My little monkey

Benson's first Halloween was great. Nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary, just fun. He was a monkey and the cutest monkey I've ever seen. He paraded around Syracuse High School with the daycare kids. He didn't make it past my classroom though, because (bless his heart) he likes his mom more than he likes collecting candy. I'm sure that will never change. He visited Grandma Beth's house, then helped to pass out candy to the neighborhood spooks, then visited the Young family. Sad for the Young's though because by that time, the only scary thing going on was his attitude. The pink shades are part of Aunt Shanna's costume, but he thought they were awesome.

Aunt Shanna

To all who know her. . .I'm sure you are aware Shanna (my sister) is awesome! She is an extremely skilled person in many areas. Her photography is amazing and she's never even had any formal training. I made the following scrapbook page in honor of her and to show off her skills! She's also fantastic at home decor, child care (loving Benson), being a darling sister, and she's just about to graduate from Marinello beauty College! But, I love her most because she loves my boy and is SO sweet to him. Benson thinks she's pretty cool too! So check out a sampling of her talent and leave a comment if you'd be interested in partaking of any of her amazing talents.

PS. Shanna, I hope you don't mind me posting all of this information!

LOTOJA

This is WAY late, but still just as exciting. . .
Mitchell rode and rode all day long on September 12th. He rode into the finish line at 11 hours, 23 minutes (44 seconds if we are to be precise.) Every feed zone he would tell us that he was feeling good. The only negative thing I heard the entire day was that he couldn't possibly eat any more of his liquid nutrition. I secretly had hoped that he wouldn't have had such a great time, knowing that he's likely going to want to do it again. I know how he feels though, marathons are so addicting, I can't imagine LOTOJA being much less of a high.

Here are the pages that I made from that long, long day:

Vacation Convert

Many of you know that I have a less than positive attitude about vacations. You may have heard me say a time or two "It's just SO expensive and when you come home all you have is pictures. I would rather spend money on something that will last longer than a week." Well, I'm singing a little different tune. I still think that vacations are outrageously expensive, but I am seeing the value in vacationing.

We recently returned from Seattle and I really enjoyed myself. This is what changed my perspective:

1. Walking busy city streets
2. Police on horses
3. Shopping
4. Hole in the wall eateries
5. Relaxing in the hotel with my family
6. Kind hotel employees
   
7. Garmin GPS
8. Riding the fairy to an island
9. A nice couple with their baby at Jimmy Johns
10. Pikes Market
11. Walking the busy market
12. Performers outside the 1st Starbucks
13. A cute deaf family at the car rental place
14. A row of old men smoking on the street
15. Patient husband (while I shopped)
16. A whole package of Oreos
17. The Space Needle (mostly the gift shop)
18. Hot pink hair and too many tatoos (none on us!)
19. Valet Parking
20. Walking busy city streets

It was a very fun time. Thanks to Mitch for all of his amazing planning and for agreeing to go city this time rather than tropical!

I'm Adopting

Don't stress out Mitch! READ ON. . .

I came across this in a lesson that I taught a while back and it's been sitting on my dresser for months. I decided that I'm going to adopt it as my personal motto.

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

Thank you Ralph Waldo Emerson!
Sincerely, Amy

Benson's Scrapbook-I finally learned how

For Benson's Grandma

Benson's Grandma wanted me to post my scrapbook pages and since I haven't yet take the time to figure out how to do a slide show, here they are one after the other. I really just need to go and get them printed out and hand them to her.

Can't Say Enough

I have felt overwhelmed with gratitude lately and I want to share with everyone! I have had some experiences lately that have helped me to realize that you can't take life too seriously and you can't take it for granted either.

I am surrounded by wonderful and amazing people, my family, friends and neighbors! So many of them don't know how incredible they are and put themselves down. Some of the people I love don't know how much they influence my life for the better. If you are reading this and doubting your worth, stop. Please know that you mean the world to someone. Be willing to look at yourself positively and see the good you do.

I also want to suggest that selfishness and jealousy are poisonous. They only bring out ugliness and pride. I wish we could end this.

Take life for what it is: a happy time to share with those you love.