So far in October...

Fall is officially here and has never been more present this year than it has over the past 2 weeks!!! It's my favorite time of year....leaves changing, cool nights, bonfires, hot coffee and chocolate, football, and baseball postseason (see footnote at bottom of post for my Cardinals lament). I love fall!!!

Early this month, I got to meet my friends, Scott and Kristen Mattingly's new bundle of joy, Dalton Benjamin. Scott is currently working at Fort Campbell and finishing up some training before he heads to their duty station Savannah, GA. So, Kristen had the baby in KY and before she makes her trek back to GA, my friend Julie and I drove over to see the little cutie. He's a sweetie and quite the little tike. However, I think he'll be a big basketball player like his dad and have a beautiful smile and voice like his momma!!! He's a cutie.

Dalton Benjamin Mattingly

Also earlier this month, my niece Kalee had her 12th birthday on October 4th. Yes, she's 12. Raise your dropped jaw...yes, she's 12. She embarked on her middle school voyage this year with 6th grade, and every day there seems to be something about her that is older. I'll honestly say that I do not like it at all!!! I look at her with her neverending long legs, her tall height of 5'2", size 9 shoe, model-esque build, and I think this can't be happening. My little "Way Cool Buddy" (for you guys that don't know, that's what we've called each other since she was a little bitty thing) is growing up and not only does it make me sad, but it makes me feel really old. However, it does make me also very excited and proud to be her aunt. I'm looking forward to watch her grow up in these upcoming teenage years and see her transform into a woman (scary, but exciting!).

The second weekend in October, Matt and I went to Alabama to visit friends and meet a new little friend (Lizzie Ruth!). This was Matt's first trip to "Alabama the Beautiful" so I was not only excited to show him where I adventured for a wee short stint last year, but also introduce him to some great friends and people. It was a little wet due to the extended period of rain (I think it's been a consistent rain cloud over you guys all fall!!!), but the rain quit at the appropriate time. We had a great weekend of meeting/seeing friends, soggy/muddy golf, college football, sightseeing, lion visiting, beautiful worship at CrossPoint, and safe travels. It was a great time!!!

Lizzie Ruth Bridges

My friend Amy is an Auburn grad/fan and I had to support the Hogs (AR won!...sorry Amy B.)

Leo smelled me and Matt when we went to visit he and Una at the lion habitat on the University of North Alabama's campus. Kind of eerie.....I think he thought we were an afternoon snack.


Sweet Ava

Callan, Bonnie, and Henry playing.

Callan was a walking machine. Way to go!

my secret handshake buddy, Bonnie :)

I also had the recent pleasure of meeting another new little friend. Matt's niece (he's a first-time uncle) was born on Friday, October 16th. His sister and bro-in-law are the new proud parents. Lanie Grey Mills is her name and she dropped in weighing 6 lbs 13 oz, 20.5 inches long. So basically in comparison to my niece and nephew, she's a peanut (Wes and Bonnie have champ/hoss babies...9 lb-ers usually!). She's really pretty, and has got everyone in a happy buzz. Hmmm...wonder when I can convince my brother and Jennifer to get one of their own??? ha (j/k Jen...I know...when you guys are ready...but an aunt can dream right?).

Lanie Grey Mills


showing off his niece

And as my footnote, I want to say a few words about my beloved Cardinals. We've all been in saddened state over their quick demise in the post-season. As devoted Cards fans, and members of redbird nation, we live for the spring and watch our boys all season and hope for a post-season birth (or as we Cards fans say, "Red October"). Well 2009 brought us a post-season appearance that was short lived. To my boyfriend, Adam Wainwright, great job, the CY Young is yours, and see you next spring honey. To my old boyfriend, Chris Carpenter, stay healthy and bring the heat again next season. To our MVP, Albert Pujols "El Hombre," help bring us back to October in 2010. And to Tony LaRussa.........time to throw in the towel old man!!! Your time is up (though my dad said your time was up a long time ago...only because he doesn't like you). Let's get us a new manager to start off 2010 on the right foot. Now, if you're a Cards fan, I'll ask you to quietly have your own moment of silence for the mourning of our 2009 post-season departure. And if you're not, then just laugh at me because I'm a crazy fan :)

the boys are sad and frustrated

Wainwright (aka my "boyfriend") pitched great in game two...too bad it didn't work out for a win.

Smart Girls Do Dumbbells

So towards the end of July I read in a magazine about this book called "Smart Girls Do Dumbells." Yes, it's just me and I have an easy work schedule, but I was finding it difficult to get motivated on consistently working out. I run and walk fairly consistently, but I wasn't doing anything else. Plus, we have only one gym in the big ol' town of Dexter, and I'm not a member nor did I think I would use it much this time of year. SO...I got interested in this book, read some good reviews, and I ordered it. The book basically shows you 30 different exercises, provides 30 different schedules, that you can do in about 30 minutes. I thought that this would be perfect because I could now run/walk or whatever and then only have to devote 30 min or so of my day to weights for toning. So I gave it a try. And let me tell you...I think it's great!!! I started around the first week of August and I'm still continuing to do it. It's easy and I think I can tell a difference. Maybe nobody else can tell, but I can and that's really all I wanted and what mattered to me. I feel better and I think it's a good little program. Granted many of the exercises I already knew how to do, and someone can easily go online and get a exercise routine with many of the same exercises. But this book just frames it all so well and it's nice to just turn in the book and see what I'm going to do for that day. After my 30 days were up, I began to switch routines. One could easily just start back over, but I've switched things up to have more variation. Plus the book breaks down the weights into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels so you can move up in difficulty when needed. SO, if you are wanting something quick, easy, and low cost....y'all should try it. Smart Girls Do Dumbbells!!!