Ok, everyone who knows me, knows that I am a music junkie. I spend entirely way too much money in iTunes every week and even get up extra early to download an album and burn it on to a CD before I leave for work at 5:45. This week my purchases included Coldplay's new album, which is in one word, phenomenal! I also picked up Michael Buble's holiday album. I'm a sucker for Christmas and Michael Buble, so don't hate. I also purchased Kelly Clarkson's pipes. I have loved Kelly since the first season of AI and voted for her all the way through. I just adore this girl. This album did not disappoint for me at all. Most of the songs are upbeat but she does belt it out. One song in particular is slowly creeping up to my "most played list". Which, if you have seen my iPod is a challenge in itself. I have over 7000 songs and they are OCD organized. My current top 5 played are: 1) "Imma Be" by BEP which was our summer jam in 2010. 2) Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel for "Popular" from Wicked. 3) "Me and Mrs Jones" by Michael Buble. MB...enough said. 4) "The Stand" by Hillsong and a three way tie for 5) Britney Spears "Till the World Ends (remix), Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in "What Is This Feeling" and "Fix You" by Coldplay. I think there is a 25 way tie for slot 6. The top five have been played over the three digit marks, and I mean, the high 3 digit marks. I have only had this iPod for 2 years. Anyways. This song has a power in it and a message that even though, I'm not experiencing heart break from a man, I could change some of the words to adjust to other situations in my life. It is immediately going on my work out playlist and will be played for those last couple of miles to keep me going! Has a way to just push you through anything. I admit, I rocked out to this one night on my way home from dinner with a friend. Windows down and all.

You know the bed feels warmer
Sleeping here alone
You know I dream in colour
And do the things I want
You think you got the best of me
Think you had the last laugh
Bet you think that everything good is gone
Think you left me broken down
Think that I'd come running back
Baby you don't know me, cause you're dead wrong

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
 Just me, myself and I
hat doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

You heard that I was starting over with someone new
But told you I was moving on over you
You didn't think that I'd come back I'd come back swinging
You tried to break me, but you see

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Thanks to you I got a new thing started
Thanks to you I'm not a broken hearted
Thanks to you I'm finally thinking bout me
You know in the end the day you left was just my beginning In the end...

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stronger
Just me, myself and I
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Go To

I started writing this multiple times but have been side tracked every time. I have a "go to" song. It has been there for me through deaths, horrible days, life challenging moments, times where I think the world is on my shoulders, when I feel like I can't get any lower in low, and where I feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I will say, I have not been at these lows often but it's happened a handful of times. I have cried many of times to this musical number. We all have a song, that when we hear it, it strikes a chord. I will not lie, I have a few of them, but this one, from the moment I heard it in 2005 on the X  & Y album, it was mine. I remember seeing them in concert and just could not contain the tears. Something about having this song sung live, where the audience kicks in and sings along, yanks at those chords again. On the last episode of Glee, Mr Shue took on the task of singing this song. The second the intro began, I was done. Tears just started streaming down my face. The story line and the montage of the song did not help either. I just had to share it. Thanks to Fox, the only good quality video from Glee has Spanish subtitles! Oh well, still doesn't take away from the song. I also attached one of my favorite live performances of this song. I have had it in my favorites since 2007.

I also am completely excited for their new album in 2 weeks!

October...what?

I have no idea where the last month has gone. We have been so busy that I cannot get over how fast that month flew by. Between campfires, pumpkin patch visits, chili nights, birthday parties, walks, playing outdoors, movie nights, family time, traveling, it has disappeared. I think October is going to be our "catch up" month. Basically the last month before insanity starts from November through February. My calendar is slowly...okay quickly filling up. No giant news on the home front. Jax is still walking around and is almost 26lbs! Help us all. He is off the charts for height and weight. At least he is walking around and is very active. He is always happy and loves to play peek-a-boo and so big! He is not into baby toys and loves any sort of train or truck. Jake is, well, Jake. Not much going on with him. Enjoying the outdoors and evenings with friends. He's been getting into Disney movies so we have been renting/buying one a week and having family night on Wednesday so he can watch them. He was into Toy Story and Cars but we got out the classics. He is now super excited for the Lion King to come out on DVD this week. It is my favorite movie as well so I'm extra excited!

We have been baking quite a bit. Breads and goodies. We made a giant batch of apple cider last week and it was AMAZING. I love apple cider. We also got an amazing recipe from Jana for the Carmel Apple Cider drink from Starbucks. Takes exactly like it. Super excited we can now have that treat 24/7 and not have to pay a ton for it throughout this season! I also will say I finally tried my first PSL. The first time I had it, it was pretty good. The second time, horrible. I was told to beware that sometimes you can get a bad one in a batch of good. At least I can say I tried it.

My mission this week: Find Jake and Jax costumes for Halloween. I already know what Jake wants to be but I'm not sure what to make the little one. Someone mentioned Godzilla....that may work! He does roar a lot!

Gleek-tastic

I am the first to admit that the last season of Glee was, well, too much. There were way too many story lines and they focused too much on a few of them. The music was spectacular but there was too much of it in an episode. I hate to say that, but it is the truth. This year...completely different story. It was like they went back to the drawing board and re-vamped the whole thing. It has been absolutely amazing this season and we are only 2 episodes in! Here are a few of the amazing performances they have done that I have loved! (sorry, due to recent "issues" with Fox and Hulu a lot of the performances are not on youtube...lame.)

I would also like to state for a fact that I do not like Fox or Hulu's new "process" in how to watch missed episodes. You have to now wait 8 days after the show airs. 8 stinking days! I barely catch Glee every week. Once Bones starts...I'm in trouble. I never watch it on it's correct day and time. I have a life people! I try to catch up on the weekends. Apparently I need to invest in a VCR again. Not quite sure why they paired up with Dish but this is a major inconvenience! That is all!

Jake moment

In the car, heading home.

Jake: "Mom, do you want to know a secret?!"

Me (hesitant): "Uhhh.........okay"

Jake: "Sometimes, when I have to go to the bathroom at night, I just pee in my trash can so that I don't have to walk down the hall"

Me (mortified): "Are you being serious?"

Jake: "Oh yes, very serious mom. You don't make this stuff up."

I was getting dinner ready and this conversation happened. I am sorry, but I could not stop laughing.

(Table is set. Jax is strapped in and working on his cheerios. Michael is pouring beverages while I wait for the timer to beep and to take dinner out of the oven.)

Jake: "Mom, can I go outside and play?!

Me: "Not right now, dinner will be ready in 2 minutes."

(Timer is now at 1 min 52 seconds)

Jake: "But Mom, I can play outside in 2 minutes"

Me: "What on earth could you play outside in 2 minutes?"

(Timer is now around 1 min 25 seconds)

Jake: "I could draw something with my sidewalk chalk, I could throw my ball up in the air, I could chase Zoey, pick up sticks, get dirty"

Me: "Ok, get your shoes on and when the timer beeps you can come back in"

Jake: "Oh thanks Mom, you're the best!"

(45 seconds left on the timer. Jake goes upstairs, gets his sweatshirt, socks and shoes on. Then grabs a few items, takes a swig of water, and heads downstairs. Beeper goes off and Jake returns.)

Jake: "Mom, I take back that you are the best. I didn't get to go outside and you knew I wasn't going to be able to get everything done in two minutes.

Me: "Well, you tried"

Jake: "You ruined my life"....

Me: I just started laughing

Jake: "It's not funny Mom. When someone ruins your life you will understand what I am going through."

My laughter continues.

Oh the tolls of being a 4 year old.

This weekend was crazy. That is pretty much a word to describe it. I find that recently, all of our weekends have been hectic and complete insane. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Friday evening we spent time with some of our favorite people! Getting to hold a new baby, especially a girl, is one of the greatest things ever. Emi is so adorable and I can't wait to watch her grow up! Not too fast though! Holding her, reminded be that Jax was there only 9 months ago and now he is walking! Ugh, walking. Wasn't expecting this so fast. He is just very ambitious in everything he does. I can't contain him. We had a very good evening, as we always do with them!

Saturday we had all 4 boys together. While watching a stressful Hawkeye game, then taking the boys to boat and RV show, we had some friends over for dinner and watched a movie so the kids could play. It was a full day from start to finish. A day full of laughs though and some hilarious memories.

Sunday....this would be our epic failure day! Hahaha. We had been planning for weeks to surprise all the boys (and Claire!) with a trip to Boone to see Thomas. Jake was beyond excited when we arrived in Boone. He knows the town well since we do have family there but we hit the T intersection and freaked out. We got there and boom, the skies open and we were soaked before we even got to the entrance. Making the most of out of things was an understatement. 6 adults, 5 kids, completely wet and cold. Yet, the boys had a blast as usual and we had a good day with everyone. I may have looked like one hotmess but to see Jake smile like that....worth it! Now I am thawing out.

I do want to say that I would like to thank so many people for the past few months! I am so thankful for my friends and family. They are all intertwined anyways. We still have rough months ahead but, I'm to the point where with the foundation we have...I'm ready for it. God has a reason for everything and I have really learned that the only way to get through it, is to rely on Him. I just want to say thanks to everyone though. Your love, encouragement, strength, prayers, and just being there have meant the world to me, to us. I am so fortunate to have such a large group of people that we can rely on in times of need. I know I personally have been slacking at being there for others and have really tried to amp that us to my normal! I am getting back to where I need to be and that only takes time! Thanks again to everyone! We love you and couldn't be more grateful!