one life...

Crazy how fast a year & a few months goes by {time since my last post}... you just blink & before you know it's gone {time you can't get back}. At 37 {almost 38} the realization that statistically I've probably lived out at least 40% of my life hit me like the shock of jumping in the Jackson River at the crack of dawn {crazy cold even in the summer}. I haven't jumped in the Jackson River since I was a kid at camp, but have never forgotten the feeling... cold that would take your breath away followed by a rush.


Life has certainly given me plenty of lemons, but I am realizing that God gave me a wonderful husband, 2 crazy amazing kids & friends to make this life sweeter. Life has taken my breath away, but I'm feeling a rush thinking of how I could live the remainder of my one wild & precious life!


I will start by getting back to things I enjoy... for me... in no particular order:
1. Blogging {starting now}
2. Photography {learn more, do more}
3. Creative Stuff {from Pinterest}
4. Pinning {yep... I'm addicted}
5. Learning {how to be a better parent, blogger, photographer, creator, organizer, etc.}
6. Reading {whatevs the book club wants to read}
7. Organizing {whole house, whole life, lofty goal, but absolutely possible}


Things I have to look forward to... in no particular order after #1:
1. Celebrating 18 years of marriage {this week}
2. Getting my braces off {may be a little early, but February will be here before we know it}
3. School starting for the kids {craving a routine}
4. Finding respite care for our nana {so I can keep a little sanity}
5. Seeing my husband do great in his newly promoted position {Store Manager for Publix}
6. Grow a little business {maybe}
7. Family photos {maybe sooner rather than later}

BHLDN...

has me wanting to say "I Do" all over again!

Of course to the man of my dreams...

Mr. Hancock

aka.mybabydaddy


Maybe for our 20 year anniversary???

Look #1....

or...

Look #2...

When envisioning the options...

Look #1 or Look #2...

please picture me at a svelte 130!

"I Do"

Oui:I Do

BOO Ya'll...

So we kicked off Halloween with a...

B.Y.O.P. party

{bring your own pumpkin}

So much fun it was... I really need to post photos!

The invite below {sans home address} was created on Scrapblog.

I love me some scrapblog!!!

So I love the idea of delivering treats to unsuspecting friends & neighbors...

We'll be wrapping up October BOOing some of our friends, teachers & neighbors this coming week... can't wait!

I've seen a ton of cute & colorful "You've Been BOOed" signs, but decided I wanted to create my own look. Feel free to use them... and, send me a note to let me know how it went! Have fun!

"We've Been BOOed" sign for the recipient to put on their door or window... lets everyone know they've been BOOed!

{Would it really be so bad if someone was BOOed twice?}

Tags for my BOO bags...

My favorite bags to use are from the produce department at our local Publix... they're too cute and they're inexpensive!

One of my greatest desires is to see the return of genuine community...

Brighten someone's day & BOO em!

BOO Ya'll,

Kim 

SUNnFUN FLy-In 2010

So this year was a little different. The field we normally park in was not open parking this year... It was $5... and they weren't taking debit!

Normally we see these balloons on the other side from a distance & then watch them rise over the hangers... and then over our heads as they take off. We will definitely be prepared with cash next year... because we missed our secluded {and we need secluded because Logan always has to pee}spot in the field in line with the race route.

At the sound of heat rising... we see some of our old favorites... along with a bajillion other people who felt like intruders...

the sleepy girl & the momma...

the sweetest boy & the momma...

Courtney, Logan & Me...

Logan was totally into the event this year... he has always loved it & been excited, but this year was different. Courtney was keeping her seat warm in the vehicle & said she was enjoying the view from there... code for "someone might see me in my pajamas... without  makeup on or my hair done... with a momma who's rockin the same {sans bra, in a cami & cardigan, with pj pants}... and a little brother who's looking a little like Alfalfa {and just peed next to the vehicle in front of this swank neighborhood}...

We moved to this view point along the route once most of the balloons were filled & preparing for take off...

the new photographer...

great photo Logan...

doing good man...

totally engrossed...

mmm... I so wish the race route went over our house... I don't think the people living in the swank neighborhood appreciated the view quite as much as we would... just saying...

our favorites this year...

We had a fabulous time this year... though we missed the daddy... again this year. Maybe his schedule will be better next year. Oh... and maybe our friends {who are like la familia}the Kast family will join us next year...

SUNnFUN FLy-In 2007

We have a family tradition that has us up before the crack of dawn, to get the perfect spot, to check out the annual Balloon Launch at the SUNnFUN Fly-In...

Blankets, pillows, pjs, sleep in the eyes, sleepy babies & a sunrise... all snuggled up in the back of the suv waiting anxiously to hear the sound of heat rising...

Then over the hangers... balloons launch...

As I look forward to tomorrow and the annual Balloon Launch... I think of one of my favorite years...

The balloons got so close they were having a conversation with the kids & waving at them...

2007 revisited...

Logan, Courtney & baby

old favorites...

best view for baby...

beautiful day...

mmm... sweet boy

Brian & Nikki Maternity Shoot...

my grandmother...

my first day off in 12 days and I can't sleep!  i have dreamt of my grandmother from the moment my eyes closed this evening.  i think of her often, but this summer when I put in my normal philosophy order I decided to add something new...pure grace!  the smell brought back powerful memories from my childhood of summers on the jersey shore.  my mother loved the beach and we took many trips each year to jersey where we stayed at a place called "the garfield."  it was built in the 1800's...i'm not even sure of it's condition or if it even stands today.  we always stayed in the same room.  the windows would always be open and the breeze blowing the curtains.  the smell of perfectly clean sheets & hotel soap. 

on this particular trip my mother would tell my grandmother that she (my grandmother) had cancer and that it was terminal.  i love that, even though she knew this, in that moment she was just there with me & my mom.  that she just smiled as i covered her in sand.

that she spent the days with me getting water for sand castle moats & sifting through sand.

that she just walked with me.

two years after this trip my grandmother would come to live with us...my mother & i.  as she was bedridden i came down with scarlet fever.  i was very sick and was paralyzed from the waist down for over a month from the illness.  my mother had to work so we had a full time nurse.  when i woke my grandmother would have our nurse bring me to her room where i would spend the day.  her resistance was nonexistent and I was contagious.  i love that, even though she knew this, in that moment she was just there with me!

philosophy from philosophy 

pure grace is the clean smell of soap and water, the memory of fresh air woven into a set of crisp, white cotton sheets, a cold deep breath on a snowy winter night, the best summer morning you have ever known, the one white t-shirt that feels better that all the rest.

one of the best tools for longevity and good health is not just taking a walk outdoors but taking your walk while holding the hand of God.  when we walk in gratitude for each and every moment, we empower ourselves by empowering our spirits.  when we breathe in nature through our eyes, ears and lips, we become certain that not only are our souls eternal, but that God knows how to manage our lives, our troubles, our worries and our days better than we do.  so today and everyday "let go and let God."

A Day In Dade City

We've been to Dade City many times, but have never done gone on the trolley tour.  We took the 1 1/2 hour tour around the city.  We loved it and so did the kids...especially Courtney.  Curtis and I are going back, when it gets cooler, and take the full tour...3 1/2 hours.

Can you believe this home was ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalogue for only $750.

Too cute!  I'm definitely doing this next year.

Beautiful home!

The end of our tour!

After our tour we went to eat at one of our favorite spots...Matter of Taste...followed by some shopping to walk off lunch.  After that we had a reservation at a certain unnamed (for now) location, because I wanted some of their dessert.  When we got there...they would not seat us because we were only getting dessert!!!  Dessert for four with drinks would definitely cost more than lunch for two and there were plenty of open tables.  They are closed on Monday, but I am calling the owner tomorrow and will decide then whether I will post the restaurant name!

An Afternoon at Downtown Disney

We spent Sunday afternoon with Curtis' cousin Sharon & her husband Steve, along with his Nana & Aunt Ginny (Sharon's mom) and the kids.  As always, the food at Rain Forest Cafe was soooo good.  It was also great to see Virginia truly happy...if only for a moment.  I was so glad I was able to capture that since I doubt she'll remember it for long.  Vikki...I posted the picture of Virginia with her Toni Wig on just for you...lol.