October in a Nutshell

I am in a blogging funk again. There's so much to blog about but I haven't felt like doing it. I haven't had much time, either. So, this will be the entire month of October....

We went to an emergency preparedness fair that our church put on. The coolest part about it was watching a black hawk helicopter land and the kids getting a chance to climb inside.Right after that picture, as it was coming down, we were suddenly blasted with wind and grass. It was crazy. I didn't realize it would be like that or I would have prepared the kids better. Luckily the girls thought it was cool. Nate on the other hand was not a fan.

On the helicopter

Last Monday we carved our pumpkins for Family Night. Well, Joe carved the pumpkins. The faces were designed by the girls, though. They loved the finished product....

We also decorated some sugar cookies (notice the black frosting evidence on Natalie's face).

Here they are all lit up:

We also visited the pumpkin patch last week. It had been two years since our last pumpkin patch experience so everything was brand new to them (I love that about kids). They especially loved the big inflatable slide and spent quite a long time on it:

Climbing the hay bales:

Navigating the corn maze

Loving the hayride
They even posed for some pictures:

I really love that one.

Friends who came with us:

A little too much posing:

My cute little pumpkin :)

He will make an excellent drummer someday.

Gratitude

After listening to President Monson's talk, I feel a great need to count my blessings. Do you ever have those moments where you feel completely overwhelmed with gratitude for your blessings and also just feel like a complete shmuck for not feeling that way all the time? I had one of those moments last night. I want to hold on to that feeling more. Even after the immense gratitude of last night, I wasn't a perfect mother today. I didn't treasure every single moment with my kids. But, I was a little better and it made a difference.

So, I am thankful for....

...cooler weather! Hooray! It has been so nice lately. I want to go to the pumpkin patch, rake some leaves, put on a sweater, bake some apple pie, etc., etc.

...my health. Sure, I get tired a lot. I was talking to some friends the other day, also moms to young kids, and came to the realization that most everyone at this stage in life is tired. Still, I have the energy to do the things I need to do. I do not have to deal with any significant pain or sickness right now (knock on wood!) and that is a big blessing.

...Joe. I truly am. He is wonderful and I am thankful for his example and strength. That is all. He does not approve of blog-PDA. :)

...General Conference. It was just the boost I needed. I'm thankful for the Spirit that spoke to my heart: "You are loved", "You are doing great"... but also... "Be a little better" and "You can do it, but only with help from the right source." And especially: "Remember what's really important and focus on that each day."

...3 beautiful little kids who give my life a purpose and depth I never thought possible. The joy they give me each day is immeasurable. How can I ever repay them for that? How can I ever repay my Heavenly Father for entrusting them to my care? I can't. I'm thankful to be a mother.

That's all for now.