July! Really??

I last posted in July. I don't know what to say about that. I'm still alive and kicking. Not kicking too high, but kicking. In fact, I tried to show Bayleigh how to do a cartwheel and don't recommend doing that if you are 45 years old and don't regularly do cartwheels. Ouch!

Speaking of miss Bayleigh, she started kindergarten this fall. Can you believe it?

Life just keeps marching on, doesn't it? I regret I've not been better about documenting more of those sweet everyday moments here on this blog. I have so many issues regarding the old blog and the new slick and shiny world of blogging. I know I've discussed it here before and to the folks who matter the most to me, there is no expectation for slick and shiny. Just a silly hangup on my part.I have to just suck it up, sit down and put words on the screen. It's not about numbers for me. I loved the creative outlet and sense of community associated with blogging. Shall we play catch-up?

Grab a comfy seat and some sweet tea, this may take a while. July?

Since we last chatted, much has happened. Casey is now a married man. In January he married Jessica and now my youngest is a family man. That's right, my baby boy is someone's husband, step-dad to one adorable three year old and in July, he'll become a dad.  I know. Crazy.  Remember back when I was so nervous about his enlistment into the Marines.  The boy is now a man.

Alyssa is engaged and is in full on wedding planning mode. She's loving every stress filled moment of it too.

The engagement story is funny. Now that it's over and it all worked out, it's funny. That day, notsomuch. It involved a surprise day trip to New York that almost didn't happen because of missed flights. In the end it worked out beautifully and he proposed in the center of Times Square. He let me in on the plan ahead of time so I could download an app on my phone that lets you view a live web cam pointing at that very spot. So, although I wasn't there, I was able to watch the exciting moment on my phone.

After more than 26 years at the same job, Mitch had to change jobs this past summer. Thankfully it was a transfer to another plant with the same company he worked for. We were very blessed, because there were others who weren't so fortunate. It's been an adjustment for him, but he's such a hard worker and a provider, he just got on with it.

As for me, I feel as if I've been on cruise control for about the past year. Maybe more. I just move through the days, not really stagnant, but not really doing much living either. I want very much to change that. I read a quote recently on one of my favorite blogs, Lil Blue Boo, in a beautiful post about how she was changed because of her experience with cancer. The part of the quote that struck me was life is short but wide...Just 5 simple words, but they spoke volumes to me. I get so hung up on being sick and worrying about how short life is, that I've been living very small. I have more to say on that but for today, I just wanted to pop in and say HI! I'm still here and as we like to say in the south, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I'll be back very soon.

 

 

 

Comments

[Mary Claire]

Yay!! So glad you are back!! I started my blog two years ago and I understand how you feel. Sometimes I feel my blog should have the tag line "ad free with so-so pictures just like they did it in 2005". Ha! I personally love reading your blog! Hope to see more of you! Congrats on all the exciting changes in your life since we saw you last!!

[Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage]

Welcome back! I too struggle with not posting because it doesn't look as pretty as "they" think it should. Why do we do this to ourselves? Glad to see another blog hanging in there!!

[Elaine]

So glad to hear from you. Exciting times Baileigh Starting School, Wedding, Engagement, New Grandbaby on the way!!! No wonder you haven't been able to blog.

[LLA]

<3!

[Autum]

Back at you sweetie!

[Autum]

Exciting times indeed, Elaine!

[Autum]

Love, love, love your tagline idea! My feelings exactly.

[Autum]

Thank you Jeaninne :)

[Dawn]

Yay! So nice to see you again. xoxo

[Autum]

Thank you Dawn :)

[Mary]

Welcome back. Author Gail Sheehy wrote, "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living." But boy, sometimes those changes can knock us for a loop. Hope that as you move forward, the changes will be positive and involve fewer bruises.

[Marie]

Lovely to see you back Autum. Slightly freaking out here at the grownupedness of Bayleigh! *gulp* Time really flies when those munchkins are little doesn't it?

Many congratulations to your family on the weddings and engagements. :)

xMx

[Thimbleanna]

I've been on vacation -- how fun to return and find some posts from you. Wow -- BIG changes for your family -- Congratulations on all the weddings -- how exciting. And Holy Cow -- how did Bayleigh get so big? She's adorable -- I'll bet you've had so much fun with her. Soon you'll have a new grandbaby -- YAY!!!!

And thank you so much for the quote about life. I've been so sad lately at the shortness of life -- this quote was just what I needed!

[Carol]

Autum! do glad to hear from you.

[Karen H]

So glad you're back!!

[Laura]

So very nice to see that you are feeling better and energetic enough to blog...I have missed your posts.
I recently came across Lil Blue Boo and now 'look in on her' every day. A wonderful blog and such beautiful writing.

Congratulations on the many exciting life happenings! One beginning Kindergarten, One getting married and one on the way, One getting engaged - looks like you will have another year of wonderful experiences coming your way to build wonderful memories! :)

Again, so happy to see you back...don't stay gone so long...we miss you! :)

[Penny]

I have missed you so much.
You have always been the blog I go to to read about your family happenings, our lives parallel so much, your kids are a little older than mine but I have a son who wants to go into the Marines, I have a daughter who is just a little younger than yours, your story about your daughter gives me hope for mine, right now she's in a not so good spot,getting out of a bad relationship and looking at moving back home and bringing our 2 y/o grandson with her.
Though I don't know you IRL I feel like you're the 'friend' that gives me hope for my children and Grandson.