one more day

A ton of these Pink Spider Lillies just surprised me this week! I had no idea they were out there till I stepped outside… and it’s not like I never go out in the back yard! But there they were! Bright and beautiful like summer!

Gorgeous, right? They are a perfect farewell to Summer, because in case you didn’t know, in ONE DAY it will be officially Fall! Yes, you read that right! Fall! I cannot wait for the temperatures to reflect that! And I haven’t been here in Alabama long enough to know what that feels like here, but I think it’s starting to feel that way! Hello, lower 80’s! You are my BFF!

We have been enjoying the cooler temps by being outside much more often than during the summer.

Yeah, I think Ben likes it too! We love our little ventures outside! He all the time wants to go to the playground now. Now that the weather is cooler, I think we can start going more often!

That’s something even I can get excited about!

Pumpkin Spice Means One Thing, And One Thing Alone.

In The Leaves.

Let me tell y'all something!

It is really hard trying to photograph an active baby! It has been hard for me to find photographic opportunities while watching Mariah because she is always so busy. But the other day I saw that the corner of our back yard had a lovely blanket of leaves down, so I thought it would be the perfect place for Mariah - the leaves would keep her busy long enough to sit down for some pictures.

And it worked!











Seriously, y'all, is this child not quite beautiful?!





Shortly after taking about fiftybajillion pictures of Mariah, Benjamin woke up from his nap and I tried to get some of the two of them together, but they wanted to go their separate ways after a couple seconds.



But I did get some of Ben separately.














"Pleh!"







I love those kiddos.

Fall Festivities.

As of Halloween, we have been here in Fort Valley for One Whole Year.



Last Saturday we had a get-together at our house to celebrate with the congregation (and friends and family).



We asked our friends and family to bring their Favorite Fall Finger Foods, and we got SO MUCH that we had to put out another table to fit everything!



My mom also brought this delicious Pumpkin Cake for my birthday.

(By the way, THANK YOU! to all who wished me a happy one! I meant to say thank you earlier!)



We are so blessed with all the people in our lives...



And non-people, too.



My parents were able to come ...



And Bailey, of course ...



And my dad ... he acted strange while we waited for guests...



Grandma got to come, too. And I hope dad doesn't mind me posting these...



We had a really great turn out!

I am so blessed!



Happy Fall, while it still is!

Weekend Review

You know, I have never been to a Trunk or Treat. Saturday we went out to a Fall Party with the intent in participating in a Trunk or Treat, but we weren't able to stay long enough for that. Benjamin was getting cranky (long day - we got up early and had a Yard Sale till 1PM) and I was actually pretty cold ... I meant to take more pictures but didn't really get the chance. Oh well. I'll share with you the few I did manage to get!

Here comes the big Halloween Costume Reveal!!

Ben's a little embarrassed...



but he makes the cutest little froggy!



He wasn't too fond of the mittens, though ...



He didn't wear this the whole time, but we did get him back into it because underneath he was only wearing thermal jammies and once the sun got lower and lower, it just kept getting colder and Ben needed something else to keep him warm! So on with the froggy costume! We were going to do a lamb costume - reason being I absolutely adore lambs and I wore lambie slippers during labor. Anyway - what sold me on this adorable froggy costume is the absolutely delicious green tweed! Can't you just eat that up?

Anyway, Hubby managed to have a bit of dangerous fun...



Do you see him?



On the mattress ... tied to the back of a 4-Wheeler. Yeah ... ahem. I told Benjamin I'd tell him all about his daddy when he was older. Shouldn't he be wearing a helmet, too?!

He survived, though, and I believe he wanted another go. But it was time to eat. Hotdogs and other goods, and what I liked best was the table of dessert goodies. I was absolutely pressured into eating Dawn's graveyard cake ... just kidding, Dawn, you can't pressure me into eating anything chocolate! No pressure needed! I am SO there!

That was our Saturday!

Sunday Benjamin and I stayed home from services because I was feeling ill and Benjamin was being extremely cranky after a very rough night. By Sunday evening we were both feeling a lot better and able to go out with Hubby to Byron where he was scheduled to preach. After that, we went out with our friends Chris and Kayla and their baby Mariah, the little baby I watch frequently during the week now.



Later I will do a post on what we did today, but right now I'm just trying to get caught up! I hope you all are having a great week beginning! Here is a small teaser - er, I mean preview, for my next post! Enjoy!

Of Fairs, Pumpkins, and Allergies

This weekend was so busy. I am feeling a little bit drained and wishing I had an IV of caffeine running in me constantly. That, or a Starbucks on the corner of our street. Or within walking distance. Or within 5 miles. Or, you know, anywhere in the city.

Sigh.

Anyway, Friday we went to the fair again to work at the booth. Kayla and Mariah were able to come this time so Benjamin had a friend to play with and then stroll with. Mariah is so busy, and Benjamin is so laid back. But Ben gets really excited around her and just wants to tackle her and hug on her and kiss on her. He just loves her to death! I show him pictures of her and he just grins. So sweet. They are like night and day but they are so precious together. I can't wait to watch them grow up together as best friends.


Watch out, Ben! There's a hand behind you!


It was sooooo cold. I just realized, too, that in this picture Benjamin looks just like his daddy, besides the blonde hair.


The ginormous horse I was telling you about ... it's back was as tall as my husband, who is around 6'7". That's tall.


Benjamin and his best friend, Mariah.


He wouldn't stop tackling her! He just loves her!


Can't you tell he absolutely adores her?






Don't worry, Mariah. I'd run away too if I were being tackled and poked and grabbed constantly. :)
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Yesterday we had planned to meet up with our friends at Lanes for the Pumpkin patch and possibly the corn maze. One couple said they couldn't make it with their little daughter, so we just met up with Chris and Kayla and Mariah! Hubby's brother Preston was with us as well. We had dinner and then went out to find that the Corn Maze was $10 and the pumpkin patch was pitiful. Disappointing trip but it was nice to spend time with our friends again.


My handsome boy on his way to the pumpkin patch.




Isn't that the funniest expression!?


A Ben-sized pumpkin.


Sweet.


"Can I have yours too, Mariah?"


"What do you think you're doing, Ben!"


"Mommy! Ben tried to take my pumpkin!" (Actually, we think she just didn't like the straw)


"What did I do?"


"I think I will have this one."


Isn't he just precious?


Dinner.


Mariah is adorable!




I'm sure there were better pumpkin selections when it first opened up...


All bundled up


My pumpkin ...


Zinnia.

Instead, we went back to the house and the babies played (until Ben took a nap) and the adults had some good fun playing Apples to Apples and then watching some cooking show.


Playing together.


Isn't Mariah just the cutest!!


Checking out Ben's toy selection.


Mariah and her mommy.


Sharing Ben's toy.


Sharing is caring!


Gorgeous!

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Today we had Bible class and Worship ... Ben had an allergic reaction to the eggs I had for breakfast and had shared a few bites with him. He had hives around his mouth but that cleared up with a little Tylenol. It was nothing compared to the time he had that allergic reaction to Zesty Tomato crunchies, though! During the second service he had bad diarrhea so I took him out to the car early to get strapped in so we could leave as soon as possible. We gave him a bath and some allergy medicine, and then he played with his Poppa (Hubby's dad) for a little while until I decided he needed to be nursed and then laid down to take a nap. And he's been asleep since - nearly 2 hours later!

Now, the house is quiet as our guests have left, and begging me to tidy up some, but sorry! I'm going to relax and get rid of this headache!

I hope you all have had a blessed weekend, and hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful week! Ben's 9 month birthday is Monday and his Well-Baby Check up is Tuesday! Hubby is going to be speaking in Chapel for the Middle Georgia Christian School tomorrow morning and Lord Willing, Ben and I will attend that too! I love hearing Hubby speak! He is my favorite preacher!

Before I go - a BIG birthday shout out to my friend Dawn! Hopefully we will see you tonight, Dawn! Y'all go wish her a happy birthday!