Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Fall Festivities and Random Ramblings


Clear blue skies, pumpkin spice lattes, autumn leaves, cool weather. These are a few of my favorite (fall) things!
I feel like I look forward to fall all year long and when it gets here it never disappoints.  Each year I love it more and more. This fall has been extra special because we had so many wonderful visitors (hi Stef, Lynds and Mom!!).  It’s been a busy October but we've had so much fun! I love that Avery is at an age where she can enjoy fall festivities like carving pumpkins, going for a hayride and trick-or-treating! Last weekend my mom was here for my 30th birthday. Ugh, that makes me feel old. Having her here was the best present I could ask for! Anyway, we had so much fun doing fall things…

Saturday was a wonderful/awful day all rolled into one.  We went to Fort Worth for BBQ and trick-or-treating but Asher has had a nasty stomach bug  was not completely back to normal.  *WARNING – poop story – not the most fun to read about but someday (maybe) we’ll look back and laugh.


He did his usual scream at the top of his lungs thing in the car and when we got to the BBQ place I realized he had a major diaper blow out.  And while I had an extra pair of pants I didn't have another onesie and it was everywhere.  Oh, and the restaurant didn't have a changing table in the bathroom so after waiting in line for five minutes as the situation got increasingly messy, we ended up going back out to the truck and I attempted to get things cleaned up.  I ended up throwing out his pants and double wrapping his onesie in an “outer” diaper to try and get the situation under control because we were already running late for trick-or-treating thanks to a forgetful momma realizing that she’d forgotten the stroller after we were already halfway there. UGH.

We eventually made it to our destination and seeing my babies all dressed in their costumes made it all worth it.  Avery had a blast and was so happy to see her BFF.  Asher tolerated the stroller (yay!) and even fell asleep in his daddy’s arms on our way back to the house.  He then proceeded to scream for 30 minutes the whole way home.  I’m about at my whit’s end with this whole screaming in the car business.  I really don’t know what to do… I mean we still have to live our life and go places but oh.my.gosh. it is almost unbearable.

When I started this post I was going to write about my love of all things pumpkin and fall but sometimes you just need to vent.  And while I’m on the subject, I seriously don’t know how we’re going to survive a 15-hour trip to Colorado.  Have I mentioned that a few weeks back he screamed so loud and for so long it actually caused him to throw-up? Yeah, it’s that bad. Yikes.  If any of the 10 people who read my blog have any suggestions on this matter, I’d love to hear it.  And no, I’m not above giving my child Benadryl.  It will probably happen when we drive two hours to Temple.

So, back to our fall/Halloween/trick-or-treating fun.




So glad my mom was here to watch Avery trick-or-treat!

All the kiddos

BFFs



Sunday afternoon the kids took longer than usual naps (yay!!) and when they woke up we got everyone packed up and headed out to a pumpkin patch / petting zoo near our house. We pulled up at 2:30 to find the cutoff time for admission was 2:00! Really?  On a Sunday??? I was so shocked! And bummed. Avery started asking about the animals and I freaked out that she was going to be extremely disappointed so in my happiest voice I told her we were going to get ice cream instead!!  Thankfully she bought it and forgot all about the animals. We headed to Uptown Village at Cedar Hill to get some Gelato and enjoy the beautiful day.  BUT the store was closed… Again, seriously?  We could not catch a break!! BUT, we found a FroYo place and all was well in the world again. 









So the moral of my super long story is while nothing went as planned this weekend we had a wonderful time with my mom and everything turned out all right in the end.  There’s nothing like being a parent to teach you humility, patience and the importance of "Plan B".







Saturday, October 20, 2012

Perfect

I couldn't imagine a more perfect day.












 

Life doesn't get any better than this. Blessed.

Ruffy and Brian

Stef (aka Ruffy) and Brian came to visit a few weeks ago!! Avery had so much fun with her aunt and uncle, we went to the zoo and a pumpkin patch! Avery was spoiled rotten for a weekend and definitely had a blast being the center of attention! Poor little Asher was cutting his first tooth but still sweet as ever (when he wasn't crying!).

Friday afternoon we went to the Fort Worth Zoo.  I think the adults were more excited than the kids :) It wasn't too busy and the weather was perfect!







 I think Avery has a little crush on Brian :)

We went to a small pumpkin patch near our house to pick out a few pumpkins for the guys to carve. The rain held off just long enough to pick out a few pumpkins and take some cute pictures. 

My little pumpkin



Silliness 




She was not excited about getting her hands dirty! 

Asher looks terrified :) Aunt Ruffy is a crazy driver! 


Chuys!! 

Sweet sister :)  I just hate it that my kiddos only get to see her a few times a year.  


We had so much fun with Ruffy and Brian! Can't wait to see them again in two months!


Friday, October 19, 2012

Seasons


Once upon a time I dreamed that we would be living in Colorado when we had our first child. And then I dreamed we would be back before we had our second.  And I was absolutely positive we’d be back before I turned 30.  Yet here I am, 10 days away from the big 3-0 and still in this season of life I've been wishing away for the past four years.  

A season that has been both joyful and challenging but has brought so many blessings and memories. First house, first dog, first child, second child. 

Yet I can’t shake the constant nagging in my mind. The voice reminding me “this isn't where I want to be”.  I've often asked God, “is it really too much to just want to be close to family? I don’t want a fancy house or millions of dollars or anything extravagant.  I just want family.”  But I’m slowly beginning to realize that wasn't the season God had planned for us right now.  And I’m (even more slowly) learning to accept it.  Of course that doesn't mean I won’t throw the biggest party ever the day we pack our bags to move home but for now, this is where we are. 

And it’s good.  It really is. 

I believe God wants us to do great and mighty things for Him and He’s called us to listen and obey Him in this. But maybe my own personal stress is caused by knowing I want to be in a different place and also wanting to be faithful and trust in his plan. 

I believe we were designed to be in the place we are right now.  There is a reason.  There is a purpose.

I am beginning to understand that there ARE in fact seasons of life and right now I may not be where I pictured but I’m learning to be okay with the fact that my life is running the course God has chosen and not the one I had chosen.

Just a few pictures from my parent's cabin... someday we'll get to experience fall in Colorado!