Dylan woke up at 3:30 a.m., the Little Miss was up at 4:00 a.m. It’s now 6:30a.m. and I’m still not asleep. I decided to attempt to look for Christmas gifts online. but couldn’t find anything. I guess I should get the coffee going, so maybe I’ll have a chance of staying  awake today…

It started with a phone call, and it’s left me sad all day…

My mind is hurting and racing, because there is nothing that I can do…

I’ll be back to writing, when I have something happy to write about…

At almost every MOPS meeting we have a bit of time to share a Mom Adventure. At every meeting we need a few volunteers to share a story. I decided to raise my hand and volunteer for the most recent meeting, even though I’m super shy in public, and turn bright pink at the notion of speaking out loud in front of a crowded room.

Since I can’t bring along all of my buddies from the blog-universe, I thought I’d share my “adventure” on my blog…

So here goes….

Hi, I’m Nicole. I’m super-shy, and I talk way too fast, and I don’t really go on many adventures, so I’ll share a little about my family and a few of my interests that you might not know about.

I’m married to this good looking guy James, and we just celebrated our 8th anniversary.

Together we have 3 kids…

Agnes is our youngest. She will be six weeks old, next week.

Dylan is our youngest son, and he will be three next year. He is a lot of fun!

Thade is our oldest son. He is a part-time crime fighter, and full-time awesome! He’ll be six in January.

We also have two spoiled kitties.

Loki is our 10 year old Tabby.

Maddie is our four year old kitty.

I have one sibling.

My super-rad brother Rob!

Just in case you didn’t know, I love to cook. I really love to bake, if the kids will let me.

Here is a Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving.

A Peach Pie that I made for my Brother’s birthday.

A sweetheart Cherry Pie for Valentine’s Day

A Halloween themed Cherry Pie for our anniversary.

For the last few years I’ve attempted to garden. I haven’t been super successful, but this year the corn and okra survived.

I really love the okra blossoms.

Dylan loved the okra, it is his favorite veggie!

More okra in bloom.

I thought the sweet-corn was too cute.

I also run a website called Nicostuff, where I like to share my home projects, crafts, and daily journal.

I’m obsessed with NASCAR!

and I collect vintage jewelry, although I don’t wear much of it.

I also play Bass

and I really like to go bowling, but I’m not too good.

When I get the chance, I get out my sewing machine, and work on a few projects.

You’ll never see me without my camera. I take it everywhere, and snap random pictures wherever I go.

Sugar Maples downtown

Summer flowers after a rain shower.

When I can, I take the kiddos to K.C. to visit my brother, and get some pictures. K.C. is one of my very favorite places to visit. Maybe one day, we’ll move up there.

The art deco buildings of the Plaza are some of my favorites.

You can’t beat that skyline.

So that’s me and my family, in a super speedy manner, and when I type it, I don’t turn bright pink…

Lately, the little miss won’t let me put her down, not even for a minute. I’ve been typing one handed, and giving myself quite a big neck-ache holding her as I’m sitting at my desk. The dishes and laundry are piling up around me, and again, the little miss isn’t cooperating.  Today I got out the trusty Snugli, so at least now I can type with two hands (and hopefully get caught back up on my blog).

The little miss seems happy so far, and the pain in my neck is dissipating as I’m typing. Now for that laundry…

It’s a little after 8:00 a.m. and all 3 of my kiddos are wide awake and waiting to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The boy’s are hoping to see the Spongebob balloon, and Agnes is just trying to stay awake and see what the boys are so excited about.

I’ve already got the turkey in the oven, and most of the sides are prepped. I got our pumpkin pie baked yesterday, and I resisted the urge to dig into it before Thanksgiving dinner. I’m hoping to have Thanksgiving dinner on the table by noon.

The kiddos are getting restless, so I had better get back to it. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!