{Grateful}

Oklahoma State University Football is ranked number 11, a new restaurant has opened in my little town, and Adam Levine is the sexiest man alive.  Other than that, not a whole lot has been going on for the month of November in Weaver-land.  Britt is growing out his (obligatory November) beard, the kids are keeping us slightly less busy as we have no sports activities this month, and we have finally caught up on all the 2 year visits for Finn’s specialists. 

November is Prematurity Awareness month, so our activities with the March of Dimes have kept us a little busy.  Britt and I were honored to be guests at the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s event in Oklahoma City earlier this month.  We enjoyed an eight-course meal presented by local chefs (and a brew-master), a live auction, and just a GREAT night out!  We have been busy growing our local March for Babies committee and laying the ground work for the 2014 walk, too.  We have a date, a location, and an Ambassador Family.  Now, we just need an event chair, and about1,000 other details!  Last Sunday, November 17, was World Prematurity Day.  As a family, we spent the afternoon at the Mercy NICU handing out cookies, freebies, and information to help raise awareness of this important topic.  We also watched on Facebook as buildings around the WORLD were lit up with purple lights in order to show their support.  It really is an amazing thing to be a part of!

Even though it is not QUITE Thanksgiving yet, I have started my Holiday Sales in earnest over at my Dream Weaver Prints shop!  I am not doing a ton of Christmas stuff this year – in order to allow time for MY family, but I do have some printables for download, and I am taking some special orders for Christmas cards.  Get your order in fast before my time slots fill up!

As we are turning the corner towards Thanksgiving this week, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be in the time and place I am, and to have the amazing and wonderful family that I do.  My great husband, fabulous kids, a good home, a nice job, and a wonderful community to share it all with.  I am looking forward to this busy holiday time, and I am super excited about what 2014 holds for our family!  I hope you take time over the next few weeks to reflect on your blessings and all the things you have to be thankful for!

Getting Back Together

It’s halfway through November, and as I sit here listening to the 80’s Christmas Playlist on Spotify (Hall & Oats, New Kids on The Block, Air Supply, RUN DMC, etc.), memories of my first Thanksgiving dinner of the season last night with my LTC LifeGroup still fresh on my mind, I realize I have so VERY much to be thankful for, and this year is going by at WARP SPEED!  How can Jake be almost 6?  And when did Finn get to be so independent in into EVEYTHING?  My girls? Forgetaboutit!  So grown up and more beautiful every day!  WOW!  And, um, 39 days till Christmas?  WHAT????

Well, we have been a little busy at our house.  Life with 4 kids is never, EVER dull.  Like, ever.  Since October 12, we have had 1 ER visit, 5 Urgent Care visits, 4 sick (and 1 well!) visits to the pediatrician, and I have filled 9 prescriptions (not counting the daily meds Emma and I take). That's a LOT of co-pays! We're broke. And tired.  I can say I think we are on the downhill slide.  We are down to 2 still on Rx medication.  One will be done this weekend, and the other by Turkey Day.  We actually got a full nights sleep (!) last night.  Things are looking up!

Besides all that, here are some tidbits about what ELSE has kept the Six Dream Weavers hopping:

The kids’ book fair at their school as last week.  On Thursday night, they had family fun night with pizza and singing.  Each grade, plus the Rocketeers honor choir, got to perform on stage.  Here is a video of my kids and parts of their performances.  My camera ran out of memory, so the end is kind of choppy!

Britt and I chaperoned a sorority date party Friday night.  In a barn.  With a dirt floor.  And a Rubbermaid table posing as a bar.  And a DJ whose speakers blew before the party even started.  And a port-a-potty.  There was a cattle dog, horses, and a very friendly cat (yuck!) among us.  Yeah.  I’m not kidding.  Here are my tweets:

It was something I will never, ever forget.  Like, ever.  (You see what I’m doing here, Taylor Swift?) I felt so dirty when I got home…  Ahhhh, memories!

Fixed a problem with advice from this Pin on Pinterest.    Finn has become a woodchuck.  This shows how I repurposed his crib skirt that we are no longer using since we lowered the mattress:

Had a bad experience at the eye doctor.  Vented about it on Facebook.  Feel better, but still have no contacts…

Today, I attend my last Ambassador training class at OSU.  Thank goodness!  2 years in the making.  Ready for a break!

Saturday is World Prematurity Day.  Many people don’t realize the statistics of preterm birth: 15 million babies are born preterm around the world every year—that’s 1 in 10. More than 1 million babies die due to complications of preterm birth and many of those who survive face a lifetime of disability. Our family will be participating in this:

                        We invite you to join us! 

Where in the World are the Weavers?

Short Answer: BUSY!  But FIRST!

Did you know November is PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH?  November 17 is World Prematurity Awareness Day.  Click on the purple picture to the right of this post and learn how we are going to Shine our Light at the State Capitol of Oklahoma that evening.  We would love to have you join us!  The Six Dream Weavers and March of Dimes want YOU to be included in the effort to prevent the premature birth of babies. 

• In the United States, 1 in 8 babies is born prematurely.
• Worldwide, 15 million babies are born too soon each year.
• We’re working to address the crisis at home and abroad.

You can click on this link to a calender that will show you ways to get involved everyday this month.  We are already on November 5, so there is some catching up to do!

In the meantime, the Weavers have been up to illness, volleyball (now over for the season!), dance (1 month until Nutcracker Dream!),  Alpha Delta Pi board and committee meetings, March of Dimes volunteer training and recognition, Red Ribbon week at the elementary school (hats, crazy socks, wear red, team spirit all had to be coordinated), jack-o-lantern carving, Halloween (2 cops, a robber and a ninja - and no they DID NOT walk into a bar...), Fall pictures at school (which OF COURSE required new clothes), college football, Fall Back for the end of Daylight Savings, and Upward Basketball evaluations (Jake may just have mad skills).  WHEW!

A few pictures to help summarize:

Jake and his Vampire

The girls working diligently on their jack-o-lanterns

2 cops, a robber and a Ninja

Ninja Warrior

Under Arrest!

This week is book fair week at the big kids' school.  That means Nana gets to continue her yearly tradition of going with each kid to the book fair with their class!  She is excited, but the thought of taking Finn with her is a bit daunting.  He has arms that are 10 times longer than they look!  Plus, she has to go on 2 different days - 5th grade goes one day and Kindy the next!  And on Friday night Britt and I get our own date night - of sorts!  He has agreed to help me chaperone the ADPi Date Party!  Sounds, fun, right?  We shall see!   The theme is "Decades" and each couple is supposed to dress up in outfits from their favorite decade.  At least that part will be entertaining.  I know my sweet husband is thinking - HOW does she get me into these things?!?  And, since my calendar now says November, it means I need to start scheming and dreaming on my Christmas cards.  Britt has taken it upon himself to update the address list, so I guess that leaves staging, pictures and card selection to me.  I'd better get busy!  Anyone want to take our picture (for free)?

And today is election day.  We voted early by going to the the county election board on Friday to avoid any lines today, but we are just glad we took the time to vote.  It is your RIGHT.  And one fought hard for if you are a woman.  Please use your voice, VOTE.