I am thankful...

*for a God who loves me enough to bring about HIS plans for my life and not my own
*for my husband and the way that he loves me...even when I'm ill (that's what he tells me)
*for my parents who love each other and enjoy each other in a way that I think is rare
*for Bradley's parents who are so good to us and babysit Molly
*for my brother who makes me laugh...a lot
*for Garret and the good heart he has
*for our extended families and time we get to spend with them
*for jobs at a school we enjoy so much
*for Molly who makes can make us furious and make us laugh all in a matter of minutes
*for kids in my class who told me yesterday when we cooked pancakes that I was like Paul Dean and Mr. Food
*for laughter
*for the orange and yellow tree I can see through the french doors as I type this
*for this house that we enjoy so much
*for neighbors who look out for us
*for health and happiness

I am so thankful for all God has blessed me with. There are things in life that didn't appear to be blessings at times, but I've grown to see that God knew exactly what He was doing. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the life God has given us.

May all the good things in life be yours in abundance during this Thanksgiving season.
~The Bowers

Turkeys and Team Spirit

Thanksgiving in the first grade world calls for lots of art projects. Every first grader needs a turkey hat to proudly wear the Friday afternoon before Thanksgiving. I'm sure there was something educational about this project. You just have to look for it. They were so proud...and cute.
After the making of the turkey hats and the 3 o'clock bell, we climbed into the car and headed to Troy to watch CCA make a go at a state title...because what would a Friday be without watching a football game???

We left there and headed to Tuscaloosa for the weekend. Dear husband suggested we stop off in Linden to watch the Brantley Bulldogs, but I nixed that...1 football game per day is my limit. The whole Bowers clan gathered in T-Town for a little Roll Tide. We expected lots of rain and cold temperatures, but the rain held off. Below are our pictures. Bradley said it was the first time they'd been to a Bama game altogether since he was little. We're still here and it's turning out to be a really nice weekend.

Even Jim showed up. We saw him after the game. He asked if his nose was still bleeding. He sat 2 rows from the top.

Baby Boy Crew

John Marshall Crew made his way into the world Friday morning. He was 19 inches long, 6lbs...and some ounces. I can't remember exactly. John, Allie, and John Marshall all seem to be doing well. Congratulations, Allie and John. I'm so happy for you.

And by the way...my mom and dad think he favors PaPa Tim. :)

Halloween at the Bowers' House

The outside crew...it wasn't long before we moved to the fire.

Our husbands don't understand how we work together every day,

but still manage to talk so much when we're not at school.

Notice the children's entertainment in the background.

I took a jump myself on Sunday afternoon before they came to pick it up.

Molly even jumped. She doesn't like to be left out.

Some of the male people watching football...

"Miss" Sherrie and "Miss" Hope together again.

It was nice to see everyone on Saturday. We were excited about our first "gathering" at our house. It forced us to get some things done that we've been putting off for a while. Bradley accused me of working him to death. He did work all day Saturday...and I appreciated it.

Football ended on Friday night. We rode to school together this morning. We disagree on what we should listen to on the way to and from school. He wants to listen to some kind of am talk radio...I feel that the radio is for music...not talking. He offered to let me borrow his ipod.

We're looking forward to some time at home. I may even try my hand at a little golf...I'll let you know how that goes.

The ghosts are haunting...

The monsters will mash.
It's time for our annual Halloween Bash!

My first year of living in Luverne, everyone failed to tell me that I had moved onto "Trick Or Treat Street". I was so very unprepared. I grew up in the country...we had no trick or treaters...ever. So I had no candy that year. I had no idea what to expect. And when the Halloween traffic began, I had no way of getting my car out of my parking place...I do not exaggerate. It was just that busy. Heather and Stae came to get me so I wouldn't have to turn my lights off and pretend not to be home.

The year that followed, I began inviting the teachers and their families and some friends over for chili on Halloween. It became a sort of tradition. And this year is the first time in 5 years that I don't reside on "Trick or Treat Street". It's sort of sad. So we're changing tradition...and moving Halloween to Elba. We are so excited!

2 Years Ago Today...

I was a nervous wreck because I had a date that night with this guy named Bradley Bowers. I had talked to him a few times the week before and I had scouted him out at a ballgame, but had not spoken with him in person. It was a Sunday and I was so nervous at church that morning, that I considered backing out. But I didn't. And I'm so glad that I didn't. Allow me to remember...we were going to eat mexican when I got out of church and he got out of his coach's meeting (It was the only night we were both free). He picked me up in his little white car (a single man's car...which is why we no longer own it). I felt like I had to roll out of it and stand up. They were resurfacing the road and it was a rough little ride to the eating place. We both ate chicken nachos...I didn't eat much. I was nervous. He accused me of not making eye contact...as I said...I was nervous. It was a good date...we sat on the porch at my apartment after dinner and talked for along time...I was SOOOOO sleepy.

I knew 3 things when he left that night:
1. He was the cutest date I'd ever had.
2. He had really good taste in music.
3. And if he asked, I'd go out again.

Well if you're wondering...he did ask again...and again...and again...and again.

I love you Bradley...bacause you make me feel important...because you decide at 6:30 on a Tuesday night that we should go see a movie...because when I ask how I look, you sing me funny songs...because you like those cheese quesadillas that I make when we have no food and really need to go to the grocery store...and because God created us for each other. As I tell you all the time, "You're the best husband I've ever had." : )

As seen in the "Freebie"

Wedding dress, size 22, $450; veil, $20; total gym $400

Something about this ad made me laugh...I even called Counselor Heather to share it because I knew she would appreciate it as much as I did.