A witch came to our house and left behind an icky potion filled with eyes. PB and Mr. C fiddled with the potions and managed to turn Mommy into a cat, dog, wolf, and elephant. Luckily it didn’t last.

(Credit to Fun At Home for the idea)

The next day, a vampire left behind a gross treat of bloody animals. Even C thought this was icky. (Unflavored gelatin is disgusting.)

The kids dressed up, and ate too much candy. We went to four festivals/trick or treats, and one party at friends, along with traditional trick or treating.

The kids were excited the first time they put on costumes. They wouldn’t hold still for a good picture. But then we lost the robin mask, and PB only put on his costume when he had too. And really, these are the same costumes we used last year. My kids aren’t into dressing up, which mostly means less work for me.

 

At PB’s birthday party. C is holding tightly to that balloon. He likes balloons. 

The garden is no more. The massive dirt play space is back.

Giant Lego tower built by Joe loved by PB

PB took this photo. Not bad. And you can notice my laziness: C is wearing two different shoes. They were out. Didn’t feel like going to the closet to get a matching set.

My children

excited for mac and cheese, yell and clap their hands in excitement.

wrestle, and run around the house in giggles and sometimes tears

create odd situations, like stickers on the toilet

forgive quickly and effortlessly.

help pick garden vegetables

smile and laugh at crazy dance parties.

play joyfully in the car when it breaks down

My toddler

kisses by licking my face and blowing a raspberry.

cleans up every spill he sees

repeats about any word he hears and understands: the best one was a perfectly clean, “Happy”

does somersaults off of exercise balls with mom, again and again

My preschooler

loves when he gets a simple matchbox car

performs puppet shows narrated by mom over and over again

stays up late in anticipation of his birthday

tells grandma he hates the puppets she gave her, but then plays with them anyway

got a new book he’s read before and said, “I always wanted this book!”

asks so many questions, and wants to rate everything

reads books over and over

I get bogged down with things to do, with car repairs, closing delays, with children who can be exasperating just because they are children. But life is good, and full of sweet precious moments to treasure.

I thought I would share some thoughts I have had recently about my faith: my beliefs that comes from membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I don’t know 100% that the church is true. I have felt a feeling that mirrors a loving hug  when I needed it the most, which I believe comes from a loving Heavenly Father.  My life goes surprisingly well when I follow it’s teachings. (Although never exactly what I plan.) But I do not have all the evidence or experiences that clarify every question, dispel every doubt, or prove that all the doctrine is true.

To me proving that this church is absolutely true is not that important anymore. It is answering the question: Do I want it to be true? My answer is yes. I would rather believe in God, and Christ, and prophets and covenants than any other beliefs.

Sometimes I think people let doubt get in the way of their faith. I have. I have not wanted to believe. But those times are usually accompanied by blackness and not a lot of happiness. The best, happiest times in my life are also the ones accompanied by increased faith, and obedience to the doctrines of the church.

I want the church to be true. A reoccurring, upsetting theme in my dreams is scenarios where the church changes its doctrine, basically meaning that the church is not true. I much prefer the consistency of the church and the happily ever after promises.

(If you want to know where some of these thoughts came from, watch Life of Pi, or this talk.)

This is my explorer. He climbed up onto the counters, into the cupboards and foraged his breakfast while mommy got ready. His choice of jumbo marshmallows didn’t fly. Mommy moved them into a different cupboard. Undeterred, he moved the stool, climbed up and got them again. There were many tears when the marshmallows were firmly put away in the highest cupboard and he was offered cereal for breakfast.