October - Baseball, Halloween and My Baby Turns 1!

Ahhhh October. It's one of the best times of year. Baseball playoffs, college football, pumpkin patches, cooler weather, Halloween and now, a birthday in the family!

I can't believe my baby is turning one. And she is our last baby of which I have been highly enjoying every moment I can. It's harder with the second one - you feel bad that you can't give her the same focus, time and energy as our first daughter due to having two kids and much more craziness all around. But she goes with the flow, is a total sweetheart and adores her big sister, so I don't think there is any problem there.

I just think I give her a different kind of quality time - a frenzied, mama is trying to give you the time you need but oh yes, where did your sister go? - of which she has the extra benefit of having a sister around to chase, screech to (or at) and generally giggle with. I think it's a blessing and the dynamics between our two girls make it all worthwhile.

We are watching the Red Sox and hoping for a victory. My Cubs blew it but that's nothing new. There's always the cliche! hee hee. Auburn football is keeping us entertained and we go pumpkin shopping this weekend. Auburn plays LSU Saturday night for some foosball on the Bayou, so bring it on. It is a great time of year, and we have lots to be thankful for.

Speaking of being thankful, here are four neat organizations in the event you are searching for ways to pay it forward, do good for mankind, make a small yet valuable difference in the world.

http://www.AdoptAPlatoon.org - I never agreed with the war, but vowed to support our friends and family who are fighting to make the world a better place. Find out how you can be a pen pal and make a world of difference in a soldier's life. They pair singles with singles and married soldiers with married/families. It's really rewarding and the people I have met who are putting their lives on the line are amazing. They need our hopes and prayers.

Do One Nice Thing - http://www.doonenicething.com/ - I signed up for this newsletter and they are chock full of ideas of nice things you can do that take anywhere from one minute to one hour to do. It's a great idea and I enjoy receiving the newsletter each week. You can donate skymiles - I donated a ticket to a military family. How cool is that?

My aunt and uncle sent me this note and my goal is to participate in this for the holidays. I want to find a person to loan money to with my daughter - hopefully a mother/daughter company and we can watch their business grow. My daugher will learn about gifts that give. You also get your money back!

"Take a look at http://www.kiva.org/. If you have not heard about it, I am telling you now. It is a wonderful service and it will make you feel better. We need to change the view of the rest of the world has about us."

http://www.kiva.org/ - Loans that change lives - Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

http://www2.worldvision.ca/gifts/app - Last Christmas, my aunt & uncle in Canada gave us two hens and a rooster, or rather, a needy family, two hens and a rooster to help them support their family and earn a living. How cool is that? Our daughter didn't need an extra toy but she learned that she is helping a family survive on their own with animals that were purchased in her honor. The true meaning of Xmas - giving.