falling down (plus giveaway).

There aren't many signs of fall in Central Florida.
Here are the only ones I can think of:

1. It goes from HOT, to really warm
2. SOME of the bugs almost disappear, but not completely
3. The "real" Floridians will be seen shopping in boots (SNOW boots, mind you) and a jacket.
(Oh goodness, that may become me one day...)
4. People are happier.

And yes, I am happy when fall comes. Really happy! I've been starting to wear shirts that aren't tanktops. Jeans are bearable to wear now. I can drive in my car with the windows down (which, let's face it, makes life ten times better) and outdoor activities are more often!

On Saturday we went to a church in Orlando that was selling pumpkins with some friends. We were originally going to go to a pumpkin patch but we had schedule conflicts. It was still so fun, though. I think we searched for hours on finding the perfect medium-sized pumpkin. David is especially particular. He likes them short and round and they have to be "orange and have lines" (his words). We ended up finding one, but my camera wasn't there to capture that special day so I made David drive me back so I could take pictures.





I saw so many children, some really really small and some in their teens. It was funny watching some of the kids trying to carry their pumpkins, and how some were so stubborn to take pictures in front of their find.

I can't wait to do that one day with future Meurer babies. The moms look so blissfully happy, knowing they've found one of their biggest purposes in life. They smile with pride and joy. I know it isn't always easy. Kids are hard and a big responsibility - they change your whole life. And I can't imagine how hard it would be bringing a child into this world, but I know one day I will be in complete peace over it. One day it'll change from a longing to my purpose. This may sound selfish, but it's just not there yet for me. I love children but I have dreams and things I want to do. I'm only 21 and would feel a little robbed from some of my younger years. I think David may be in a different place, considering he's 24. But God has a plan and I know I can't plan anything.

I can just watch families and smile knowing one day I will have that, and even take pictures of kids when their parents aren't looking.


That sounded really stalkerish. I'm sorry.


And speaking of pumpkins and kids... I got some shots today of the two little boys I nanny for - Bradyn is 3 and Kailen is 1. They have so many matching clothes so I figured they could rock the orange in honor of fall and pumpkins. :)














I need to take fresh breaths today. It's been one of "those days."
Luckily, it's also a fall day.

ANDDDD...
I am giving away a fun little "fall bundle" to a special reader of this blog as a way of saying thank you for your support. I started this blog with no intentions to really grow it. But now, as a blogger, I want my voice to be heard. I feel like God has given me a lot of words to say and pictures that speak. I'm grateful for those gifts, and I'm grateful for you!

So, if you would like a chance to win (it's worth almost $20) then do the following:
1. Subscribe. If you are confused on how to do this, I made a whole page for it here.
2. Refer friends. Each person you get to subscribe, you get your name entered in the drawing again. So if you refer 6 friends, you will get your name in 6 times, plus 1 for being subscribed yourself!! :) I'll post pics of what it looks like next post, and winner will be announced first week in November.


Thank you and good luck to all!

diy: iPod Halloween Costume (plus other creative costumes).

If you're like me, I generally wait until the last minute for things. David and I were asked to come to a costume party for the Pop Shop and to play games with the kids and just love on 'em all night. We were excited! But what were we going to wear? After perusing the web for a bit, I came across a fun template idea for an iPod costume! And since they had both white and black, I figured that would be perfect. I only spent about $20 total (maybe less) for both, and they took an hour maximum to make! Plus, the kids really loved it.

What you need:
Black iPod:
-Two black posterboard
-White Chalk
-This template
White iPod:
-Two white posterboard
-Black Sharpie
-This template
----------------
Make sure the posterboard is thick and can endure strings hanging from them for hours
-Hole puncher
-String or yarn
-Two plates or other objects that can make circles
-Glue
-Scissors
-Printer


What to do:
-Round the sides of the posterboard
-Punch two holes on each side
Make sure they are in the middle, pretty close together
-Print off the template and glue the objects to the "back" of your iPod (I had to look at a picture of an iPod to make sure I was doing it correctly)
-Draw a large circle on the "front" of your iPod. Then draw a smaller circle inside that one. I used two different sized plates for this.
Start with a pencil always! When you get it the way you want, then go over it with the white or black marker
-Glue the other parts of the template in between the circles. (The menu, fast forward, rewind and pause/play ones)
-Make a screen. I just compared it to a regular iPod to see how big it needed to be.
-When your iPod is finished, tie string between the front and back holes, so they hold together. Remember to keep the string relatively short so it looks like your body is the iPod!
-Wear it and rock it!





Some of my favorite Halloween costumes that the kids wore...

Raggedy Anne and a Pirate girl

Box of Popcorn

He-She

Tinman

Static Cling

XRay Man

Charlie Chaplin

Rock Star

Basket of Bunnies (and other animals)


Aren't these costumes all adorable? Maybe you got some ideas!

my brother is an airman & san antonio adventures.

Well, here I am in Panera Bread where I know my posting won't be interrupted. I'm also staring at the Cranberry Orange Smoothie sign and deciding whether I want to spend the money and buy it already so I can wipe the drool off my face...

Last week was amazing. I'm seriously still in awe of how perfect it almost was. There was chaos of family, and yes, some silly arguments (due to lack of sleep or maybe even heat) but to me that makes it even more perfect because it was real.

He became an airman this week.

I still don't know what to think about it. I feel an overwhelming array of emotions. I'm proud, excited, even...
After waiting a full day in San Antonio before we were able to see him, when we finally did it was so powerful. He may find it silly that I'm saying these things, but I don't care. He was more CONFIDENT than I have ever seen him in the last 20 years of his life. And that's why I can cry happy tears at night even though I miss my little brother so badly sometimes. He has found his calling at this time in his life and he's living it. He is wearing honor everywhere he goes. I wanted to walk next to him everywhere I went just so people would know my brother is going to fight for our country and he just endured 9 weeks of torture to bear that title.

Oh, and not only did I get to see him, but my entire immediate family. My grandparents on both sides, my parents and my mini-me (little sister).





My sweet parents...the other day was their 22nd anniversary!



On our first day, we walked around downtown, ran into a small street with Spanish flair, and decided to eat at La Cascada. It looked beautiful outside with all the colors and we were all starving.






Before we knew it, a Mariachi band came over and started singing away. We all really got into it, until the end, when they asked us for $6. Apparently, Mariachi bands aren't free anymore.


At that point, we were annoyed.

Her face says it all...

Three messed up orders later, we decided we weren't coming back.

A lot of laughs were had later, but at the moment? Not so much. We wanted our authentic Tex Mex!



Everyone was tired afterwards, so we said our goodnights (after Kiley and I worked out the disgusting food) and we were up bright and early for Jeremy's run & graduation ceremony the next morning.
Early as in 4 a.m. Yuck.
But the anticipation was on!


His banner at the Airman's run



Gramps and David hung out the whole time. I didn't even realize it until I edited these pictures!




When we arrived to the bleachers for the graduation ceremony, we realized very quickly it would be hard to find our airman in the crowds. They all look the same. But when we heard his group, we looked very carefully and I spotted him! I just knew it was him, it didn't matter that there were 400 other people on the field that looked almost exactly like him. DAvid didn't believe that I found him, but in the end I was right. :)


The ceremony was beautiful and heroic. I teared up a few times, but that's not too hard for me to do! We couldn't wait to see Jeremy, to talk with him longer than 5 minutes, to just see him smile after enduring a hard three months.

I love hello's.






His hard-earned token

We got out of the hot sun and found our refuge in a buffet. Apparently, my brother grew a second stomach while he was at basic. I don't know where all that food went...


Together at last. :)

I could tell that he was ready to relax, to be with people who loved him and weren't going to throw orders at him. I was worried that he would lose his wonderful sense of humor- sarcastic and dry- that has bonded us from brother/sister to best friends through the years. But it's still there. He's still himself.



Gangsta Gramps



So blurry, but I still love this picture of my grandma and me












The next day was the parade - also known as a lot of marching where we all got to wear our Air Force shirts. :)











Jeremy had a few free days with us, one day where he didn't have to be on base at all! So we did what typical San Antonio tourists do: We walked to the river walk and the Alamo (just a mile away from where we were staying).





The River Walk is so pretty and serene. We took an afternoon boat tour where we were drenched with torrential rain for the first half. It was funny and entertaining.





A scene from Miss Congeniality was filmed on that stage


In front of The Alamo


Bulletholes from war


Texas is cool.



















And just as there are hello's, there are goodbye's. And they come too soon.













And as I snapped this last picture my eyes were teared up so much that I couldn't even see what I was doing, so it's a miracle that this even turned out the way that it did.


This is just another fantastic memory of my brother and me -- piled in the midst of tea parties, worm digging, fake carnivals in the backyard, snow forts, fake weddings with our neighbors, the birth of our sister Kiley, moving to a new house when we didn't want to, crushes that we both had on weirdos, talking all night and sleeping all day, to graduations, my wedding, and his new adventure.

These memories make up a huge portion of my life and my being. I thank God for the family He has blessed me with, and the brother He has given me who will always be here for me and I for him. I'm proud and I can't wait to see how God uses Jeremy.

And that night Kiley and I had to get cheered up so we watched mean girls and took silly pictures just like the good ol' days.



Woo, this post is finally finished!
(edit: I started this post on a Thursday, and finished on a Monday... so it may be a little unorganized and crazy!)

I hope you all have a great week and set out on the adventure God has planned for your life!