Favorite Things, Fall Edition-Part I

It's not a stretch in the least to say that fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. I may have mentioned that a few times before on this blog. It's typically the time of year I get most homesick for my family. What a blessing to be close to them the first time in 13 years!

The boys and I have taken full advantage of our love of the beautiful weather with school trips to the pumpkin patch/apple orchards, partaking in Halloween festivities both here near our home and up in Indiana with my parents and cousins and of course who could forget jumping in leaves and our awesome school bus photo shoot! :)

Here's a pictoral run down of our trips to the patch. I'll catch up on the other stuff over the weekend...hopefully. The school bus photo shoot was posted earlier so you'll have to take a look below and check those photos out if you haven't already. By the way, I'm totally stoked about figuring out how to place pictures next to one another in blogger. Only took me a couple years. Not a bad learning curve, eh? Geesh! This should save space (hence $$) when I go to print and publish in January! Cha' Ching!

Jack's school trip to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. We bought a 1/2 gallon of freshly pressed apple cider! Perfect for keeping in the crock pot on crisp fall afternoons. Makes the house smell so good and certainly warms up little tummies!

Grant's school trip to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard. We purchased a 1/2 busshel of fresh JGold apples and pretty much snacked on them with peanut butter every day until they were gone. YUM!

I love his facial expression in this photo. You can just hear the tractor noises!

Whooop's! Did I hit something? Searching for the great pumpkin.

Alas! There it is!
Hmmm....or maybe it's over there.

Cheesin' on the hay ride.

Intently listening to the tour guide as he goes into great detail about the various types of apple tree species and their fruit bearing tendancies. Riviting for a group of 2 year olds. Must be why they need the caged trailer to pull them around the property, eh?

Fits just perfectly on that hay bale, don't you think?

"Now this is more my size!"

More to come...

Double Digit Midgets...and Veterans

There's a saying among the military community, well....the military aviation community...okay, so maybe it's just the Borens and friends but all that aside, the saying "double digit midget" refers to finally getting under the 100 day mark when counting down a deployment or similar type tour (like going to Korea for a year rotation).

Jason sent the boys a really cool gift to commemorate this joyous achievement. A GLOBE! It's totally great and coupled with a numbers chart it makes for a perfect learning tool and builds much excitement for Jason's impending return! Jack loves it and now has the globe in his room on his dresser so he can keep tabs on Jason's where abouts.

Jack and Grant take turns putting stickers on the numbers as we count down to Jason's homecoming. At this moment we have 43 days. Jason actually leaves Iraq in less than a month but will have travel days, plus spending time at Fort Hood for debriefing and then there's the weather issue to consider as winter approaches. So, as time gets close I can adjust our chart. It really is fun to hear Jack tell Jason how many days he has left when they talk over Skype. Too cute!

We also wanted to say Happy Veteran's Day to Jason as well as all the many men and women serving, and who have served, in our nation's armed forces. They've paved the way for military families like us and continue to defend the freedoms we partake of everyday. Thanks Jason, for your sacrifice! Pretty soon we'll be single digit midgets! We love you!!!

Here's a blast from the past. A couple pictures from Jason's very first tour to S. Korea back in 1998. Camp Eagle, Wonju.

Boy, if I had had a DSLR back then! Hmm..come to think of it, I don't think they made those back then! HA!

Happy Veteran's Day everyone!

The Borens on the bus go...

click, click, click!

We have the pleasure of living across the street from Mr. Ernie, the school bus driver. Probably one of the sweetest gentlemen I've ever met. He and his precious wife adore children. They have allowed us to invade their front yard and help feed the ducks, not gotten upset with me as I gracefully fell into their birdbath (dumping it entirely on myself), and accepted several homemade treats from Jack after our "experiments" in the kitchen, God bless'em.

And now we can add letting us climb all over the school bus to the list. :)

I asked Mr. Ernie several weeks prior if he would be interested/willing to allow us to do a photo shoot in/around his bus and he agreed with positive head nod and a gentle smile. I wanted to wait until the trees were in full color as he parks his bus at the end of our road by one of the wooded ponds in our neighborhood. It was beautiful out and the boys were behaving so we donned our pack-packs, as Grant calls them, and skipped over to Mr. Ernie's bus.


Grant was beside himself with excitement! He put his pack on and asked to go to school once we were loaded up. Tho, he was a bit hesitant when he saw Jack sitting behind the wheel. I don't blame ya, lil' buddy. :)

We had a ball climbing around a real bus and pretending to go all over town. Jack was happy to report the bus had made it to Gram and PaPa's house so, "E'vry buddy un-board!" Mr. Ernie loved it and was such a good sport. He even let them exit out the emergency side and rear doors.

What fun!
Thanks Mr. Ernie!

Borens love the fall

I know Jason will really enjoy these pictures of the boys from our romp in the yard the other day. The weather is so beautiful! Just exactly as we remember Midwest autumns. The boys are thoroughly enjoying collecting leaves. They'll stuff their trikes and cars' compartments full, drive over to the pile, unload and then go back for more. The neighborhood kids thought it looked fun, too so they came over and pitched in to make a decent sized pile.

The added bonus was I got my entire front yard raked and they all really had fun doing it! Anytime kids....anytime.

It was very difficult to get a picture of Grant in the leaves. He ran up to them, stopped, squatted down to his knees, rolled onto his side very gingerly, and then onto his back for a split second. I was rolling on the ground belly laughing at his unique tactics! That kid keeps me in stitches! I did manage to get this fun picture of him throwing the leaves up but wish I would have been able to aim higher for the shot. Either way, it's a cute pic of him.

Capturing Jack was a tad easier and he relaxed into the pile a few times to gaze up into the sky. "Mommy, God made us such a beautiful day!" He sure did little buddy.

Our pile is pretty down trodden and the front yard is in need of raking again. I think I know a few kids who might want to have another rake-fest party. Sounds good to me. :)

A few leftovers

Here it's been 2 weeks since my last post. I thought I was going to be better at this while Jason is deployed but let's face it, my days are brimming with stuff to do. It's all good but leaves little room for hobbies like photo editing, scrapbooking, blogging, sleeping... well, that last one hits me every night at least for a few hours.

So, leftovers. Yup. Stuff that I didn't include in my MEGGGGA POST summer summary (is that possible?).

Jack had a friend party for his birthday (remember he and Grant had a joint family party with both sides of our family here at the house in early August? Yes, of course you remember.) It wasn't a big blow out like last years' real life airplane party at Jason's hangar but it was indeed much fun!

We reserved the gymnastics building and turned 10+ sugar induced wild Indians loose to jump, bounce, swing, balance, romp and roll to their hearts' content. Jack loved every minute of it and so did Grant. He didn't have any problems keeping up with the big kids.

Our collection of outdoor toys has grown exponentially since moving to Kentucky. Is it because the weather here is far more conducive to outdoor activities than our previous Washington residence? Nope. It's because we now live within toting distance from a set of very thrifty yard sale bargain finding grandparents. It cracks me up when they call and are going gaga over their latest score. Only to get to their house, and hear this, "Oh Tiffany, you have to take that back to your house so they can play with it there."

Wait. Did I miss something? Don't the boys need a stash of toys at grams and papa's house? They have no idea I'm currently in the process of cleaning out the toys in the playroom. Why throw them out or donate them when they can invade my parents' house, you know.. so the kids have stuff to play with when we visit! :)

Here's one Jack's favorite donations from the grand-parental-units this summer.


It's a peddle cart. Complete with schnazzy hand brake for super skids. It was a whopping $3 at a yard sale. Gold, I tell ya! GOLD!

Okay, this picture just makes me laugh! It's of my parents' dog, Biscuit. He's such a mess! I love the way Grant calls him, "Bick-Kick!"


One of the best things about summer is the time you get to spend with family whom you don't regularly see. The temperatures are great for visiting outdoors, the parks are buzzing with activity and picnic season is super charged with a myriad of fried foods and tasty treats. This was such the case on August weekend when we were able to hang out with most of my mom's family. All but 2 great-grand kids and 2 grand kids were present (if I'm correct...)

My 2nd cousin, Jaquez, up in the tree. I love this picture of him! Tho we were trying to get him down so we could take pictures of all the great-grand kids -together.

And here they are. Jacquez is none to pleased with being forced out of the tree to stand and say cheese.


Here's my sweet 84 year old grandmother and 5 of us grand kids. Where in the world was Amy? I know she was at the picnic (she must have been hovering over grandma's kibby dish!) . There are 8 grand kids altogether but Amy and my two brothers aren't pictured. My oldest brother, Roy, lives in Colorado and my middle brother, T.J., passed away a few years ago. So, pictured are (from left to right) Jerrod, Barbara, Latisha, Me (Tiff), Dewight and grandma seated.


This is Jerrod and his beautiful bride, Kristine. She's such a hoot and fits right in with our family! They recently moved to Indiana from California so it's great to be able to have them close, well.. now that we live here again too, it's close. :)

This is Jerrod's sister Latisha, her awesome husband, Tim, and the youngest great grandchild, Miss Lauren. Love you all to pieces!

Here's sweet GG and a good portion of her great grand kids. How special to get together like this and see the legacy of love one couple started so long ago.

And to be reminded by your 84 year old grandmother to not take life so seriously. Love you MiMaw!!


Welp, there's a nibble of our leftovers from summer. I think there may be a few more to surface but for now, have a blessed rest of the week!

Secret Sneaky Friend

My friend, Jill, over at Sneaky Momma hosts a friend every Tuesday and today is my day! Below are the questions posted by her other friends and my answers. It is great fun to learn things about the people you meet in BlogLand and presents many opportunities for a good laugh. Hope you enjoy and be sure to take a gander at Jill's blog to meet new Sneaky Friends or if you're in the market for a really cute and reasonable blog makeover!

What do you want most from blogging? Lauren
I began blogging as a way to bridge the miles that separate us from our families and friends. We are a military family and have, until recently, lived a good distance from loved ones for nearly 13 years. I didn't know much about blogging other than the mom forums I had been part of and even turned down a request to be a blogger for one as I thought it would be to difficult to do frequently given our demanding lifestyle. However, doing a blog for our family appeals to me because it not only keeps our loved ones in the loop but also provides a "scrapbook" of our journey. I print/publish our blog every year so it can be tangible for our boys in the future. You know, give them some light reading on road trips and such. It should come in pretty handy too when we have daughter-in-laws entering the picture. Oh geesh!


You can only wear one accessory for the rest of your life...which do you choose? Whitney
Yeah..other than my snake skin underwear it would have to be my wedding ring.
Just kidding about the underwear.


Do you have a daily routine with your children or do you pretty much go with the flow? Alicia
Oh dear. Thank goodness you're asking me and not my mother! I would say I have a definite routine with my kiddos. They know exactly what to expect and can pretty much predict our mornings as they are the same every day except Saturday. Saturdays are our freebies! Afternoons are pretty laid back once we finish lunch and naps we hang out, play games and take in play dates, park trips, or just snuggle up with some books. I think its a good balance. I did recently cut out many evening commitments because it was getting way too hectic and let's face it, not easy peazy with just me running the show around here!

If you were stranded on an island with your Mother in law what would you do? Robyn
I would talk a lot. Not entirely sure if she would, but I would. A-LOT. Mucho. Yep, talk. Let's just leave it at that.

What is the most unexpected thing that has happened to your blog or yourself during your time spent blogging? Vicky
The most unexpected and ridiculous thing that has happened to my blog y me was when it spurred someone I've known for a long time to go off the deep end trying to compete with me, or rather a certain aspect of my blog. Yeah..my tiny lil' family blog...doesn't make sense, does it? I'm ashamed to admit it but at first it made me "strike back". I quickly came to my senses and have since stopped reading her blog altogether. It's so sad but what makes me more sad is that this person does this with just about everything, and thinks it is normal! She really needs help, totally not joking.

Are you named after anyone significant or unusual? Deb
Unusual? No. Significant? Yes! My Dad likes Tiffany & Co. I think my mom does, too.

Are you where you imagined you'd be in high school? If your high school self saw you today, what would she say? Deb
Hmm....tough one. I'm not sure my high school self imagined I would leave my college sorority, cheerleading life to join the Army to learn about dental health. I was really into dance and my boyfriend at the time. Tho he being the reason I turned down an opportunity to go away to a performing arts school after HS and pursue my dream (idiot!) it was a blessing we broke up. I think my HS self would say, "Wow! I didn't ever dream I would have been around the world by age 22 and have found my soul mate all because of the Army." And I would kindly reply, "Be all you can be Sistah!" :)

Who has had the most influence on your life? CC
Aside from becoming a Christian and growing closer in a relationship with Jesus Christ (which is by far the best thing in my life), my mom has had the most influence. She's always been very honest with me. It didn't make me agree with her all the time, especially as a teenager, but I always pondered deeply the things she told me. "Do what is right, even if no one else thinks it is", "following the crowd will lead you nowhere", "it's impossible to please everyone". She's shown amazing courage and strength her whole life and to have that example is inspiring. I am so thankful to have her in my life and for the unconditional love she extends me.

How did you meet your hubby? Elaine
We met shortly after I completed Basic Training and Dental Specialist school in the Army. I went to my very first "drill" which happened to be Annual Training (a 2 week summer training event all Reserve units partake annually). The meet-up location was on Fort Knox. (Ironically this is where we are stationed out of now, some 15 years later!) I followed another gal all the way there since I had no clue where it was. She backed into my vintage Camero on the trip down so we immediately engaged in conversation about the damages etc once we arrived. Jason said he and the other guys noticed me right away, "the new girl", and were disappointed to see that I had showed up with the only known homosexual female in the unit! WHAT??? I had NO clue!

I noticed Jason once I settled all the details of the car stuff and I was immediately love struck. Never believed in love at first sight until that very moment. He was really tan from doing landscaping work (his summer job while in college at IU) and he had the most perfectly straight and white smile I had ever seen. It didn't bother me that his eyes were piercingly crystal blue either. Not one bit. Nor did it bother me that he was fit as a fiddle as a result of his martial arts activities. Nope. I was smitten as a kitten before we even had our first chat a week later.

We hung out and became friends for a while, as I still had a boyfriend! YIKES! But had no problems moving onto a steady relationship once I was single. It didn't hurt that he told me he was enamored with me the moment he saw me as well. What a guy!

What is your favorite way to relax? septembermom
Cuddling up on my husband's chest and just being together. When he is off saving the world, I cuddle up with a good book or good blog. :) That is if I'm not falling into bed after I tidy up the house, run the dishwasher, take the garbage out, play with the semi-neglected dog, get clothes laid out for the next day, clean the........ ....... ....... you get the picture.

What kind of humor/comedian makes you laugh? septembermom
My brother T.J. could imitate Jim Carey's facial expressions so well and that always made me laugh! He was so funny! In addition to him, I love punny humor.

What was the most embarrassing shopping trip with your kids? Tiffany
Going to Lowes with both boys, who both had potty accidents. One of which included, ahem..."watering" the lovely flat of pansies I had just placed on the bottom rack of the buggie. Yup, there was a trail of pee from the checkout line, which we had to evacuate, all the way to the bathroom on the other end of the store. Don't these store planning folks know there is going to be some kid who needs to potty and can't make the 5 mile trek to the bathroom???!! It was a gloriously fun trip :) I even went back to the store once I noticed I had forgotten to use my $25 coupon. I didn't care that I was half way home or that most of the people who had seen me drag pee through the store would still be there. Embarrassment does not take the bargain hunt out of the Boren girl! Oh no, sir!

Are you a talker in the real world? Miti
Hmm....I bet you can figure this one out on your own. :)

What sound do you love? What sound do you hate? Heidi
Love=The conversations of my boys when they are playing together.
Hate=The screaming of my boys when they stop playing nicely together or when one gets hurt.

If you could have free plastic surgery - one procedure - which one and why? Heidi
C-rap...just one!? I bet all the Secret Sneaky Friends say that!
Well, before kids I would have told you that, "God made me special and I don't want to mess up anything he created". Well, being pregnant actually messed some stuff up so I think that's probably why God created plastic surgery, right? Okay, so probably not. ----- So, I would opt for the "mommy job". Yes, I know, it's a series of stuff but if it's free I'm arguing that they are all lumped together as one procedure! That would include the girls upstairs to be put, well..... back upstairs and made firm but not Pamela Anderson firm AND for the looser skin to be just snipped off my abdomen. I stay in pretty good physical shape but I can notice a looseness in my abdominal skin that without extreme low fat diets will not go away. And I'm not willing to give up my bon bons, ladies! Isn't that what SAHM's do...sit around and eat bon bons? Puh-leeze!

You're on death row (naughty, naughty!) and you are getting ready to eat your LAST MEAL. What is it? Heidi
Oh gosh.. Hmm....I'm preoccupied with the thoughts of what landed me in the slammer. Okay.. let me think here.... uhm..... I would say it's a toss up between a slow cooked tender pot roast with potatoes and carrots and a shrimp bowl from my favorite Japanese restaurant, Nikkos, in Statesboro, Georgia. Since it's my last meal can't I have them both?

If your children take naps, how long do they nap for?- Mama Sewell
Sadly, my oldest (4) gave up his nap recently (I actually gave up trying to force him) so he has quiet time in his room for about 1 1/2 hours. My youngest (2) still takes a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon. The oldest will tucker out every once in a while and just lay down on his own for a nap but not very often.

If you could go on a date with one celebrity, who would it be? Kelsey
I would never want to go on a date with a celebrity. I can't think of anyone more incredible than my husband to go on a date with.

If you got to spend the day with one celebrity, who would it be? Kelsey
Wow... I'm not much of a star struck person so this is tough. OH.. I think that older lady contestant from Britain's Got Talent would be a hoot to chat with! Don't you?

What is your favorite beauty product? Kelsey
It's a tie between sleep and de-stressing.

What a joy to get to know you Jill, and to have the opportunity to meet new friends through the creative venue of blogging! It's been such fun!

Happy Birthday

TO JASON!!!!!

Today is Jason's big day and he is spending it in the sandbox. :) I don't think he will have as much fun there as he would have here with all of us but we did our best to send him a birthday bash.

His Company Commander agreed to be in cahoots (yup, google it) with me and help plan a birthday celebration. I emailed all our family and close friends and asked them to send me cards and pictures to which I would compile along with other items for a Party In A Box!

The boys and I sent party hats, party favors complete with Army parachute men (duh!) as well as candy, a "Happy Birthday" sign, plates, napkins, utensils and, of course, presents! I mailed everything to his CO and she her husband are planning to put it all together, gather the troops, and even take pictures for me! We're so blessed to have family oriented people in Jason's unit. Here's a sneak peak at one of the gifts a friend "made" for us. Heehee....

I think Jason and his buddies will get a good chuckle out of this one. His call sign is "Tredstone" so I think they'll get the joke. Haha!

We also ordered a cake from Bake Me A Wish where you can send a cake to a deployed soldier for their birthday through an Operation Birthday campaign. How cool is that!? I ordered it about a hundred years ago so I pray it got there in time...otherwise they'll be serving MRE's on those pretty birthday plates! "More ham slice, anyone?" YUCK!

Anyhoo, let's pray that doesn't happen!

Happy Birthday to our Boren Hero!! We hope you have a wonderful, and safe, day. Here's a special serenade we did for you in August when the family gathered for Jack and Grant's birthday party. Hope you enjoy it, honey! We love and miss you!

The boys and I are celebrating birthdays in Indiana with my mom and Grandmother as they are also this weekend. We'll be eating extra cake for Jason so no remarks about the extra pounds we'll be packing. :)

We love the picture at the top of this post. It's taken from Jason's webcam via Skype. This is how we see him everyday. I hope the boys recognize him when he gets home in December!