Columbus Day 2011

As always, we spent our Columbus Day at the orchard with wonderful friends.  W couldn't have asked for better weather!  What a great way to say goodbye to summer.  Here are a few pics from our day.....

I'm so thankful for the wonderful memories we made that day!

Lazy Sunday

Things have become so busy around here that we've decided to make our New Year's Resolution be "Lazy Sunday" every Sunday, together as a family.  So far, we've really been enjoying this change of pace!  With all of the busyness in our life, it is wonderful to slow the pace for a day & just enjoy each other's company.  I love my wonderful family & our time together!  

Our girlies are growing up way too fast & I want to enjoy all of the little things!

So Long 2010

Looking back on 2010 made it really easy for me to look forward to the new year.  There were so many things that were devastating to us, our family, & our friends, that I couldn't wait for the year to end.  So how did we end it???  With a wonderful night of family & fun at my dad's house.  The girlies were so happy to ring in the new year.....

....that they didn't even want to stop for pictures!

But Mommy insisted & at least got a couple of cute ones....

Great food, good times with family & friends..... what more could we ask for???  So good riddens 2010.... we're looking forward to a wonderful new year!

Welcome Miss Lilly!

As if life isn't crazy enough around here with all of the hours I've been working & Christmas, we have adopted a new member to our family.....

Princess Lilly joined us on Black Friday & we couldn't be happier!  My heart melted when a family on my mail route brought out a litter of pups to show me.  Lilly was the runt & wasn't eating well due to her brothers & sisters not sharing.  After work, I picked her up & headed straight to our vet's office to have her weighed & dewormed.  She weighed in at only 3 lbs!  Our vet assured us she would thrive once removed from her siblings.  He was right.... within 2 weeks, she had doubled in weight.  She hasn't stopped growing since she came home!  What a blessing she has been & we love her so much.  She's been the most (busy) wonderful addition since we adopted our Labrador, Luke, 3 years ago.  Amazing how she found us..... & surprisingly enough, she was just what we needed!

Way Back When-esday

It's so much fun to reminisce about days gone by.  That's why I enjoy Cheryl's "Way Back When-esday's" so much!  I love digging through old pictures & remembering days gone by.  I decided to go WAY back this week.....

......when I stumbled across this picture of my brother & me.  We have always been so close & I couldn't imagine my life without him in it.  He's the best brother anyone could ask for!

Jump on over to Twinfatuation to see who else went Way Back today, as well!

Makes My Monday

These silly little turkeys.....

.....make my Monday!  Now head on over to Cheryl's blog to see what makes her day today, too!

It's just the Beginning....

..... of all the overtime my coworkers & I will be working.... now that our favorite coworker has retired..... *sniff, sniff*

This past week was the last week we got to work with our buddy, David.  His last day was Friday & after 39 yrs, 8 months with the Postal Service, he is now officially retired.  And boy did he earn it!  He has truly been the best person to work with.... always there for everyone & always so chipper.... he'll be missed terribly!

I couldn't be happier for him!  Enjoy your retirement, David..... you deserve it! 

Way-back Wednesday

This will always be one of my favorite pictures of me & my dad.....

He has always been such a great dad & papa.... we're so lucky to have him in our lives!

Be sure to visit Cheryl & play along this week!

It's Finally Over!

For the past 9 months, my parent's have been going through an AWFUL  divorce.  At the beginning, I thought it would be quick & relatively painless.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  It has been the most painful experience I've ever been through & I have been forced to make many decisions that I never expected to make.  I've had to take a stand I never thought I'd have to.  However, I could not sit back quietly.  I had to stick up for what was right.   

I will never regret the stand I took.  My parent's raised me to always do what was right.  Always do what I thought best.  In any situation.  In any circumstance.  NO MATTER WHAT.  Little did I know that the day would come when I was forced to choose.... stick up for what was right & lose a parent or sit quietly by & ignore the wrong-doing by that parent. 

I took my stand with my dad.  I stood by him through thick & thin.  I am so proud of him for trying to always do the right thing.  Trying to always protect his family even when he was crumbling.  Trying not to let the pain he was feeling destroy the person he was. 

It wasn't the easy road.  It wasn't the path very many other family members wanted to take.  Heck, it wasn't the path I wanted to take.  But I'm glad I did.  My dad needed me.  I couldn't turn my back on the man who has always put me first.  The man who would be there & HAS been there for me.  No matter what.  No questions asked. 

It was MY turn to be there for him.  I couldn't let him stand alone.  Not now.  This was the toughest battle of his life thus far.  He needed the support. 

I had no idea it would take 9 months for the divorce to be over.  I've never been through a divorce & had no idea what to expect.  I had no clue of the heartache we would all go through.  No clue divorce could be so ugly.  

I sit here tonight, feeling relieved that it is finally over.  Thankful that the rollercoaster ride we've been on for the past few months has finally ended.  There was a point in time when I thought it would never end. 

I'm so grateful for all of the love & support our family & friends have shown our family.  We couldn't have made it through this without them.  But most of all, I'm thankful for my dad.  This has strengthened our relationship & brought us even closer than we were before.  I love him with all of my heart & am so proud to not only call him my dad, but my FRIEND. 

Sending Summer out with a Bang!

As always, I'm sad to see the summer come to an end.  We've had so much fun with family & friends.... we're truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives!  As always, we've tried to pack as much into the last few weeks of summer as we possibly could.  We enjoyed many weekends boating with many amazing people.....

Labor Day weekend was no exception.  It was the last weekend in the boat & even though the water was cold, we didn't let it dampen our spirits.  We played in the water....

grilled out....

& then enjoyed a fabulous boat ride with our friends....

It was a great way to end the summer!

This past weekend, we took the girls to St. Louis to celebrate Charlie's birthday.  We played in the hotel pool....

went to the arch.....

& then spent a day at the zoo.....

It was a great weekend getaway with the family & I can't wait to do it again.... I love our fun times together!

Diving Back In

After leaving the blogging world, I realized how much I enjoyed blogging, as well as keeping up with fellow bloggers I had come to know & love.  I've finally decided to jump back in to the world of blogging & am very much looking forward to catching up with everyone I've missed so much!  :)