Halloween Giveaway!

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Hopeless Romantic and Mindless Ramblings

I've come to realize, with much hesitancy, that I am a hopeless romantic! As I sit here and watch "Pride and Prejudice" for the umpenth time, I realize how enamored I am with this movie and the era behind it. If I had to chose one era to "relive" I would see it through the eyes of Jane Austen. The dress, mannerisms and culture is something I wish to have experienced. I am in awe of the dances and the way men and women interact. Not to mention the architecture!

As I read the book for the first time, my images were formed by the pure words on the page. I tend to be drawn whole-heartedly into a book, becoming a part of it, not just reading the words. I was in awe when I first saw the moive. How my images matched what was on the screen! I remember very clearly sitting on the edge of my seat watching the story I knew by heart unfold infront of me as if I had lived it instead of just reading it. I felt as if I were dancing in the room, walking in the woods or seeing the courtyard at the Darcy Manor as Lizzie looked out of the window. I could even smell the fresh air and hear the horses.

My heart hurt for Lizzie as she struggled with her feelings with Mr. Darcy... leapt for joy when Mr. Bingley returned and asked for Jane's hand...hurt for Lydia when she married the ruthless Mr. Wickham...pained for Lizzie when she was visited by Lady Catherine and heard of Mr. Darcy's engagement elsewhere...and cried at the quick arrival of so said Mr. Darcy to save the moment!
It was as if I finally had sisters and shared these feelings with them! Isn't that what a good movie is supposed to do? Make you feel like you are IN it, not just watching it?

And hence... I am a hopeless romantic. Why can't men today treat women like they did back then? :-) I know there are some that do, I just didn't seem to land one this go 'round!!! It's a shame time, and convience, had to chage the world so much. What I would give for long walks to town, to ride horseback, read and do embroidery for "fun." To be courted, properly, and only happiness be the driving force.

I pray that my children, especially my daughter, find this joy in her life. That she find the one true soul mate I believe is out there for everyone...regardless of past. I pray that they find happiness and not just be content where they are in life. That they keep dreaming and know they CAN achieve their dreams. I hope they never feel they have to settle for what they have been dealt.

And now... I shall return to my movie. I pray thee enjoy the night.

Diaper Bag

I've been working on this Diaper Bag since before I left New York. I had the image in my mind and knew what I wanted, I just had to actually sit down and "do it!" Thanks to some help from my mom, some guidance and assistance, I finally got it completed!!! It's made out of Jason's ACU uniform he wore in Iraq during his last deployment. The inside is a laundry bag he took with him, too. I wanted Colt to have a unique bag, and this is it!!!

This is the front of the bag.

Slanted pockets are actually usable!!

Inside features 3 pockets and 3 pen holders. The pockets and pen holders were taken from sleeves on the AUC and a pocket from the pants.
Side 1.. shows Jason's current unit, 1st CAV and his unit pin for 6/9. Little bag above is used for Colt's pacifiers. It slides on the handle made from an actual belt.
Other side with Jason's deployed unit...4ID and his Buffalo pin from 7/10 CAV.

It took planning, cursing, ripping of many stitches, but it's finally done and I love it!!!

Catching up

Lately it seems like I'm always catching up in pictures. So here it goes again...

Brodie doing what she loves the most.. swinging!!

Ok, on second thought.. THIS is what she loves doing the most! Swimming! She loves it when she is thrown up in the air to splash down in the water! She has NO fear and will walk up to the side of the pool and jump in... even if no one is there to catch her. She's actually learning VERY QUICKLY to swim on her own and now swims to the shallow end no matter where she jumps in! Here, her cousin Allison is giving her a boost!
I'm in denial that my little Colt will be 8 months in 2 days! Here he is showing off his sitting skills. He got the hang of it in about 2 days. He thinks he's so smart.. and he is!!
My little man and his darling dimple!!!

I absolutly LOVE this picutres of Brodie and Colt. She was so patient with him that morning. She sat and sang to him, talked to him and obviously, loved him! He didn't have a good night the night before and was tired and very content to sit in Brodie's arms.

I know there are no pictures of the boys in this one.. can you tell they are at school during the day again? I'll do my best to get some up of the boys... now that Riley's lip is not swollen anymore!!

Scouting Fun

It's School time again, that means it's time for Cub Scouts again! Randy and I had our first function last Saturday. Here at Pack 222, they hold a monthly bake sale at our commissary. The den did an awesome job this month! Randy even got a $15 donation from one person! I'm looking forward to continuing my walk with Randy this year as a Bear Leader. This will probably be my last year as his leader before I start my walk with Riley next year as a Tiger. We have an AWESOME co-leader, Jeff, who is full of excietment and energy and has a lot of ideas to enrich the boys this year! I know we will make a great team!!