Red Shouldered Hawk

We have a new resident in our yard, a Red Shouldered Hawk. We emailed a picture to the Raptor Center in Charlotte and they told us what type he was. We knew this was a raptor because of the yellow talons! There was also one featured in our local newspaper a week ago so they must like the area since we are close to water. We're really enjoying watching him. He's out most days from about 9-2. I would love his schedule! Enjoy the pictures! (These were taken with my zoom lens... about 30 feet away. I am finally learning how to use it after having it a year!!!)

Our very own musician! Wil plays the trombone!

We enjoyed Wil's first band concert at the Middle School. They performed about 10 songs. We are very proud of Wil. He has really practiced hard to learn how to play the trombone.

Uncle Cliff

Today is the second anniversary of the death of a very important influence of all of our lives. We were not finished learning about Cliff or all of his interesting facts but it was his day to meet the Lord. He brought us all a lot of laughter and joy into our lives.
This picture of Cliff is from our family trip in the summer of 2006 to Walt Disney World.

We miss you greatly today but more importantly, every day we think of you.

Scruffy, the Schnoodle

What is a schnoodle? Part schnauzer, part poodle... We think we got way more schnauzer than poodle but he is ours. He's brought a lot of joy into this family. He is most definitely a lap dog. He's certainly won the heart of my husband who wasn't so keen on having a dog but we got it for the kids. But let's be honest. Those kids that said they would feed him and walk him everyday. They've left the building. No surprise though. Scruffy has wormed his way into our lives but he is such a sweet dog. Even his grandparents love to have him over.

Scruffy turned 2 this week. We bought Scruffy from a breeder in Macon, Georgia. His parents are Lilly and Sport. He's the only thing around here that can keep up with Garrett :) Seems like it was yesterday. The kids picked him out on the breeders website! Talk about fate...

We love you Scruffy, Happy Birthday!

Invitations for Thanksgiving Party

Hello-

Here are the invitations I am mailing tomorrow to our family. My first love is cardmaking and then scrapbooking. Cardmaking is easier as there is a start and a finish. With my scrapbooks, I seem to get pictures faster than I have time to get them in their scrapbooks. I thought that when the kids were in school, I would get caught up but it just seems that time is devoted to other things.

Lots of things to be thankful for-

Thanks to Corrie and Elizabeth for inspiring me to do this.

Fall is here- The weather is absolutely fabulous right now. Cool at night, warmer during the day.... The retail stores have placed their Christmas merchandise on the floors. Radio stations are playing Christmas music ALREADY. So I ponder the thought.... Whatever happened to Thanksgiving???

So I ask myself, what am I thankful for? A lot of things-

To my parents, for giving the foundation to have the good life I have... I know now as parents how much they sacrificed for us so that we could have and do the things we wanted to do, unselfishly. Another one of those, I wish I had known sooner.

To my husband for making me the woman/mom I am today. You work hard every day so that we can have the life we have. Thank you darling. Nothing makes me happier than to see the look on the kids faces every night when you come home from work. No matter how tired you are or how bad of a day you might have had, you have energy to play with the kids and give me a hug.

To my kids, giving me purpose in my life. I can't believe how quickly they have come to the ages they are. It really has gone by so fast. I want to pause the clock and keep you these ages as long as I can... but... I would somehow find a way for you to get along better... but you are siblings.

To my girlfriends, for helping me keep my sanity. I don't want to put names because I have a lot of friends who are special to me.

So I ask you all, what are you thankful for? I want you to tell those individuals that have made a difference in your life THANK YOU.

What are you thanksgiving plans? We're having family over on Thanksgiving Day. I expect there will be 20-25 people here!