mothers...

For the hand that rocks the cradle - Is the hand that rules the world. 

- William Ross Wallace

Happy Birthday Mommy!  

You are the best mother in the world and I am the luckiest daughter to have you as my mom.  

I love you.

autumn leaves...

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face.
~John Donne

I decided to post a few of the professional photos from the wedding that Chantal emailed to me.  They are all amazing, and the memories are even more wonderful.  The photographer took so many pictures Aaron and I got some beautiful pictures of us as a couple too.  The best ones are of our niece Jordan.  Here she is smiling with her Uncle Aaron.

So cute!  One cute little girl, and one handsome husband.

Yeah, even down the aisle with the bridesmaid he was looking at me.  He's quite the catch;)

My husband's family.  Spending so much time with them was so much fun.  I am so glad I avoided the stereotype with my in-laws and really defied it with these wonderful people.  I love them all!

The Weirs (including the wives!).

My hubby's brothers...laughing...pretty typical.

Dancing with my husband at the reception.  It brought back some wonderful memories of our special day.  Not to mention my husband is a pretty great dancer.

Sweet Jordan:)

Aaron and I had a wonderful time playing "parents" with Jordan during the reception.  She loved the dancing, especially with her very silly uncles.

I love this picture of the two of us.  Definitely framable.

We had to sneak a kiss.

And we spent a little time being silly.  

Jordan wanted some time with Uncle Kevin.

Yep, he wanted to make her laugh with his silly jokes:)

When my amazing husband had the DJ play our first dance song he stepped it up a notch when he also sang to me, just like he did last June.

Dancing fiends!

I love this picture of Jordan's smile.  She was so happy.

So after reminiscing about the wedding, it was back to reality.  School, work, Brutus, and our full schedule have really been tiring us both out.  Thankfully we have had some relaxing weekend days.  I had a wonderful lunch with my Daddy at the Diner Friday, which is becoming a weekly thing with us.  We both get breakfast and it is fun to catch up with him every Friday.  

I had a chance to put my new teaching techniques into practice when I babysat the Kulma kids (who happen to live across the street from my parents).  They loved the games I had planned. I even got to watch a movie with them!

Although I have not watched her play yet, Cassie has been doing a fantastic job on the Junior Varsity Volleyball team at Villa.  BUT I get to go to her game Tuesday night and I am so excited to see her play at my alma mater.  It's a rivalry game too.  GO VILLA!

Saturday, which happened to be the day I was singing at a wedding, was an eventful day.  We, as I discovered when trying to get ready for the wedding, had NO hot water and there was a leak in the closet where the water heater is.  My wonderful, amazing husband took care of talking to the maitainence man and then oversaw the progress for four hours while they fixed the problem.  I had to drive, hair wet, soap on my face, to my parents and get ready there.  Thankfully, they live close.  Thanks Mom & Dad:)

Otherwise we are enjoying the beautiful fall weather.  The windows have been open, the halloween decorations are out, and I can now indulge in my favorite fall treat, candycorn:)

This Friday evening we are having one of Aaron's co-workers and one of his friends over for dinner.  I am making some new recipes and am excited, in true Grandmama fashion, to entertain.  Fingers crossed it all goes well.

Happy Fall!  This time of the year is the beginning of the holiday season and some yummy food:) Enjoy the weather and the last week of September.

this little light of mine...

When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea.  He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect.  ~Adlai Stevenson

Sunday was the Ten Year Anniversary of 9.11.  I remember sitting in my freshmen Geometry class when we found out that something had happened.  At the time I cried out of fear and lack of understanding.  This year I was extremely emotional because of the tragedy of the loss of life and the disbelief that anyone could take such extreme hatred and use it to murder so many innocent lives.  The reading of the names was striking.  I attended a Cardinals baseball game in the afternoon and they had a survivor there.  Hearing her story, her bravery, and seeing her sadness really brought it home.  It shook me.  The most important thing in my life is the ones I love.  Things are not always perfect, there are fights, and I admit I am nowhere near perfect.  BUT...I love my family.  I love my husband.  Take a moment to think about why you may be angry with someone and really consider if it is worth it.  It probably isn't.  Every day is precious. Live life loving and cherishing those around you and each day you are blessed to be alive.  You never know when tragedy may strike.  God bless those who perished on 9.11.  You are the unspoken heroes of our struggle for freedom.  God Bless America.

The game I mentioned earlier was truly a day of American baseball heaven.

Mommy & Sissy.  I loved spending so much time with my sweets:)

Sissies!

This is how my Daddy spends the first hour at the ballpark.  Putting his camera to good use:)

My sweet parents.

There were so many beautiful tributes to the victims of 9.11.  The entire stadium was on their feet, hats off, heads lowered for the entire tribute.  We were united Americans.  A bald eagle, the national symbol of freedom was released for a symbolic flight around the stadium.  Never have I witnessed anything more beautiful.

The Cardinals played very well and WON!  It was a celebration to be sure.

My little pup was happy to have me back home after the game:)

Aaron and I took him out for some playtime by the lake, which he was begging for for hours, and he was so happy to be having fun with Mommy and Daddy.

Not a puppy face anymore.  He has a cute schnozz:)

Walking out for some ball with Daddy.

He's even getting better at playing fetch.  Bringing the ball to Daddy is one of his newest accomplishments.

Big boy running with his ball.

That shade, yep, that's his favorite chew spot.

Standing at attention.

My boys playing in the Fall sun.

He didn't go for the ball that time:)

Keep away from Daddy.

Sniffing.  His nose has gotten much more sensitive now that he is almost 6 months.

Brutus brings so much joy to both of us.

He enjoys eating leaves.  Who knew?

Crazy time!

Look at that tongue.

So handsome.

He always seems to find toys that aren't his.  Like this blue ball that belongs to the neighbors.

And he tends to try to destroy them too.

Yea that look usually means mischief.

Our little boy has grown up so much.  This was his first day home.  He and Daddy sat by the lake enjoying Brutus' new home.

Now he is so big, his 6 month birthday is right around the corner and I cannot believe how much he has grown.

We are so blessed to have such a happy pup as part of our family.  I got a wonderful husband and a wonderful furry baby.  I am so thankful for my wonderful life.  Thank you Brutus for bringing Daddy and I so much happiness and laughter.  You are the best dog we ever could have imagined.