A Very Special Anniversary

What a wonderful evening! The best anniversary I could have ever dreamed of. My sweet husband planned the whole thing. 1st we renewed our vows at St. Luke's.

Ruby climbed (London Bridges style) under our arms in the beginning, LOL.

She was not particularly crazy about this whole event at first...as the attention was not on her and SHE wanted to marry Daddy. But she soon settled into her chair (after a bribe from Grandma) and was a good and patient little girl.

It was such a sweet ceremony. It was just us. Jeff & I, Ruby, and my Mom. We wanted it to be very simple and small. Reverend Trent said such beautiful words - both traditional vows and some nice prayers, too.

Here we are lighting the unity candle

To my complete surprise, Jeff wrote his own vows to me...and just blew me away.

I had prepared something for him, too.

We were both choked up. It couldn't have been more romantic or more perfect.

A real cute moment between Jeff and Ruby. Ruby got HER turn. When we were done with our vows, I asked the Reverend if he could just say something for them real quick. He said something nice about her being Daddy's girl and how she always will be - forever. Well, as you can see, it just MADE her day. I think she thinks SHE married him. So sweet. She sure loves her Daddy!

A very happy lil Rubes poses with us all at the alter.

Family shot. Was so nice to have Mom there. Jeff had planned the whole night and I didn't know any details until yesterday. Of course, I had hinted and secretly hoped. And I bought that dress for it - just in case. (Cause you know, that's how I am! It's a wonder Jeff can surprise me at all.) Anyway, it was a magical night. We all went out for an amazing dinner at The Bridgetown Mill Inn. Hubs is a class act. I thought it was so nice that he had Ruby and my Mom come with us to dinner.

The Princess was all excited when her mushroom sauce arrived in a fancy gravy server. She wasted no time dumping it all over her ravioli and gobbled it up. She was such an angel at dinner and we all enjoyed our meal by the big fireplace. Afterwards,  we dropped Mom and Ruby off at home and got our overnight bags. Yes, I said OVER NIGHT BAGS! The hubs had another surprise in store... a night at The Four Seasons!

We checked in and found this waiting for us. My brother totally hooked us up! Champagne, dessert, a decadent cheese tray and a fab bottle of red that we brought home with us today. We had a great city view in front of the square and fountain as we sipped our champagne and talked for hours.

Thank you, Jason, for the awesome spread. Thank you, Mom for taking such good care of our little Ruby. And thank you, Jeff...for being the best husband I could ask for. I'm so glad you are mine.

Packing For Disney!

Only 2 weeks till our trip and we are getting rather excited around here! So much going on this month... This weekend is Jeff & I's wedding anniversary. Next week I have a big gig for the Avenue of the Arts (see here for fun details). Next weekend we go to our hometown see our family and celebrate my father-in-laws birthday. Then we come home for a night and turn right around and go to Disney! I figure I better get packing TODAY.

Ruby's stuff will be easy. Princess gear, Minnie ears (I bought and have hidden until our trip), cute sundresses and shorts. Me...well, I put all my lightweight stuff in bins so I better go dig it out. So excited for FL warmth and fun. Gonna be a GREAT time!

And something really special is gonna happen at Disney, too. Ruby's 1st friend, Chan - from the baby home - is coming to Disney with her family! Not sure how the girls will be when they finally meet but I'm betting the mom's won't have a dry eye! How incredible it's gonna be to see sweet Chan (now Lily) again, but this time happy and with her family! Meeting up with some other great friends, too, and their darling kiddos and WAY excited. The whole trip is gonna be magical!

When we get back, we are home 2 days then it's my birthday, Thanksgiving, and on the weekend we have a party for some awesome family members to go to. Is it any wonder November is one of my favorite months?

Yea! Bring on the fun!

School Parade

Rubes leading the way.

Stopping to pose for a quick shot.

All the "littles" singing a Halloween song. So cute!

The event was indoors this year and I'm happy to say we were all were toasty and warm. So cute to see all the kids in costumes, parading around and then singing their songs. Ruby was all excited when she spotted us in the audience. She was first in line and just smiled and waved the whole time. It was real sweet. She is now back with her class...no doubt filling up on sugary snacks of all kinds. We'll have a brief sugar crash after school followed by full throttle trick or treating tonight. LOL! Should be a fun day!

Snow Day In October

Funny to read that title aloud. Even funnier to see my summer canna flowers out back, fall foliage in the front, and snow on the ground. Freaky weather around here! Still, it was fun.

Ruby BEGGED me to go in the snow Sat. I had to say no cause we were having a little Halloween party that day (and guests were about to arrive). So as soon as we got back from church Sunday, we changed clothes and went out. She was SO excited she didn't even want to go to Sesame. Only play in snow. Well, ok then! Glad I picked up a snow suit at Target just the week b4. Who knew we'd actually need it already?

Working on her snowman (well, snow WOMAN, actually)

Uh...who should I throw this at first? Mommy or Daddy?

All the girls pose with the snowman.

hehe...look at the snow - I mean - SHOW dog. 

Plotting her next snowball attack. 

Fall leaves and winter snow.

Daddy and Rubes all snuggled up waiting for hot chocolate and marshmallows.

What do ya think? A little happy with her treat? I could always tell when she grabbed another marshmallow cause she left a powdered sugar trail.

Halloween Fun

Had a small gathering at the house yesterday for Halloween. Fun time! The weather was crazy (Snow in October? WHAT???) but, hey, we had a fire going, lots of treats, and good friends. What more could we need?

The table

Festive snacks

Ruby & Mommy's crafts - glitter bats and pumpkins - hung everywhere

Ruby's little pumpkin's she lined up in a row.

Halloween cupcakes which were barely eaten because they sat next to my orange marshmallows. Those things go quick! Have to make more tonight for Ruby's class tomorrow.

First guest - my nephew, Ryan arrives.

All the cutie pies bear the cold for a couple quick shots. I mean, REALLY,  how often is there snow on the ground on Halloween weekend?

Cute boys getting into character.

Girlie girls having a tea party in Ruby's room

The last survivor.

A little reminder on the porch that says it IS still only Fall!

And a little reminder that when it snows unexpectedly...be sure to put it to good use!

Sign of a good party...trashed play room and pooped kiddos on the couch watching a movie. Nice night! And we all slept like ROCKS!

Chilly Morning

Seeing her in her little hat just make me smile. Had to share.

I Never Liked Early Mornings

In fact, I would have sworn I was allergic to them. I've always been such a night owl, preferring to clean the house or work on music (or come up with my best creative ideas) after 10 pm. But not so much lately.

Oh, I will still get up in the middle of the night sometimes and make notes about things I have to do or people I need to call. Jot down ideas when they come to me. If I can't fall back to sleep I will blog or write or check email. But lately, these early mornings are something more. Quiet time. Those "still" moments before the sun is up all to myself when I can gather my thoughts and plan for the day with a warm cup of tea in my hands. Instead of dreading the mornings, I am starting to embrace them for all the beauty they can hold.

Life has been busy lately. Since September, really just a whirlwind of activities. A lot of fall fun, family visits and birthdays. Halloween decorating, party planning, field trips, and play dates. But at the same time there have been some changes around here, too. Namely, me going back to work and Ruby having nightmares again. And with that comes lack of sleep for all of us. (Those, BTW, are not the mornings I find bliss). Mind you, I am not away that often for work. My day gigs are usually 7-3 or 7-5 so a few mornings a week Jeff will take her to school and also pick her up. I also have one band rehearsal a week from 7-9ish. She LOVES her Daddy time and is great for him. She goes down now without me there (once for Jeff this week, and once for my mom last week when I did my singing gig in the city and we were both out). Outwardly, she's been GREAT. But inwardly, she is feeling unsure again, crying my name out at night and needing me to be near. She slept with me 3 times this week. Poor thing. I hate that she worries I won't be there. Of course, we talk about it during the day and she puts on her brave face. I tell her it's okay to miss me, but to remember I ALWAYS come back and never will go away for long. Just a few hours here and there. Oh, but there is one overnight this week. Ugg. But anyway, I guess this is all normal for her age (and circumstance) and it will continue to get easier. I mean, look how far we have come from a year ago?

I am finding lately that going back to simple things helps me keep the balance. We found a new church. I started yoga again this week. I am cooking/baking a little more. Decorating for fall. Instead of trying to come up with all these super-mom activities for after school, I am simply talking and playing on the floor with her or making up silly games together and singing songs. Being in the moment. We went to a local apple orchard yesterday with her class and she came home early with me. It was such an awesome day. We just laughed and cuddled and tickled and played. Just wanna bottle up days like that.

Sure we are still crafting and we both love it. Have her Halloween pumpkin crafts hanging all over the walls. She's so proud and drug her grandparents around the room almost upon arrival to show them her art. It's so cute. Today we are gonna make black glitter bats and hang them all over the place. Doing a small Halloween party next weekend for some of her old school mates we don't get to see anymore. Should be a real fun time. Ruby was really excited when I told her we would have her friends (from last year) come over. They were all so close.

Well, I hear the husband stirring. The dog is up and the cat is at my feet. Soon, the little miss will join in on the morning procession. Time to grab a cup a'Joe and get this party started!

'Tis Autumn

Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Crisp mornings. Leaves changing color. Soups, roasted veggies, gingersnaps, pumpkin pie. Fires in fireplaces. How I love this season!

We are just getting a few of those cooler mornings now and I'm so loving it. Hung up a few decorations and am getting ready for Halloween, hey rides, harvest days, Thanksgiving... all the fun this season has to offer. It's also the season of change and I love to get organized, get back in a routine, and get a fresh start with diet/exercise. I'm back to working, too, which is great. Have 2 gigs lined up in October singing with my new band. Refreshed my whole website www.macimiller.com (with the help of an awesome friend of mine). I'm marketing and selling my music again and also booked 4 trade shows. Feels good!

Ruby continues to love school. While I enjoy my free time, I sure do miss my lil bug and can't wait till she bounces out the school door and tells me all she did that day. Still trying to come up with lots of unique/fun stuff for us to do after school. Thanks for all your great suggestions on the last post! Arts & crafts and rock/leaf collecting are among her favorites. Need to find a few interesting new crafts...do send any over that you love!

Last weekend we hit our 1st harvest festival with some friends. Was a nice day for the kids...and for us!

The kids were so into decorating their 1st pumpkins of the year.

A sweet lady that owns Alpaca's taught Ruby how to use a spindle to make the yarn. Well the lil Miss thought she was Sleeping Beauty. She was so into it.

Yesterday after school we got a couple more pumpkins. Starting early this year...may have quite the collection by Halloween! I love how much more creative she is getting. She calls this her rainbow pumpkin and made big stripes.

And, of course, the little pumpkin had to match.

This is the 1st time I've seen her paint something and than outline it in another color. Definitely more imagination coming out.

Left her alone for all of 5 minutes and returned to find a very green daughter. LOL, she was so cute I just started laughing. Although her arms were covered she somehow managed to not get any on the chair, the table or her face. A tiny bit in the hair. She told me "Mommy, I FROG!" LOL! Anyway...let's just say she enjoyed this thoroughly! :-)

We let all the art dry on the table overnight.

...and today I surprised her after school with it all proudly displayed. Is this great fall decor or what? To this proud Momma, it is seriously the prettiest fall art I've ever seen.

And last, but not least, are these not the snuggliest Halloween jammies ever?

Happy Fall!!!!