This is me...

Um, I can honestly say I've done this more than a dozen times. I think I'm a little OCD.

Bloody brains....

Sorry the pics are dark. Last night I made bloody brains (meatloaf that is) and pumpkin shaped potatoes via my friend who has a cooking blog (Lauren's latest.)It was super yummy. We also carved our pumpkins and ate apple pie. A truly fattening yet delicious and fun night. I love Halloween.

Sleeping beauties...

Sleeping pictures touch my heart, I won't lie. The more I can get of them the happier and fuzzier I start to feel. Especially when they are snuggled up together like this. Oh my goodness, I love my children.

Harvest hustle...

Tammy and I did the harvest hustle 10k today. Talk about a hilly course. There was a total of I think 5 people running the 10k. You gotta love a small group of runners. You kinda feel like family. It was sweaty, fun, tiring, and a bit of a mental challenge but totally worth it.

Champion...

Connors last game of the season was today. They won their championship game today and I just want Connor to know how proud I am of him. None of us missed a single game because we all love him so much and have been so happy to see him succeed. He had an excellent coach that we will miss. He really helped give Connor the confidence and playing time that he needed. Great job Connor.

This makes me smile...

Um I LOVE THIS FACE....even if it is covered in leftover Cheetos.

Game night...

So Friday night I decided to do something a little different with the kids. Sometimes we get sick of watching movies, so this time we had our very own game night. I bought monopoly and nuts and candy, put the younger ones to bed and stayed up late with the four oldest. It was hilarious watching the kids laugh their heads off. They may fight like no other but when it comes down to it, they are best of friends. Ahem...I won by the way.

More museums and good news...

Ok so halee took her learners permit test and while the kids and I waited we visited yet another museum. This one was fun because everything was old days, big time. Using a type writer was seriously so flipping weird. I miss those days. P.S halee passed!

Just me and the kids....

So periodically Chris has to attend continuing education courses, so this weekend he ditched us. I admit I was worried being left all by my lonesome but we seriously had a blast together. I took the kids to a museum located an hour away and we had so much fun having a picnic and walking the beautiful grounds. Gosh it's pretty where we live.

Best days...

After the pumpkin patch I took the kids on a walk on this lovely trail right across the street from where we live. The weather today has been splendid. I don't know what I would do if our kids didn't attend a 4 day a week school. I treasure...literally treasure my Fridays with them. Afterward we came home and I made tea for one and all. Today was a good day.

Pumpkin fun...

Ahhhhh!!!!! I love fall. I love the leaves turning colors. I love the smell of burning brush, I love pumpkins and Halloween and cool crisp air. I can honestly say I love it all. We visited our local pumpkin patch today and just like every year, I absolutely loved it. Sometimes I feel like a kid in an adult body.

My sweet Connor...

Only two more games left of the season. I have a love hate relationship with football . I hate all the time that it takes away and I pretty much LOVE everything else. I'm so proud of Connor this year. I'm amazed how much better of a player he became in just one short year. So dedicated to his team. He may be one of the smallest but he played like a scrapper and never complained. I just love this handsome wonderful boy of mine.

Pumpkins...and I love Fall...

Today Scarlett and I went to get our load of pumpkins. She was thrilled when I told her today was the day to get them. My children love our traditions. I love our traditions! Grace and Scarlett both helped me pull the pumpkins in the wagon. I did the lifting though...sheesh those things are heavy. In a few weeks we will tear into them with knives and make delicious baked pumpkin seeds.

I miss littleness...

Seems like yesterday this picture was taken. Why might you ask, am I wearing a shirt on my head? Well duh, because I wanted long flowing hair. Makes total sense, right? I miss the days of no worries, where my mom told me when to take my bath because she knew when I needed one,when to eat because she cooked it. When to get up, when to go to bed. When I didn't have to think I suppose. Thinking is overrated and I really do miss not having to do it so darn much. I am however thrilled that my own babies get the benefit of not thinking. I guess all of us have to do it at some point. And I hope their childhoods are filled with peace, love, fun and joy like mine was. Mine was beautiful.

The boopster....

Can I just say I love having kids? They make me laugh, and in a huge kind of way...I need that on a daily basis.

Faith...

I love this quote. It reminded me of a moment last week when halee was in her 10th grade class. Her teacher, who also happens to be a former pastor asked her to explain what we believe regarding after life and the plan of salvation. She told him exactly what we believe....including in her explanation as many details as possible. I was so impressed with her resolute response. It's easy to doubt at times, especially when we live in a world full of doubt. But watching halee move forward with faith in her response to her teacher reminded me to never doubt but choose faith instead.

Doing hard things...

Scarlett is my sweet, quiet shy girl. Anyone who knows her knows that. So when Chris and I got to observe her in ballet class I was so very proud of her. I could see how hard it was for her to dance in front of all the parents and yet at the tender age of four, she overcame that and did it anyway. What a wonderful amazing girl.