Despite it all, Life is Beautiful...

I can't tell you how excited I am that Fall has arrived! It is my favorite season of the year. I think that's because I grew up in drab Tucson AZ where there aren't seasons or really any trees at all! I love how the air becomes brisk but not quite freezing. My favorite part is how the leaves change color and fall all around.
Madison loves the Fall as well (if only I could get her to dress like it isn't Summer anymore!) She especially loves being outside right now because we just got a little Yorkshire Terrier. Our little Yorkie Dozer passed away last year after he was attacked by a big dog ( lets just say when it rains it pours!) We decided after a year of Madison walking around the house with a picture of Dozer constantly saying "I miss Dozie, he is in Heaven now and I love him," to give in and bring another sweet dog into our home. Madison named our puppy Annie after her favorite musical. Maddie adores her and carries her, not so carefully may I add, everywhere! Annie is a wonderful pup and I am so glad that she has joined our little bit of chaos!

I finally had to break and take Gibson to get his first hair cut. His hair was so long that it was growing way over his ears and bangs were hanging down in his eyes. If I tried to style it up he looked like a crazy rocker with a Mohawk! I wasn't brave enough to cut it myself because I knew I would probably Melvin it (as Corey said!) So I took him to my stylist and she did it really fast and it turned out pretty darn cute, but judge for yourself!

Gibson had is first try at some rice cereal, and I am not shocked that Maddie wanted to be the one to feed it to him. Gibson seemed to like it, but couldn't get the hang of swallowing it! Madison encouraged him by saying "Come on baby Gibby, you can do it!" (By the way she gave him that nick name!) It was a fun experience to share as a family. I was busy snapping pics as Corey was video taping. As parents you come to find joy in the plain and simple things in life, and discover they are the moments that really matter! I love my sweet little family!

Every other year all the girls from my extended family get together to have a girls reunion. It is a blast! This year we rented a huge beach house in Fort Worden which is on the WA coast. We always do an amazing craft( which usually I try to pawn off on someone else to do for me!) We had a wonderful time on the beach, eating chocolate, talking, playing Bunko, and did I mention eating chocolate!
Now that my cousins and I have children, it was great to see the next generation of little ones hanging out together, just as we had when we were young. I love seeing the circle of life in affect!
It was an awesome reminder to me that I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. I love and adore each one of them and treasure the relationships I am able to be apart of!

This last weekend I had the honor of walking in the Cystic Fibrosis walk put on by the CF foundation. All the proceeds will go to research for finding a cure for this terminal disease. It was an amazing experience to support a wonderful cause, and to be supported by some amazing friends. I am humbled to have been watched over by people who have truly been there for me during trial and triumph.
Our team was called "Team Jolene" and in under a weeks time we were able to almost come up with almost $2000 dollars of donations! The CF walk came up with a grand total of $42,000 dollars! We are one step closer to finding a cure and helping the lives of those living with this devastating disease.
Jolene's best friend Jonathan passed away one year prior to her of CF as well. Jonathan's older sister Brittany and I worked together trying to raise donations and awareness. Brittany and I both agreed that it was extremely healing for us to do this charity work. Service helps one not feel so sorry for themselves.
I am ever so grateful for this experience and the friends that rallied behind me and encouraged me. This has helped to put a difficult year in better perspective. More than anything I am more aware of how blessed I am by a loving Heavenly Father who watches over me and directs my paths. Thank you to all for your love and prayers!!