Let it end, PLEASE!

Funny how you look forward to something, and then can't wait 'til it's over! Well, I have had enough of Halloween this year. We started by participating in the "Phantom Ghost" treat sharing fun in our neighborhood. That was at the beginning of the month. We have had multiple parties, parades, trunk or treats, and now trick or treating. I sent my kids out early, while it was still light, because they were predicting storms tonight. As it turns out, it rained and lightninged (is that a word?) while they were out, and stopped about 30 minutes after they came home. They are now entertaining themselves by entertaining the trick-or-treaters that come to our house with their magic tricks. One poor kid said, "trick or treat!" Dylan said, "First, I'll show you a trick. There is nothing in the box. . . " The kid mumbled, "I said treat." Ha Ha!

As much fun as we've had, it's definitely true that all good things must come to an end, otherwise, they would cease to be good. It will be nice to get back to normal. Will someone please let me know when I get there because I am pretty sure I won't recognize it!!!!

Did you wonder what they were this year? Well it depends on which event. Tonight, Madelyn wore a cape instead of her fairy wings so she was. . .? Regan refused to trick or treat, he didn't dress up at all, he's not really big on candy. He did condescend to say trick or treat at a couple houses holding a bucket that was handed over to Ben and myself, and when it was really raining hard he carried Lauren's as well so she could stay in the van. Dylan came up with a different outfit for every event we attended, for trick or treating he was. . . .? Lauren was bell with a cape because Madelyn had one. I guess it worked for them because they still got candy and Dylan even scored a banana which was the first thing he ate! Thanks Brother James.

I guess I just want to say HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Let the Halloween fun begin!

We had a few of the kids friends over for a Halloween party last Friday. They had such a good time! We had 15 kids for 1 1/2 hours and it went really well! They started by getting their pictures taken in front of a backdrop Ben put together. Then we had mummy dogs, goblin fingers, ghoul dip, ghost puffs, witch's brew and Frankenstein's punch. After their tummy's were full, they did ghost bowling, pin the spider on the web, bobbing for apples, donuts on a string, and a treasure hunt! We sent them home happy and tired (and I heard a couple may have puked!) My kids thought it was the best Halloween party ever. And, after all that, the house really wasn't messy! Good thing, because I was exhausted. The only thing missing at our party? Jonathan, Matthew, Allie and Courtney. We all really miss our friends.

The next day we also had the primary program practice and a fall carnival primary activity. Then we cleaned the church. Sunday was the primary program, they did great! Monday I spent most of my time at various doctors appointments and today, more sewing. I am beginning to think I will really enjoy going through labor just to get a couple days away from the normal chaos by being in the hospital! Looking at the calender, I did see an empty day somewhere in the middle of November. I'll keep you posted!

this year

So, not too long after my last significant post (January didn't count), Ben was laid off from his job. October of last year. He is still unemployed! I can't believe it. It has been a challenging year for us. A couple weeks after he lost his job, I started working part time to help bring the ends closer together. I worked for 9 months, then in July I quit. A) I felt like I was not doing what needed to be done for my kids, and they were suffering because of it. I decided it was better for us to lose our home if that is the way it worked out, than for me to lose the precious little time I have to help them grow up. B) I was not doing well physically. Why, you ask? I'll tell you. It is because I am pregnant! No, this was not the plan. I don't think pregnancy is my idea of fun, especially at times like this, when there are so many other stresses! Here we are now, less than 3 months away from having a baby join our family. We aren't finding out whether it will be a boy or girl. The kids are really excited for a new baby to join our family. I am anxious, but also anxiously awaiting this little one. Ben thinks his other kids are so cool it can't be anything but good to add another! As long as he doesn't get stuck with many stinky diapers. We aren't sure how things are going to go with our lives. All we know is that we are here now, we love each other, and we are trying. What more can you ask in life?





This is not to say that everything in our year has been bad. We have had some good times and been very blessed. We had a sweet family be our secret Santa for Christmas, celebrated the new year, connected with old friends in Logan, visited with family in Vegas, Madelyn and Dylan both had graduations, we celebrated birthdays, we spent the summer enjoying being a family and sooo much more! Here is a look back at some pics from the past year.