Halloween Superheros!

Ok, maybe dark Spiderman isn’t exactly a good guy, but when your four year old INSISTS that’s the costume he wants when he sees it at Target, you just go with it!

Sorry, I know this isn’t the best picture with flash photography and Cubbie sans smile. They were NOT willing to pose when there was trick or treating to be done!

DH stayed home and gave out candy while I took the boys around the neighborhood. This year, Cubbie was old enough to actually say, “Trick or Treat!” They had a blast, filled up their buckets, and were tuckered out by the time we made it back home. We put them to bed and what’s a good Mama to do??? Sneak a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, of course!

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

I Need To Turn My Brain Off

I’m being transferred at work

I had two weeks notice

I start my new assignment Monday

Between busting my butt to get my cases done

To coordinating taking over another supervisor’s job

AND fitting in a vacation

I AM SPENT!

And now, instead of just being responsible for my cases

I’m responsible for 12 other people

I want to be a good boss

I’ve learned from the best and the worst

And now it’s my turn

I’m excited for this new challenge

Today, I packed all of my stuff from the past 15 years in my minivan

And drove it to my new office location

It was weird thinking my entire career could fit in there

I got all six boxes, duty bag, and misc. gear unloaded, but not unpacked

That will come Monday

But for now, I’m going to go turn my brain off

If you don’t mind :-)

A Little Getaway

For the past 5 days, this was our view.

My hubby, the boys, and I enjoyed some much need R & R.

I did next to nothing except for make meals, tickle tummys, and read Runner’s World.

It was glorious.

My boys, they had other plans…

My little rock throwers. And yes, we were right there…just out of camera shot, ready to grab them if they got too close.

 

Just look at that determination!

 

Sprout looking to see where his rock landed. Always the competitive one, he took it quite seriously.

The weather wasn’t the best, but we didn’t care. We spent most of our time at the indoor pool, taking scenic drives or snuggled up in our room watching movies. We did get in a little walk when the rain let up.

Oh, my heart. My world, my loves. This is what makes a vacation so memorable. Not where you go or what you do, but just spending time together.

A Pumpkin Patch Poem

 

Off to the pumpkin patch we go

 

But I’m Mr. Grumpy

Because the ground is bumpy

And over the pumpkin vines I trip and slip

 

So Mama puts my life in my brother’s hands

I am NOT amused!

 

But then I see it…

a sandbox filled with corn!

 

And I again am in true form

My normal happy Cubbie self!

* * * * * *

Linked to One Shot Wednesday. Got a poem on YOUR heart? Stop over and share!

PS. Thank You for all the warm wishes on my 1 Year Blogoversary :-)

My 1 Year Blogoversary + Giveaway!

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED**

Can you believe it, I’ve been blogging for one year today! Here’s my very first post, “Ode to Our Camper.” Feel free to click over!

I want to give something back to my readers…so I’m excited to announce my friends Rene and Shannon at The Crafter’s Cove have donated one of their tote bags just for the occasion. Check it out:

They are a mother-daughter team who love to sew and create one of a kind items.
Required Entry (Your email address must be attached to your profile or leave it in your comment)

• Visit either of their Etsy sites: The Crafter’s Cove or The Pint Size Cove (children’s activities.) Then, come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite item is.

Extra Entries (Leave separate comments for each entry)

• Follow @thecrafterscove on Twitter (1 entry)
• “Like” The Crafter’s Cove on Facebook (1 entry)
• Follow their blog, The Crafter’s Cove (1 entry)
• Follow A Little Lilac via Google Friend Connect  (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter @CM_alittlelilac (1 entry)

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM CST on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. The winner will be chosen via Random.org. The winner will be emailed and have 48 hrs. to respond. Sorry, open to US residents only.

* * * * * *

To all my readers, whether you have a blog or not, whether you comment or just enjoy reading my posts, I want to say…

THANK YOU

for stopping by my little blog! :-)

Six Word Saturday

 

Pumpkin patch, hay rides, and apples!

(Pictures soon to follow :-)

Linked to:

What are YOU up to this weekend??? Say it in 6 words!

* * * * * *

PSssst…keep your eye open for a little surprise I’m going to be giving away on Monday. Here’s a hint:

 

Because it might just be someone’s one year blogging anniversary on Monday…;-)

I’m Still Learning

I admit it, I’m a total amateur with Photoshop Elements. I take baby steps with my editing, as you will see. I joined in today with Pixel Perfect’s Before and After.

Here’s my SOOC shot:

Yes, that is my Cubbie, mosquito bites and all!

 

And here is my edited shot:

I used PSE 8. I first lightened the mosquito bites with the Spot Healing Brush Tool, then played with the levels a bit until I came up with this. What do you think? Any thoughts on what might make it better? I’m totally open to suggestions.

Oh, and by the way, I have a Canon T1i and used my 50mm lens.

* * * * *

PSssst…keep your eye open for a little surprise I’m going to be giving away on Monday. Here’s a hint:

Because it might just be someone’s one year blogging anniversary on Monday…;-)

Finding a Church Home

Image Credit

This past Sunday, I tried out a new church. We need to find something closer to our house. The church we currently attend is 30+ miles away and has over 3,000 members.

I found a medium sized Baptist church in the neighboring suburb. I decided to scope it out first by myself.

Although a bit nervous, I strolled in the front door trying to act like I belonged there. I went to the Welcome Booth and cautiously, quietly told the kind, 50-ish couple this was my first time there.

“Well, what can we help you with?”

My mind went blank and honestly, I said, “Um, where’s the bathroom?” Without laughing, they directed me down the hall and to the right. Then, after asking a few questions about the nursery and preschool rooms, I ventured off on my own. The nursery looked secure and well monitored, as well as the preschool area.

Once in the sanctuary, I grabbed the first seat right by the back door. I just wanted to blend in. Having come from a such a large church, this smaller setting was a little unnerving. I felt like everyone was looking at me.

The service began and after one contemporary Christian song and one hymn, they instructed us to greet one another. I shook hands and said, “Good morning,” to a handful of people. Then, I spotted the pastor. He was the gregarious one with salt and pepper hair, cheerily making his way down the aisle and towards the back. It quickly occurred to me he was headed right towards me. I looked forward and pretended not to see him. See, in our semi-mega church, the pastor is more of an icon than a real person, actual contact is rare. Before I knew it, the pastor was beside me, offered his hand, and warmly wished me a good morning.

The message was sound and biblically based, practical and relevant. I found that the time flew by. Once we were dismissed, I headed for the door. And to my surprise, there was the pastor again. He was shaking everyone’s hands as they exited. When it was my turn, I told him I enjoyed his message. He said, “Is this your first time here?” and I said yes. He said he hoped I enjoyed my visit and looked forward to seeing me again.

I’m looking forward to having DH and the boys come with next week. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

Have YOU ever had to search for a new church?

What do YOU like best about YOUR church home?

Sprout Needs Glasses!

I can't believe it. This busy little guy...

needs glasses!

GLASSES!

We have been noticing small things, like when we would say, “Look at the cow” or “Look at the horse” out the window while driving, and Sprout would keep saying, “Where, where?”

So DH took Sprout yesterday to the eye doctor and they confirmed…he has my eyes! I have terrible astigmatism and apparently so does Sprout. He also is an 8 for far sightedness, when most kids are a 2!

I'm worried for him. I’ve had glasses (now contacts) since I was in Kindergarten. I know what it’s like to be a kid and have to be “four eyes.” I was hoping so hard for my boys to have perfect vision, but apparently God and genetics have other plans.

I know we have been blessed with healthy kids and this really is a minor thing in the big picture. I’m trying to be okay with it. So please be kind, I’m still a bit in shock, if you will. Is that weird? But basically, my boy will forever look different. I just don't want him to go through what I went through in school. I'm hoping things are different nowadays.

By the way, do they make aqua-marine (thanks to Blues Clues) glasses??? That’s what he wants. So we’ll be off to shop for glasses this weekend!

Oh So Sweet…Oh Wait a Minute!

We were picking the remnants from our garden last week when I happened to catch this:

I just love how their little heads are touching.

Sweet, innocent moment, right? Well, yeah, until I realized what Cubbie was looking at…Sprout was squishing old cherry tomatoes from off the ground and ants were crawling all over it! Hence why I never got a good shot of it…I was too busy freaking out and brushing ants off Sprout’s hand!

Boys, I tell ya! I should have known they were up to something :-)

For more Wordful Wednesday posts go here and here.

First Frost

Yesterday...

 

this is what…

 

we woke up to.

And here is my namesake…

ready for a winter’s slumber.

 

See you next Spring, my little lilac.

 

Linked to:

 

Blogging Drama

As I sit here on my laptop, my boys are eating scrambled egg and toast while watching Lightning McQueen (Cars Movie.) My DH is volunteering in the ER at one of the local hospitals and I’m reading blogs in between filling sippy cups and wiping mouths.

I see there is some major drama going on in blogland and I’m not going to link or mention specifics here. I’m not here to take sides or encourage any drama. I really am so out of the loop so who I am to comment.

I guess it just makes me sad. That big blogger is the first blog I ever followed. Heck, I didn’t even know about blogging until I saw a local news article about her and her sick baby boy, and they mentioned her blog. Once I started stumbling my way around the internet, I then discovered all the other wonderful blogs out there.

Now, almost a year later, I love blogging. I love writing and posting pics and reading other blogs. It’s an outlet for a mom who doesn’t have the time to take writing or photography classes. It’s a place for me to be ME.

I can’t say I read that big blogger’s blog that much anymore. Mostly because I tend to gravitate towards the bloggers who I feel more of a connection to, the ones who I leave comments for or email, and they do the same. It makes the big world of blogging a little more personal.

I guess I just feel a little disheartened by all the drama…