Boo?

 I wonder if my kids will ever want to dress as something scary. I'm not going to promote it; I'll go for cute over spooky any day! Here are the kids in their Halloween 2011 costumes!

 I made Audrey's owl costume after seeing a few different ideas on Pinterest. She loves it!

Parker is going as Josh Hamilton, number 32, the awesome outfielder from our American League Champion Texas Rangers!

And Miles, after going back and forth between Boba Fett and various other things, finally settled on Ian Kinsler, another one of our Texas Rangers aces. Ian wears his pants in the short style, so, of course, we had to be particular and do the same thing.

Happy Halloween!

Grateful Sunday

Audrey and Parker working on their pumpkins at our friends' house this evening.

Today, I'm grateful for:

• the things I learn at church. I was teaching Sharing Time today and had asked the children to share experiences regarding prayers being answered. Many of them related experiences that had happened to others, whether it was parents, older siblings, or other relatives and friends. This was great, though I had hoped for more stories about their own lives. But then I felt that I was being taught something: These young testimonies are based largely on the experiences of others, and if those faith-promoting stories had not been related to these children, they would have less on which to base their faith. Lesson of the day for me: Tell my children about MY faith-promoting experiences. They will remember them and learn from them until they gain their own.
• fun friends who go out of their way to make others feel welcome and have fun. We were able to spend time with friends often this past week (World Series, Halloween parties), and I am grateful to know so many hospitable and happy families.
• Face Time and my new iPhone. It's fun to pop in to the lives of my family any old time. Makes the miles shrink a bit.
• sleep. We all were able to get a good, long night's sleep last night. It was awesome. I love my bed, but the best thing about Sundays is not having to wake up the children.

Grateful Sunday

We had the best weekend with JJ, Emily and baby Nicholas. He is the sweetest, smiliest little guy. Miles is still baby crazy, and had so much fun with his little first cousin once removed! :) Just a glance Nicholas' way would send Miles into giggle fits. It was so cute. We miss you, Nicholas!

Today, I'm grateful for:

• JJ and Emily's weekend visit. I'm happy anytime I get to wash the sheets in the guest room in preparation for visitors! The VanYperens came down from Kentucky to explore some job opportunities. We would love to have them close by, and are excited to see what develops.
• a successful Primary Program today. My counselor, Chris, who wrote and produced the program, so to speak, has been having a rough time lately with family health problems, but she came through all weekend for the Primary. I am grateful for her strength, for the kids and their phenomenal singing, and for the beautiful spirit that attended us during the meeting. Hooray!
• a rainstorm and cooler weather. Life is just easier when it's not 100 degrees outside.
• healthy children. I am always so grateful that my kids are well. I'm pretty sure that one definite blessing I've experienced as a result of being Primary President is that my family is always able to attend church. I'm grateful for my kids' strong little bodies.

World Series

Our Texas Rangers are in the World Series this year (second year in a row!) and so all sorts of baseball mayhem has been going on. The kids are staying up way too late, all they wear are red shirts and baseball caps, we are invited over for parties in the middle of the week, etc. Last night, we joined a group of friends to watch Game 1. It was all kinds of fun (until the Rangers lost)!

 The kids went from watching the game and eating pizza one minute to running outside in the fields to play catch and climb trees in the dark the next minute. It was kid heaven.

I love how Parker has his eye on the game rather than the camera in this picture. A devoted fan, that boy.

Grateful Sunday

Pumping up the bike tires before a Sunday evening ride.

This week has been busy and fast, but I am always so grateful for the weekends! What would we do without them?! Today, I'm grateful for:

• a successful run-through or two of our Primary Program today. I think we'll be ready for next Sunday. Now I just have to figure out what to do with the two hours of Primary AFTER the program. Ah, it never ends. :)
• good friends who are good examples.
• people who put on school carnivals. So much work!
• my little boys and their healthy bodies, which let them play baseball to their hearts' content. They are happiest tossing the ball around on that patch of green grass behind Neal in the photo.
• the Texas Rangers, who are awesome and so very fun to watch. We can't wait for the World Series to begin. And when it's over, no matter the results, Parker will have a normal bedtime again. That will be nice, also.
• a new printer. We started having issues with our old one and it's really hard to be Primary President without a printer. Even for one day, I found. I'm grateful for the means we have to go get a new one.
• Julianne's blog and that she's writing again. I miss her so much and her posts are always so fresh and fun to read.

Grateful Sunday

Miles was asked to play catcher in one of his games on Saturday. This is tee ball, so there are no pitches to catch, but you better believe this boy was taking his position seriously. We were loving it. 

Neal and Miles watching Parker's game. Parker had an in-the-park home run and did an awesome job as catcher, stopping many a wayward ball from his teammates who were pitching.

Today, I'm grateful for:

• rain! We had some on Saturday, and lots today. It is so refreshing, and so needed.
• my wonderful Primary counselors (I say this a lot, I know), but this is crunch time for Primary. Our program is in two weeks and the end of the year is always very busy, with lots of transitions in callings and classes. Not to mention Priesthood Preview and Great to be Eight. I'm so happy to have capable, happy women to work with.
• straight As all around on the report cards that came home on Friday. I'm grateful that my kids do well in school. We hope they'll have continued success in the years ahead.
• a day off tomorrow! The kids can sleep in and we have some friends coming to play. It should be a great start to our week.

holiday

We're starting off our three-day weekend right, with a half day for the kids! Neal works half days on Fridays, so he'll be home early and while we don't have any plans, I am pretty sure we'll all be in a great mood. We're going to be playing and watching lots of baseball this weekend. Parker has practice and a game, and Miles has a double header tomorrow! He is so thrilled. Not only that, but our awesome Texas Rangers will be playing for the American League Pennant starting tomorrow against the Tigers. We are all so glad it's not the Yankees!

Neal took the boys to one of the ALDS games against the Rays last week. They lost that one, but the boys had a blast. Hooray for the postseason and long weekends!

the everyday

Since I've been working on my blog books, I've noticed a couple of things. 

1. I used to blog about 18 times more than I do now.

2. I used to include posts about our everyday family life, and these posts have become really valuable to me. So, I'm striving to get back to that.

 The other day, Miles and I went to eat lunch with Audrey. At her school, parents can eat with their students in a special courtyard. She was so glad that we finally came, she'd been asking for a few weeks. It was a beautiful day!

Every week day, Miles and I pick up Audrey and two of her friends at the Intermediate School, while Parker rides home from the Elementary School with a friend of mine. It has turned out to be a great system because neither mom is ever in a rush to get from one school to another. I usually read or chat with friends while we wait (about half an hour). Miles usually kills time by playing in the car, or in a neighboring car with some other little brothers.

Today is a typical Wednesday: Woke at 6:30, hugged Daddy goodbye and we were in the car and off to school 7:15, Miles and I came home and got him dressed and ready for school at 9, I exercised and went to the grocery store, came home, showered, and finished Audrey's owl costume while listening to conference talks I had missed, left again at 1:45 to pick up Miles and everyone else, home by 3:15. Audrey has Activity Days this afternoon (the boys and I stick around to help with the leaders' kids) and I'm going to attempt home made fried rice for dinner. Should be a quiet evening at home. Ah, Wednesday.

Grateful Sunday

We made Trooper get in the wagon for a minute during our walk this evening. Silly dog.

Today, I'm grateful for:

• General Conference Sunday. Saturdays are always still crazy, no matter how much we wish they weren't. But Sunday is nothing but relaxing. No primary to stress over, no boys to force into church clothes. Just pure ease. I'm grateful that my parents were able to be here with us this weekend. We have loved being together.
• inspiring talks from our church leaders. I love to hear the messages they have prepared and find ways to be better. I was particularly inspired by President Monson, Elaine Dalton and Tad Callister's talks today.
• a cool down. We are loving highs in the 80s.
• a busy life. Although it can get crazy at times, I feel like I am living best when I have things to do. Idle hands are never a good thing.
• Elliott and Mimi, who celebrate birthdays today. Happy Birthday to two of the best people I know!