All New...

We've been having a great couple of weeks, not too much going on, but its been nice!  The time of year that we absolutely love is here and we've been enjoying it at our new house!!!!  I've had all of our decor out for about 2 weeks now and the house feels so warm....my tart burners burning with fall scents, the shelves with pumpkins & scarecrows, OSU Saturday's, and the cool crisp air allows for the windows to be opened....we are loving it!  Brenton and Ethan started football last week, so life has gotten a little bit busier with practices & games, but nothing major!  Brenton decided to coach again this year, so he's been really enjoying that and seeing him push Ethan, just a tad bit harder, has been cute watching.  Ethan wanted his dad to coach him so badly and when Brenton was able to fulfill that, it was like a huge sigh of relief, wish you could've seen his face when he found out that "daddy" is his coach.... =)  I thought for sure he (Ethan) wouldn't like it, b/c all he talked about was golf, but he's really liking it and for that, I'm glad.  Not sure if football is his thing, but as long as he wants to play,  we'll definitely support him and encourage him to do his best.  Should be a fun season!  While I'm talking about Ethan, I'll let you guys know that he is doing amazing at school this year!  I am so glad we didn't hold him back, like I thought we should, b/c he is doing really well, thus far.  The school system here, is phenomenal.  I can't say enough about it, I'm shocked and loving it.  I got on the Progress Book, the online system to keep parents up-to-par and holy cow I can't believe I will have this sweet little tool at my fingertips......man, I love it here!  Not just for the school, but life in general.....it's small town for sure, but small town (I feel anyway) is the best way to raise a family!  I miss nothing about our old place, especially the school!  I mean, even Colin w/ his preschool, they are on it there and are leaving no stone unturned.....he too, is doing so well!  I no longer have that "pit" in my stomach and that is such a great feeling!!!  I just keep asking myself "why in the world did I not want to do this sooner" my husband has been ready for probably 5 years, but even as of 7 months ago, I still wasn't ready; however, the way things have happened it must've been the right time and meant to be, b/c everything fell into place so quickly! Not looking back though, so glad to be where we are right now! 

This past weekend we had a rainy Saturday, so football was cancelled and we ended up having a family day here at home that included OSU football, snacks, playing games, and just enjoying being here together.  My sister & nephew stopped over to give me a bracelet she had made for me and also my in-laws stopped in w/ my nieces to visit, nobody stayed too long, but it was nice to enjoy the front porch w/ them to chit chat!  Sunday, Brenton and I had planned our date day, so I was excited to wake up and get the boys ready to head to the barn to see Rose.  The boys, had a great time and also got to ride around the farm on the mule.  They had a ball!!!  After our session, they were dropped off to my father-in-law and then it was time with just my husband.  I love one on one time w/ him, it's so nice to be able to have no "kid" worries for a brief moment.  We try to do a date atleast once a month, try for more, but life gets going, so we enjoy the time whenever we can!  Anyway, Sunday was our time away and we decided to try a new place that I've been wanting to try for quite some time and man, it was worth the wait.....1st of all, we love Roscoe Village, having this place there is icing on the cake....it's perfect and our type of place!  I believe we found our new "date" spot at Uncorked right there in the village!  If you've never been there, you need to go....great place!!!  We enjoyed sampling wine, an appetizer, and a great gourmet pizza.....just fantastic, so yummy!!!! Can't wait to go back!!!! Then our next mission, Christmas shopping!!  See, the boys knew that Santa wanted a "special" meeting with us to "check-in" and "make sure" we knew what he's been seeing, so we went to town at a few different places and got a HUGE start....I've been flustered about it, b/c I'm usually at the half way point by now and as of yesterday, I had nothing bought!  Now though, about 80% done! YAY!!!! I will say this, our new way worked out better than I thought....Brenton and I decided to go together and pick out "every" gift for the boys from the start...usually for the most part, it's me until our date day in December for stocking stuffer's and last minute things, so I've been patiently waiting to get started since making the decision in July (LOL)!!!  From now on though, this will be how we do it!  It worked out better and I was able to have my partner-in -crime there w/ me and we nailed it....Brenton had things that I never even thought of, so it was perfect and I'm so excited now that the boys will have another great Christmas and mama can relax...hahaha!!!  I have the best husband, I swear!!!  I'm truly blessed to have such a wonderful man to share my life with and I LOVE the fact that he enjoys being so involved w/ every aspect of our life!!!!  All the things that I took for granted before, I no longer, b/c "for this man I have prayed" and God gave us a 2nd chance to make it right and for that I am blessed!!!!  =)

found yummy GF pop tarts

Ethan loves to write me notes and I love finding them

he's doing so well in school

this is what 4am looks like here sometimes

best buddies even sound asleep

my new bracelet from my sister

time to see Rose

so in tuned to learning =)

we love the barn

Date day w/ this fine fella

Uncorked = Amazing

such a warm place

so cozy

we love this place

Busy Bees!!!

Well, yet another Monday is among us and that means that this mama has a few hours of alone time.  I'm NOT a fan of this "alone time" though, man this house sounds so quiet and I find myself cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning to kill the time until I get to go pick up Colin.  However, as much as I hate it, I realize this time is needed for one particular little boy who is doing great in preschool.  I had a different way in mind that included fighting to get him into the building and I'm pleasantly surprised to say, that's not at all what is happening.  Each day gets better, he cries when he is there, but his teacher told me this morning it's not a scared cry or even a nervous cry, it's more of a sensory type of cry with all of the noise going on and once he gets used to all the noises that particular morning, he's fine.  It was nice to sit down and talk to Miss Angie this morning and hear how sweet she is, but most of all, how much she loves my son already!  She is figuring him out and not afraid to get out of her box to do so! Miss Angie has 20+ years of Preschool teaching under her belt and she knows kids, so I feel "safe" with her and Colin must too, because she is the one that receives the kisses, hugs, and tugs on the hand while I'm not there.  I'm realizing more and more that God had a plan for my family and that plan included moving here, finding a place of community, and most of all a place for my family to grow!  Colin, is in good hands and today, after our conversation, I knew with all of my being he is going to be just fine there and grow!  Ethan is doing well in school and he loves his NEW school, too!  It must be different, because I must say, it's much different this year with him.  Thank the good Lord, because I finally feel like I'm relaxing and life is getting easier....I've been wanting this moment for quite some time and knew it was out there, but that it would take a little bit to get there....it feels good on this side of life and we are enjoying it to it's fullest!!!

Yesterday, was another hurdle that we jumped and that was starting a new church.  Brenton and I have been longing for a smaller congregation, a traditional church, one that reminded us of our growing up and I believe we found in the Gnadenhutten United Methodist.  Brenton and I first met at the Methodist church in Sugarcreek, so it's just fitting that we plant our roots in a Methodist church here.  This part of life has been a struggle, because Brenton has to feel at home, not pressured, and most of all relaxed and he told me yesterday, he felt all of those!  The neatest part, it's right down the street from our house!  It is so great to be here and make this community ours! Ethan loved it too, so here we go making it our church family!  Eventually, Colin will go,when he is ready and we are making great progress, so at that point we'll go as a family...but, as for now, Brenton and I will be alternating Sunday's by taking Ethan to church and the other getting Colin to horse therapy.  Our weekends are busy, and now that football season is here, Ethan and Brenton will be heading out on Saturday's for that....but, we wouldn't have it any other way!  We found that the Y in Uhrichsville, our friend runs it, and they have a few programs Colin would enjoy, so we are going to be doing that throughout the week, as well....busy, busy, but we know nothing other than being little "busy" bees!!! LOL!!!

Anyway, we had a great weekend....my 2 big guys went to their 1st football game as Indian Valley Braves and we celebrated my nephew's 16th birthday (WOW)!!!  Also, enjoyed OSU football on Saturday, but overall it was a wonderful weekend and one we needed on the low-key side of things!!! 

1st football game as an IVB!!!

GO BUCKS....

off to church

Jadan is 16 and has his license now!!! WOW

Justise made me earrings!!!

he gives the best smooches!!!

Empty Nest....

Today, is a day, I'll always remember.....it's the first day that I got the "empty nest" feeling!  Colin started preschool and I have to admit....I hated it!  My little guy surprised me though, because he didn't cry. He went right into his room like it was no big deal and when I left, I saw that he loved the spiders. =)  So, I left knowing it was going to be ok, but I said a quick prayer for the rest of the morning.....11:30, couldn't get here quick enough!  But, I went about my business, cleaned the house, got laundry done, dinner started, and still had an hour and half left to WAIT....LOL!!!

Once I got back down to the school, I peeked in the room and saw him, he was walking around and sitting on Miss Angie's lap while she read the story to the class, then he got up and went over to a seat and sat for the remainder of the story!  While I waited I had 2 teachers come out to talk to me and tell me how proud of him they were, because he had a great day.  I guess he whimpered for the first hour, but then it hit them he had to potty.  Since Colin is not 100% verbal, yet and tugged at their hand (that's his way of saying he has to potty), but when Miss Angie said you got to potty, he let go (his way of thinking they understood him) and when he didn't get taken to the potty, he started to cry and thank God my sister is at the school, because she was able to go over and take him to the potty, then he was fine! We'll get there, this is a transition for everyone, but I'm very pleased with the staff and their kind understanding to help him, but I'm so glad my sister is there....just as extra hands & eyes! That alone, puts me at ease, knowing he'll be just fine!!!  Overall, I got the biggest compliments about Colin! They each told me how good he did and that when he is outside, he's a different child!  Outdoors is Colin's element, he loves it and I guess he showed them just how much today.  I know, it won't be a breeze everyday, but I pray the transition is a good one because I know he needs this!  So, I'm open for all of you who'd like to keep us in your prayers, they'll be much appreciated. =)))