Halloween 2011

This year's costume was kind of a joke.  I had found a hat that Mallorie had in her sock and hat bin and it looked like Gilligan.  So Brad and I went along with it.  Brad dressed up as the Skipper and I was Maryann.  We were going to dress Mallorie up as a cowgirl but with her just starting to walk cowgirl boots did not sound like a good idea.  The first weekend in October was "Halloween weekend" at the campground where my parents have a seasonal trailer so we went down there.  My brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephew were also there. 

All three of us.


Our little Gilligan!


My nieces Ruthie and Paisley were Minnie Mouse and nephew, Lewis is a vampire!


The S.S. Minnow

We also went to the pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins and hot apple cider (my favorite).  We then had a pumpkin carving contest.


My little pumpkin!


She loved her own little pumpkin!


Mallorie and Daddy with the Mickey Mouse pumpkin that he carved for her!

On Halloween Mallorie had not had good naps and was pretty cranky.  We were planning on making our rounds to My in-laws, my parents and my grandparents houses.  But we only made it to my in-laws house.  Mallorie was just not having it.  I did manage to get a picture of a really happy Gilligan.

Ready for Trick -or- Treating!


"Wait! What happened to the boat?"  HAHA

Motivation

For some reason this week I have really been struggling with just my life in general.  For those of you that don't know.  I went to college and through a (TOUGH) Police Academy to become a Police Officer.  This is what I really want to do, but due to the economy here in Michigan the state is making cuts to every department including closing State Police post and having officers work from home.  This has made the job market close to impossible.  Any job that is available has hundreds of applicants, most of which have years of experience from other departments that have had to make cuts.  I have always thought I would just wait for the job market to turn around and get a job then. 

Since I have had Mallorie I see things differently.  I realized that coming home after work is more important.  I like to look at is as I traded one dream for another.  I traded a job in Police work to be a Mommy!  This week at work I have just hit burnout.  I just go in do my 8 hours and go home.  It just pays the bills and the third shift is dragging me down. 

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason.  I saw this first hand back in the Summer of 2008.  The State Police were holding an academy and I have made it through the intensive physical testing, pysch testing, and interview only to be told that they had good news and bad news.  The good news was that I had made it into the academy but at this point they were full.  If enough people drop out then I would be able to go to the academy.  Need less to say I did not go.  But in short, all of the students of the academy I should/could have been in received jobs where they were needed most (which meant we would have had to up and move and hubby would have had to quit his job), just to be laid off about 6 months later.  They are still fighting to keep their jobs.  I on the other hand I still have a very stable job.  I know that everything happens for a reason and that every point of my life is already planned out for me. 

I heard a song on the way to work to night that reminded me of that.  This is my new favorite song and is my motivation to get through this. 

I hope that this song helps you as much as it has helped me!

Tuesday Tip

If you follow Pintrest at all I am sure that you have seen this tip but I got a chance to try it today.

If you place a wooden spoon over a boiling pot of water it will not boil over.  IT IS TRUE!  It really works.  Lately cooking dinner and watching my munchkin so she does not get into trouble is a huge task and I have had a couple pot boil over.  and because I have a flat top stove then I have to clean it and it is a big pain but I LOVE this tip and will always have my wooden spoon ready when cooking dinner!

Wordless Wednesday

Here is a picture of my Husband, Mallorie, Grandpa Koetiser, and Myself!

This picture is priceless and Grandpa will forever be missed!

Technical Dificulties

Is anyone else having problems commenting on other blogs? 

Menu Monday

I am not sure what this week will bring... My husband's Grandpa passed away yesterday morning so we are planning the visitaion and funeral schedule. But here is what I have planned and what I do not make will carry over to next week.

Monday:  Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
Tuesday:  Leftovers
Wednesday: Nothing planned (probably visitation and funeral)
Thursday: Tacos and spanish rice
Friday:  Homemade Pizza

Family Pictures

A couple weeks ago we have some family pictures taken.  A friend of my Brother and Sister-in-law was so kinda to take them for us.  I think that they turned out amazing.  Here are a few (ok...quite a few)of my favorites!

The whole family

My mom and Dad with the Grandkids

Hubby, Mallorie, and Me

Kisses

My brother, sister-in-law, neices, and nephew

Ruthie

Paisley

Lewis

Mallorie

The boys

I hope you enjoyed the pictures!  I think Brad and I will make this a yearly tradition!