Happy Thanksgiving!!

I know it is a few days early.. but I have already had my Thanksgiving dinner. Josh and I both work on Thursday and I have been down in the dumps about it but then I realized rather than sitting here feeling sorry for myself I need to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for.

First and foremost that we have our health.. Brynn, Josh and I have had a great year other than Brynn's flu scares at the beginning of the year we have all been extremely healthy as well as our parents and siblings.

I am thankful that I have a job to go to. In today's economy so many people have lost their jobs so I should just be thankful I am in the health care field and have a secure job to go to even if it is on Thanksgiving. I have to keep telling myself someone has to do it and I am setting a good example for Brynn my going to work when I am needed.

I am thankful for my family.. Brynn and Josh. Josh and I had a great marriage to begin with but Brynn has brought so much more to our life. Every day with her is a blessing.. she learns new things as we do to. It has been so much fun and hopefully soon we will be able to add to our family. I am also thankful for our wonderful parents, siblings, and their significant others and our wonderful friends. You all bring so much to our lives with love, friendship, and laughter.. without you our lives would be dull.

I am thankful for God, without him none of this would be possible. He has given us many blessings and for that I am forever grateful.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!! Be safe!!

Go Colts!

So I went to my 1st NFL game on Sunday and what a game it was. The Colts vs Patriots.. what more could a sports fan want. It started out a little rough.. and looked like the Colts were going to lose.. but yet again Peyton Manning marched the Colts down the field for two touchdowns in a matter of minutes to put the Colts on top yet again. It was probably one of the greatest come backs of all times and I was there to see it, right?? WRONG!! We left the game with 7 minutes left to go in the 4th quarter and missed seeing them win. It wasn't even like we had to drive back that night.. we had a hotel room and everything downtown. Josh was not too happy with me and he said that he will NEVER leave a sporting event early again because you never know what can happen.

We had a great weekend. My mom's 60th bday is in December but not all of us siblings(her kids) will be together again til Christmas so we did a lunch for her on Saturday with some of her siblings. She was surprised and had a good time.. she even did a tequila shot. I love my mom to death but she has gotten more uptight over the years so that shocked me to see her do that but it was funny. Then Saturday night everyone came here to spend the night before heading to Indy Sunday morning for the Smith family pictures. We got our pictures taken downtown by the canal.. I can't wait to see them. Then we tailgated and went to the game.. it was a busy, exhausting weekend.. but lots of fun.

This weekend is the IU/Purdue football game.. which is always a good time. All the Canups will be there so that will be fun to hang out... we don't get together over Thanksgiving so I guess this will be our Thanksgiving!!

Fall Back!

So I still haven't adjusted to the time changing. I can't get over the fact that when I get off work at 6 it is dark.. it is so depressing. Brynn hates it too.. used to be when I got off early(which isn't often) we would come home and play outside for a while before getting dinner ready but now that isn't an option. I think it is making her a little stir crazy.

Halloween was fun.. she looked so cute in her football costume. I know to some people they might think this is a little boy's costume but it is so appropriate for our family since we spend every fall tailgating and going to football games. We didn't take her trick or treating.. my parents were in FL and Josh's parents came up that day to watch the Purdue game so they saw her in her costume then. We did go to Suzanne's(Brynn's babysitter) for a party that night and she had alot of fun. There was so much food there and for those of you that know Brynn you know that makes her very happy.

This past weekend I worked Saturday. Ashley and Pete kept her Friday night and watched her Saturday day. Then when I got off work I drove down to Loogootee and Brynn and I spent the night with Phillip and Amber. We were their 1st house guest. They were wonderful hosts. Brynn of course was a little rotten after spending all weekend with her uncles that never tell her no... but we always whip her back into shape after a few days. (Yea right!)

She is getting at least one of her molars right now if not two of them. At her 15 month check up the doctor said she would be a teething nightmare because none of her teeth look to be coming in at the same time. She only has five right now the way it is and sure enough they have been one by one.. but she hasn't been too bad so far so I hope it says that way but obviously the molars seem to be a lot tougher on the kiddos.

This weekend Kristine and the Lincoln's are coming home.. we have a busy weekend planned but I am super excited.. then the following weekend is the IU/Purdue game which is always a good time. Can't wait!!

Hug your loved ones!!

So I keep realizing more and more how precious life really is and how it can just pass you by in the blink of an eye. Some pretty sad things have happened over these past few months and it just makes me realize you can't take anything or anyone for granted.

I am sure almost everyone that reads this knows about Alecia and her baby boy Parker and what they have been suffering through for this past week and a half. This is honestly one of the saddest things I have ever had happen to someone I know. I just admire Alecia's strength in all of this. I have known Alecia for a long time and I have to say I have earned so much respect for her in how she has handled this situation. It is a parent's worst nightmare to have something happen to their child and for poor Parker to be so young. I know God has a plan for everyone and often he works in mysterious ways that none of us understand but I just ask that he gives them the strength that they need to make it through this trying time.

Also, for my dear friend Fix.. his mom lost a long hard fought battle with cancer on Tuesday. We went to her funeral services today. She was a wonderful women. She had two sons but she took all of us in as her own. She always made you feel so welcome in her home and always wanted to take care of everybody. She will be greatly missed.

On a happier note.. I was able to go to Chicago last weekend with my oldest and dearest friends. Six of us went.. we met in downtown Chicago and had a great time. We are all friends from high school(except Kaycee but she fit right in) and we don't get to see each other very often but we make up for lost time when we are together. We can't hang like we used to as far as the night scene goes and bouncing back the next day but we gave it our all..Jill especially.. I was very impressed with us old fokes!!

This weekend is Halloween. The weather was crappy tonight so we did not have 1 trick or treater and tomorrow night we won't be home so I guess I will have to eat all the candy I bought.

I hope there are a few of you out there that still read my blog. I know it has almost been two months.. so let me know if you are still interested or not.

Where have I been??

So I decided I pretty much suck at this blogging thing... I have only posted twice in the past couple of months. I don't know where all my time goes but I am going to try and be better.

August was a busy month.. going into it we did not think we would be that busy, but we had something going on almost every free day, but it was a lot of fun.

I wrote that we went to Looogootee the 1st weekend.. then the next we went to a wedding and a Beach Party at the Country Club in Terre Haute with some friends. The next weekend we worked all weekend.. which of course was no fun. Then we went to a Colts preseason game on the 20th and took Brynn to the Children's Museum on the 21st. She loved it. We met my friend Jenny there and her little girl is 5 weeks older than Brynn, they had a ball. Brady and Jana met us too.. he was a little trooper while we did all the baby stuff.. but after lunch he got to go do some of the big boy stuff, just him and mommy. We rode the carousel 1st which she absolutely loved but then of course that is all she wanted to do.. we had to go to the next level so she would quit hearing the music playing.

This past weekend was a pretty inspirational weekend for Josh and I. Josh's twin brother, Jason, rode in the Pelotonia in Columbus, OH in honor of his friend Tyler who passed away in December due to cancer. Tyler had only been diagnosed 6 months prior, and unfortunately was only 24 years old when he passed away. We got to meet Tyler's mom and his long time girlfriend of 6 years, Lisa. Tyler's mom rode 25 miles and Lisa committed to riding 180 miles in Ty's honor. Lance Armstrong was affiliated with the ride and he spoke Friday night at the opening ceremony and then led the ride on Saturday.. it was pretty cool to be 10 yds away from him. Anyone that knows me knows I love celebrities so Josh was surprised I didn't tackle him or something since he was so close. Just meeting Ty's loved ones and seeing the committment they all made to train and ride in his honor really really touched me. It made me realize how blessed Josh, Brynn, and I really are. Cancer effects Josh's family big time, on his mom and dad's side of the family. His grandma died when we 1st started dating.. she had breast cancer when she was younger but later it came back and had spread to her bones. Josh's uncle passed away of lung cancer when he was in his 40's. Most recently it was Josh's sister, Jana, who had breast cancer 3 years ago, luckily now she is cancer free.. but it is something she will have to deal with and fear for the rest of her life. Things like this just really put every day life into perspective.. why do I sweat the small stuff. We are healthy, happy, have a great family and friends that surround us and support us, life is good.. enjoy it, because you never know what tomorrow will bring! If you can make any donation, big or small.. go to Pelotonia.org and click on riders and search for Canup, Jason.. he has to raise 1000 dollars by October.. he is getting so close to his goal!!

On a happier note.. Brynn is all over the place and talking up a storm. She now tells us when she is ready for bed by telling us "night, night" and laying her head down on our laps. It is the sweetest thing. She is a mama's girl..that is for sure. When I am not home she will walk from room to room saying my name looking for me. I love it of course, but Josh hates it. He just plays and plays with her but she still wants her mama.

Football season is here. We are heading to Purdue for our 1st tailgate of the season tomorrow.. it will be a long fall but fun. We are trying to sell the bus.. so if you know anyone that wants to buy a full size school bus with Purdue Boilermakers painted on the side let us know.

Next weekend is my 1/2 marathon. Josh, Kristine and I are all doing it. I am in much better shape and mental state this time around so hopefully it will go much smoother.

We have a Walker!!

Brynn finally decided to walk on Friday.. I guess she knew I had been bad mouthing her on here. It is the cutest thing ever.. which I am sure every parent feels that way when their child starts to walk. She looks like a little drunk person walking. She gets so excited that she still falls forward some but for the most part she gets around the house on her own. Now I am sure the real fun begins!

We had a nice weekend. We went to Loogootee. Josh hadn't seen Phillip and Amber's house yet so we went down and spent the weekend hanging out with them and Pete and Ashley. We ran 9 miles on Saturday morning.. my mom rode her bike again and gave us water. Thanks mom!!

I have a friend from work coming over today. She is on maternity leave right now so I haven't seen much of her lately. She has two adorable little girls so they are coming over today. I am excited to sit and visit, especially since the weather is bad outside.

I have been in cleaning mode lately. I have been cleaning out all our closets.. they were pretty bad. I feel alot more organized now. I still have a ways to go to be where I want to be but at least I am making progress.

Our Baby is 1!

Brynn turned one on July 14th.. I can't believe it. Where has the year gone. We celebrated by having a 1st birthday party on July 11th. We had a cookout at our house and she was surrounded by so much love from family and friends. She is one blessed little girl. We call her our little peanut, so my sister-in-law Jana made her birthday cake in the shape of a peanut and decorated it so so cute. I know, I need to post pictures.. I never upload them any more to the computer.. hopefully soon!! Brynn loved eating the cake and loved playing with all her new toys.

We flew to NY on July 15th and spent 5 days with Kristine, Lincoln and Lincoln.. it was so much fun. We went to the new Yankee stadium while we were there.. it was an adult only day which was so nice to get a break other than going to work. It was so cool to go into the city to the game and see the old stadium as well. Most of the other time we just boated and relaxed. It was so nice and we did not want to return to work.

Brynn is being stubborn as ever. She will walk all over the place if you let her hang onto your hand.. she just has to be holding your pinkie finger but the minute you let go of her hand she freaks out. Who knows when she will start to walk on her own!

This past weekend my cousin Jason and his long time girlfriend Casey got married. They had been dating for 12 years so of course everyone was so excited that they finally took the plunge. They are honeymooning in the Bahamas this week.. wish I was there too.

Other than that I have been training hard core for my 1/2 marathon on September 12th.. I have to run 9 miles on Saturday. I did 8 last Saturday.. my mom was so sweet and rode her bike and brought me water along my route.. I couldn't have made it without water.. not in this humidity. I will be glad when the race is over. I am hoping to improve my time from the one in Indy and then be done with the races for awhile.. maybe just do some 5k races along the way.

Football season is right around the corner. I always have mixed emotions about that. It is something that Josh absolutely loves and that I enjoy.. I just hate being gone every weekend in the fall and never getting to experience anything else. The best part is getting to see family and friends every weekend that come.. now that I enjoy!

Hope everyone is well.. I can't believe it has been a month since I posted last.. I hope you all didn't give up on me!!