Unexpected Vacation

I get a small unexpected vacation next week and I really can't wait.
I've decided that instead of taking the week to relax (which I really feel like I need to do), I'm going to take the week to declutter and deep clean our house, take Henry to a much needed check-up, go to the dentist, and run a few other errands I've been putting off.
Wish me luck and productive thoughts - God know's I'd much rather catch up on my tv shows and some sleep!

My One Little Word {{2015}}

This will be my third year participating in the 'one little word' challenge. Last year my word was 'purpose' and I tried to focusing on finding the purpose of all aspects of my life. It was truly eye opening and I can truly say I grew from the experience. You can still see some of my posts focusing around that one word at the top of this page (at least until I update it). I had a really hard time picking a word for this year. I thought and thought on what I wanted to focus on but nothing just seemed to fit. I finally just decided to pick one. Out of all the different words I wrote and thought about, I decided I would just close my eyes and randomly point because really, they were all really good. I would grow from focusing on any of them in numerous ways. It was fitting that my finger landed here, on this little word

Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath, gather our wits, and plunge in head first. This year I'm going to focus on being brave - what it means, what it feels like, and how I can incorporate it into my life. Did you pick one little word for 2015? If so, what was it? I'd love to know!

Christmas Season Recap {{In Photos}}

My anniversary present - meet Ruthie!

My First Week

I made it through my first week of full-time work in...damn near four years.
My brain is on overdrive. I'm so thankful for the Saturday and Sunday off to recover, otherwise I may have exploded from the insane amount of info that I took in.
I really think I'm going to like this job. Training has been tedious at best, but the one day last week that I spent in my own store, at my own desk, with my own tasks...was glorious. The day flew by, I'm surrounded by awesome people in my work space, and I felt good.
Remind me of this in a couple of weeks when the busy season with Thanksgiving and Christmas overwhelms me.
I will say, being away from Henry was hard. It was really hard. I came home two nights and hid in the bathroom and just lost it because I missed him so much.
Things will get easier, I know.

Creative Crumbs {{October}}

{Autumn}

Autumn photos have to be some of my favorites. There are very few things NOT to love about autumn: pumpkins, hayrides, cool crisp nights, bonfires, hot cocoa, and spending time with family and friends. I LOVE AUTUMN!

Top Photo: Amber's of Take No Thought
Bottom Photo: Jenn's of These Ripples & Waves

Clearly Amber and I both felt as if pumpkins were perfect for our Autumn theme! Her photo of her kiddos climbing in the mini patch is so adorable!

Link up your autumn themed photo with us this month and then next month join us for November's theme on the 28th:

{Thanks}

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Don't forget the grab button!

Twenty-Seven

Yesterday was my twenty-seventh birthday.
To say that I was looking forward to turning 27 would be a gross understatement. If anything, I was straight dreading the entire thing.
There are something about my birthdays that don't sit well with me. It's not the 'getting older' bit, but something deeper, something more...personal. A birthday is suppose to celebrate a unique individual, make them feel special, cared for, and loved.
Typically birthdays leave me disappointed and this year, sadly, was no different.
I'm glad it's over. Honestly. Only...I wish tomorrow I was turning 28.
Perhaps this year will surprise me. Perhaps 27 will be a successful, happy year.
I have no way of knowing.
As silly as it sounds...I just don't like the number, and for some reason, I have a huge shadow looming over me with doubt and fear about the next year. Things just seem to be in such a huge limbo right now and I can see a lot of hardships in the next year on the way to resolution.
I will say, yesterday was not without a few pleasant surprises. My mother-in-law made me a delicious carrot cake, Jeremy took me out for dinner and let me pick out a tablet, my grandmother bought me this gorgeous comforter, and my friends and family left lots of well wishes on my Facebook page.
There's always, always a silver lining...sometimes we just have to work hard to search for it.

Pumpkin & Apple Picking