Happy Birthday & Halloween

I love the Fall! Leaves changing, cooler weather, holidays, hot chocolate, going to festivals...the list could go on and on! But 2 of my favorite things fall on Halloween! First, I love dressing the kids up and going Trick-or-Treating. The whole process of deciding on a costume and watching the kids transform into character cracks me up. This year Samantha is Shirley Temple (which she has no clue about, so she just says Baby Doll), Mario is a Clone Trooper or Man of Armor (depending on when you ask him) and MiMi is Snow White (with blond hair). So stinkin' cute!

Mario & I were in charge of the pumpkin carving...yes, it's puking! My husband spent last weekend with Jr. High students, I'm guessing that's where he got his inspiration ;).

But my FAVORITE thing about Halloween is that it's my son Mario's Birthday!!! I gave birth to Mario Anthony Bruning at 7:40pm October 31, 2002. My midwife was dressed as a Kitty Cat and my nurse was a Clown (a cute one, not a creepy one!). Also dressed up that day, (in the delivery room), were my nephews, Marcus and Tristan (both Ninjas)...they were 6 and 4 and not too happy that my birth experience conflicted with their Trick-or-Treating!! I can't believe that Bubba is 6 years old! He has grown so much over the past few months, both physically (like 6 inches taller) and through maturity (he's reading and writing and building friendships). I am a proud Momma! So tomorrow will be a GREAT day at the Bruning house...full of Make Believe, Trick-or-Treating and Celebrating my boy! HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY BUBBA!!

Ready, Set, Go.....!

I have been working on painting and decluttering the kids' rooms all week. We replaced pink walls with Water Chestnut walls, (this should help Bubba's masculinity greatly ;)). Replaced captains beds with bunk beds and moved MiMi's toddler bed into the garage (she got one of the captains beds). I've also started painting our room (only the toilet/ tub area of our bathroom is done so far)! What I've learned: I despise painting bathrooms, a 2 year old loves for you to be busy, you CAN forget to eat...and cook dinner (sorry babe), and I LOVE home improvement projects!!

But they will have to be put on hold after today because we are starting marathon weekend at the Bruning's!

Tonight, after the kids get home from school and Good News, we have Skate Night, then Donuts with Dad at 7am, my small group, Bubba's sleepover for his birthday tomorrow night (6 boys, a tent, a campfire and 47degree weather...loving it), a festival and pie competition, church and then the "family" party for Bubs. Did I mention that my husband will be away at XNOW weekend with our Youth during most of this??? Thankfully he got a temporary Leave of Absence for the sleepover (thanks Prater!!) Honestly, I am looking forward to every minute of this weekend! Tons of pictures, memories and tradition will be poured into our family this weekend...what a blessing!

PS: If you could pray for my niece Ibrina, (Sabrina without the S), today. She may have an infection and they are doing a blood transfusion today. Her story and updates are at http://ibrinanoellopez.blogspot.com
THANKS!!!