God for everyone in my life.  The love that was in the room was overwhelming.  Even though Peyton may not remember this past Sunday, I will cherish it for the rest of my life.  Thank you to my family and friends for loving me unconditionally and always putting your needs aside for others.  You are all amazing people and I'm truly blessed to have you in my life. My life may not be perfect...but this past weekend was pretty amazing!

Our best friends Lindsey and David

Waring/Andersen family

My Mom and Sisters

Miller/McBride family

McBride/Plant family 

My Parents

The Warings

We have one BIG family filled with ALOT of love :)

Sunday Funday

Josh and I started the tradition of "Sunday Funday" when we first started dating.  It was the only day the two of us had off together, so we had to spend it having fun! I love that we still take advantage of our Sundays together with friends and family.  Often times Josh and I reminisce on how far we have come.  There is no way we could have made it without the Lord! He has given me strength that I never thought I had.  These are pictures of one of the first family fun days that we had together.  The kids looks so little! Man how time flies!  After church, we spent the afternoon baking brownies, playing barbies, and throwing the ball around.  These pictures were taken at Mimo and Big Guy's house (Josh's parents).  We always have so much fun there.  Everytime I walk in, they shower me with love and appreciation.  I am lucky to have such wonderful in-laws.

I am looking forward to starting this next week.  Josh and I will be meeting with a few close friends every Wednesday night to start reading Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.  I have heard such wonderful things about this book and can't wait to see how it touches my marriage.

The rest of the week will be spent planning our sweet Peyton's 4th birthday.  He has gotten so big and smart! It is unbelievable how smart that little boy is.  He can spell and is starting to write his name.  He is such a blessing and I thank God for him everyday.  He loves superheroes, so that is the theme that we are going with this year.  Last year it was baseball, this year Transformers, Iron Man, and Captain America! Here is a look back at Peyton on his 3rd birthday.

I hope that everyone's week is filled with many laughs and smiles! This was another look into my Not So Perfect Life :)

And so the journey begins...

I am both excited and nervous to begin this blogging journey.  I guess to me, my life was never interesting enough to blog about.  My best friend, Lindsey, who is also starting a blog encouraged me to do this. Most people explain the name of their blog first, so I guess I will follow the trend and do the same.  I think everyone at one point in their life tried to imagine what their future would be like, who they would marry, how many kids they would have, where they would live...you get the point.  I am one of those hopeless romantics that imagined living in a big house with an amazing porch, perfectly manicured lawn, and kids that always use manners and never interrupt.  Oh man was I wrong! Throughout the past few years God has shown me that he has a plan of his own for my life. 6 months ago I married the greatest man I have ever met.  He is 32 and has two precious kids! Emma (the 6 year old diva) and Peyton (our 3 year old superstar).  I have to admit, parenting is the hardest part of marriage so far!

 So getting back to the name...it all came about because I guess I had always imagined things in my life going exactly as planned, and well my life is far from perfect! It may not be the way I had always imagined it, but it is just the way God wanted it!  I love sweet kisses, hugs that are so tight you can't swallow, and the "I love yous" that make your heart hurt .  Josh, Emma, and Peyton teach me something new about myself everyday, and I will be a stronger person because of them.

April 2, 2011...the day that my life changed forever!  We cry, laugh, and sometimes do both at the same time...I guess that is the fun of living a Not SO Perfect Life :)