Halloween craft time

I got the chance to finally sit down with my kids and pull out some scissors and glue. I loved it. Made me feel happy and that this is what childhood is all about and family time. It might have even been the highlight of my week. For some reason, I felt like this was the best thing we've done in awhile. Maybe it's because I don't seem to have much time to do fun things with them since after school is filled with homework, snack, and then soccer 3 out of the 5 weekday nights, and with Trent gone late during busy tax season, I'm pulling double duty...being pregnant added another tricky wrench to this narrative. I convinced Trent that we "needed" supplies at Dollar tree, so he drove us there on the way home from Brenden's soccer practice at Bill Briar family park near his office. (Thankfully Joann's was having a $1 sale on their quarter fabric and I chose Halloween colors and got out of there before I wanted to also buy all of the other cute Halloween decorations). 

Then we had to wait a few days to carve out the time to sit down together and make something Halloween-y. 

Brenden and Kyleigh were scissor experts and made lots of great strips to place on our fake pumpkins. They painted mod pose glue like pros and soon enough we have a couple of high class pumpkins that certainly no longer look $1 😍

I love being a Mom, and especially to these guys. They're my crafting pals now. :)

Parenthood...planned or not.

Being pregnant with your fourth child can be both a whirlwind of activity as well as a motivation to slow down and savor these moments that really are fleeting. It truly wasn't so long ago that I was pregnant with Brenden and planning for our first baby and all the changes that would occur. We thought we were prepared....we bought all the swaddling blankets, diapers, and creams, we read a few chapters in the What to Expect book, and we knew we had good examples of parents to recall and draw from/upon. But, just like most things in life, you don't truly know what you're getting into until you're there.

Being a Mother is one of those experiences that you just have to try it to be able to understand.

I love being a Mother. The best part is when I see my little girl, Kyleigh, get big eyes and wide grin when she sees Kent come into the room. She loves him and nurtures him in a sweet way. I am so happy that the instinct of nurture comes naturally to her.

I am grateful I do not have to take this ride of parenthood alone. I have a wonderful husband. He is devoted to me and the kids. He is not selfish with his time and puts us in priority over other hobbies or entertainment factors. We couldn't have ordered a better husband/dad than the one we were given.

This life is short. In no time at all, we will be back with our Heavenly Parents and they, I'm sure, will be excited to welcome us home...similar to the way a parent welcomes home a returned missionary that has been gone for 18-24 months. It will be sweet.