#29 Big

When did they get so BIG?!

This song says it all.

I am going to make the most of the time I have with my precious kids!

Love,

Julie

#28 Vehicle

My van hit 100,000.

I celebrated the occasion by taking a picture 

and putting gas in her.

Wow!  Yep, I am that nerdy. :-)

Love,

Julie

#27 Tree

This ornament hangs on our Christmas tree every year!

It was given to us by one of my best friends.
She and her family are so important to us.

I love this adorable ornament.

But, more than that, I love you, Cindy! 

Love,

Julie

#26 In My Cupboard

Just thought you'd want to see what's in my cupboard.

Nutella.

I love Nutella.

Love,

Julie

#25 The Sky

One Stormy Day at Starbucks

Storms come into our lives.  We can't always control them.  But how we handle the storms matter.  Remember, there can't be a rainbow without a little rain.

I am thankful for the storms.

Love,

Julie

#24 Something I Listened To

Today, I listened to my Lil' John tell me about a BIG risk that he took in church.  

Here's how the story went:

"Hey, Mom.  Guess what I did today in church.  I told my friends in my class that I have Autism.  I told them my life story. About how you and Dad knew that something was "different" about me....about how I wasn't talking or walking.  I told them about how you had to go to a lot of doctors and how I had a lot of tests.  I also told them about how I get lots of therapy, to help me to be able to handle situations.  And that I sometimes act weird but that I do the best I can.  I was scared to share my story at first but I just decided that I should share.  And do you know what the best part is?  My story was relevant to the story that we were talking about in church.  Do you know what the story was about, Mom?  It was about how we were all made special and different.  That God created me exactly how he wanted me.  And that's ok."

Wow.  I am inspired by my son's bravery.  He teaches me something every day.

Love,

Julie

#23 Black

I went shopping with my hubby on Black Friday.

Yep, we were lined up at Old Navy at 10 pm

on Thanksgiving night.

John and I had a great time and we got some great deals!

Like this BLACK top for $3!  :-)

Best part of BLACK FRIDAY?

Spending time with my hubby!

I love you, John!

Love,

Julie

# 22 Thankful

This year, I am thankful for SO much.

We made a Thankful Wall in the dining room.  The kids each created drawings 

of what they where thankful for.  This was mine.

I am thankful for family.

I am thankful that I got to have some "face to face" time with
my parents, my brothers, and my sisters.

I am thankful for my chosen family.

Each person on this sign has touched my life profoundly this year.

I am thankful.

Love,

Julie

#21 Something I Wear

I wear this bracelet, every day, in honor of my dear friend, Jamie, 

who lost her battle to cancer in April of this year.  

She was an amazing wife, mother, friend and warrior. 

She touched so many lives and her legacy lives on in her children.

I miss her terribly but I take comfort in knowing I will see her again one day!

Love,

Julie

#20 Work!

Spreading a little love at work!

Love,

Julie

#19 Something AWESOME!

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:

"What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” 

― C.S. Lewis

"The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend.” 

― Henry David Thoreau

"Friends are family we choose for ourselves."

-Edna Buchanan

My friends. I am blessed to walk this journey with these beautiful ladies.

Love,

Julie

#18 This Weekend

This weekend, John winterized the bike and put it away for the season.
It is always disappointing when the bike has to be put away.

That means that cold weather is here.

That means snow is coming.

And, it reminds me that there are seasons in life.

No season lasts forever.
And where we are now, is only for a season.

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."

Love,

Julie

#17 Something I Bought

After I took Grace to her dance yesterday,
I took the boys to McDonald's for ice cream cones.

They LOVED them.

I am extremely thankful to be able to have my family and
to be able to take them for simple treats....

like ice cream cones.

Love,

Julie

#16 The View From My Window

This was the view from my van window tonight.

Carl Sandburg Middle School.

Where I dropped off my 6th grade daughter, Grace,

for a dance.

And a "date". Wow.

See, Grace has liked this boy since they were in Kindergarten.
She has been wanting to ask him to a dance.

So, today, she did it. 

She said she was scared but then she just got BRAVE and did it.

And, guess what?  He said YES!

And, they had a great time.

WOW!  I am so proud of my girl for speaking up and using her voice!

Now, I am still not sure about this whole growing up thing....

Love,

Julie

#15 In My Bag

So, I was SUPPOSED to show you INSIDE my bag.  

Ya, right.  :-)  But I will show you my bag!  I love this bag!  

I love the pins on my bag. 

Every girl needs an awesome bag! 

Love,

Julie

#14 Man Made

These clouds are man made! :-)  

My friend, Nicole & I, were on a road trip to see Mumford & Sons
on the Gentleman of the Road Tour in Dixon, IL.

Yes, we pulled off the side of the road to take this picture.
Yep.  That's how we roll.

And, yes.  I love Mumford & Sons.  Now you know. :-)

Love,

Julie

#13 Where I Sleep

This is my pillow.
I love it.

I love to sleep.

Gotta get up WAY TOO early tomorrow.

Now, I'm off to bed.

Love,

Julie

#12 Drink!

Coke.
I love Coca Cola.

Always have.
Always will.

Coke is a "sometimes" drink for me.

Today was a Coke kind of day.

Love,

Julie

#11 Night

This was the view from my door, sometime very early this morning.
Don't even ask why I was up this early.

But, the sun came up and it was a beautiful day.

It's good to know that everyday is a brand new start.

Love,

Julie

#10 Something I Can't Live Without

These people are my life.
I am so thankful that I am able to watch them grow.

I don't know where I would be without them.

I love you, John.
I love you, Grace, John & Jeff.

Treasure the ones you love.

Love,

Julie

#9 Small...

His hands are small,

but they won't always be that way.
So, I will treasure the time I have,

while his hands are still small.

Love,
Julie

# 8 Something I Do Every Day

It's not glamorous,

but I do laundry.....

Every day.

How often do you do laundry?

Love,

Julie

# 7 Reflection

Reflections....

Reflecting on a tough day.

Reflecting on my relationships.

Reflecting on forgiveness.

Reflecting on CELEBRATING!!!!

Reflecting on getting all dressed up and getting to spend

 the evening with great friends,

celebrating a wonderful organization,
Autism Speaks, Chicago.

Reflections can tell you a lot, if you are willing to listen and learn.

Love,

Julie

# 6 Two of My Favorite Things

I have lots of things that are my favorite things.
Today, I chose...

Flowers.  I love flowers.  

Oh, and this is one of my all time favorite songs, written by my good friend, David Paige.  Check him out on Facebook at David Paige and the Skyline.

What is one of YOUR favorite things?

Love,

Julie

# 5 5:00 AM!!!!!!

Look who was up at 5:00 am today.  

Yep.
My precious little boy.
Who is incredibly cute.
Who is incredibly loving.
Even at 5:00 am.  

I love this kid!

Julie

# 4 TV

Jimmy Neutron?!

Watching early, early (did I say EARLY....like 4:50 am) TV with the boys.
Curse daylight savings time!
Well, at least I got some cuddle time with my favorite boys! :-)

Happy Sunday!

Julie

# 3: Breakfast!!!

YUMMY!!!!

Today, I had to be at work at 5 am to open SBux,
 so I got my breakfast on my first break.  

A cup of coffee and perfect oatmeal...very delicious!  

What did YOU have for breakfast?

Have a lovely evening!

Julie

Day # 2: Color!

I love color!  Lots of color!  Especially teal! 

 I was totally surprised when a sweet friend brought me
this beautiful, teal scarf today!
 I love it!  It totally made my day!

I love you, sweet friend!

Julie

November: A Picture A Day

Hello, friends!  For the month of November, I will be posting one picture per day!  

I hope that you'll check back often.  I have LOTS to share with you!!!

Day 1:  Something beginning with the letter C

Starbucks Holiday CUP!  :-)

My favorite holiday drink is the Pumpkin Spice Latte! Yum!  What's yours?

Happy November, my friends!  Make today great!

Julie