Thanks for the rest

Because it’s the end of the first school quarter—which (I think purposely) ended with a half day on Halloween and the second quarter will begin the day after Election Day—my kids have had a 5 1/2 day weekend. It’s been glorious. Have I gotten much accomplished? No, but I needed a rest. Also, wouldn’t it be nice if Election Day were a federal holiday? Let’s get the people voting.

Home for the holidays

Did I already post this picture? Idk. These were our Christmas PJs this year which we opened on Thanksgiving night. I did not take enough pictures on our trip.

Christmas and New Year’s were magical. It filled up my heart to be back with family after we stayed home last year. I was feeling overwhelmed while packing for the trip, and almost wishing we could stay home again, because last year’s Christmas and New Year’s in Virginia were cozy and magical in their own way. It didn’t take me long, though, to realize that we had definitely made the right choice to go. I love our families. My cup runneth over.

Thanks for Christmas!!!

This (above) is my favorite favorite favorite lil “meme” from lds.org. I love it so much. I’m so thankful for the Christmas season coming up. Something to look forward to—some magic—some warmth and twinkly lights. There’s so much pain and cold and darkness that I can’t ignore, but I can renew my strength through the beauty of this season and gratitude for my abundant blessings.

“I think it’s appropriate this time
of year to just think about that baby in the manger. Don’t be too overwhelmed or occupied with what is to come; just think about that little baby... I hope you will take time this Christmas season to sit for a few quiet moments and let the Savior’s Spirit warm you and reassure you of the worthiness of your service, of your offering, of your life. Sit quietly with that little baby and come away spiritually strengthened and better prepared for all that is going to come later. Let that moment be one of rest and refreshing and reassurance and
renewal." 

-D. Todd Christofferson, “Quiet Moments at Christmas” 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2015/12/quiet-moments-at-christmas?lang=eng

Thanks for Halloween

I went through my photos and triumphantly emerged with photographic evidence of Halloweens past. Note the amount of recycling costumes my kids like to do. I am ALL for it.

2020 - pandemic version, all recycled but with the requisite face masks

2019 - just won the World Series version, Lars had the strangest costume this year. Matt and I were Axl Rose and Slash, will need to find that photo and add it later. This was the first year I wasn’t a witch. I’m always a witch.

2018 - we spent this Halloween in Utah. Ida’s Nancy Drew costume that we cobbled together the day before at Deseret Industries, is one of my faves ever.

2017 - old-school scary and the final sighting of the butterfly

2016 - old-school scary, plus butterfly

2015 - Star Wars forever

2014 - ghosts and monkey

2013 - ghosts and frog

2012 - the famous monkeys, these were a big dress-up favorite for years

2011 - first sighting of the monkeys

2010 - butterfly again for Ida, and Theo refused to dress up

2009 - happy-go-lucky butterfly and miserable frog

2008 (the Halloween that will live in infamy, when I trick-or-treated while carrying 2-week-old Ida and then went into full-blown mastitis mode within hours)(Theo was a BYU football player, and I had bought a brown sleeper for Ida to be a football, but she was tiny so it was way too big)

2007 - Mommy’s little mummy

I guess we didn’t dress up before we had kids, or at least we didn’t take any pictures. That’s the earliest Halloween photo I have. I do remember spending Halloween 2006 at our friends’ the Fillmores’. Am I making up that memory? I don’t know. I think I remember driving to their Arlington apartment straight from work for a party. And I was quite pregnant. We were in the middle of moving from DC to VA.

I am very thankful for fun holiday traditions that my kids love and therefore I love.