What a Spectacle!

We visited the optical store recently and had Carter fitted for some new frames!
Now, there wasn't a huge selection of infant-sized glasses, so they are actually ordering in some more from which we can select.  But we got a general idea of what they look like on him, even though he was making his "bitter beer face" most of the time.

Which do YOU think suits our little guy the best?

OPTION 1:  Long and squarish.  We really liked these on his face, though the stickers in the picture make his eyes look a little cray-cray.  These are Flexicon, so they twist and are virtually indestructible. 

OPTION 2:  Long and Rounded.  LOVED these, but this particular style was Nick Jr. featuring Dora the Explorer.  So wrong for him, but I'm open to seeing something similar.

OPTION 3:  Roundish.  SUPER CUTE for a costume, perhaps, but I thought these came across a little Harry Potter-ish.  I don't know...this picture is making me have second thoughts.  I kinda like 'em!

OK- your turn.  What's your vote?

Happy Orange-tober!

Hummmmm BABY!

Who cares about Presidential Debates when our GIANTS are contending for the World Series!
We've been tuning in from our cozy living room in North Dakota as many friends have attended the games in San Francisco (some even stopping to pay homage to Derek's brick at the ballpark's new World Champions Walk and thoughtfully sending us pictures...).

My brother, Derek, was a longtime Giants fan, often traveling to the beautiful ballpark to cheer them on.   As children, we followed the excitement of "Will the Thrill", and tuned in for the 1989 Battle of the Bay as our living room swayed during game 3's earthquake.  Though baseball, as a sport, has gone through some tough times, and the Giants have quietly been rebuilding, we have never put our fan-dom to rest.

This will be the second world series appearance in the three years since Derek has been gone.  It's bittersweet- we SO wish that he could cheer with us- but think, perhaps, he's had a hand in this recent winning streak :)

Oh, and I'd like to extend "condolences" to my newest sister-in-law and die-hard Cardinals fan, Lauren.  Since we placed a friendly wager on this series, I should be getting something sweet very soon... :)

On to the WORLD SERIES....DON'T STOP BELIEVING!

Opening Day at the Buffet...

Here's what we had for lunch today:

Waffles with Maple Syrup
Organic Tortilla Chips and Salsa
Steak Jerky
Pork Tenderloin bites
Meatballs in Marinara Sauce
Imported English Cheeses
Belgian Chocolate Cookies
Fresh Apple-Carrot Juice
Mixed Nuts and Cashews
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese in Balsamic Vinegar
Columbian Coffee
Rotisserie Chicken
Glazed Ham
Blueberries
Chocolate Macadamia Turtles
Mickey Mouse Chicken Nuggets
Apple Pie


Thank you, COSTCO, for providing such a fine smorgasbord of delectable goodies!
(Who says there's no such thing as a free lunch?)
Oh, and welcome to North Dakota!

First Costco to Open in North Dakota

Renewing our Strength

We've had some pretty sleepless nights around here.
I'm not going to lie...it's exhausting, for all of us.
But we have seen little windows of progress that are encouraging, and propel us forward.

If there is such a thing as "an oldie but a goodie" when it comes to Bible verses (aren't they all old?  aren't they all good?), the following is one of them.  It was inscribed on my heart in my youth, one of the first verses I can remember taking to memory.

Unlike certain songs that flood the radio airwaves and quickly wear out their welcome, God's word makes itself new and fresh as we walk our different paths.  Today I'm looking at this scripture through sleep-deprived, "frustrated mommy" eyes...and it couldn't be more timely and inspiring.

Isaiah 40:28-31  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,   the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;   they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;   they shall walk and not faint.

Beware of Mommy!

I've had an extraordinarily short fuse lately.
I know it has something to do with my altered sleep pattern lately, and I've been biting my lip so the whole household here doesn't feel my wrath.

So, I'm going to vent it out here.  LUCKY YOU!
**If you are looking for a motivational post, you are in the wrong place!**

1.  SOCKS that are TOO LOOSE.  It's finally sweater/sock season here, and after going barefoot the past few months, I've been forced to put a layer over my ice-cold toes.  Unfortunately, my socks all seemed to GROW since last winter.  (Or, more logically, I was pregnant and had big feet that stretched them all out!)  In any case, loose socks make me CRAZY.  It's a day-ruiner, like uncooperative hair or baggy, tired eyes.

2.  PRODUCE BAGS at the GROCERY STORE.  I literally had tears in my eyes over this recently.  When I cannot get the *%#$@ bag open, not only do I feel like the world's biggest idiot, but it's a huge time waster.  I don't have time like that.

3.  PLASTIC BAGS full of groceries.  I am a paper bag girl, and I don't mind that I'm not "saving the environment".  On a recent trip to the supermarket, they wrongly assumed I would want plastic bags for my cart FULL of groceries.  Not only do they use a ridiculous number of plastic bags (here, let me give you a bag for every. single. item.) but their amoebic shape means their contents are going to be rolling around my trunk by the time I get home anyway.

4.  POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ADS.  Need I say more?

5.  "NOOO, KOTTTA, NOOOOO!!!!"  Sibling aggravation.  Ahhh, it's just going to get worse from here.  Carter is IN LOVE with his sister.  Really, it's amazing...he's a magnet.  She leaves the room, he's crawling in there.  She looks his way, his face lights up.  She has a toy, he wants to play with her.  And while she loves her brother when she wants to love her brother, she does NOT love him when he's all up in her business- which is pretty much all the time now.  "No Kotta!  That's mine!!  Noooo!  Mommy, take baby over there??"  (Mommy pounds forehead on keyboard.)

6.  THE CLERK AT THE HALLMARK STORE who threw my credit card at me today for no apparent reason.  Now, I'm not one to punch old ladies but let me tell you...I almost became one today.  It may be that the only reason I spared her is because I'm saving my first punch for the lady behind the B&N Starbucks counter, who has been on my list for quite some time.  (No, I'm not threatening actual physical violence here.)

7.  PEOPLE who are NOT DOING THEIR JOB.  I stood in line behind five other people while one clerk was behind the counter working up a sweat, and another was wandering the front of the store like she was lost.  Now, I have become much more brazen in my "old age".  Either that, or my time is just much more valuable when I have other duties to attend to.  So you better believe I chased down that comatose employee and "asked" her to lend a hand.  Ugh.  This doesn't bode well for a stress-free Christmas shopping season.

8.  POOR GRAMMAR.  I'm a former teacher.  It's in my blood.  And poor grammar has ALWAYS bothered me.  But lately, I've seen a crazy influx of my EDUCATED FRIENDS using incorrect tenses, inappropriate punctuation and horrible spelling.  We are in our thirties now, friends.  Time to learn the difference between your and you're.

9.  SNAPS on BABY CLOTHES.  They are enough to drive me to tears lately!  (I'm telling you, my hormones are in a bunch.)  Carter likes to play this game called "kick, twist and cry" when I have to snap him up.  It's super fun.  And, this scenario usually ends with having to redo them all anyway because I MISSED ONE %&$# SNAP.

I realize this post may make me sound like a horrible person.
All of these things are, of course, silliness in the grand scheme of things.
But seriously, folks....I'd be a happier person if you would just check your spelling and buy me some socks.

Feel free to add number 10 to my list...

Country Bumpkins

You can practically feel the leaves brushing your cheek, can't you?

Spring cleaning came late this year...this "autumn makeover" was way overdue!  If you are on my blog page, you'll notice a spruced-up and up-to-date header, as well as some new colors and textures.  A nice change...it'll do, at least until winter :)

We took advantage of unseasonably high temperatures at the end of September to visit the Pumpkin Patch with some friends.  As we discovered, not many people are thinking "pumpkin patch" in September.  Thus, we were treated to some country fun virtually all to ourselves!  This was a stark contrast to LAST year's trip, which was cut short because we nearly froze to death in the midst of huge crowds.

I'll add to the new fall flavor on this page with some sweet pics from the patch :)

Carter was mesmerized by the baby animals!

My little beauty.

She can not even contain her excitement.

Only kids in the patch= extra train time!

Can you see that tongue out? 

Truly, a child of the corn.

Baby "Kotta" enjoying a ride with Sissy

Gotta love a girl in boots!

Kendall and her buddy, Olivia, head out to check the merch :)

Hey country bumpkin!  How's the frost down on that pumpkin?

My heart melts :)

I had some fun with editing these cuties...

FINALLY, a family picture with all FOUR of us looking at the camera!  (Hi, Carter!)

Happy harvest, friends!