Hello Fall and The Things They Say

Fall 2016! The pumpkins are here, but so is the heat! It is still HOT, but we are excited to welcome fall. We have our Halloween costumes ready, and we now have our pumpkin patch pictures complete!
In true Faith Ann fashion, she wanted to wear her poodle skirt to church, complete with sunglasses! So, we visited the pumpkin patch after church and she was soaking up the limelight!

She is SO silly and hilarious. She makes me laugh out loud many times a day. Her facial expressions, sassy comments, the way she points her finger when she talks- it all cracks me up. She is so sweet and patient too. And TOUGH! Sister literally flew off the swing today and her face hit the tree. It was traumatizing to witness! Her mouth full of blood, but I am SO thankful her head didn't hit the tree, makes me feel sick to my stomach! She would have been knocked unconscious for sure. She cried a minute and I told her, "sister, you just hit a tree!" With a mouth full of blood and her body/face covered in dirt, she said, "I know, ouch!" Then ran off to keep playing!!! Watch out world!

We found a lump on Bentley's chest yesterday. It is small. But we got very nervous. She has a vet appointment tomorrow morning. She is almost 9 years old, and I so badly want her to keep her health for years to come!! And my sweet Zoe is almost 11!! Her teeth are literally crumbling apart. Chunks falling out, full of green plaque. It's bad!! So, she is also going tomorrow to get her teeth cleaned. They will have to put her under anesthesia, so of course, I am anxious! Tomorrow is a big day in our doggie world!

On a much lighter note...Trent is LOVING soccer. He is amazing! He scores goals, hustles for the ball and runs the entire game. He said, "my favorite part is when we all fight for the ball!" I adore Trent!!! We said prayers before we ate lunch the other day. Trent said "why do you always pray in Cheese-Its name? Why pray for Cheese-Its, they are just crackers!" No sweet boy....JESUS name!!! In Jesus name, Amen!! He thought we were praying in "Cheese-It's" name all these years!

I was interviewed about my ninja journey, which was pretty cool! I just love that this chapter in my life is shaping my future. It is also shaping my children's future as they see the importance of fitness, and to know that you can do anything you want in life!! I told them, "being a trainer was never in my plans. But, remember to always have goals then let God make your plans! Just listen to how He leads you because His path is always the way to go!" God's path has lead me here, so I have just said "yes" to see where it takes me. So far, I would say that saying yes was a decision I will never regret! I am helping many people, doing my best to spread the word and serve others to honor God, and my family loves it too! The boys even helped me build and install a pull up bar on our porch. It's great!

And sweet Hunter!! We got his kindergarten school picture, and I am obsessed! His teacher said that a green marker exploded on his face minutes before pictures. She did her best to clean it and cover it up with her concealer!! She told me, "you may want retakes!" I told her, "no way! Pictures aren't to remember perfection. They are to remember LIFE!" Speaking of pictures....Hunter is always wanting to draw and write. He says he wants to be an author one day. He actually made a book today and put it in his backpack and is going to try to sell his first book to his teacher! ha! He also drew these masterpieces!!! "PeePee" and "PooPoo!!". And the detail in his drawings are on point (look closely)! He even taped this on my table centerpiece to make sure I saw his hard work! Cracks me up!! He also had a field trip to Dewberry farms last week. I couldn't go because I had Faith Ann with me, and I teach my fitness class at church that morning. I am also going with Trent's class this week, so I just didn't want to go twice in one week! I said, "Hunter, are you sad I didn't go on your field trip?" He said, "mommy, you know how you don't want me to go to the grocery store with you?" Yep, that was his answer! I will give him credit for creating a brilliant analogy that I totally understand! It was actually a proud moment for me because I realized that I am raising children that want to be independent and spread their wings...and still come home and want to cuddle! Hunter is that perfect balance!

We had our family photo shoot last weekend. Scott got me a professional photo session for our anniversary present. He is so thoughtful!! He did the research all on his own, and the photos are amazing! These are just pictures we took in the driveway before we left to test out the outfits! Faith Ann wore my mom's dress from 1948!! My mom wore this dress when she was just 3 years old. It is the most beautiful dress you will ever see! The lace, pleats, silk- it's just gorgeous! I knew I wanted her to wear this dress. I will do a separate post one day with the professional pics!  

Guardian angels are for real!!! This pipe thing got stuck in my tire while driving, sounded like a boot on my car! I pull over to hear massive amounts of air escaping my tire! I pull this pipe out so I can attempt to keep driving...then, a heavily tattooed man literally popped up by my car asking if I need a plug? Chris, who is homeless and living in his car, seemed to have appeared out of thin air! He was equipped with every tool, rubber plug, and the knowledge to plug my tire! He then emptied HIS pockets to fill up the air machine to refill my tire! I paid Chris back with prayer, a hug and enough cash for many good meals!  You never know when God is going to place someone in your life at just the right time!! Chris prevented me and Faith Ann from being stuck on the side of the road!! Chris told me, "God woke me up this morning, so I knew I had a purpose today! Helping you was my purpose!!" That quote will change my life! Thank you God for your perfect timing!!! And thank you Chris for reminding me that God wakes us each day for a greater purpose! And the more I think about the details, the more I believe God TOTALLY had this all planned out! Look....even the pipe thing is in the shape of a cross! I'll save this as a reminder to seek my greater purpose of each day! And to simply trust God, every step of the way! And to see the good in ALL people! This pipe now sits in my kitchen window! So....this all kicks off our Fall 2016!!