9 Points

So November 7th was officially deer season, and Jordan definitely was in for a hunt this year!  He went out very early Saturday morning and waited patiently in his tree for this big fellow!  I'm sorry - this is not for the faint of heart - if you're not into this - stop here and do not continue to read or look below.  However, I just have to brag on my amazing husband.  I have to say, I am not a hunter, but I do not mind those who do as long as they do it responsibly and I do not have to do it myself.  I was so proud of him when he came home with his prize!  It's hard to believe that he is finished with hunting deer this season on his first morning out.  It was worth it to see his glowing pride- he is such a wonderful husband and father and deserves this.  We will have lots of sausage in our freezer. . . . . he was a big 'un!

Bike Riding

We are a bike riding family!  Natalie finally learned how to successfully pedal her bike at the end of September.  We've been riding around the lake ever since.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the clear skies and sunny days.  I love the trees turning colors.  It just makes me want to go camping every weekend.  But since Jordan is working and very busy on our house right now, I will have to settle for bike rides.  It comes pretty close.  I got Melanie a toddler seat so she can ride on the back of our bike.  She looks a little unsure in this picture, but that's because this was her first ride - she loves it now!  She even goes to sleep sometimes.  I can remember riding around on the back of my mom and dad's bikes in seats similar to this one.  I wonder if Melanie will have memories of this.  I know Natalie will.  Poppi (my granddad) passed away last October, and my Grandmom gave us his bicycle.  I have absolutely loved having it to ride around.  I'm so grateful that she gave it to us.  Every time I ride it, I think of him.  He was a wonderful grandfather, and I'm so blessed that he was mine.

My Beautiful House

Before & After - and now we have a house!  Here is the latest photo of our home.  We are ready to have it sheetrocked, and hopefully this will be done by the end of next week.  It has been pretty wet around here (we are grateful for the rain), but this will slow down the process.  Jordan has been so busy building the cabinets and entertainment center for the living room.  They are going to be incredibly beautiful.  Of course, I think that anything Jordan builds is absolutely amazing.  He always exceeds my expectations.  So the cabinets have been his responsibility.  I have let him make all the decisions regarding them because I trust him completely.  After all, it is his specialty!  I am basically being surprised!  He is building them out of knotty alder wood and we are going to put a dark stain on them.  Jordan has been putting many long hours in on them over the past few weeks.  He works all day at work and then stays 3-4 hours later to work on our cabinets.  I am so thankful for a hardworking husband!  I am really blessed!

Melanie's Birthday Party Pictures

Melanie and Cousin Elias are 2 weeks apart and shared a joint party this year to make it easier for friends and family.  We had the party at Granddaddy and Grammy's house - thank you Bruce & Connie!  The theme was puppies because Melanie absolutely loves dogs.  She loves to bark and say "dog."  She will also point to the dogs outside if you ask her, "Where are the dogs?"  Her favorite toys are her stuffed puppies!  She was wearing a onesie with a puppie applique on the front.  I bought Melanie this cute hat, but she wouldn't keep it on!  The party was really sweet and enjoyable.  Thanks for all the wonderful gifts and for making the trip!  Of course, Melanie's cake was chocolate, and I attempted to make a puppy on it! 

Melanie is 1!

Melanie is 1!

My second born turned 1 on Saturday, August 15th! Where has the year gone? We have a party planned for her later, but we did celebrate of course! Melanie woke up to a pancake breakfast followed by a couple of gifts to open. She go a puppy blanket that Natalie picked out for her. She has not put it down since - she absolutely loves it! Melanie loves puppies. If you ask her, "Where's the dogs?" she will point outside. If you ask her, "What do the dogs say?" she will make a barking sound - so cute! We also got her a new lunch box with for Mother's Day Out that is starting in a couple of weeks. After playing awhile and taking a nice long birthday nap, Melanie went to visit Pops and Granna for more bday presents. They got her such a cute elephant push toy that has cymbals that clap. She also got a ladybug car and a spinner thing (don't know what it's called) that lights up. She loves them all! Great gifts! If Natalie would just let Melanie play with them for awhile, we would be doing alright! When Jordan got done working on the house for the day, we went to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner and games. Melanie loved the carousel, and Natalie loved everything else. We took Natalie to the same place when she turned 1, so I guess we've got a little tradition going. When we got home, Melanie absolutely devoured her chocolate cake which I tried to decorate with a puppy for her. Happy Birthday Melanie! We love you so much - your sweetness makes me so happy. You are a true gift from God! More partying to come soon. . .

29

Tuesday, August 11th, was my 29th bday! Wow! I can't believe it - I know that many of you will think I'm just a baby, but there's just something about that number 29. I finally feel older for the first time. I guess it's just that it's my last year in the 20's. I'm not quite sure how I feel about 30 to tell you the truth. However, despite all this, I had the best birthday I've had in years. I enjoyed myself so much! My mom and dad kept the girls, and I had the whole day to myself. I just did whatever I wanted to do. It was so refreshing! I got a pedicure and had my hair done. I felt really pampered! When Jordan got home, we went out to dinner and then to the movies to see Julie & Julia. We enjoyed ourselves so much. My gift this year was a guitar. I've always wanted to learn to play. When I was in college, I picked it up a little, but didn't follow through. I've always wished I had. So, my brother Neal helped me so much- He helped me find an awesome guitar that is so beautiful! Hopefully, I will be able to play decently before too long! Then, on Friday, my parents took Jordan and me to Houston to eat at Pappadeaux (my favorite) and see Christy Nockels in concert. She was opening up for Phillips, Craig, and Dean. Christy Nockels is my favorite singer/songwriter. She is amazing! During intermission, I got to talk to her at her table. I was trying so hard not to overwhelm her with compliments and to be normal, but I think I couldn't help myself. I just told her how great she is and how much I love her songs. Oh well - hopefully she needed to hear it! It was so exciting to talk face to face with the person who's songs have meant so much to me. I had met her before awhile back when she and her husband were the band Watermark, so this was my second time. I have a funny feeling that our paths will cross again and again! She is definitely one of my main musical inspirations. I felt like God was just smiling on my this year on my birthday. It has been an especially hard year with a new baby, finances, deaths of my Granddad and Jordan's Grandmother, health issues, and a move - Whew! I just felt like God was showering blessings and goodness on me to say that He loves me SOOO much. Christy Nockels was just the icing on my cake - literally! Thanks Christy for letting me post this picture of us!