Wow. October.

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! I think that because I was born in October, it's my favorite time of year. I love being able to wear jeans and long-sleeves, sweaters and sweatshirts. It's great being able to take Lauren to the park and not be a sweaty mess when we leave - I think she even enjoys it more. This time of year leads me into my favorite holiday season: Christmas. I'm already ready for it - I actually listened to Christmas music the other day, no joke. I've always loved Christmas, but I'm more excited this year because of Lauren. She loved the tree last year and this year, she'll be able to help me with the decorations! I also think she'll really like going and looking at Christmas lights. I know she'll call the blinking ones "sirens"! It's just a great time of year.

That being said, we've been keeping busy and I haven't been updating this as much as I planned initially. Most days there are just other things to do besides get on the computer and blog. I also blame some of it on my new phone - now that I have my email and facebook on my phone, I rarely get on the computer unless I get on specifically to do something, such as balance my checkbook or blog. Our days are pretty routine: get up, go to work, come home and get a few household things done if I get off work at 2, otherwise quickly change and go get Lauren, go to the park, come home and play, eat dinner, play, put Lauren to bed, then spend time with Troy. Usually it's 9:00pm before I have downtime and since I don't stay up late, I try to use that time to relax, catch up on my shows, and spend time with Troy.

I mentioned in Lauren's blog that I am blessed to have the job I do. And I truly am. I work 8-2 most days, although I do work later when it is needed. I work with great people, the job is interesting, and I get paid well. Due to the structure of Lauren's daycare, I often don't pick her up until 3 or 3:30. The times that I show up earlier, she doesn't want to leave because they are either eating a snack or doing a craft. This gives me an hour to get chores done around the house - which is what I end up doing. Put in laundry, vacuum, sweep, wash dishes, clean bathrooms (today's project if I get to it), etc. Sometimes I feel guilty when I don't rush straight to get her, but by getting stuff done then, I have even more time with her because I'm not doing it while she's home. And then I still get her earlier than the other kids are picked up. We have more time together, I have time to get stuff done to try and keep the house in order, and I'm still making money. I will be grateful if my job turns full-time, which hopefully in the next year it will, but until then, I am going to enjoy my part-time job. I hate when people try to make me feel like I don't have a "real" job or make me feel bad for not working until 5. I am fortunate that this situation works for our family. If I can't be a stay-at-home mom, then this is the next best thing.

I still have some projects I want to work on, but haven't really started them yet. I would like to get back to writing, but it's hard to find the time to do that. When I get home from work before I get Lauren, there are things to be done around the house. By 9:00pm, I'm too tired to try and be creative. I actually had a good start on one project and am hopeful to revisit that and work on it more. I know I need to make the time.

Troy and I have a date on October 17th - the WVU/Marshall game. I'm really excited about that and I know Lauren will be excited to spend the night with her Grandma Lorrie and Grandpa Steve. I have high hopes of sleeping in on the 18th, so we'll see if that happens. I will be cheering on WVU, although I really could care less who wins because, well, I'm not from here. :) But, we'll be in the WVU section and I have a WVU shirt from the basketball game we went to last year, so that trumps Marshall.

Lauren's 2nd birthday (::tears::) is coming up fast, so I've gotta start getting that planned. We have the location, the invitations are written and nearly out, so all that's left is getting the stuff for the party and, well, having it. And shopping for her presents!! I had hoped to have a costume party, but in the end we are having her a princess party. I think she'll love it, last night I worked on the invitations and she really wanted them. She loves her princesses. My birthday is also coming up - ugh, I'm so old. I can't believe I'll be 30 in two years. My parents are coming in late Wednesday, the 28th, and then hopefully they'll meet me on Thursday for a late lunch to celebrate because that evening we'll be Trick-Or-Treating with Lauren!! I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday.

That's what's going on here, not much exciting to report but, well, that's my life. :) Not exciting to most, but the greatest for myself. I have a great husband, a beautiful child (not baby anymore!), the perfect job - who could ask for more?