New Blog Layout, a Bit of Catching Up, & A VIDEO Starring Gordon as Pirate-Froggy!

So I think the last time I went camping might have been over 8 years ago now - very sad to say - I LOVE camping. But when I saw this blog template with the leaves, the toothy bear, the tent and all the other outdoorsy icons I couldn't resist it! It just makes me smile.

I have a lot to smile about - I made it safely back from my meeting in Florida, I have never been so happy to get my feet back on the ground. It was the first time I almost got airsick. We had horrible turbulence once we reached NC. I thought for sure we were going to crash as we came in for our landings in Charlotte and especially in the smaller plane that carried me up to Greensboro. I know I wasn't alone on that thought - in my mind I can still see this young woman in the seat across the aisle - during one particularly nasty dip where the plane just seemed like it was rolling and pitching back and forth like a ship in a storm, I just happened to look over and we made eye contact. I could see the same fear in her eyes as I know were in mine. When I got my wobbly legs out of that plane I hightailed it up the terminal to where I hoped family and luggage awaited! I was so happy to see Gordon - he saw me at the same time and his face just lit up with excitement and he yelled MOMMMMYYYY! and ran full speed into my arms - it choked me up so, I couldn't even get a word past the lump in my throat. I just dropped my briefcase and held him and kissed him. I felt like I was living that moment in the movies - you know the one where you can't get through it with a dry eye? Like Lassie and Timmy, and all those other happy reunions? I missed that little boy so much. I know he was so well taken care of and he just adored every moment he spent with his Grandma and Grandpa, but I was so happy to get back HOME. I love HOME. Even my one bath, squeaky-creaky hardwood floored, play doh damaged carpeted, house with no granite counters HOME - nothing beats coming HOME!

The trip itself was good - I loved getting to see Debbie - it makes me sad that it had been almost 2 years since we'd seen one another. Family is too important to go that long without seeing each other. I am glad we'll get to see her again when we go to Disney in November. "Thanks Aunt Debbie" is the phrase of the week - Gordon keeps saying it over and over. She gave Gordon a whole bunch of Disney shirts, a coloring book, and a great Mickey Mouse ball cap that he loves wearing. On the business part of the trip - well it was ok - lots of sitting & listening - to motivational speakers and then some coworkers in training sessions, and some competitions to help us do some teambuilding. At least I got to devote a lot of my free time in my room to getting all of my audits caught up - I'm totally caught up - what a great feeling that is. So yes, I have many reasons to smile. Even the weather has been great, hints of fall everywhere! Now if we could just hold the presidential election this Tuesday so we can get the dang thing over and done with - that would just please me to no end!

I did get all unpacked and everything cleaned up already - rare for me - usually I'm still living out of a suitcase a week after my return! I've really made a focused effort to not procrastinate on any aspect of life since I returned to work. And I've made some tough decisions to let go of some time eating things so that I could keep up with work and maximize my family time while keeping my stress level from killing me. So to all my Cranbaby Mom's - I am sorry I've been off the board for so long. I hope one day to have some time to catch up on that again - I miss it. I'll pop in when I can and try to keep up with those who blog too, I love reading about your lives!Gordon is napping now, yesterday he wouldn't - so I'm very grateful to have a few minutes to at least update my blog.

Today we got down the fall decor - last year I succumbed to purchasing one of those large plastic orange and black totes from Target (or as Gordon persists in calling it "NAR-Get") and now I'm so glad I did - one trip into the attic and I had it all - I used to have to spend half an hour stooped over in the attic sorting through Christmas and Easter boxes trying to find some fall stuff. Gordon was so excited when I started pulling out all the pumpkins and leaf clings and various things I set out each fall. I can't believe next week will be October! Where did September go?? I guess now that I'm 40 I might as well just fasten my seat belt, I have a feeling the next 40 years will go by at warp speed. I haven't finished decorating yet, but I did get a video and some pictures of my little guy - he is actually going to be a pirate this halloween, but I had purchased a costume last year at the consignment shop that was just to adorable to pass up...so I had him try it on before his nap - I wish he could wear both! Here is a video of my favorite little froggy-pirate:

My Handsome Boy!

I just had to share a few quick pictures before I leave town (partly so I can have a picture to look at online when I'm in Florida!)

This was so sweet - I was actually napping and Gordon crawled in between the back of the sofa and me and laid with me and started rubbing my back to "help me sleep" - it was so sweet - I didn't even know Shannon had gotten some pictures of him, a bit blurry - but still he was so sweet and loveable:

He was so excited about his new Jack O Lantern (just the cheap plastic trick or treat one - he loves to fill it with various toys he can stuff in!) that I can't wait until Halloween is actually here - he is already talking about it!

Here he is actually sitting still and posing for me - a rare treat - and not even with his one eye pirate wink ;-)

Just a Quickee

No pictures -- I am on a work laptop - where I spend most of my "non family" time these days, so I won't have pictures or video uploaded in this post, but will in the next. I took lots of photos of our last two days of fun. We went looking at homes and land on Friday and then found an orchard and the three of us picked apples. Yesterday we joined friends with their two boys at their family lake where we had a wonderful time fishing - a stocked lake is a fun way to catch fish! Gordon loved the fishing, and also, finding frogs, crickets, and we all relished just enjoying the beautiful day and good friends.

My parents will be arriving today and staying to take care of Gordon while I have to go to Orlando for a meeting - I'm dreading the flight, and missing all the fun with Gordon and Grandma & Papa! I've heard rumors about visits to the zoo and pumpkin patch...I don't want to know...I'll be sitting in a boring ole meeting at a hotel I hate, while my loved ones are having a blast up here in this perfect early fall weather! Could I sound more whiney? I guess a lot of people would enjoy the trip, but except for a small possibility of a little more sleep - there is little I'm looking forward to other than walking through the front door of my house Thursday night!

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, I will get more posted eventually! God bless you and keep you :)