HAPPY Halloween

Tonight, Jason and I just fell back into our couch and whispered (at the same time), "We did it!" Keeping up with holiday traditions isn't always easy. But, thank goodness for holidays, huh? In every holiday the goal is to make it a source of joy. Traditions are a big part of that--and, of course, just letting yourself enjoy every season as it comes.

I don't find great meaning in Halloween. I know it has roots in All Saints' Day (I cleaned up after a few of those celebrations in the Philippines!) But for me it's all about having fun--especially for my kiddos. I also like that Halloween kicks off the beautiful holiday season. I can't wait to put my Fall decorations up! I find it secretly fun to use Halloween for all the commercialism and fun (chocolate) it can offer. The holidays that follow have such beautiful, deep messages that need to be celebrated. Maybe Halloween allows me to get out all of my holiday jitters and by November 1st I find myself ready and in the right spirit to start preparing for Thanksgiving, and especially, Christmas.

I find that I can remove stress from keeping up on holiday traditions if I focus on making them a source of joy in one way or another. So, here are some of our Halloween joys.

First, the GORGEOUSNESS and CRISP AIR of AUTUMN. It just doesn't get any better.

There was definitely some joy floating around here last night after a TRI-WARD Trunk-or-Treat. And these are not small wards, I tell ya. My kids will be eating candy for months. Soup, games, and lines of trunks full of candy. Nothing better!

Costumes--definitely can't leave that one out. Every year we can't agree for everyone to dress up in the same theme so we make up stories cast by the chosen creatures. This year I put a stop to the stories because every plot involved a poor, distressed, damsel. Sarah really had no chance with this crew. But I like how they carefully choose which costume they like every year and then it's added to our dress-ups! So much fun!

Oh! And we can't forget the pumpkin carving. My secret source of joy comes from quietly laughing at my husband who spends 80% of his days elbow deep in intestine but can't stomach pumpkin innards. He totally turns pale at the smells and sight! But, he still does it with us! Also, I just love the finished product and how proud the kids are at their personal designs.

Ahhh...the sugar cookie. I love working in the kitchen with my kids and making sugar cookies is the ultimate in kitchen experience. They all love it. Then we have tasty treats to eat and share!

Most of all we're just so happy to enjoy another beautiful holiday as a family! We hope you all had a fun-filled Halloween, too!

Please Explain.

Just a few notes:

-The laundry basket is completely empty except for that 1/2 khaki pant leg.

-This doesn't make me mad. It makes me giggle. And, it gives me a reason to say, "Please clean your room!" once in awhile.

BUT, that doesn't explain how and why this happens! Any ideas?

I am Thankful for Prophets

Statue of the Prophet Joseph and his brother, Hyrum leaving Nauvoo for the last time. Our favorite place to visit in Nauvoo this summer.

Two weeks have passed since General Conference. We always love to listen to the words of our prophets and apostles and to feel the Spirit testify over and over that what they are saying is true. I love regaining a testimony every time that these are men of God. I love the clarity that comes in doctrine and the refreshment I feel to keep living like I should. I also appreciate the course corrections that are personally pointed out to me in addresses meant for millions of people. I think the Holy Ghost is always working extra hard during those two days to help us out. All we need to do is listen and pray.

Nauvoo Temple (June 2010) So excited for new temples announced. Especially for the ones in Hartford, CT and in the Philippines.

In these past two weeks we have felt the power of their words in our home. I know many of you have felt it, too. Every change, word, and deed that has happened because of General Conference has drawn us closer as a family and closer to Christ. I guess that power has to last for another 6 months until we watch and listen again! I am so thankful for living prophets.

Jason's parents were with us to enjoy conference. It made such a difference to be with them and feel their love.

Get it Together!

I had it all together on Tuesday morning.

3 Homework folders placed in backpacks the night before (!).
3 Jackets in 3 backpacks.
Walk-a-Thon Money due. One envelope in each backpack.
3 backpacks zipped and ready to go!
AWESOME! Time to go. Prayers and out the door. Pause. Sarah has a stinky diaper. Start to change diaper.

"Mom, can we put out jackets on now?" Unzip backpacks. 3 jackets on.

Sarah's cleaned up. Get in the car.

Drive up to school. "Where are your jackets." "Oh. We took them off because it got hot in the house." No jackets.

Kids jump out of the car in long drop off line. "Have a good day, guys!" Doors shut.

Notice Jordan running into school. Backpack upside down and unzipped. Homework folder slides out on to the ground. I try to roll down the window but push the lock button instead. So I honk and wave to get his attention. Offend person in front of me for honking (she throws her arms up and shrugs shoulders at me). Offend person behind me (not moving forward fast enough). Jordan doesn't even turn his head. Off to class w/o his homework.

Return home to make Sarah breakfast only to find Tyler's homework sitting on the counter. OH! I get it! I said put your FOLDER in your backpack before dinner the night before. But he missed put your HOMEWORK in your FOLDER. I knew I shouldn't let myself feel like an awesome mom just 15 minutes earlier.

Pick up kids after school. Check backpacks. Reminder from teacher. PLEASE remember your children's jackets. The temperatures are CHILLY in the morning. Thanks.

Reminder from Jordan's teacher. Please remember your homework. Check lost and found for Jordan's homework. Found it! Someone had picked it up off the ground--hand it in tomorrow.

Reminder from Tyler's teacher: You will have to stay in for recess if you forget your homework, again.

Carter! No reprimands from Carter's teacher! I KNOW he remembered his homework. But wait. No! "PLEASE remember Walk-A-Thon money tomorrow. It is past due." In the bottom of his backpack was the money. "Oops. Sorry mom."

I know none of this is about me. Kids should be responsible for their own stuff, right. RIGHT? WRONG! For all 3 moms who read this blog we all know it feels like a reflection on us. Luckily, by the end of the day I was laughing at this stuff. But, it's so hard on the days you REALLY DO have it together to realize you REALLY don't! So, here's to living life happily regardless of appearing to have it together!!

Remembering Summer Days

Happiness

It still shocks me that the last time I blogged we were in 4 feet of snow in New Hampshire hittin' the Enfield slopes with great friends. Has 9 months really gone by since that post? I like to blog. It's fun for me and I hope that I will be doing it a little more often. Life has been crazy since that last post, but to simplify things--sold our home in NH, bought our home in ID, moved and we are loving living in the west again! I'm not making any attempt at "catching up" but I'll post a few pictures so we can keep up with family and friends. So here's to returning to the blogging world!

A few weeks ago our Stake Patriarch spoke in sacrament meeting. He made his way slowly to the stand and then gave the most stirring talk on HAPPINESS.
He began: Finding happiness is the whole meaning of our existence. He said that if we want to argue with him about this we can come over to his house. But beware, he said, "you will lose because I have a whole line up of batters that will prove I am right". He quoted Socrates and Plato--and if we're too stubborn to listen to them he said there are 56 more strong men (whose signatures are on the Declaration of Independence) that would argue for him, too. Joseph Smith would be on his side. He said he'd be willing to listen to our argument, but we would lose. The last of his line up was Victor Frankl a famous holocaust survivor with his quote:
"Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. " On this particular Sunday, I needed this quote. A LOT. I still need it! Just a little reminder that we all have so MANY things to be happy about--that 99.9% of the time grumpiness really isn't warranted. When you think about it--why is it so hard to not be grumpy sometimes? We have so much! Jason's Grandpa Kemp actually said it the best. He has severe macular degeneration and he has lost most of his sight. As we were leaving his house this summer he said, "Well, I can either be blind happy or blind angry. I think I like blind happy."

There's danger in making a list because I have millions of things to be happy about--but, here are a few just because I have pictures of them. :)

Close to Grandpas and Grandmas

Kemp cousins with Grandma and Grandpa

Learning some skills from grandpa

A good school to attend and great friends all around us who helped us find the school and always help us know our way around town.

Tyler, Jordan, and Carter on their first day of school

Time at home with this little princess. I am so blessed to have this time with her. She makes me smile.

Sarah on her bike w/balloon from grandpa

Finding new places to enjoy around our new home!

Camping!

Fall and Football

Go Ty!

TD run for Jordan!

More femininity around the house.

Big pony and little pony watching Care Bear be rocked to sleep

And lots more things that keep us busy and make us happily tired. We miss all our wonderful friends in NH--but we are loving our new home in the west and the great people we've met here!

Sarah asleep at our kitchen table