Gratituesday: The right to vote

We were out of the house bright and early this Tuesday morning to cast our vote for the next President! But before we left the house I spent a few minutes on Facebook (who doesn't?!) and read a status message that someone posted about deciding NOT to vote today. Just... a casual "eh, I don't think I'll vote." It got me really fired up.

Being a mom has definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things, voting in elections is one of them. I see now that my responsibility to educate myself and cast my ballot surpasses just being an American citizen. I am setting an example for my daughter. I am voting for HER future. I am honoring those women before me who fought for the right of their daughters to vote. I am honoring those servicemen who fight for our freedom!

How do people miss this? How do they not understand the great responsibility we have to vote? (sigh)

So this week... it's an easy one! I am grateful for my freedom to vote! And my freedom to express frustration about those who choose NOT to vote! :)

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!

Welcome November!

Well, hello November. You sure did sneak up on me. Friends! There's so much going on around here this month... would you join me?

First up... I cannot believe I'm writing this, but Sunday turns one this month. Wow. I am not even going to waste a minute mourning the quick passing of this year. My goodness. I have to focus on the fun time that is right now or else I'm going to LOSE it! Yes - it went FAST. Just like everyone said it would!

So, her first birthday is right around the corner and the party planning bug finally bit me last week (a little late, I know). Check out my pinterest board to see the fun things that are inspiring me while I plan 90 minutes of celebration between Sunday's nap times. :) It should be fun!

On the note of Sunday's birthday… I have a whole week of blog posts planned for the days leading up to her birthday (Nov 13 - 20). I'll be discussing our must-have products for baby's first year, sharing how motherhood has changed me, finally(!!) posting her birth slideshow, and of course blogging all the birthday party details with you guys. Oh! And a GIVEAWAY is coming, too! So fun! So take note: A Week of Sundays is coming November 13-20.

I am also excited to be jumping in on an Instagratitude project…! Every day in the month of November I'll be instagramming (that should be a real word in the dictionary by now) a picture of something I am thankful for. Be sure to follow me on Instagram if you aren't already: sincerelylizinc. I'm planning to share a round-up of pictures here on the blog later in the month for those of you who are not active on Instagram yet.

And finally… another Thankful Project. The Clutch Guide is sponsoring 30 Days of Thank You. I've got my stack of thank you cards, envelopes and stamps ready to go and I plan to write a note and drop it in the mail every day this month. What a cool idea, right?! You should join us, too!

So, like I said... lots of things going on around here. In the meantime, I am wrapping up Fall Family Portraits (just a few more on the calendar) and the 2012 Wedding Season. The holidays are right around the corner, y'all! So excited!

Happy Halloween!

Can you guys believe I actually almost missed out on this Halloween adorableness?! It seriously wasn't until about two weeks ago that I decided I should probably buy a costume for Sunday. I just figured it would be a waste of time and money since she would never remember this particular Halloween. But when I realized we would be attending a lot of costume-friendly events this week I figured I should put her in something. I browsed a few local consignment shops and the striped tights in this costume is what sold me! I just want to eat her up, she is SO CUTE!! I can't believe I almost missed the joy of this!

I hope you guys have a fun holiday today. We are going to light a fire in our little fire pit and curl up under big, fluffy blankets and hand out candy from the driveway. It's becoming a tradition around here. We get like 3 trick-or-treaters so really it's just a fun time of hanging out with each other and an excuse for Tommy to build a fire.

And just for kicks... here is us from Saturday night. Super last minute costumes... I was inspired by Sheena and threw on a (desperately!) homemade pirate costume. And Tommy found his costume idea somewhere on Facebook... can you guess what he is? :)

Happy Halloween!

Gratituesday: Sandy wasn't so bad...

While I know that Superstorm Sandy has left a devastating path... I just wanted to share my gratefulness that my friends and family were, for the most part, kept safe and sound. Even my friends in NJ, NYC, and Central PA made it through just fine! I am so thankful!

I was really sad to see the coverage in NYC and all the crazy things that were happening there. I hope this too shall pass - quickly - and I'll be praying for those who have lost loved ones because of the storm.

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Right now...

Right now, I am…

:: Settling into a few hours of uninterrupted work time.

:: Wearing my pjs, of course.

:: Hearing the hum of the house fan complimented by the snoring of the dogs.

:: Refreshed after a great night of sleep - finally.

:: Diving into a pool of images waiting to be downloaded, sorted, edited and delivered.

:: Anticipating our family trip to Lowe's later this afternoon to load up on home improvement supplies. This only happens about once a year and it's really fun to have been bitten by the fall cleaning and home improvement bug!

:: Blessed with in-laws that LOVE to babysit Sunday any chance they get.

:: Counting the days until busy season is over and I can focus in on our first real holiday season as a family! At the same time trying not to wish away the days because I do very much enjoy my job. I'm reeeeally excited about this holiday season though!

:: Making lists of things to buy in bulk at Sam's Club later this week. What do you buy in bulk?

:: Tasting my cream and sugar with a little bit of coffee. :)

:: Preparing for Sunday's first birthday party. I cannot believe it is so close!

:: Enjoying the beautiful fall foliage that creates the perfect setting for pictures. I cannot even explain how much I missed shooting portrait sessions last year!

:: Reading To Train Up A Child. This book is loaded with information... I think I will be re-reading it regularly for the rest of my life.

:: Smelling freshly brewed coffee.

:: Admiring the incredible strength and determination my friend Stephanie had during her months of training for a marathon she begins running in less than an hour!

:: Planning for so many things... Sunday's birthday, the holiday season, a grocery store run this afternoon, etc. I love to plan!

:: Dreaming of the day my mom brings her new (to us) hoosier cabinet to ourh ouse! I am reorganizing my entire home to fit this into our lives... I have been waiting for this piece of furniture for years and it is going to fit perfectly in my dining room! You all don't even know how far this change runs... I've been reorganizing my pantry, my laundry room, and our junk drawer in preparation for this!

:: Trying to get a grip on my to-do list and hunker down and work. So, I've got to get to work...!

I hope your weekend is full of blessings!

P.S. Did you miss my question up there? I really do want to know: What are some things you buy in bulk? Share in the comments please!