Jaelyn's BUSY weekend!

I have a totally insanely crazy busy weekend ahead of me. WHEW! That sentence just made me tired.

Tonight we have rehearsal for my cousin Terry's wedding at 6:30pm. Jaelyn is the flower girl and can I just tell you how adorable she looks in her dress?? I'm *crossing my fingers* that her and the ringbearer hit it off tonight and get comfortable with each other so that she will actually make that trip down the aisle with him. She isn't the outspoken one like her sister but she is girly & loves to dress up so I'm hoping that will inspire her.

After rehearsal we will head home for a little family time before bed!

Saturday, Jaelyn has her very first dance class! It's a combination of ballet & tap. I'm excited to see how she does and also to see her in little pink tights & a pink tutu - I mean really, does it get any cuter? The class is from 10:15 to 11:15 and hopefully my little ballerina will smile & enjoy herself. Again, she can be a bit shy & timid but looooves to dance (at least around the living room when CMT is on).

After dance we are coming home to eat lunch, get a quick bath so I can put her hair up in curlers and then *fingers crossed* a little nap before her flower girl debut! Once we are all well rested we will head over to the Bride's for some pampering and pictures. The wedding will follow and our pretty little girl will *fingers crossed again* walk down the aisle looking like the little angel she is (most days!). Then its off to party & eat at the reception!

I feel kind of guilty that my little one, Miss Abbie will be with Daddy almost all weekend long while the world will be revolving around Jaelyn but I have no doubts she will enjoy all of the Daddy-Attention she will be getting. I may have to slip her a cookie here & there just as a little *wink wink* between her & I, haha.

On Sunday afternoon, I am hoping a few friends come to visit and of course some family time, football and maybe even a big pot of chili will be in order! We shall see.

For now, I am bracing myself for all of the crazyness this weekend will bring but I know it will be worth it all to see the smiles that go along with it! ♥

What are YOUR weekend plans??

Harvest Weekend

What a fun-filled weekend we had here in New Jersey! I'm still recovering today from all of the excitement which is a fancy way of saying I have yet to get out of my pj's! I am more than thankful for an extra day to my weekend just to relax.

On Saturday the girls & I headed over to Marlboro Farm Market for a Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch. My Sister and her 2 children along with my friend Liz and her daughter were in tow with us as well. It was a beautiful day for it, as the weather was right around the 75 degree mark! Here are a few pictures of the search for the best pumpkins:












After the Pumpkin Patch we took a short break and then headed over to the Harvest Festival, which is literally in our backyard! Abbie was not big enough to ride any of the rides last year so I was excited that she got to go on a few this year. She seemed to enjoy them once they got going but it was the waiting part & keeping her entertained from the sidelines that was fun!







Jaelyn was super excited to be able to ride the Dragon Roller Coaster this year! As you can see from the smile on her face, she enjoyed it to the max!







On Sunday we headed back over the festival for a few more rides, some good food and some beautiful sunshine. The girls (& Mommy) had on their Dallas Cowboys gear, sadly though.. they lost! But they still looked adorable:







We ended the weekend with Daddy bringing us back to the house on the Gator, which I think the girls may have enjoyed more than the kiddie rides? haha.. we ate dinner, got baths and the girls were passed out before the fireworks show started! I'm not sure how they slept thru them since they shook the entire house but they never made a peep.

I am sure happy when the Harvest Festival rolls into town as it really gets me into the Fall/Harvest mood but I'm also happy to see it go! I'm an exhausted Momma!

Have a good day!

Today as I got the girls ready for daycare they were literally bouncing off the walls. Running back and forth in the living room screaming and screeching as they went. All I could think was, oh their poor teachers today.

I finally rounded them both up, managed to get them dressed and brushed their hair into pigtails. So they were a little crooked.. the point is their hair was brushed! We got our socks and shoes on, jackets due to this cooler weather and bookbags in hand. My lovely husband was walking out the door with them after I got my morning kisses when Jaelyn turns to me and says:

"Bye Mommy, I love you. Have a good day ok?"

and that is a great way to start a Monday morning. ♥

Back up the big hill we go...

We were in contact with our social worker today. Bio-Mom is now out of jail and has scheduled her drug rehabilition program, which also means visits with Jaelyn & Abbie have been scheduled as well. She roughly estimated they will begin on October 13th.

My guesses as to what happens next: Visits will start. We go back to court on October 19th. Bio-Mom's lawyer will request bonding & pysh evaluations for second opinions and mediation will be brought up to see if it can be rescheduled as well. A court date will be set in the near future to see what progress was made, if any.

I hold my breath every time I receive one of these phone calls. I exhale. Tears sometimes stream down my face. I just want what is best for Jaelyn & Abbie. I grasp everyday with them and realize what a true treasure it is. I often wonder how much of an emotional mess I can be without completely losing it. My faith gets shaken but I still hold on.

Please pray for our family & for me.

“Things always work out perfectly. They just do. Generally, when you let go of your vision of how something is supposed to be, the universe hands you exactly what you need.” ~ Sheryl Crow

Big Ol' Crescendo Contest

I'm so excited for this, can't wait!! Hush, Hush was one of my favorites books I've read this past year & the sequel is out soon...

Mommy's Down time = Happy Book Reading Time!

Big Ol' Crescendo Contest

Please check out GREADS! My good friend, Ginger has just started this awesome new blog about her love of books and everything that goes with them. She has recommended some great reads to me and her reviews are not one to miss. She is an avid reader and has a way of putting what she reads into magical reviews. Go on, check it out.. you know you want too!

As Simple As Black & White

My daughters are beautiful, it's plain to see in black & white...

I was playing around with my camera settings tonight. I took a few black & white photos, here are some of my favorites.