whole lotta exciting

I tell you what people. Big things are happening right now at our house. Really big things!

I got all the laundry caught up today. And even made it to the grocery store to buy milk.

The kids had another cavity free dentist appointment.
Spence has taught Jace how to play Fruit Ninja on his phone.
And … wait for it … Brynlee was COUGAR OF THE WEEK at her school!

Hot dang.

My Photo Album: October's End

My little sister brought her kids and Aunt Marieski for a quick visit this weekend while Zeb was out hunting. As it turns out Spence and my little family was in charge of cleaning the church building on Saturday morning. A bit of a weekend suprise for us folks that forgot to check the Sunday program. So we loaded up the gang, cousins and all, and found ourselves tidying the church. Brooke and Bryn made the rounds emptying trash cans and cleaning chalkboards, while Marie cleaned glass entry doors and Jace and Zayne played a game of monster vacuum vs. screaming hellion boys as Spencer + the vacuum villain cleaned the carpets. They weren’t one bit reverent, those boys.

 

There is something about little cousin bonds that makes me smile. A certain someone tends to be bossy. Sometimes the noise level … {shudder}, like fingernails down a chalkboard. Occasionally feelings get hurt. Or the big girls hide or tell secrets without including the little girls. Or exhaustion sets in and there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth. But the kids, they always work the kinks out. And it makes every single bit of the crazy worth it. Those sweet cousin bonds - I hope they last forever.

 

Mom sent Halloween gift bags for the kids, per usual. Pajamas, socks, an adorable panda hat for Marlee and a new dress that Brynlee was certain made her look as beautiful as the morning sun. Grandma’s grab bag gifts are a favorite around these parts.

 

It’s Monday. And I have a feeling that November is going to disappear just as quickly as October did. And then it will be December. And Christmas. And then the New Year will bring new life. Baby Maycie. We pray for her and her sweet parents on a daily basis. Kate has posted a medical update for those of you that have asked me for the most recent Maycie info.

 

Anyway, I’m wrapping up October with photos.

 

XOXO

 

  

 

 

 

In October.

 

Why hello, November. I can’t believe you are already here.  

Our October was a whirlwind of crazy mixed in with our usual October happenings: leaf jumping, The Pumpkin Patch + Corn Maze, painting pumpkins and, of course, all the Halloween festivities. We also found our way to a Chemistry Magic Show on campus and spent an evening tie-dyeing Halloween shirts.

Just like plain, old, unromantic Anne Shirley, I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

A week or so ago we attended our local Zoo Boo. Brynlee has been dreaming of winning the costume contest at the Zoo Boo since she discovered its existence two years ago. She was four, and her little competitive heart skipped a beat when she realized that you could win a prize for such a thing. Last year we were celebrating baby Chloe during the Zoo Boo weekend so we missed the festivities, but this year Brynlee attended the Zoo Boo with an agenda – she would win that costume contest.

Jace won!

She handled the loss fairly well, which made me so proud of her, but I could tell her little Rainbow Brite heart broke into about a million pieces. Honestly, she was jipped {says her completely unbiased, costume creating mother}. But seriously, the winners in her age category were nothing more than store bought princess costumes. However the judges of all the costume contest hoopla were a group of 18 year olds who were completely unaware of Rainbow Brite’s being.  To them Brynlee was just a smiling girl in some rainbow tights. Dang it.

Brynlee wasn’t completely defeated though and is already brainstorming her costume ideas for next year in hope of bringing home the Zoo Boo Costume Contest gold {errr…a bucket of average Halloween candy and a sonic gift certificate, same thing.}

Jace told us last year that he wanted to be Dr. Octopus for Halloween next year. We forgot. But, he didn’t. At the first mention of costumes he reminded us what he would be. Spencer and I {and a couple rolls of shiny duct tape} had so much fun making his costume dream become a reality. It was such a fun costume. 

 

Also noteworthy: Jace has informed us that next year he wants to be a butterfly! Heaven help us.

Happy month of Thanksgiving, my friends. I have so much to be thankful for and this November I am going to make sure that heaven is aware of my thankful heart. I am blessed, and so very thankful.

Oh My Quotable Friday: What I Have