With the month of October being half over, an excitement is beginning to build in our house.  Pumpkins and candy corn have been found from room to room and the kids ask daily how long until it's time to "Trick-or-Treat".  
     I'll have to admit, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to Halloween.  I am ridiculously in love with the magic of it all and the costumes from year to year.
     It began when Christian was a baby and it's pretty much taken off from there.  We try to go with a theme and see where it takes us...
     The first year was in 2003 with our little "Sweet Pea".

   It's the stuff first date photo album nightmares are made of.  
   When our second son Ethan came along, we dressed the boys together.  
   Living in Texas at the time, a cowboy and a cow only seemed like the right thing to do.  moooo

    The next year soared to infinity and beyond...

    When little brother Preston came along, "Lions and tigers and bears" roamed the streets.

    Finally, when Lauren Elizabeth brought some girl power into the mix, we went with it...

     Pixie dust was sprinkled a year later -

      - and the yellow brick road came soon after.

     Last year, the kids ran around with light sabers and "The Force" was with them.

     That brings us to this year.  It took awhile to figure out what to do, but we've finally got it.  Our costumes are ready to go and I can't wait to post pictures. 
    Until then...have a happy October and a Happy Halloween!!! 
            THANK YOU FOR VOTING!  We're moving up!!! 
                You're AWESOME!!!  Woo Hoo!!!  XOXO

    In the madness and the craziness of our days, it's quite often that I feel disconnected from what's most important in life.  Take for instance, our mornings. 
    The chaos before work and school is pretty much consumed with nothing short of running around the house, screaming bursts of..."Did you brush your teeth?  Is your backpack ready?  Are you wearing underwear?"
     Flying in the car on the way to school or football practice after school is usually filled with, "MOOOOOOM!  Preston's touching me!"
     "Preston, don't touch your brother."
     "MOOOOOOM!  Ethan's looking at me!"
     "Ethan!  Stop looking at your brother!"
     "MOMMY!  Lauren's breathing on me!"
     "SERIOUSLY?!  GUYS.  NOBODY LOOK, TOUCH or BREATHE on ANYONE ELSE!  GOT IT?!"
     "got it."
     "Mommy?"
     "WHAT?!"
     "I fourgot to weawr undurweawr."
     This Saturday, after Preston's football game, I realized just how bad it was.  I needed to run into the store on the way home so I stopped and we went in together.  Just the two of us.  I held his little six year old hand...not to keep him from running off with his siblings or to avert oncoming cars...but simply...to hold his hand.  
    There was no yelling, no herding and no stress.  We walked and talked throughout the store.  It was, amazing.  He kept telling me how he liked getting "tickets" in school during lunch.  Having no idea what this meant, I made a mental note to ask his teacher.
    Driving home from the store, the car was quiet and peaceful.  The two of us continued to talk and there were bunnies and birds waving as we passed by.
    Last night when the kids were in bed, Adam and I began the monotonous routine of cleaning after dinner.  I went to pull their lunchboxes out to get them ready for the morning.
    When I unzipped Preston's lunchbox, a tiny piece of paper fell out with crumbs and his uneaten snack.

     Lifting my hand to my mouth, I whispered, "The TICKET!  This is what he was talking about!"
     Looking over his shoulder, Adam nodded.  "Oh, yeah.  He's been getting those in his lunchbox.  I don't know what they're from but I keep pulling them out."
     Feeling my eyes begin to water, I shook my head.  "He's been getting Love notes...from someone ELSE'S Mom, Adam!  Some organized, put together, on top of everything, Mom!"
     Turning back, Adam couldn't help but laugh.  "Beatty.  Just because you don't put notes in their lunchboxes, doesn't mean you're not organized."
     "ADAM!  Our kids don't wear UNDERWEAR!"
     Yes.  Maybe one day, our house will be harmonious.  One day, breakfast will be warm and fill our home with the smell of cinnamon and love.  My handsome husband and four neatly and beautifully put together children to scamper down the stairs to sit happily at the table and smile.  Their lunches will have notes and they'll all have tidy hair, teeth and yes...they'll even be wearing their underwear.  
      THANK YOU for VOTING!  You're the BEST!!!  XO  

     If you read our blog, you know about my AMAZING sense of direction.  http://www.peanutbutterhair.com/1/post/2013/10/trust-your-instinctsunless-your-instincts-stink.html
     What I forgot to mention though, was that the only thing better than my sense of direction...is my driving.  Well, driving backwards I should say.
      I've backed into garage doors, ripped off rearview mirrors, hit cars behind me, basketball hoops...you name it.
      I've known of this gift from the very beginning.  I'll never forget during my driver's test, seeing the whites of the eyes from the man clenching his clipboard in the passenger seat beside me.  My parallel parking skills were pure genius.  
      That was many years ago and I'll have to say that my propensity to drive backwards in any situation, resembles somewhat of a Ninja.  I'm that awesome.  
      Take yesterday for instance.  Preston and Ethan both had football games at the same time.  These are the days when my husband Adam and I have to divide and conquer.  The last thing Adam said to me as we were getting into different cars was, "You HAVE to follow the GPS, okay?"  Giving him my best, "I've got this" expression, we were off. 
     Five minutes turned into ten, ten into thirty...I was definitely lost.  The GPS died (I'm not kidding) but we somehow managed to find the field...because it was big...and green. 
     The next problem I had to figure out was where to park.  There were no parking spots.  I kept driving back and forth past the field with nowhere to stop.  
     Finally pulling into a lot away from the field, I figured we would just go with it because Preston had to make his game.  I'd worry about finding the car again later. 
     Aaaaaand...here's where the fun began.  
     The parking lot was full and the only empty spots said, "Reserved".  I kept going and going until the point where the lot ended but then I couldn't turn around.  It was too narrow and there were cars on both sides.
     I sat at the end of the lot and tried to figure out what to do.  In front of me, there were two yellow poles with a maintenance road that continued beyond them.  Now, the smart person would see the poles and decide, "Hmmmm, those are probably there for a reason." 
     I knew that the road ahead was my only option though.  I had to pull through the poles and go forward.  There was NO way I could back out of an entire parking lot of cars.  That would be the pit of snakes to my Indiana Jones.  
     Carefully driving through the narrow space, a rush of relief flowed through me as the open road welcomed me.  The only problem was that the "road" suddenly turned into a sidewalk.  Yes.  A sidewalk.  (Stupid yellow poles.)
     There was nowhere to go but back.  Taking a deep breath, I turned around and shot Preston a determined look.  "Let's do this Buddy.  You ready?"
     "Ready, Mommy.  Why are we driving on a sidewalk?" 
     "Don't worry about it little man.  We're going back.  Hang on."
     Rolling the windows down to heighten my hawk like senses, I put my right hand on the headrest of the passenger seat and checked the rearview mirrors.  Everything was all clear.  I was going to back this car up like a rock star.  
     We pulled away from the sidewalk, made it to the "road"...and quickly approached the shiny, fancy cars...the first of which was a silver Mercedes.  Focusing on that one, I made sure to keep it in my view.  
     For the women reading this, you're probably thinking, "don't hit the cars", for the men?...POLE.
     BAM!  We hit that thing so hard, Preston and I flew forward.  I threw it into park, checked him out to make sure he was okay and then my mind began to race.  "We hit a car.  We hit a car."  There was nothing in my mirrors or behind me but I knew we hit a car. 
     Jumping out, I ran behind to see the bent pole with our bumper around it.  At the same time, I heard "OHHHHHHHH!  Man, she HIT it!"  Turning to my right, there was a bus full of boys from a track team.  They were all getting ready to go to a meet when they witnessed my mad skills.  
     By this time, Preston jumped out of our car yelling, "We crashed the car!  Mommy!  We CRASHED it!"
     The driver of the bus stepped out to come over.  He was a tall six foot something, handsome young twenty-ish year old wearing a track suit.  In a strong African accent, he flashed a perfect smile.  "Lady.  You do not drive good at all.  I can help you if you want."  
     Picking Preston up, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  I knew there was no way I could back out between the two poles, let alone through the whole lot.  
     Nodding my head, I motioned for him to go ahead.  God love the boy, he jumped in, pulled forward, backed out and drove backwards with like, zero effort.     
     Walking down to the bottom of the parking lot, I carried Preston and we made it where the guy was waiting. 
     "You okay lady?"  His smile was genuine and it felt as though he was a guardian angel.  "I'm okay.  Thank you so much."
    "No problem.  Be careful now."
    He ran back up to the bus smiling and shaking his head.  Preston and I got back in the car. 
    We made it to Preston's game just in time and he was excited that we had a real car crash just like in the movies.  
    I suddenly realized that I had to make the dreaded phone call.  It was even more fun to do from one noisy football game to another. 
    "Adam.  Yes!  We're here!  We made it.  Everything's fine but I hit a pole with the car and a guy from Africa helped me!" 
    "WHAT?!  You hit a WHAT and WHAT?!" 
    "I'll tell you when I'm home.  If I can find home.  The GPS is dead.  Love you!"
    Like a Ninja.
    Thank You for Voting!  We're still moving up because of You!
                         Thank You!!!

    One of my favorite things to do it is to snuggle under a soft blanket and watch a good movie.  This Saturday, the Hallmark Channel will be premiering "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" which will entice you to do just that.  
    It's an endearing story that has a touch of mystery and intrigue, mixed with hope and romance.  
    The movie marks Executive Producer Martha Williamson's return to television since her long running series, "Touched by an Angel".  
     “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” will be the pilot movie for an upcoming Hallmark original series that will prove to warm your heart.  
      The shows stars Eric Mabius (“Scandal,” “Ugly Betty”), Kristin Booth (“The Kennedys”) and Daphne Zuniga (“Melrose
Place”). 
     A unique foursome works for the US Post Office in the "lost-mail" department, finding themselves changing lives through one misdirected letter at a time. 
     I loved the story throughout this film and the chemistry between the characters was outstanding.  I look forward to the upcoming series and I'm sure you will too.
     So, this Saturday, grab a blanket and snuggle up.  "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" premieres on the 'Hallmark Channel' October 12th at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8C. 
     There's something so romantic about a good old fashioned letter and cozy evening with a movie.  
     THANK YOU for Voting for our blog!   

    Ahhhh...comfort food.  With the cool days of Autumn upon us, one of the best ways to warm your soul is with a home cooked meal.  
    An old favorite of ours is a lasagna recipe that's nothing less than AWESOME...                 
 Lasagna Recipe  
1 Large Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Package of Fresh Mushrooms - optional (4 ounces)
1 Pound of Hamburger
1 Package of Sausage (16 ounces)
1 Large Can of Diced Tomatoes (28 ounces)
1 Small Can of Tomato Paste (6 ounces)
2 Tablespoons of Italian Seasoning (Spice Island)
1 Large Curd Cottage Cheese (24 ounces)
1 Egg    
16 Ounces of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Box of Lasagna Noodles
_____________________________
Prepare lasagna noodles according to package.
Preheat oven to 350*
Sauté onion, mushrooms and garlic on medium/high heat.
Add hamburger and sausage until browned.
Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste - continue stirring.
Add Italian seasoning.
In a separate bowl, combine 1 egg with cottage cheese.
In casserole/lasagna dish, spoon a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom so the noodles won't stick.
Place layer of lasagna noodles then meat sauce,
cottage cheese then mozzarella cheese.
Continue layering noodles, meat sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese until the top/final layer is mozzarella cheese.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350* for 30 minutes, then uncover and CONTINUE to bake for an additional 20 minutes.
    Editor's note: The meat sauce also acts as a Great sauce for spaghetti.
    We hope that your family will enjoy this yummy dish as much as ours.  Happy Fall and Love to You! 
    Oh and stay tuned!  Growing up in Ohio, I had never tasted "Sweet Potato Pie" in my life, but when I moved to North Carolina, I quickly learned that down here, it was a staple. 
    I got a "Sweet Potato Pie" recipe from a Southern Grandma that's been passed down in her family from generation to generation.  She smiled when she told me that it was Soooo good, it would make you wanna smack your Mama.  (I've had it...and it is.) 
    I'll post the recipe soon! 
    THANK YOU for VOTING!!!  We've moved up two more spots 
               because of YOU!  Thank You!!!

     That little pop in your ears when you swallow, that tiny scratch in the back of your throat.  When your eyes begin to water and so does your nose...  
     The words, "I will not get sick.  I will not get sick..." have been playing like a broken record in my head.  The truth is, I don't have TIME to get sick.  Who does?
      Getting through the day at work yesterday,  Adam and I got the kids fed and in bed last night.  Thank God for him because I crawled under our blankets at a ridiculously early hour, then passed out cold.
     (I will not get sick though.)  
     It never fails.  That "Back to School" petri dish of germs and fun little runny noses always seem to invade this time of the year.  That, with the weather changes can make for a fun few weeks.  
    It's okay though because I will not get sick. 
    *cough, sneeze*  Please excuse me while I go lie back down with toilet paper stuck up my nose.  
    I'm not sick though.  ugh.  
    Thank You for Voting!  You are the BEST!!!  We're still moving up because of YOU!  Thank You!  Thank You!!!  XO       

     A sense of direction.  Some people are born with it, some can develop it...and then...well, there are those of us who are the "chosen ones". 
     You know who we are. 
     We aimlessly walk around a mall trying to figure out which way we came in or better yet...we wander through the dreaded mall parking lot.  Ugh...the parking lot.  What did people do before that button on their keys that honked the horn to find their car in a crowded lot?  I shudder to think.
     I remember being fifteen years old when my Dad decided to teach me how to drive.  He had a beast of an old green Ford truck that for whatever reason, he decided would be good for me to learn with.  Going to the parking lot of my high school, Dad tried to show me how to go from the clutch to the gas, while shifting gears in between. 
    When I took the wheel, I quickly began an intricate dance of nothing short than bouts of whiplash, until Dad decided it was time to take a break.  He sat quietly and rubbed the back of his neck.  Not wanting to discourage me, he decided to talk about something else.
    "You know, another important aspect of driving is being able to read a map.  You need to learn to know where you're going."
     My ability to read a map was going to be about as good as my finesse in driving a standard.  
     "Dad.  I'm never going to figure any of this out and the LAST thing I'm worried about is learning how to read a map.  Besides.  One day, someone will invent a cool thingy that will be in your car and it'll tell you exactly where to go anyway.  It will be totally awesome."
    (Did I forget to mention it was 1988?)
    Dad began to laugh and pointed back to the ignition for me to try again.  "Honey, there's no such thing as something that 'tells you how to get somewhere' and I doubt there ever will be.  Learn how to read a map."
    That was 25 years ago and I still tease him about that conversation.  Needless to say, I don't drive a standard anymore and I still hate to read a map. 
     I was reminded of my horrible sense of direction yesterday when I got lost.  Very, very lost.  Even worse...it was in the city lost.  So lost that my trusty GPS (that I had so brilliantly predicted years ago) couldn't even point me in the right way.  
    Aaaaah yes.  A sense of direction.  Some people are born with it, some can develop it...and then...well, there are
those of us who are the "chosen ones" - the ones who could actually end up being the life of the party...if only we could figure out where the party was.    
    You're the BEST for VOTING!!!  We're moving UP! 
                    THANK YOU!!! 

    Mornings are crazy.  From the time the alarm clock screams at us to wake up, to the point when we're all flying through the door...there's pretty much a level of insanity that would rival the "Running of the Bulls".
    That morning pace seems to affect the rest of the day.  At times it seems to be impossible to catch up. 
     A couple of months ago, Adam and I started something new.  Between work, school, homework, sports, etc...there was rarely a minute to have quiet time...alone.  No matter how much we love our kids, we know it's important to have time to catch up with each other without the distractions of a thousand screaming monkeys. 
     Adam decided to set his alarm ten minutes early.  At first, I wanted to kill him...but now...it's one of my favorite times of the day.  It's ten simple minutes that starts everything off on a different foot.  The house is quiet and we can actually have a conversation with big words and complete sentences.  It was shocking at first, but now it's awesome.
    My favorite thing that he did was what we now call, "Pick a Song".  He or I will scroll through his phone to choose a song without the other one seeing, then play it.  Many times it will be something that takes us back to our dating days.  The other morning he played a song from our wedding.  http://en.musicplayon.com/play?v=179678
    The coolest part about it is that the song will be in my head all day and it makes me smile.  It's something so simple, but it means so much.    
    So, if your days feel like you're running around like a mad person and you never have a minute to spare, try this ten minute trick.  You can use it to do whatever you choose...devotions, catching up, quiet time (Quiet time?  What's quiet time?)  It's important to shut the world off if only for a moment, especially the way things are these days.   
    It's a little ten minute trick that can make such a big difference.  Here, I'll post a fun little 80's song to get you started.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q  (Try not to dance.)
   Have a FANTASTIC weekend and take a little time to stop and smell the roses.  XO
        THANK YOU FOR VOTING!!!  You are AWESOME!!! 

     Have you ever known anyone that had the heart of a lion?  Someone who had a unique mix of fearlessness and a relentless fight deep inside? 
     In July of 2007, our third son Preston was born and taken to the neonatal unit.  He was a few weeks early and weighed only five pounds.  Since our first two boys were both almost ten pounds at birth, Preston's tiny little body shook me to the core when I saw him.  We weren't allowed to pick him up at first, but we were able to place our hands over his tiny stomach and chest to talk and sing to him.  
    I'll never forget about one or two days into the nightmare, one of the NICU nurses watched as I sat over him crying.  She came to put her hand on my shoulder and gently said, "Mama, don't you worry a thing about this little one.  He came out fighting and he's going to keep on fighting like you won't believe.  He's already full of piss and vinegar and you're not going to believe the things he'll do someday." 
    It made me smile as I hoped for the best.  There was nothing life threatening wrong with him.  He was just born too early and he didn't want to breathe on his own yet.  When he decided to start though...holy moly.  
    It seemed like almost overnight, he became a completely different child.  We were able to hold him, feed him and love him in our arms.  When we finally took him home it was one of the happiest and most grateful days of our lives.  
    That was six years ago and I regret not knowing the name of the nurse from the NICU.  I wish I could tell her that she was right...and that he's still full of piss and vinegar.  He is the strongest and bravest little thing one could ever imagine and he's never stopped fighting since.
    This weekend he had a flag football game and was put opposite a boy that seemed to be twice his size.  Preston waited for the signal to go and when it finally came, he charged his opponent with all that he had.  It actually surprised the bigger kid at how serious Preston was.  Pret would stop at nothing until the whistle blew.    

    When the game was over, I rustled through his hair and smiled. 
   "That was a pretty big dude out there today buddy!"
   "Yeah."
   "What'd you think about it?"
   "Not much.  He was big, but I was strong."
    It stopped me in my tracks.  There I was, thinking that our job was to teach him everything about life - and as often is the case, the student became the teacher.  
    When things seem to be too much to take and challenges are almost impossible to manage...never give up.  Preston reminded me that what's more important than our doubts or fears, is to stay strong.  
    It's been six years and I continue to stand in awe of a boy that seems so small.  He surprises me to this day with his fearlessness and relentless fight inside - but above all else, I am in love with his little heart of a lion. 
Thank You again SO Much for Voting below!  We're still moving up
                  Because You're Awesome!!! 

     I don't ask for much.  Food, water, mostly happy husband and kids...I don't waste my time on delusions of a spotless home or that one day...we'll be able to come home and throw the mail on the counter without it sticking to something unidentified. 
    My limitations of acceptance are pretty high.  Except for...the toilet.  
    Living in a house full of boys, I'd have to say that I yearn...dare I say it...DREAM of the day that I can simply walk into the bathroom and mindlessly sit down.  A dry, clean toilet seat doesn't seem like much one would think...but when the days become months and the months become years...it can start to take its toll.
    The hard part is, you never really know who to blame it on.  It's been so long since we've potty trained them or followed them into the bathroom and it's hard to explain what happens when three young boys get ready for school or for bed.  At times it's nothing short of utter chaos. 
    You can hear the culpable behavior behind closed doors, between bursts of giggling..."I'll get you Luke Skywalker!  Pwshew, Pwshew!"  "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"  "You're next Darth Vader!"  (enter...the breathing)
    Last night around 2:00 am, our six year son old shuffled down the hall saying that he had "to go" and that he needed a drink of water.  This is pretty common, so shifting into autopilot, I pulled myself out of bed to help him.  Instead of going to the kitchen however, I went to the bathroom with him. 
    There it was. 
    He was standing in the dark, about two feet away from the toilet...just going to town.  I swear that his eyes were still closed and I doubt he even looked to see if the lid was open or closed.    
    "Preston!"
    "What Mommy?"  He whispered half asleep as he turned to face me.  
    Spraying everything, he got the wall, the floor...
    "No, No!  Turn back around!  Buddy, you have to get it in the toilet!"
    "Okay.  I'm done though.  G'night mommy."  I stood in what could now pass as a truck stop, while his little bare feet carried him back to bed.  
    No, I don't ask for much.  Food, water...mostly happy husband and kids...and the hope that one day, in a galaxy far, far away...our bathroom will be Springtime fresh, clean and dry.  
   One can dream...
   THANK YOU for VOTING!  We're MOVING UP because of 
                       YOU!!!