Another page turns...

So Zachary got a tricycle last December for his birthday...it is really a cute and nice bike, but his feet didn't even reach the petals at that time! Well, here we are almost a year later, and he has finally found out how to actually ride it! He was so excited - and so as a reward, we have picked out a new helmet (Spiderman, imagine that...) and he looks adorable in it!

This is Zachary with Murphy...

...and Murphy has become very protective over Zachary! Kind of makes it hard to correct a two year old all of the time when I have a dalmatian at my heels! Little boy's best friend -- what can you do? :)

And of course, you buy the kid a bike....

...and he stops to watch the helicopters flying overhead!

Going down the hill from the driveway scared him some -- and so when he tried to put his feet down to stop...he lost his shoe. For some reason, he thought that was hilarious!

Our humble abode... (isn't that the way it is said??)

Pumpkin Fest

This past Saturday my friend Wendy and I took Zachary to Pumpkin Fest in Franklin. We got there later in the afternoon to avoid all of the scary costumes that would give my beautiful little boy nightmares for the next week -- and possibly me too! We went to the petting zoo and fed the animals, shopped around and ofcourse, painted another pumpkin. Zachary picked out a little wooden tractor too and we are planning on painting it this evening...afterwards, we enjoyed a nice dinner at Carraba's Italian Restaurant...it was a very nice afternoon.

Halloween is right around the corner -- so tune back in for more pics of Zachary in his Spiderman costume -- or as he likes to put it, "Piderman!"

It's Pumpkin Paintin' Time in Tennessee

Zachary and I had a great time this evening - the other day we bought our first pumpkin together in order to get ready for the Halloween season. Tonight, we decided to paint our new friend rather than carve it -- the words "knife" and "two-year-old" never belong in the same sentence! To my suprise actually, the pumpkin turned out pretty cute.

I am taking Zachary to Pumpkin Fest in Franklin in a couple of weeks -- so more fall pics to come soon...until then, enjoy!

Forgotten Blessing

No one ever said that life would be easy -- this world is not perfect, that is for sure. However, over the last couple of months, I think that I have gotten so caught up in the things of this world that don't make sense to me, or that hurt me in one way or another, and I have totally been missing out on all of the wonderful blessings that God has given me. And the number one blessing in my life is my little boy...it's funny how when things are going wrong, I can get down on myself or feel lonely at times...but then I see his wonderful smile and his eyes watching my every move -- and I am reminded that I have such a responsibility to him, and the journey is going to be beautiful. I thank God for seeing something in me and in my life that he would trust me to raise one of his children.

There is a song that Martina McBride sings about her daughter...while the lyrics refer to a girl -- I like to listen to it and apply it to my life as well. When I read these words -- I am reminded that I am pretty important to a little two year old boy -- and that is always enough to keep me going...

"In my daughter's eyes I am a hero.

I am strong and wise and I know no fear.

But the truth is plain to see,

She was sent to rescue me.

I see who I wanna be,

In my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal.

Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace.

This miracle God gave to me,

gives me strength when I am weak.

I find reason to believe,

In my daughter's eyes.

And when she wraps her hand around my finger,

Oh it puts a smile in my heart.

Everything becomes a little clearer;

I realize what life is all about.

It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough.

It's giving more when you feel like giving up.

I've seen the light,

It's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future.

A reflection of who I am and what will be.

Though she'll grow and someday leave;

Maybe raise a family.

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me.

For I'll be there,

In my daughter's eyes."

Star-Spangled Heritage Ball

I was fortunate to be able to go to the Heritage Ball held in Franklin a couple of weekends ago. However, I was unfortunate enough to forget my camera -- so my pics are limited...but some turned out great! My friend Wendy and I had a blast! With the red carpet, champagne glasses, live jazz band, white tents...we felt really special! It was good to remember feeling like that again for a while.