Halloween's Past

Happy Halloween! I haven't gotten a pictures of my kiddos in their costumes yet this year but as I looked threw their old photos a flood of memories started swimming thew my head and I couldn't not share some of my favorite pictures of past Halloween's.

 

 2012

Rapunzel and Snow White

 2013

Cinderella, Snow White, and a Pea in a Pod

 2014

Egyptian Queen, Turtle, and Chewbacca

 2015

Fairy Princess, a Bat, and Tinker Bell

2016

Mavis (Hotel Transylvania), a Witch, and a Deer

We are going trick or treating with friends for the second year in a row in their neighborhood since we don't really live in a neighborhood and our road is a little too busy to walk down. The girls are so excited and Jacob and I are hoping we'll be able to get Penelope into her costume tonight since she refused to wear it to a Halloween party I took her to on Saturday. I've picked out all the kids layers so they'll hopefully be warm while walking around tonight and we'll see how many house they go around too. After walking around for two hours last year they got so much candy that their buckets were overflowing to which Savannah said, "Oh well I guess we'll have to be done now our buckets are all full." I'm also remembering more and more how much I love this time of year, Halloween is just the first holiday to kick off the fall/winter season and my girls have inherited my love for celebrating holidays. I just can't wait for all the new memories we'll be able to create over the next few months as we have fun together, remember those things we're thankful for, and have an even greater focus on our Savior Jesus Christ.

Seasons

I love the changing seasons so much and I feel so lucky that where we live in Northern Arizona we are able to enjoy all four. Our leaves are just starting to change and the mornings are getting cooler. I love being able to have our windows open and snuggle up under a big warm blanket in the mornings with the girls before we start getting ready for school. This is also the time of year that we spend a lot of time outside going on adventures and playing at the park. We also got to visit our local pumpkin patch which is always a favorite fall activity.

Let's Try This Again

We're almost coming up on two years since I last posted and it's amazing to me to think that that much time has really gone by. To think of what has happened that I haven't shared and why I haven't  shared. I loved blogging, it was for me and those I care about who live far away to stay involved in what we were doing. So why did I stop? Life. Its an easy answer really but one that has so many layers too. Life is busy and overwhelming and all encompassing. We had our fourth baby almost 2 years ago which is exciting and yet also almost brings a tear to my eyes, how is she already so big and almost 2?! Didn't I just have her, didn't she just join this crazy family of ours? I've been enveloped in the role of mother and now that our youngest is just starting to grow up I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like I can now tread water and expand my title from mother to anything else I might want. My problem is that I don't know what else I want my title to be. I love being a mother but it is a time consuming job and I have given it my all to the point that I don't even remember who I was before I had children. How did I let that happen? I have found joy in being a mother that I know I would be unable to find anywhere else and my role as a mother will never be gone but as my children get older and their dependence on me changes I find myself able to have time for myself and I don't know how to fill it. I know I'm not alone, that there are so many other women who feel the same way I do. Our lives are amazing because they are always changing and evolving as we leave different phases and then begin new ones. I am slowly entering into a new phase and I'm excited to see where it takes me and my family. Change is scary but its so worth it to see where it can lead us. I've been confident in who I am and I still am confident in who I am but I'm excited and nervous to grow and rediscover what I love besides just being a mom.

I love this picture of my sweet family even though it was taken when our youngest was only 7 months old and we are fast approaching her second birthday. These people make my life so much sweeter and they are my biggest cheerleaders so wherever this life takes me I know I can accomplish anything with them by my side.