Beauty & the Beast

Maya and Gabriel are addicted to movie nights. They have a tv & VHS player in their bedroom - I know, I'm a bad mom. lol And, since Daddy hit the jackpot at a garage sale a few weeks ago, they now have well over 20 Disney movies in their selection. I love to hear them talk about which one they are going to watch. Usually, they are pretty good about coming to an agreement, but their most tired nights (when a movie should probably just be skipped) tend to result in tears. Nonetheless, they love their movies, regardless of which one is being watched.

Wednesday night, I walked into the bathroom to get them out of the tub. I instantly noticed that they were playing really well together, so I just quietly sat on the toilet and listened for a moment. Maya had pulled the curtain, but I could still peek in through a small crack by the wall. And, this is the awesome scene I observed:

(Maya folds the water-soaked washcloth as neat as she can.)

Maya: "Goob, I'm Belle, and I need to wash your wound. When I put this on your arm, you have to growl at me." I know, right? What 4 year old says 'wound?' lol

(Very seriously, Maya slaps the washcloth on Gabriel's forearm.)

(Gabriel shows his teeth, opens wide, & growls as loud as he can, but he was (and still is) fighting a cold so the growl was rather hoarse lol.)

Maya: "If you'd hold still, it wouldn't hurt as much!"

Maya: (whispers) "Now tell me if I wouldn't run away, it wouldn't happen..."

Gabriel: "Well...if you wouldn't wun away, it won't happen!"

Maya: (getting louder, and still very serious) "Well, if you hadn't FRIGHTENED me, I wouldn't run away!"

Maya: (whispers) "Bubby, tell me I shouldn't be in the west wing..."

Gabriel: (Also now very serious & trying his best to be stern) "Welllll...YOU can't be in the west wing!!"

Maya: (very loud) "Well YOU should control your temper! Now hold still, this might sting a little bit."

Maya: (quietly) "Bubby, you're supposed to growl softly now."

(Gabriel growls quietly as Maya presses the washcloth against his forearm again.)

The end.

At that point, I threw open the shower curtain and happily clapped, as they both shyly smiled and giggled. Then I excitedly ran to tell Sam about it, although he wasn't nearly as impressed as I was lol...anyway...

It. was. so. cute. :)

xoxo,
Sarah

Fall Festivities 2011

Would you expect to find this little man anywhere other than his Papa's lap?

Sooo warm, sooo much love

Chubby Bunny, anyone? lol (no, Dan & I did NOT play...we just wanted a goofy pic!)

Nothing like spending time with great friends...

...and great coworkers...

BFF's!

Neither of my kids wanted to sit with me on the hayride :( I don't blame Maya - look at all of those sweet girls! And, as usual, Gus was the smart one - he was in the cab with his Papa.

Sarah & Carmen ~ Sippin' cider

Ahhh...we were blessed with a PERFECT evening for this amazing fire!

Ginger & Brenda...a little bit o' puppy love :)

Shifting gears now from the Fall Party to Women's Ministry. We had a GREAT time!!! Thanks for all of the fun, ladies!

We decorated our own cookies - I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon.

Uh...Mom? What exactly do you think a ghost looks like? rofl

Wow, these ladies are WILD!!!

I'm so proud to be a part of these wonderful women!! We may be small, but we are mighty...and we know how to have some fun!!!

That concludes my pic display for this post. If you watch closely, you will notice a few new shots on the slideshow, as well. Hopefully, more to come this weekend of the monkeys!

xoxo,

Sarah

Christmas Lights

Wow, I have totally been a slacker, lately. I can't even say I haven't had time - I have. My interest has just been consumed by other activities...like playing outside in the GORGEOUS, COOL weather with my sweet peas. :)


On a random note...do you have any idea how much I deeply hate politics? If you weren't aware, you are now. Can't stand 'em. A longtime friend of mine lives in Virginia, and he's a history/ss teacher. And, yes, he LOVES politics. I think he eats, sleeps, & breathes politics, especially during election years. He used to spend a lot of time trying to convince me that I should be paying attention to things going on around me - politically. Hmph. I think he finally settled for happiness just knowing that I do, at least, get out and vote.

I think that conversation took place well over 8 years ago. I remember him saying, "Oh, Sarah...the WORST thing you can do is NOT vote! I don't care if you DO vote for Huckabee, JUST VOTE!" :) He would probably fall out of his rocker if he knew that my current position forces me to eat, sleep, & breathe politics. But, I still don't like it. lol



On another note, I LOVE Christmas lights - they remind me of politicians. They all hang together, half of those suckers don't work, and the ones that do aren't all that bright. ;)




Hope you are all having a fabulous week! Oh, and I WILL post some pictures tonight from our Fall Party on Saturday! Love you all!

xoxo,
Sarah

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for a special person in my life, a person who has influenced who I've become and still influences who I'm becoming.

This person's strength is incomparable. This person's patience is supreme. This person's ability to nurture and comfort match those abilities of my own mama - and that's next to impossible. Oh, and this person's cooking: paramount.

I've watched this person's faith blossom through lessons in life. Hard lessons in life. And when her days are tough, her faith is tougher.

We have many differences, but we have more similarities.

Today I'm thankful for my sister and her love. I'd be lost without her.

Be thankful,
Sarah

Weekend Fun

This weekend has been fabulous for doing a whole lot of - nothing. I've loved it. :)

Believe it or not, I was up playing Hi-Ho-Cherry-O at 6:30 Saturday morning. Maya had a bit of a fit because she couldn't go with Goob & Daddy to Men's Prayer Breakfast. lol

Saturday evening we went to a party for our Sunday School class...that was rather...interesting. :) Unfortunately, a LOT of work had been put into setting up fun, outside games, but the weather didn't cooperate. Soooo...we played "Scene It," instead. What a hoot!

Today was our annual Sunday in October playing Quilt Bingo with Grandma Luna. We get to enjoy Sloppy Joes, yummy nachos, and delicious pie. I am usually the big winner - one year, I won 4 quilts! Since then, I have won a gorgeous quilt every year. But, luck was not on my side, today...I'm hoping it returns for next year. :)

Even when we don't win, it's always fun just to spend the afternoon with Grandma, Mom, Steph, Maya, and usually 1 or two of my aunts. This year, Amy came along. And, guess who else attended? Dominic. He did a great job for being in such a large crowd of people, and he was especially excited when the man began speaking into the microphone!

Dom was a perfect gentleman and wanted to throw away everyone's trash at our table. So, with all of us on-guard, ready to catch him if he decided to run, Steph allowed him to walk the trash to the trashcans that were about 7 feet away. He was on his best behavior and came right back to the table. However, on the 2nd attempt, he had that ornery look in his eyes. Let's just say the older attendees, who are rather serious - okay, VERY SERIOUS - about Bingo, became pretty loud huffers & puffers when Dom flipped all the light switches off. As for the rest of us, well, we had a pretty good laugh. :)

Gotta love it...making fun memories that will forever stay in our hearts.

xoxo,

Sarah

Baby Sprinkle for Ava

Despite the chaos surrounding Steph's shower, it turned out to be nice. And, my mints were a hit! :) Stephanie ended up with some nice gifts for her sweet baby girl - LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of homemade booties, bibs, blankets, & quilts! She is still in need of a travel system (car seat & stroller) and a pack-n-play...but other than that, we're all ready for Ava Isabelle!!!

xoxo,

Sarah

Thankful Thursday

I have a LOT to be thankful for today. I'm sure you do, too, so let's get to it.

This week has been craaaaaazy! My panic attacks have slightly heightened with the help of additional stress from work. I won't elaborate, but...WOW. Just when I think it can't get any crazier - it smacks me right in the face.

On Tuesday, we had a completely unexpected death in the family--my dad's cousin. She was only 50 - and had been doing absolutely fine. While we didn't see her but a handful of times throughout the year, she was always close to my dad and called him regularly to keep tabs on everyone.

Last night, I received a voicemail informing me that a sweet friend from church rolled his truck and was in the hospital.

In between work, kids, teaching my Hutch classes, and "life" happenings, I'm preparing for Steph's baby shower. The invitations that I sent to everyone stated a date/time of October 1 at 10:00 a.m. Unfortunately, the funeral is taking place at 10:00 a.m. on October 1. Sooo...I had to totally start from scratch and reschedule the baby shower. Now, as crazy as it is, we are skipping church on Sunday to have a party! lol

*sigh*

Tonight while I was washing Maya's hair, she wrapped her wet little arms around my neck, pulled me down close to her, kissed my forehead, wrinkled her little nose and simply said, "I love you, Mommy."

Today I'm thankful for my Maya and my Gus. I don't know how I ever made it without them.

Thank you, Jesus, for my sweet babies.

Be thankful today, and tell someone you love them...life as we know it can change in a split second.

xoxo,
Sarah