My Fall bucket list

I love the Fall season!! Recently I came across a fun bucket list for the Fall. I have to be honest and tell everyone that I have already "demolished" a Pumpkin Spice Latte. That was on the top of my list and it might have to be on my list for next year. I want to share my fun list....

*Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte (from Starbucks- I made a huge mistake ordering it from elsewhere and it was horrible!)

*Go to a pumpkin patch

*Carve a pumpkin 

*Curl up next to a cozy fire

*Take pictures in the leaves 

*Go apple picking

*Bake a pie (homemade!)

*Jump in puddles (if there is rain, fingers crossed)

*Watch a funny spooky movie (my favorite Hocus Pocus)

*Drink spiced cider

*Go on a hay ride 

*Explore the giant corn maze 

Last but not least take a family portrait with the beautiful fall scenery! 

I hope I can tackle this bucket list! Here is the one I found online:

What is your fall bucket list? Do you have a fall tradition? Since Kaden has been born we have taken pictures of him with pumpkins and we always go to the pumpkin patch. He is now two & a half so I think he really knows what is going on. He already picked out his pumpkins and enjoys them as decor. He spotted the pumpkin patch today and was beyond excited. A weekday visit will be in the works. We don't like crowds. Can't wait to see some bucket list! 

Washi Tape

 I am behind the times here when I reveal that I bought my first two rolls of washi tape. Forgive me for not being "in"! Not sure why it takes me so long to catch on. I have been eyeing these cute patterns and I wondered "what am I going to do with washi tape?" First I need to say that this tape originated from Japan. That is more than enough to sell me on it. Anything Japanese I love! I looked on Pinterest and found cute ideas for this tape. Why did it take me so long? I must live in some sort of bubble! You can buy this tape at Michael's Arts & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Target, and I even spotted it at the Dollar Tree. You better believe I am putting my two new rolls into good use. More blog material for me!! What are favorite ideas? Where have you purchased washi tape? 

Falling in love with Fall

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The cooler weather and the leaves begin to change marks as a turning point in the season. Day time high currently is in the high 80s and the night time low is in the low 60s. We really don't experience huge changes in weather but I love an opportunity to bring out my sweaters and  scarves. I am ready to bring out my fall decor but I get caught up with other things like- trying to potty train my son, loading the dishwasher, planning out meals, and not to mention the fun grocery store trips! Wow, I am tired just thinking about my daily and weekly chores. No wonder I cannot sleep (another blog post). 

The following pictures are snapshots from a friend's home. She has a little one at home and she has her A game on! I give her huge props for doing a fantastic job. I kindly asked if I could take pictures and I went right ahead so I could have blog material and inspirations. Since these are not from Pinterest then they won't be a failure. Straight from a friend's home and now off to mine. I am so excited to bring out my decor. I vowed last year that I did not need to buy more stuff so I need people to hold me to it. Ready set FALL decorations!!!

Set to fail

I enjoy making recipes and projects from Pinterest. I have to admit that I usually don't follow recipes or directions because I like to add my own "flair/special touch!" 

My weekly recipe was homemade pop tarts. I purchased the press from Williams Sonoma ($3.99). Since I had every intention of making delicious pop tarts then purchasing the press was a necessity (plus it was on sale). 

So I gathered my ingredients: dough (store bought Phillsbury) and raspberry preserves. Not much to it because I was not about to make my own dough. Don't ask me why. I can't answer it, maybe I was afraid that the dough would be dry. I also wanted to make my own jam. I was feeling like Martha Stewart, I guess. It would have been awesome was if I had my own home grown strawberries to make jam. 

I rolled out the dough from the refrigerated canister and I was pumped. The oven was ready at 350 degrees and I totally was in control of this recipe (or so I thought)! I cut out the dough using my handy press and I scooped about a teaspoon of jam onto each piece. I neatly set them on a greased cookie sheet. In a short 8 minutes I found my beautiful pop tarts in a complete mess! In my mind it was going to work beautifully but I failed and there is no one to blame but me. I guess jam/jelly is NOT the best in these recipes. I later found that out, oh well there is next time. I WILL follow directions! Have you ever experienced a Pinterest failure? 

Finding Peace

Currently I am at a loss for words at a situation that has come upon our family. Yesterday I spoke to my cousin in Arkansas. She told me that my uncle (my dad's brother) was dying. It hit me like a ton of bricks. My brain could not come to terms that we were not able to see a miracle happen in the body of my uncle. Years ago my uncle underwent a surgery that did not go well. To make a long story short he has been in a nursing home for the last decade. It breaks my heart that in all of these years we did not go see him and now I know that I will not see him on this earth. I told my dad what was happening and I know that my dad is hurting. Its his "Dear Sweet John" whom me loves dearly. In the past few years we have faced the loss of many loved ones but in this situation we are very saddened. My mom told me that years ago my uncle told her that he gave his life to Christ. You can imagine the happiness that filled me heart. We will all be seeing and praising The Lord in heaven, TOGETHER one day! 

Please pray for my cousin and his family that live in Arkansas. May God's peace fill their hearts during this tough time. 

Please pray for my uncle that he doesn't feel pain. May he be ready to rejoice with our Savior in heaven. 

Pray for my dad as he is coming to terms that this is the end for his brother on this earth. Also, for some tough situations with my dad's family. May God use my dad and our family to glorify HIM and hold back our tongue in regards to some hurtful things from the past. 

Thank you prayer warriors for all that you do! We can already feel the prayers :)

I am not a mommy of a little girl

Please bear with me as I am on another emotional roller coaster. I am not quite sure when I signed up for this but I want to get off at the next stop. 

Yes I know that many people don't like my Instagram pics simply because I have a son not a daughter. These people are also ones that have daughters so I guess they could never like my pics. Why am I worried whether someone likes my pics or not? Grrr I must be entering a sharp turn on this roller coaster. 

Since I am proud mommy of a little boy I do not get invited to "special events" these events are usually put together by mommies of girls so therefore I am excluded. Ugh! Well I cannot change anything and currently I am not planning on having another child (partly because I am afraid of having another boy). Yes I do want to have a little girl but our only option may be to adopt. Anyone have some great adoption agencies? We are in a transition with life so adoption will be set on the back burner and we can discuss later on. Best wishes on our future! 

Coronado Adventure!

One of our favorite places to go to is Coronado Island. It is a little over an hour from our home but it feels like we are worlds away from everything. This little island has charm, good food, fun activities and the beach! We enjoyed the cool weather and the opportunity to getaway from our everyday life. It is safe to say that our little guy LOVED every minute of the trip. Last summer he was a little apprehensive with the sand and the waves but this year that is all he wanted to do was to play at the beach! He kept saying "momma dadda are we going to the beach?!" We would tell him yes and with a giant squeal he would quickly say "YIPPEEE!!!"

K really wanted to crush this sand castle, little did he know that a man wanted a tip for his "creation"

K ran & laughed. Such a beautiful sunset!

My honey and I loving our trip

No trip to Coronado is complete without eating at Miguel's (we ate there twice)

A dessert must have- Moo Time! For under $5 you can have this (two people can easily share)

K and his pals checking out the birds at the hotel

Our first full day we went to the zoo (another blog post), next day we went sailing (check out my Sailing Sailing blog post-coming soon), and we also went to SeaWorld (Shamu post coming soon). Tons of pictures but I won't be posting all of them. We are excited to head back for another trip. I think a trip to Cancun is in the works!