Vampires and Undead

This year I decided to make carving pumpkins a bit easier on myself. Instead of tediously helping my children prick the flesh of 6 pumpkins to then tediously cut out small shapes to form intricate characters, we made vampires and undead.  Depending on their desired creature, all they had to do was cut out circles or ovals.  Soooo much easier.  The result was FUN.  And it didn't cost me but $1.  The pumpkins we grew in the back yard.  The eye balls I made out of ping pong balls.  The idea I got from Martha Stewart.  Jaren was the only to come up with a pattern all his own.  He was excited with his "slender man" pumpkin. 

Our Vampires and Undead sitting next delicate Disney Designs.

All lit up!

Carving with Cousins

Baby Elsie

Too cute not to take a picture of.  Elsie was really fussy when we began to finally carve.  When I was done helping my kids I took her from Kelli to see if I could help her.  Brent usually is the one to whisper to her and get her to go to sleep.  Well, I guess I still have a bit of magic left in my mothering arms cuz I was successful in getting her to fall asleep too.  I rocked her and we sat for a good while.  I missed being able to rock my own babies.  I felt no pangs to have another.  I felt comfort in knowing that my family is complete. 

My stackables with their stackables.

So proud

 

Hannah's Three Eyed Vampire Zombie

In true Hannah style, has to add some kind of disgusting gory touch

Beckham getting his finger eaten by his undead

This year we carved pumpkins at Mike and Donna's.  I made a cheddar broccoli soup to contribute to dinner.  I wondered why I was bringing anything since I knew everyone would go for Donna's home made chicken noodle soup.  Well, I was right, they all had Grandma's soup.  But my cheddar broccoli soup was actually really good this time.  So good in fact that I think Mike had at least 4 bowl fulls.  He came into the living and declared, "Amberlyn, did I tell you how outstanding your soup is?"  I laughed and said no.  

If any year snuck up on me and caught me by surprise, it's this year.  I feel so unprepared for all the traditions that take place this time of year.  I feel the pressure to make sure that my children feel gratitude during Thanksgiving, and to feel of the spirit of Christ and love during Christmas.  I felt as though last year lacked some how.  I feel as though I need to make up for that.  I need to lose myself in serving my family.  I am still caught up in my own very personal, very real struggles.  I think I need to start focusing elsewhere.  I know I mentioned this a few months ago.  But really putting it into action is different then just proclaiming it.  

My holidays will be what I make them out to be. 

Photo Shoot

I'm not going to lie, I was not excited about getting my photo taken. Brent's side of the family needed a new family photo. I was not thrilled by the prospect. The main reason for my timidness is that I'm not super happy with how I look these days. But I girded my loins and went forward with the planning. The photographer and I went out the day before to find the perfect spot. It was a beautiful place to take photos. Despite my chubs, I think our photos turned out lovely.

I love this man!

While the others were getting their photos taken by the professional, I snapped these shots of my kids.

I really really loved how this turned out!!

We're always like this

Crazy, noisy and out of control!

I also loved this photo!

As I was getting dressed for this excursion I literally teared up with how disappointed I was with my chubs.  Then my girls were so kind and kept telling me how pretty I looked. I had to give myself a pep talk.  There are certain things in life that you have little control over.  Like your thyroid going crazy.  I found out the Monday after these were taken that my thyroid needs help and has been a contributor to my weight gain.  I'm not excited that there is something wrong with me, but at the same time I am relieved.  Relieved to know that there is something that I can get help with.  I started taking medication, exercising regularly, and eating lots of vegetables and I hope to find some relief in the near future.  I realized once again that I have to take control of my health.  The reason for that is in these pictures.  My family is everything to me.  The family shown, and the family not shown.  I want to be there for my children, my husband, my parents, my siblings, my in-laws, my nieces and nephews.  I have let my weight get in the way of my life.  I need to stop doing that.  People need me, and I need them.  

The day Grace went to Preschool

Well, the day finally came for Grace to go to preschool. We had to wait 2 painful weeks after the other kids started before she could go.  Grace was more then ready to start learning and socializing with a teacher and peers.  I was excited to have a little bit of time to myself during the day too.  But to be honest, I sneeze, wipe, and the time is gone.  There's not much time to do anything at all. I've been going back and forth on how to use that time.  I've come to the conclusion that I am going to do things just for me. Feast upon the scriptures, exercise and get ready for the day.  And if there happens to be a few spare minutes, a little bit of cleaning.  I will only get more of this when she starts kindergarten.  I heard someone say the other day that having a child in kindergarten is like a prison sentence.  2.5 hours just isn't enough time to do much of anything.  But I'll take it.  2.5 hrs of a quiet house is better then none.  And 2.5 hrs to do what ever the cus I want, is wonderful.

Miss Kasa

When it was time to pick Grace up, I waited patiently in the van for the other Moms to get out of the way so I could pull up.  I watched Grace as she spilled out of the garage with the other kids.  I didn't even think to get out of the van and walk up to her.  I didn't think it was that big of a deal.  Later on that day Grace asked me this, "Mom, how come you weren't there to pick me up like all the other moms?"  Shoot.  I made sure from that day on to get out of the car and wait for her in the driveway.  It's interesting to see what things are and aren't so important to our children. 

As I walked away from her my emotions once again got the best of me.  My last baby girl took another big step away from me.  That moment was filled with mixed feelings.  Excitement for her and let's not be silly, for me too.  Fear for her, will she be okay.  I only worried about that the first day.  She's eased into this whole pre-school gig with grace and confidence. I can't say that I am lonely, not yet.  There's still not enough time to get lonely or bored!  I felt a little sad too.  Sad that this phase of my life is coming to an end.  The phase where children are always around me every minute of the day, pawing for my attention and help.  I don't believe that sadness will last for long.  It's just a natural progression of motherhood.  I have a feeling, already dealing a bit with teenagers, that I will miss the phase I am leaving because the new one is going to be a lot more emotionally and mentally draining and challenging.  Fixing a scraped knee is a lot easier then fixing a broken heart.

Payson Temple: The foundation

On the last Monday in September I drove the kids down to the Payson Temple site. I thought it would be a great idea to take the kids there at the end of each month, take a photo, and document the things that went on in that month.  With the hopes of making a book for each of my kids to have.  This Temple is special to a lot of people in this area.  I really want this to be a big deal for my kids.  I want them to look at this Temple as "theirs".  As I'm sure a lot of families feel the same way.  I always have grand ideas but none of them ever come to fruition.  I hope this one does.  I'm going to work my hardest to make sure it happens!

Payson Temple 

September 24th, 2012

Because of the fence surrounding the grounds, we really couldn't see the foundation.  I made sure to talk about foundations,  how strong they need to be to hold up the building.  I also talked about how strong our own foundations need to be.  My kids were great and answered the gospel, and I made sure to emphasize the Savior. 

My huddled Mass.

It was cold, we were there for about 5 minutes.

Just long enough to snap this shot. 

September was a crazy busy month for us.  Brent was called to the Bishopric and started his Sunday duties.  It hasn't been too bad so far.  I think I'm going to have to come up with a seating chart just to ensure my sanity for a little longer.
Soccer filled most of our days.  We had game after game after game.  Brent even volunteered to coach Beckham's team.  They threatened to disband the team if no one volunteered.  This was also the month that Brent was gone 3 of the 4 weeks for work.  Guess who ended up coaching?  Me for the majority of the games.  Not my most favorite gig.  And doing it as a single parent made the commitment that much harder. Needless to say I was ecstatic when the season was over with. Soccer season is fun.  I actually look forward to night on the field visiting with other parents and cheering the kids on, watching the colors on the mountains change, the weather turn, and all of the sudden it's October and the holidays are quickly biting at my heals.
September was also filled with Cross Country.  My kids are required to run Cross Country in Jr. High.  It did amazing things for Hannah.  It was a fight to get them to go, but worth every encounter.  By the end of the season I heard Jaren say, "There are only 2 things I'm good at, cards and running."  I was quick to exclaim, "Can I Get a Witness!"  We just laughed.  I'm hoping that Jaren continues with Cross Country through High School.  Hannah has already told me she's going to.
The younger kids continue to enjoy Elementary School.  Annika joined orchestra and started to learn the violin.  It's been fun to pick that instrument up again and play.  Isabel was feeling a little left out so I encouraged her to go to Choir.  Which she did.  Neither of them complain about the early hour or having to practice.  It's been great for their confidence. Beckham is enjoying the carefree life of an 8 year old.  He loves scouts and playing with his friends.
Grace started Pre-school!  She loves every minute of it too.  Yes, I have a little bit of time to myself, but 2 hrs flies by when you are trying to cram in a million and one things to check off.
The Temple is so important to me.  I have been waiting for years for a Temple to be announced for southern utah county.  I was sad that it wasn't in my own backyard.  When we pulled up to the site and saw all the small condos that lined the street and had the Temple as their view I couldn't help but think(and this is so horrible and I apologize for my language beforehand) "Lucky Bastards!"  Not a thought to think to help keep the spirit close to your hear, I KNOW!!  But that's how I felt.  I am grateful that we will have a Temple so close to the freeway.  It will be a blessing when it finally opens. 

Cutest In The Happiest

I was looking through some old folders on our computer downstairs. I completely forgot that I have pictures stored here. I came across these photos of Grace and her first trip to Disneyland.  I thought it was going to be great, and it was.  I just wasn't expecting her to be as mobile as she was at 7 months old.  Most babies this age are content to be sitting up and observing the world.  Not this little gal.  She was already crawling and not content on just sitting.  Towards the end of our time in Disneyland she had had it with being strapped inside the stroller.  I remember snapping these photos of her while my Dad was holding her by the Matterhorn.

This is how Grace spent most of the last day in Disneyland.  When we would come to a complete stop she would wiggle out of the belt and stand inside the stroller.  She was as happy as a lark like this.  We spent a lot of time waiting outside of rides.  You do that when you go with a baby and short people.

Droopy Drawers finding freedom 

from projective arms and strapping stoller 

I guess one of the real reasons I posted these photos is that I miss my sweet baby Grace being a baby.  It's probably harder for me knowing that she truly is the last.  As I look at her now being such a big girl in Preschool, I really do lament those sweet moments with ALL of my babies.  This time we had together by Snow White's castle was a time I will never forget.  The freedom and excitement Grace exhibited was not unique to this moment in time.  She is still filled with excitement for the world around her.  I just remember her being SOOOOO cute that I wanted to chew on her chubby bulbous cheeks!

I'm also going to miss the days when I have a good excuse to watch a Disney cartoon.  I've loved them since I was a kid.  I loved them when I was eighteen, and I love them now.  Too soon my kids will be grown and I'll have to wait till I have grandkids to watch them again.  Or maybe I'll throw one in every now and then while I'm folding laundry.  I know I'm so juvenile in the things that I love.  Lucky for me, I love a great many things other then all things Disney.

Another reason for posting is my longing to be in the Happiest Place on Earth right now.  We usually go in the Fall and I miss it.  We wont be going for another 3 years and I'm not sure if I will be able to last that long.  I can't tell you why we love it so much.  Well that's not entirely true, I could, but there are so many reasons you'd get bored.