Week 47

Thursday was Thanksgiving.  We had a really nice Thanksgiving alone at home.  It was a first one in a long time that we didn't celebrate with other families.  We spent the morning cooking, playing games, and just hanging around the house in our pajamas.  We got dinner ready and ate around 2:00pm.  After dinner, we cleaned up most of the food and then we headed off to the movies to see "Trolls."  The kids had gotten movie tickets from the "Switch Witch" after Halloween when they gave up their candy.  It was a real treat for them to see a movie in the theater and they were excited that they got drinks and popcorn too.  The kids really enjoyed the movie and Rob and I thought it was cute too.

Afterwards, I went to Kohls, Target, and Meijer to do some Black Friday shopping.  I could not BELIEVE the lines!  Luckily, however, I got everything that I went out to get!  Back at home, Rob and the kids at our pies for dessert.  Each of the kids wanted to make a pie so I helped them each make the pie of their choice.  I think that this is a tradition that I would like to continue.  It was fun to spend some quality time with each of the kids teaching them how to bake.  Brooklen made an apple crumb pie, Hurley made a coconut cream pie, and Zaya made a pumpkin pie with a gingersnap crust.

Yesterday, we bought our Christmas tree, put up Christmas decorations and spent 3 hours swimming at the community center.  I am so grateful for the time I've had this week to spend with my sweet family.  I love them so much and I am so grateful for them.

Week 46

Today's post will be brief.  I just wanted to express some of the emotions that I've been feeling lately. I feel a little on edge because I'm not sure where life is going to take this little family of mine.  We are unsure about where a job will lead us and when a new job might actually come.  It has left me with a feeling of uneasiness because it is hard to make any moves toward feeling more settled here in Midland.  I also am unsure where our family is really supposed to be.  I'd really like to stay in the Midwest, but I'm not sure if that's really where we should be or if that will even be possible.

I feel for my little kids and worry about moving them.  Would a move ultimately be better for them?  Will it be detrimental to them?  Of course, I know that I am a worrier and that I need to just let the Lord take the reins, but it is difficult to move forward when you have no control over a situation.

Week 45

Well, I'm finally getting around to uploading some recent photos.  First, are a few photos from pumpkin carving with my parents. The kids all did great this year.  Brooklen carved his completely by himself (my Dad only cut the top open for him) and Kaiton had a great time hammering little glow in the dark pegs into his.

Next up are Halloween photos.  These were taken quickly before the kids headed out to Trick or Treat.  I stayed back and handed out candy while Rob took the kids around the neighborhood.  We can out of candy in about an hour.  Soon many kids decided that our neighborhood was a great one to trick or treat in (it is!) and we had so many more kids than usual. Hurley was a butterfly (again), Brooklen was a baseball player, Kaiton was Marshall from Paw Patrol, and Zaya was a pirate (the funny thing was that she wore this costume on her first Halloween when she was 5 months old!!!

Lastly, Hurley had to do a project at school on communities and the good they can do.  We researched the Shelterhouse Resale shop since we have worked there several times in the last couple of years and the kids really love serving there.  Since I didn't have any photos of my kids serving there, I took the kids on Monday night for FHE.  The kids had so much fun sorting toys in the back room and organizing toys and stuffed animals out on the floor.  Here are a few photos I took of Hurley while we were there.

Week 45

Well, I'm finally getting around to uploading some recent photos.  First, are a few photos from pumpkin carving with my parents. The kids all did great this year.  Brooklen carved his completely by himself (my Dad only cut the top open for him) and Kaiton had a great time hammering little glow in the dark pegs into his.

Next up are Halloween photos.  These were taken quickly before the kids headed out to Trick or Treat.  I stayed back and handed out candy while Rob took the kids around the neighborhood.  We can out of candy in about an hour.  Soon many kids decided that our neighborhood was a great one to trick or treat in (it is!) and we had so many more kids than usual. Hurley was a butterfly (again), Brooklen was a baseball player, Kaiton was Marshall from Paw Patrol, and Zaya was a pirate (the funny thing was that she wore this costume on her first Halloween when she was 5 months old!!!

Lastly, Hurley had to do a project at school on communities and the good they can do.  We researched the Shelterhouse Resale shop since we have worked there several times in the last couple of years and the kids really love serving there.  Since I didn't have any photos of my kids serving there, I took the kids on Monday night for FHE.  The kids had so much fun sorting toys in the back room and organizing toys and stuffed animals out on the floor.  Here are a few photos I took of Hurley while we were there.