the son I never intended to have.

My grown-up nephew (19) moved in with us in November 2011. He needed a place to stay and some motivation, and we took him right in. He was struggling to get into the army, and we were struggling with being a family of 2 --- so in a round about way, we helped each other. He quickly became my "son", as I've always been one to mother (smother?). I've bossed him around since he was born, anyway, so what difference does it really make? haha.
Thanks to my husband's patience (thankfully he posses much more than I ever have) and my nephew's need to better himself, he was able to enlist after living with us for a few months. It was not easy for him. He struggled with an educational hurdle and needed some extra help to prepare for the ASVAB (the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Test).

He left for basic training today (after living with us for 15 months). It was a bittersweet moment for me. I am so proud of his hard work and his ability to work through all of the obstacles that held him back, But also, I'm a little sad.... it's like my "son" is leaving. He became my good buddy while he lived with us. And even though he was grown when he moved in, he still required a fair about of parenting (something he had never had before).

It's funny how things work. I can't help but take a minute to marvel in God's work. He took a boy who was in dire need of a good male role model -- who needed an escape for a sad situation --- and brought him here --- where my husband could show him, teach him, guide him. And he took a couple who had an empty bedroom and a quiet house, and gave them somebody to fill it.

life is funny.

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I love this time of year.
Even though the songs bring tears to my eyes.
Even though the mall is full of babies.
Even though I am required to walk through toy shops/baby departments/and the kid section to complete my shopping list.
Even though I won't be home for Christmas.
Even though it's not going to be a white Christmas (maybe especially because it won't be white, I'll be happy! I hate snow!)

I love a good glass of wine and the Christmas lights twinkling. I love the smell of cookies in the oven. I love way wrapped presents look under my tree. And I love my tree.

I love this time of year!

Happy Snow, er, Halloween.

So, our Halloween weekend was suppose to be full of haunted woods, a corn maze, scary movie marathons, and smores. Instead, it turned into SNOW, no electricity, and napping.

Snow in OCTOBER. Can you even believe that?!?
It was such a hard thing to look at, snow and colorful leaves - too strange!

I write this sitting under my snuggly blankets, with my socks on, and a sweater.

Oh, Mr. Winter you have showed up early this year! I wasn't ready for you. Maybe you could vacation a few more weeks and then come back closer to Christmas?

pause in my "photo challenge"

I've been doing a lot of thinking....
there are days (A LOT of days) when I am beyond content with my life. Happy with what I do have. Happy that my schedule is based on what I want/need/desire. Happy that my husband and I have only each other. There are days when it is really nice. Really nice.
And then out of no where -- BAM!

The longing returns.

.....
.......
.........


i do want a family.

Day 9: Someone you love

I love him.

I love him.

I love him.

oh, and for the record, I love him.


___________________________________________

last night we went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
the movie was AWEEESOME (sang in a high pitch voice). I want to see it again. I snapped this picture while we were waiting for the previews to start. Notice how there isn't anybody behind us? Our theater is always empty like that (kind of makes me worried about how they could possibly make money).

We had a really nice evening. :)

I love date nights. I love that I still desire dating my husband.
I love that he holds my hand.
I love knowing that he is mine and I am his.
sigh....

are you gagging? did you just think to yourself "gross, get a room?"
I have that affect on people when I go into the "my husband is the greatest in the whole world" mode.
But I'm not apologizing. I'm pretty certain that my husband is awesome.

anywho.... have you seen the new Harry Potter movie yet?!?

Day 8: a bad habit

I need to hit the snooze every morning. It's a requirement to start my day. I hit the snooze, and then I lay there thinking about having to get up and thinking about everything that lays ahead of me for the day. And then, when it goes off again, I get up - grumbling - and get my day started. Some days my husband calls me on his way to work, before my snooze-ing as a wake up call.... and I'm ashamed to admit, I tell him to call me back in 5-8 minutes.... so I can "snooze".

it's a bad habit.

Day 7: Fruit