Rain One Day and Snow the Next. Welcome November!

Rain One Day and Snow the Next. Welcome November!

11.04.2015

 ^^Making waves!^^

^^Soaking his "glubs"^^

^^The last of my pretty yellow roses.  Thankfully, they return and grow like weeds each year.  Perennials are God's gift to those of us with very black thumbs.  ;)^^

 ^^Enjoying a couple extra morning hours with Dad before he had to leave on a work trip.^^

 ^^Giving his new friend a sweet hug... and then I'm pretty sure Levi took a quick bite out of him!^^

On Monday after Jed went to school, Levi and I dressed in our jackets and rain boots to play in the rain.  Levi made waves in the puddles!  When we came in, we dried off and drank hot chocolate with mini marshmallows together.

On Tuesday after Jed went to school, Levi and I dressed in our winter coats and boots to play in the first snow of the season!  Levi tried sledding.  Then we built a snowman chuck full of yellow leaves and grass--but I like a friend with a little color in his cheeks, don't you?  The hat, sunglasses, and scarf were all completely Levi's idea.  I think he nailed it!  So cute.  When we came in, we dried off and drank hot chocolate with mini marshmallows together.

November is officially in full swing and so is the weather.  It makes me wonder a little bit about what tomorrow will bring!  But with November also comes thoughts about gratitude.  One thing that drives me crazy about my children is their insistence on always wanting more: more fun, more candy, more books, more toys. And they want it right now.  It's all a natural part of childhood.  However, I got to thinking about how much I am ironically just like my own children and I'm supposed to be the grown-up!  I want so much and I want it all NOW.  Just like my children, the patience and discipline to wait can be hard.  And just as I teach my children to focus on the positives-- to focus on what they do have and the fun they just had--I, more than ever, need to do the same.  I have so much to be grateful for right now.  My life is not perfect, but it is over-flowing in blessings.  I'm a glass half-full person by nature.  Finding the silver linings in situations comes relatively easy for me.  But as I've made an effort to really be content with my life as it is in this moment, I am finding even more happiness.  I don't need anything more than what I've already been given.  Contentment in the here and now, yes, I think that's what I'm learning this month.           

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Halloween '15: Age of the Avengers

Halloween '15: Age of the Avengers

11.01.2015

Another AWESOME Halloween is down in the books.  The evening may have started off with one grumpy post-nap three year old and a five year old who decided listening to his parents wasn't convenient, but the excitement and sugar quickly won them over and the rest of the night went off without a hitch.  Family life, I tell ya.  It can be stressful! 

We kicked off our Halloween celebrations with a quick trip into town to participate in our little community costume parade and trunk-or-treat at the park.  The boys felt so special walking down the middle of main street behind a giant fire truck!

After collecting candy at the park, we headed back to our rural neighborhood for some classic door-to-door Trick-or-Treating.  We met up with Jed's school friend, Brennan, and his mom Kelly, and we took on the whole neighborhood together!  It was so fun to watch those two five-year old goofs excitedly run from home to home.  Best friends in the making.  It makes me so happy to know that Jed has already found a group of good kids to be a part of at school.  What a blessing.  Anyway, we hit up nearly every home in our neighborhood.  Levi's bucket was so laden with candy that he struggled to carry it up to each door!  But he's no quitter.  Oh, no.  "Let's go to that house now!" he commanded.  His enthusiasm was sure contagious.  Best. Halloween. Ever.

I am so excited to be heading into yet another Holiday season with two little kids under our roof.  Holidays are just more magical with children.  And as their mama, it kind of gives me a natural high living those special moments vicariously through their eyes.  I'm glad we got to kick off the season right with such a fun and memorable Halloween.

^^My Saturday night date: Thor!  Seriously, I have a thang for Thor.^^

 ^^I have to include the Young family real quick!  Aren't they fun?!  They came over for some pre-activity photos.  I can't tell you how nice it is to have someone who knows how to use my camera so that we can have some family pictures of us too!^^

^^Enjoying their moment in the spotlight during the Halloween costume parade.^^

^^It's tradition!  The first house must be the Egberts.^^

^^Two best friends on Halloween night.  These images tug at my sentimental heart strings.^^

//Halloweens of Years Past Here

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Halloween Sneak Peek!

Halloween Sneak Peek!

10.30.2015

^^Avenger knock-out.  Sorta.  This is what boys do for fun... all day!  I love Hulk's wind-up followed by Captain America's right hook.  This little series made me laugh so hard.^^

 ^^Channeling his inner Captain.  Is this really my five year old?^^

 ^^I asked Levi to show me his 'hulk smash' face and this is what I got.  I can't quit laughing!  This kid doesn't need a mask.  All he needs is some green paint.  Nailed it.^^

Wishing you a very safe and

Happy Halloween!!!

From Captain America and The Hulk

 Halloween Costumes of Years Past Here

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Family Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Family Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

10.23.2015

 ^^Jed's rock star stance cracks me up!  He did this several times, riding to the bottom of the slide in style.^^

 ^^We let the boys lead us through the giant straw maze.  Amazingly, we did much better than the deer that apparently got stuck in there for two days.^^

 ^^The looks on our faces!  Classic.  Even though they're slightly out of focus, I love, love, love these photos.^^

^^Fall is totally showing off her pretty colors here.  Jed says this looks like candy!^^

 ^^Time to pick our pumpkins!  Jed was soooo excited.^^

^^My boys.  That light.  It's like a slice of heaven and I'm swooning.^^

Jed must've had the time of his life at the pumpkin patch last year because he has been talking about going again for months now.  I'm so glad he remembers!  Even better, I'm happy that we're able to make going to the pumpkin patch a seasonal tradition.  The four of us headed over to Tubb's Berry Farm for some quality family fun last week.  We got lost in the straw maze, careened down the giant slides, fed some goats, and chose just the right pair of pumpkins for carving into jack-o-lanterns.  An evening doesn't get any better than that!

I am so thankful we live in a world with orangey-glowy Octobers!  I am also grateful for outdoor adventures like this that allow me to soak in the sunshine, unwind, and reconnect with my boys.  It's like pushing the reset button.  And I need it often.  So here's to dropping the to-do list to make time for the people that matter most and to more thoroughly enjoying this one precious life with which I've been blessed.       

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