Drinking, Pie Eating, and Hair Cutting.

Not everyone has the best relationship with their mom, and that really makes me sad. My mom and I are super close. I love that I can call her anytime and we can sit and talk on the phone for a good long while. It's never a forced conversation "just because" I needed to call her. It's always a phone call because I had something funny or important to tell her.

Last week was Thanksgiving. (Duh, thanks captain obvious). My mom recently bought a new house, and she has TONS of room. My little brothers were going to be with their dad for Thanksgiving, and since my Aunt and Uncle from Wisconsin would be staying in the guest room, my mom offered for Josh, the Kids and I to stay in the other rooms on Wednesday night. UM! Yes please! Able to avoid driving on Thanksgiving AND get extra time with family? Heck yes!

me and my mommy! 

Did I mention my mom's side of the family likes wine? Clearly that's where I get it from. So Wednesday night after the kids were in bed the adults enjoyed some adult beverages. The guys were in the "man cave" watching army movies and the girls were upstairs gossiping. Wine in hand: my mom, aunt and I talked about everything. Failed relationships, current relationships, funny work stories. You name it- it was talked about. That night though we went to bed relatively early (11 pm) knowing we had to get up early to cook Thanksgiving food!
fast forward to Thursday night...
The family has come and gone. My little family of four is still lingering. My aunt says (with the excitement of a 4 year old) "Are you sleeping over again!?" I looked at Josh and we shrugged and said "SURE!" hahaha. Josh had to work Friday, so my mom washed the work clothes he'd worn on Wednesday. It all worked out.

We absolutely had a repeat of Wednesday night. Drinking wine, talking, and laughing. Only that night we stayed up much later. (12:30). Want to know what's NOT a great idea for something to do while drinking? Cutting Melissa's hair. But dang it... Melissa's hair got cut anyway. I've been needing a trim for Months. MONTHS. It was bad. I know it was bad. Apparently my aunt just couldn't stand looking at it. I'm not even sure why I let her trim it... but I did. Surprisingly it doesn't look bad. However, she also gave me money to go to the fanciest (ha) salon in Monroe to get the rest thinned out and fixed up. I wish there was video. The peanut gallery (Josh, my step dad, and uncle) thought it'd be more funny to watch and laugh though. They're so sweet.

Around midnight Thursday night, we decided that we needed pumpkin pie to absorb some of the wine.

We're such thinkers. It was so refreshing to me to be able to spend time with two wonderful women in my family like that. I feel so close to both of them, and I absolutely know I can tell them anything. (Even when wine is not involved). Both of these women have helped me in so many ways growing up and helping me become the woman that I am today.

Given that it's Wednesday, I'm linking up with Anne for Wednesday Wishes.

My wish is that everyone be able to have someone in their lives like my mom and aunt. Someone you can confide in. A family member with the closeness of a friend. Someone you can drink too many glasses of wine with and wake up at an ungodly hour to cook a turkey. (hehe).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLUS A REMINDER!!

In two weeks from today, December 17th, Lora and I will have another installment of Monthly Musings. This month, we're musing on Christmas! Tell us all about your holiday favorites. What do you love most about Christmas? We can't wait to see what everyone has to say. Here's the button if you want to go ahead and start planning!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://theramblingllama.blogspot.com" title="The Rambling Llama"><img src="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g167/PineappleHead87/December_zpsbb30b11d.jpg" alt="The Rambling Llama" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

It's All Just so Awesome

Happy Tuesday, Y'all! I almost wasn't going to show up for the party today, but I remembered Anne has her Awesome Things link up. I also may have texted her to confirm the date. haha. I seriously love this link up and I always forget to participate. I'm so excited that I get to join in on the fun this month!

These past few days have been so full with so many awesome things. It warms my heart in so many ways.

So let's get to it!

+ My awesome new blog design from Amanda

+ Getting to spend quality time with family

+ Extra long weekends because of the Holidays!

+ Seeing my kids bond so closely with my aunts and uncles. (Their great aunts / great uncles)

+ Pies!

+ Cuddles on the couch with both babies and Josh

+ Getting new sponsor notifications. I love being able to offer sponsorships and promote new blogging friends

+ Christmas decorations going up everywhere!

+ Enjoying adult beverages with my mom and aunt... complete with good old fashioned sleep over.

+ Laughing until there's no sound coming out and your stomach hurts

+ Leaf Piles 

What would be on your list? Link up with Anne!

Morning Rainstorm.

She wakes to the sound of rain hitting the roof. 

At first you think she's going to be heartbroken.
Heartbroken because it's too cold to splash in the puddles today.
Her tiny heart crushed because she can't dance with the raindrops. 

And then a smile appears. 

Her eyes brighten. 

She's thrilled just being able to watch from the warmth of the house. 

The little explorer is satisfied just from watching the puddles form in the yard.
Watching the water splash off of the fall leaves. 

A smile. A laugh. All is right in her tiny little world. 

It's better than T.V. It's better than splashing. 

Mommy let her climb to the big window. 

This is enough.
This is all she wanted this morning. This and cheerios.
And my heart is warm knowing she is happy.

Today I'm linking up with Emily for Grateful Heart Mondays. 

I'm grateful for moments like these with my kids. I'm grateful that they enjoy the simplicity of watching a rainfall from the window. I'm grateful they can appreciate the little things. I love that little moments like this give them such joy. Joy in nature, joy in life.
Let's not forget the little things in life this week. Let's just enjoy the sound of the rain hitting the roof and watching the puddles form through the window.