Dena & Rob

I was asked by Nancy today to pass along a blog. It's not a funny blog, it's not one that you'll probably want to forward to friends who enjoy witty posts and hilarious photos. But it's really one to read. It's just getting started and it all began when Dena got a call from the military saying her husband had been injured in Afghanistan. Click here to read their story.

I'm not a writer, and so I don't really have words to explain what Dena and Rob are going through except to say that I cannot even imagine how strong you both are. For Dena, to be able to pick yourself up off the ground after receiving such horrible, life changing news and take care of yourself and your family. To have fly your children to stay with out of state relatives so that you can rush to be with your husband. As I write this, she is on her way to Germany where Rob is being transported. They are not yet fully aware of the extent of his injuries except that he has lost both legs and has a possible bleed in his brain.

When our friends Nancy and Ryan went through this a few years ago, I found myself constantly checking their personal site. I was desperate for information and I knew that the outpouring from friends and strangers alike was extremely comforting to Nancy. Please take a moment to read their story as well. Start in the journal and start in the beginning. My only caution is that you'll be in tears, crazy can't catch your breath sobs, so choose your reading time/location wisely!

I'm told that comments, even if left by strangers, are incredibly comforting and that feeling the support of those who care about your story is equally important. If you have a blog, feel free to post their site and share Dena and Rob's story.

Not even close to Wordless Wednesday...

Last year, we took Connor to a pumpkin patch to pick out a couple good ones and he had a blast. We got lots of cute pics…even though I’d dropped my camera hard at a Halloween party the night before… Anyway, this year we decided that since he’s officially a year and a half old we’d step it up a notch and go to one of the big fall festivals. I decided to schnepffpffpff farms is just too much hassle and we went to Mother Nature's Farm in Gilbert. They have hayrides, a petting zoo, bounce house, face painting, picnic areas, food, games and every kid gets a little 6” pumpkin to decorate and take home. Plus, their pumpkin patch is way, way, way better than any other little church parking lot business. Seriously. Here are a few pics from our day at the farm!!

Those are just a few, well ten. The rest of the album is viewable here!!

Friday's Dose of Brilliance

Here's a great site for today!

Cat Bowling

Say Cheese!

Well, the school photos came back and i think they are pretty good. i'm not in love with the white wicker chair, but hey, I’m sure the photographer has been looking for a use for that chair from 1986 right?

Not really sure what he’s doing with his hands. Katy and Erin think he’s snapping along to the mystery music so I’ll trust my girls that that’s what’s going on.

And yes, clearly I stole this pic from their website. That’s why the word PROOF is stamped across my kid in the brightest yellow possible. (Thank you for your discretion Classic School Portraits.)

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

so deep in thought. i am in love with this photo

trying on halloween costumes. super connor!

say it with me won't you...ahhhhhh.

Fridays Dose of Brilliance

Only one site today, but it's great. Make me super is like those funny jib jab videos. I love it. for some reason these things really crack me up. Make yours immediately-and then send it to me!! If you click on my photo above, you'll see my video Here's connor's pic too-click to see his!

and of course here is Jeffrey's video!!

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Connor has been on fall break so this past monday he hung out with dad and Corliss all day. They exhaust him and he exhausts them-it's a guaranteed good night's sleep all around! Corliss and dad were nice enough to take lots of great pics of the three of them, so here are a few pics of their day together...

grandpa loves giving connor fudgesicles

my dad said connor walked back and forth over this little bridge atleast 50 times...and then still screamed when they forced him to go inside.

Thank me later

Since I only did one website on Friday, here’s another.

My charming, witty, super smart friend Tiffany just started a blog. She’s hilarious so check it out and you will be rewarded, by me, giving you a virtual hi-five:)

Friday's Dose of Brilliance...and our trip to the Firehouse

So, on Fridays i usually do a couple new sites that i'm in love with but today I am just going to post about one. it's no secret that i take a crapload of photos (haha keiko, yes i just may be more japanese than you!). Our fam is always, always on the go and running from swim to lunch to a birthday party to sporting events so we have lots and lots of opportunities to get some pics of the kiddo! My friend Nancy posted about this photo editing site, picnik she found and I checked it out. I'm still kinda learning my way around it but so far i'm loving it. You can add matte, adjust shadowing and all the other things you can do on most photo editing software, but it's super easy. I'm a photoshop girl myself, but i'm liking this site for quick and easy editing.

Connor is on fall break this week and instead of sending him to 'camp' through his normal school, we decided to get the days covered by ourselves ane family. Al watched him Monday, my dad on Tuesday, Jeffrey on Wednesday and I stayed home with him yesterday and today. It's been great and makes me (almost) wish I could stay at home with him daily. Yesterday we really didn't do much. We took a couple walks around the neighborhood, took a nap (both of us!) and just played at the house. Today, my moms group was taking a trip to the Gilbert Fire Department so we decided to go along. Below are some pics of our day at the firehouse as well as just a few that i edited on picnik. enjoy:)

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Look at that belly!

one shoed downward dog!
what? like you don't watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse naked in your beach chair?!?
Hi Mom :)

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying his ice cream!

Finally wearing his Eagles jerseyEnjoying the game and some chicken fingers with cousin Jacob-i think they look so much alike! Connor and daddy!

Way to go Connor!

I'm going to be a braggy mom for a quick moment. Miss Katherine told us at swim that because Connor's so good at sticking his head under water, the sit and wait, breath control and torpedo pass, he's graduated to Baby & Me II!! We got a ribbon and everything. Great Job baby boy!! Here's a quick vid of him on the big red mat. the kid is hilarious. he's been walking for almost 8 months now-longer than any of the other kiddos-but he will only crawl across the mat!

Few pictures of Connor and his ribbon!