Too Blessed to be Stressed: Happy November!

Hello family! It's that time of year! Busy season is upon us! In a few days, Madison will be turning 8, Justin and I will be celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary and then just one day later, we will be watching the Macy's Parade, giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day.

We are very blessed for all of these upcoming celebrations! One of which, on November 14, we are leaving for a weekend trip to Orlando, thanks to Grandpa Mark and Kim, who are so generously surprising Madison with a trip to Disney for her birthday. She has been begging for a trip for years but it was always so hard to make this happen. They are making it possible this year for not only Madison, but our whole family, including my brother and his wife. I am truly grateful and know this will be a birthday she will never forget. Pictures to come!

I will leave this post shorter because I will soon ramble around Thanksgiving on what I am most thankful for, but for now, the below pictures are a hodgepodge of the past few months. We celebrated McKynsie's Birthday; went on our vacation to the river house; I attended a Women's of Faith Conference with a wonderful group of women, including my mother and sister-in-law; our Halloween Monster Mash we threw for Madison at home, etc. The kids are getting so big. Anthony is taller than me now, and loves to rub that in my face, Madison is still as witty as ever and McKynsie is starting to take after Madison! It's never a dull moment here. It seems like chaos most of the time, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Floors are sticky, counters are messy, toys are everywhere, but they are smiling, happy kids. What more could a parent ask for?

In closing, to our family far away, we love and miss you more than words can say. It is this time of year that often becomes stressful and sometimes depressing in the sense of not being able to all be together around the dinner table or sharing holiday traditions and making new memories. Distance is a very hard thing to deal with, especially this time of year. I read a quote recently that stated something along the lines of how easy it is to count your blessings when they are in front of you, but do you remember to when they are not? I know I do because if it was not for ALL of you, I do not know where I would be today. So please know that although many miles separate us, we are beyond thankful to all of you! Have a great week everyone and until next time, lots of hugs and kisses through the miles! xoxoxoxoxo