She Works Hard For The ?

e·volve/iˈvälv/

Verb:

Develop gradually, esp. from a simple to a more complex form: "the Gothic style evolved steadily and naturally from the Romanesque". (with reference to an organism or biological feature) Develop over successive generations, esp. as a result of natural selection.

This is the word I'm using to describe myself.  When we moved to Georgia 4 years ago, I became a stay-at-home mom.  I thought I knew what that meant.  HA!  I am working harder now than I ever did before and I really do love it.  I have bad days and good days, but I wouldn't trade it for a workplace situation (even if there would be less poop to deal with).

I have found some helpful tricks to get me through the day that I would like to share with you other mommies out there:

1.  Exercise

2.  Read

3.  Set up a cleaning schedule and stick with it

4.  Plan your week

When I exercise I relieve stress.  

                                       Happy Mommy = Happy EVERYONE  

When I read, I relieve stress.

                                       Happy Mommy = Happy EVERYONE

When I stick to my cleaning schedule I have time to do fun things like paint or decorate which helps me to relieve stress.

                                       Happy Mommy = Happy EVERYONE

When I plan my week, everything runs more smoothly and I am less stressed.

                                       Do you detect a pattern?

For a long time I floundered.  I was lost.  I was lonely.  Now I feel like I'm doing pretty well.  I have friends to hang out with. I have activities. I have evolved.  

Craftiness

I'm loving Pinterest! I have found so many cute ideas for the kids. Last Wednesday I made a felt Christmas tree Advent calendar. I put lots of fun little activities for us to do. It helps to have the little extra push for making family time. Here's my list of activities:

Hope you are enjoying old family traditions and making new ones this year as well!

Thanksgiving

We had a quick month of November and a fabulous Thanksgiving.  Dave had a few days off, so we spent the first part of the week at my parent's house.  He worked Thanksgiving day, but was off on Friday.  I enjoyed watching the parade with the kids and we got our tree up over those 2 days.  On Saturday, Dave's family came to watch the Iron Bowl with us and to celebrate Dave and Pops' birthdays.  We had a ton of food and enjoyed spending time with each other...especially since Alabama won!

I'm still working on straightening the house back up and Christmas decorating.  Trying to do several handmade gifts this year, so I'm looking forward to that!  This Saturday we will go to the Christmas tree lighting downtown (per our felt Christmas tree advent calender that I am throwing together today...such a procrastinator).

I am finished with the kids' gifts.  Shhhh!   I shopped on Black Friday for the first time ever this year.  Before you gasp in astonishment I'll just let you know that it was ONLINE shopping.  I got all of the same deals without getting a black eye.  Ta-da!

For now, I'll leave you drooling.  I made this yummy Peanut Butter Cup cake.  I found the recipe on, of course, Pinterest.  It was so very delicious, even if I did over bake it a smidge.  ;)  It was still unbelievably moist!

~ Chocolate cake with peanut butter cups baked inside,
peanut butter buttercream frosting, and peanut butter cups on top ~

HaPpY HaLLoWeen!

The Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood

We had a fun night trick or treating with our friends across the street.  Livee walked the entire circle and was such a cutie pie being a "big girl".  She said Happy Halloween a million times and said "I trick-or-treatin."  We also have a new addition to our family, Pip.  We rescued him from the pound on Sunday and think he's going to be lots of fun!

Just had to put a better picture of my goofy Frankenstein door.  Got the idea from Pinterest!

Pip and Little Red :)

She had to be a big girl and hold our neighbor Alicia's hand for most of the time.

Pumpkin Patch

2 weeks ago (yes, I am behind) we went to Muscle Shoals.  While we were there, we visited McGee Farms' Pumpkin Patch with my brother, his wife, nephew, and niece.  It was a beautiful day and the kids really enjoyed it!  Livee hasn't been to a patch since she was a baby, so she enjoyed seeing the chickens and goats and going on the hayride.  She also LOVES her Uncle Brandon.  She sat with him on the hayride.  There was also a haystack for the kids to play in that the big boys had a ball on.  

We have been very busy this month.  I feel like I'm hardly every at home anymore.  I'm sure all that will change once the cold weather hits, so I'm trying to enjoy these gorgeous days right now.  I am room mom for Livee's class, so I've been busy getting ready for her fall party.  I also made Livee and Hayden's Halloween costumes this year.  I've been getting crafty lately and setting myself on a regular chore schedule for the house too (Thanks Pinterest).   

Hayden started karate at the beginning of this month and is actually enjoying it (rather than t-ball where he really didn't).  He's also learning quite a bit at school and is very close to becoming a reader!  Livee loves going to preschool and says new phrases everyday.  She's a talkative little girl at home, but becomes shy when she's out.  I really think it's more of a game to her than anything.  She follows Hayden around a lot and mimics him.  One funny thing she did last night was to tattle on me.  She was pitching a fit when it was time for her bath, so I picked her up and put her in the tub.  20 minutes later (after her bath and pjs were already on) she told Daddy that I hurt her arm.  Drama Queen!  

This is my absolute favorite time of year, so it's nice to be able to enjoy it.  This weekend we're heading to Birmingham for Samford's Homecoming game.  It's my 10 year reunion (yikes), so I'm glad I'll be able to be there and show Hayden and Livee my college!

The Few and The Proud

On Sunday one of Dave's brothers, Charlie, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. We are so proud of him! Here are some pictures from the big day. Keep in mind that Hayden took about half of these and his were better focused than mine! I really need some photography classes and a better camera. :)