Life Is In The Little Things

Two weeks of lifes little details...random events that meant something to us. First, the Halloween class parties at the elementary school were all fun filled. I was lucky enough to be able to help in all three since they were at different times. The kids at school all looked so cute. I think Halloween is just as fun as an adult for different and similar reasons...different because I enjoy watching the kids dress up and their excitment over the day....and similiar for the joy we all get in pounds of chocolate and sugar!

Hallelujah for warmer weather than expected on Halloween night! The older boys went off with friends for the evening to canvas the neighborhood at a higher speed. How fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood. Their bags were actually heavy when they got home. The rest of us joined with cousins for two times around the loop--one on each side of the road. Carson was tired of walking after the first house, they all argued over who would ring the doorbell, and a great time was had by all! Sadie gave the most enthusiastic "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" at every door I've ever heard. She probably won't even eat 1/4 of her candy but she loved the whole holiday. The kids have figured out how to make the fun last by dumping out all their candy and swapping goodies with their siblings. It's as crazy as the New York stock exchange. I love receiving the unwanted treats, which always reminds me how grateful I am the none of my children like caramel! Some day they will wise up, but until then I'll willingly suffer through Twix bars and Milk Duds.
Basketball season began for Hayden, Sara, and the Utah State Aggies. It was a three game Saturday with wins all around. Austin declared Sara the superstar of her game when she scored the most points on her team and outhustled most of them as well. Todd and I took the youngest three kids to an Aggie game and Sadie can truly now be from Cache Valley since she's got an Aggie shirt and seen the Aggie bull drop from the ceiling at the beginning of the game!

Carson discovered cowboy boots this week. He looks darling and loves clomping around on the hard wood floors. He told me he was dancing. His vocabulary is expanding with adjectives (gross, weird) and he's usually good for at least one laugh each day. I need to write down some of his one liners to remember them. I also appreciate his "big hugs" he's started handing out daily.

Hayden had the experience of burying his first pet....his gecko Indy, who'd been terminal for months now. Some life experiences aren't happy, but nevertheless make a child learn and grow.

The hobo, the ladybug, Hagar the Horrible, the dragon, and the bummy (bunny)!

Sadie decided one evening she wanted her necklace off. It shocked us all and I felt a little hesitant taking it off. It's been on her every minute we've had her and it just seemed strange and wrong to remove it. Being tied on, it wasn't easy to take off and on, so we've just left it be. She's slept, bathed, and lived with it for two months. I wish I knew why she wanted it off. For now, it's tucked away as a precious keepsake. I hold dear the things she was wearing the day we met her. They were all of her worldly possessions and to me they are as treasured as a babies first photo or blessing outfit or special blanket.

Sadie was sick this past week. She finally got the fever we all had last month. She missed being at school and finally brought me her flashcards on the third day to practice. She was very happy to get on the bus Friday and get back to her little routine.

Life is good and as we made our annual Thankful Turkey (pictures forthcoming) I catch myself thinking I want to remember these little things....the things the kids say, the pictures that plaster the refrigerator, the smiles as they get on their costumes...we are blessed....very blessed.