Brain Dump on a Thursday

I feel like we haven't had a whole lot going on lately, but at the same time I feel like we've been super busy. Weird. I have a lot of thoughts on my mind though, so I'm just gonna dump it all out here.


Teen Mom is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows. I just started watching this season, but I'm thinking I need to go back and watch the previous seasons. Honestly, sometimes the moms on there make me really mad, but then there are times when I am so heartbroken for them. I will say though that Amber drives me crazy and needs to grow up and learn to be a mother to her child!

Have you tried Coffee-Mate's Peppermint Mocha coffee cream? It's ah-mazing! If you haven't tried it, you definitely need to. I have heard great things about it, and just recently tried it. It will definitely be a staple for my coffee from now on! You better believe it's on tomorrow's grocery list.

Speaking of grocery lists, I really need to go grocery shopping. I have been putting it off and putting it off, but it can't be put off any longer. I made a quick trip to the store the other night to grab a few things for Jenny's snack and school and a few other things that we use on a regular basis. I'm thinking of trying meal planning again. I did it for a few weeks before, but I always end up spending more money when I meal plan than I do if I just "wing it".

Did I tell you how well Jenny is doing in school?? This kid is SO smart! Sometimes I can't believe how smart she is! She is only 5 years old and is already having weekly spelling tests....and she does really well on them! In fact, she recently had her 9-week review over her spelling words she's had for the past 9 weeks. Out of 43 words, she got 41 correct!! I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this before, and I've probably mentioned it more than once, but I just can't get over how smart she is!

Can I tell you how much I love MOPS? For those of you who don't know, MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It is a group for mothers with children from pregnancy/birth to kindergarten. We are a group of mothers who come together to love, support, and encourage each other as we follow our call of motherhood. I have MOPS on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Those Thursdays are quickly becoming some of my favorite days. Aiden really loves being in the MOPPETS program too. When I ask him if he wants to go to MOPS, he says, "Yes! I love it MOPS!" Ha!

Today the kids and I are going to be painting pumpkins! The other day at the pumpkin patch we let them each pick out a small pumpkin to take home and decorate. So, later this afternoon we are going to paint them. Jenny is really excited about it. Aiden doesn't know yet that we're going to be decorating them, but I know he'll love it too - once he gets over how messy his hands will probably get. Ha!

Another thing Jenny and I are looking forward to is making pumpkin cookies! We might even make pumpkin muffins this weekend for breakfast too! Lately we have really been trying to enjoy this Fall season, and I hope we will continue to find more and more ways to do that! I love doing anything fun with the kids and then turning it into a tradition with them.

I am really looking forward to the Alabama game this weekend. Last weekend's game was a total disappointment, but I'm not gonna give up on them! =) This weekend they are playing Ole Miss, and I can't wait to watch them win....I hope!

Well, I guess that's all I have in my thoughts right now. Plus, it's time to wake up Jenny to get her ready for school and on the bus. I hope you're all having a good week!

1st MOPS Meeting

Yesterday, Aiden and I went to our first MOPS meeting. We have never been before, but it is something that I have always wanted to do with him. Originally I was going to go to the MOPS at North Metro Baptist church, but they were already full. Instead, I'm going to the one at Northview Christian church. Let me just say that I couldn't be happier that North Metro was full and that led me to go to Northview! The ladies there were all so nice and I really had a great time. It was a group of about 30 women, so I'm sure it is smaller than the group at North Metro, and I like that.

On an even better note, Aiden really liked it too! Of course when I first dropped him off he was not too happy. The ladies in the nursery assured me that they wouldn't let him cry too long before they would come get me. Honestly, I kept expecting someone to show up at any minute to let me know that I needed to come get Aiden from class. But, guess what? They didn't! When I got there to pick him up, he was having a good time and didn't look like he missed me at all. I do have to say that he was very happy to see me though, which is always a great feeling for me! I am very proud of how well he did, and I'm hoping and praying he'll do this well every time.

Our theme this year is Momology: The Art and Science of Mothering. I am excited about this theme because there is really so much art and science in mothering and most of the time it goes unnoticed. I have been more creative and artsy since becoming a mother than I ever thought I could have. I have to weigh my options, make a guess, do the research, and then put my plan into action every day. By now, I should really have a degree in this stuff! =)

Our next meeting is again in two weeks and I can't wait! I am thrilled to have this oppertunity to meet other moms, and for Aiden to meet kids his own age. In the summer and during holiday breaks from school they have play groups we can go to and they will have the school kids there as well. So when there isn't school going on, Jenny will be able to join us as well. Overall I feel very blessed to be involved with such a great group. =)

Girl Scouts & MOPS

I am very excited to say that I am adding two new activities to my schedule, both starting next week...

First of all, I am going to be co-leading Jenny's Girl Scout troop with a few other ladies. I was in Girl Scouts when I was a kid, but other than that I have no experience doing anything like this. I already finished my online training and I have to go to a leader meeting next week. I am really looking forward to this opportunity though, I think it will be a great experience for both Jenny and I.

Also, I joined MOPS! For those of you who don't know, MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. I am going to be attending the MOPS program at the Northview Christian Church. We will meet twice a month, on Thursdays. There will be lots of crafts and activities for Aiden to participate in, and for me there will be group speakers, crafts, group discussions, and other moms to interact and make friends with. This is something that I have been wanting to join since I heard about it for the first time last year. I am really excited about this, and I can't wait till our first meeting next Thursday!!