All Aboard!!!

Wishing you all a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

The single mama's survival guide!

I guess I have an odd way of dealing with things...but I usually like to open up and make light of a hard situtation, it just makes it easier to deal with for me. So, bear with me!

Disclaimer: I do have a good relationship with my "ex" and he helps me out a lot...

Becoming a single mom is not something I planned..but hey, it's my life so I'm learning to cope with it. There are lots of different types of challenges but these are some that I've encountered on a day to day basis.

Situation #1: You're in the kitchen making dinner after a long day of work and decide to make the usual feast..spaghetti. You go to open your can of tomato sauce and the lid just won't budge..you turn to hand it to your....oh wait...shoot it's just you and the can now! Rather than sink to the floor and cry over what your life has become..here's my solution...GET A GRIP! Holy Product endorsement, I know. This is just a little piece of rubber that you put over the can. I tell ya, works like a charm!

Situation #2: Your trying to hang up some recent photos of your kids or whatever and you just can't tell if the frame is hanging straight. You are stuck holding up the frame while straining your arms to try and scoot back as far as your can to see if it is straight or not. I for one, do not have go-go gadget arms so I've discovered these beauties! You can stick them on the wall-scoot back and observe and then come back and move it if you need to.

I'm learning all kinds of things. Changing a tire, mowing the lawn, grilling, drilling, nailing...sheesh why do I feel the sudden erge to get a pedicure?!

Carving Pumpkins!

 I've been meaning to get to a pumpkin patch and do the whole pumpkin thing, but due to inclement weather and honestly, lack of time..I gave in and just went and bought some pumpkins at the store this year :( Much to my suprise and delight, Kason was sent home from Grandma Lay's with a big pumpkin too! Perfect for my porch decor!!

 So, I thought he would be totally into the goup and digging out the seeds...nope wouldn't touch it. The kid I can't get out of the mud and dirt? Hmm..well needless to say, I got right to work scraping away! He was much more interested in trying to fit the top back on, calling it his puzzle.

 He became quite interested in the whole Jack-O-Latern when he realized that a candle was going inside. This not too far post birthday boy still has memories alive and well of blowing out his candles!

Best I could do without my tripod..not proud but you get the picture :)

Kason's 2nd birthday

Ah, he's two!! How did this happen? Kason had a fun birthday, celebrating with family this year. We had a "choo-choo" week. Starting with his Thomas the train themed party on wed.,then a trip with mom and dad to the Train's in Port Orchard on Sat. followed by a Hartzell family pary on Sun.! Too much fun!

Things I want to remember about my two year old.

• Um,  "determined"
• Total Snuggler
• loves Elmo, Thomas or any trains, trucks, dirt, tackling, baseball-or any sports, songs, playing piano, helping me cook..
• can count to 20, sings ABC's, starting to learn colors
• talks up a storm, constantly asking me "mama, whas this?"
• loves his buddies
• likes to "shake his booty"
• Just switched to his toddler bed and is doing pretty well in it.
• loves to explore

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Life as we know it!

To say the least we've had a rough year...I've felt a range of emotions, had good and bad days, but in the end, I've decided I'd rather "dance in the rain" then wait for the storms of my life to pass. Each day I lean on the scripture "...Trust in the lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding".... (roughly quoted) 

As of today, we are doing, ok. I can think of so many blessings and little miracles that have happend over this past year to make my days just a little bit easier. Most of which came through you, our family and friends. We thank you so much for your love, support, words of encouragement and examples that helped to lift me up.

We love you,
Brie and Kason