mmm...pumpkin

Decor de Halloween

I used to decorate for Fall when October came around. I had pumpkins and harvest things. More recently I've really enjoyed doing a Halloween decor for October and then switching over to Fall in November. It's more work that way, but it's fun and the kids really enjoy it. I've slowly accumulated all of the spooky things you'll see here over a span of years. I love adding to the collection each year. I hit up the best places for Halloween things the day after Halloween and stock up for next year. So if you're looking for me on Monday, November 1st, you can probably find me at Target or Home Goods. Here's a little of how we spook up our house.

Pumpkins, Neglect, & Other Ramblings

Our home builder had a "Pick a Pumpkin" event in our neighborhood this past weekend. We took full advantage.

I've been neglecting this ole blog lately. Not sure I have a good reason or excuse. Just not feeling inspired to write anything and haven't taken many pictures lately. I'm hoping this will "break the seal" as they say and then many fun, creative posts will follow effortlessly. A girl can hope, right?

We went to the doctor for Ty's 15 month check-up this morning. I've been dreading this day and it's been on my mind for a year. I kid you not. The reason this one particular visit has had my stomach in knots is that this is the one where they give the "big" shots. The cocktail vaccination that has some people questioning the link between the shots and autism. Now, there has been no sure scientific proof that there is a link, but the bottom line is that doctor's just don't know what causes autism. And there are plenty of people with suspicions that the cocktail vaccination is too much for the babies' little under-developed systems to handle at the age of 15 months. I did vaccinate both of my girls on time with no problems. For whatever reason, this time around I just couldn't shake the idea that I would be choosing to go through with something that could potentially harm my baby boy. I know that has a lot to do with there just being more information and more talk about it now then there was when my girls were 15 months, but there was also just a nagging at me. The other side of this story is that my pediatrician is adamantly against delaying vaccinations. So I knew I would be fighting a losing battle if I went in today and said I didn't think I wanted to go through with them. Well, we all know God works in mysterious ways and He definitely did in this circumstance. My husband changed jobs a few weeks ago, so we are in between insurance companies during this transition. When the pediatrician's office called yesterday to confirm Ty's appointment I asked to speak to someone about how much the visit & the vaccines would cost us out of pocket with no insurance. She said they recommended we bring him in for his check-up just so they can do all the measurements etc and wait to get the vaccines at a later time when we are covered by insurance. It was as if God was saying to me, "I know you don't want to make this decision by yourself. I'll just make it for you." Thank you Lord! Truly, I feel such a peace about the fact that the decision was made for me and that it was to wait a little while. Not only will we be covered by insurance and not have to pay hundreds of dollars for the vaccines, but my boy's system will have more time to develop before having the shots! I love it when God dictates exactly what we should be doing. It just makes things so much easier!

Thats about all for now. Here's hoping for more exciting posts to come soon!