Thanksgiving Week ~ & still thankful...

My fab-U-lous husband Jack.



Sweet Jamie with Noah doing some "more tickling."



Daisy Dog and Noah enjoying a fire.



Daddy & Noah doing some snuggling.

Sweet moments...in the Fall.

I love this picture of Noah. I took this at our local park. Noah has been taking daily walks with dad and I. He seems to enjoy sitting and pondering the scenery.























Noah and I huggin' in the pumpkin patch.




That's Bradley, one of Noah's BFF's from his class. *PS. I think Bradley has a little crush on me... it's so cute!



This is Michelle Hopkins. She's Bradley's mom and a dear friend of mine. She brought Kendall (on the left) her niece and her daughter Britney (on the right.) We had a nice day with the kids at Lombardi Ranch.


Bradley, me and Noah enjoying the train ride through the corn field. I love my boys!

Things I'm THANKFUL for:

The first entry for the Fall will be a few words, accompanied by photos. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and I think these photos say so much about what I'm thankful for this season.


I love this photo of my mom & Noah holding hands in the backseat of our car. What precious love demonstrated in a picture of two hands!


I can't believe our grandson Mark took this photo. It's so good, and CENTERED...
(Ava, Christian, Sarah, Julie, Noah & Jack)


Nana Jean & Noah outside IHOP. We had a lovely breakfast that included FRIES for Noah.



Are they the most sweetest grandkids ever? Mark is almost 5 and Ava is 2.


Uncle Jim (Swain), me & Jack. It was great to re-connect with wonderful family.


Jack, me, mom & step-dad Dana. This picture was taken back in Maine in August 2009.




Noah lovin' on Nana Jean with some kisses. It's one of his favorite things to do!





My mom Jean and I are "Peas in a Pod." I'm still not sure if that's a good thing?



In all seriousness, my mom is the very best and I love her a great deal. She was always there for me when I was a child, and carried me through a lot of hard times. She's a real gem, and I need to make sure I tell her that more often.

Noah's Meet & Greet

Good morning all my cyber friends! I'll start with a little definition of Noah's Meet & Greet; of course I'll be making it up as I go, as this is the brain child of me and silly Wendy P. while sipping our Starbucks and munching on food. Here goes:

Meet & Greet - a term to describe the gathering together of good friends in order to get to know Mr. Noah a little bit better, - a time to gather together and take the "Know Noah" facts quiz (which BTW, Ashley Kostjuk won!)





We started out our time together with In-N-Out burgers and fries! Noah seriously thought he had hit the jackpot of all fries when he received 3 orders! He checked all the bags, bid us goodbye and headed upstairs with his treasure. The rest of us enjoyed our food while watching the other kids run, swim and have fun in the backyard. Then it was time for the "Know Noah" facts quiz. I never knew (Just Kidding) that Wendy P. was so darn competitive; poor Todd Kostjuk was doused with ice and water when she thought he had beat her... but I digress.


Much discussion was had as to whether Jack had administered the test properly, or even asked the right questions. Wendy fussed and fussed that he had make things far too specific and misleading! Tis, tis, tis... nothing like a sore loser!
Side note: Daisy the Dog felt it her duty to continually check and make sure there were no burger or fry scraps cluttering up the ground.

Noah did decide that the human race wasn't actually all that bad, and decided to pay us a visit. He walked around, checked out the other kids and the adults... all the while checking ALL the remaining In-N-Out bags for fries that may have been missed.

With the In-N-Out gone, a few of the moms decided to pay Noah a visit in his room. He thoroughly enjoyed his time with them...the tickles, the kisses, and running and jumping on the bed! I must say however, he seems to have found a soft spot for his new "Aunt Kelli" aka Kelli Elliot. I don't think I'll need to point her out, but just in case you don't know Kelli...she's in the blue shirt.







Enjoy! Part 2 a little later on...

My Gracious God

I was reminded today just how gracious my God is and has been to me. The struggles set before me are for my benefit, and not my harm. The trials He has allowed are to strengthen me, not weaken me. He has given them as a sort of "pop quiz" says my friend Margaret. I have chosen at times to fight the wrong fight; today I was reminded to fight the good fight!

Wherever I go from here dear Lord, let it not be without YOU! Forgive my failings and replace them with YOUR mercy and forgiveness.

Here's two pictures to remind me of what I'm fighting for, of what is most important to me!










Julie

Child of God, wife, mom & friend...

More Photos from Maui...

Beautiful restaurant as you're entering the town of Lahaina.




Chillaxin' on the balcony!


Some things never change, like my son's fascination with the "roling" part of the toilet paper holder... ahhh' the life of autism.



What? Why are you lookin' at me like that mom? Dad could've put the paper in the toilet! Okay, so maybe not.....but I'm sure Daisy dog could if she really wanted.



A beautiful sunset and sweet time with Pokey, aka. Noah!

Pictures from Maui... a few to start...

The view from our balcony. It's just beautiful!


My boys, I just love them!




"Where's the fries dad?"