October 2018: Chili Cook-Off and the Hot Sauce

I don't know why I did not take many pictures during this week but these videos are so fantastic it makes up for any lack of documentation of the rest of the week. 

At our Annual Ward Chili Cook-Off, someone brought a small bottle of hot sauce called Satan's Blood. My boys are crazy and decided to try just one drop. I have laughed way too much over these videos.

Jon did pretty well until his friend Andrew started to gag and throw up and then he began to get nauseated and struggle. But, there were some of the cute young women watching so he worked really hard to keep it together.  

For any posterity who may be reading this in the printed form of our blog, you need to find the digital file so you can watch the video- trust me it is worth it! 

October 2018: Cool Clouds and a Weekend Getaway with the Ostermiller's

Peter and I happened to be in the same part of Dallas one day and so we met for lunch. He had a few things to finish at his job site. Yes, he was wearing rubber boots, a mask, and a tool belt. My love grew for him in that moment as I watched him using his skills and knowledge to provide for our family. 

 I was driving Jon to school one day and the clouds were absolutely amazing! 

 They were rippled and swirling and awesome! 

 Awhile back, we came up with a hair brain idea to rent a cabin for a weekend in Broken Bow, Oklahoma and get away with our friends. It actually all came together and we did it and it was so nice. Now, I will say that this was the second time I have been to Broken Bow and the second time it has rained nearly the entire time we were there. 

We had a great time learning at the Nature Center on Saturday. There was supposed to be a special presentation along the surrounding trail by Forestry students from Oklahoma State. They took their presentation inside and it was really interesting.  

 We still braved the rain and cold and went on a short hike. We rewarded the children with a ridiculously long wait at a pizza restaurant for lunch. The pizza was delicious though! 

 Otherwise, we spent a lot of time playing games and watching movies. 

 Largest stick bug I have ever seen not in a zoo. 

 Joseph eluded all of my pictures so I had to get one of him on our way home after church. We attended sacrament meeting in a tiny branch nearby. 

We finished the weekend by making a slight detour to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, TX. It is not bigger than the real Eiffel tower but it does have a cowboy hat so that makes it better. 

I have this sense that our kids are growing up quickly and the opportunities to make memories with them is fleeting. Peter was really good and sat down and scheduled some camping trips the next few months. I hope that this intentional effort to spend more time together as a family experiencing this world around us will make for strengthened family ties and resilient children. 

October 2018: Color Run, Symphony, and General Conference

Every child should have the chance to feed ducks in their life. I would like to think that I have taken Samantha to feed ducks before but I do not know. Anyhow, I am so glad that I did- she loved it and this one particular duck made for a great experience. 

 Valley Ridge Elementary did a color run for their huge fundraiser this year and it was really fun to go and watch the kids soak up every minute of the activity and color mess! 

 I was lucky to get a shot of Lily pre color dust  but I did not catch Arabella until after. 

 These kids had a fantastic time! 

 This is my friend Erika who took one for her daughter's teacher and stayed with the kids when the stood in a large group and empty out their color pouches- so much dust and so much color! 

 Peter and I were able to get all dolled up and go to the Fort Worth Symphony with our friends Carlos and Jen Cruz. Debussy was the main composer showcased and it was lovely! We then had a fantastic time at dinner. I loved having the chance to spend time with my handsome husband and get in some great laughs and adult conversation with great people. 

 And then we had conference, which meant going through 72  hour kits. I am grateful for Peter's initiative on this and keeping us prepared! If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.

 The kids were so good and listened quite well. We had our traditional fruit and veggie platters. We also had Rueben sandwiches and chicken salad sandwiches. The bowls of candy with a word associated with it were probably the key to the good listening. If they heard that particular word they were able to have a piece of that candy. Lily was really good at this. 

This is Lily's efforts to take notes, since that is what Peter and I and older 3 kids were doing she joined in. I love early spelling. I love more her desire to listen to and understand the words of our leaders. It was such a great first week of October. 

September: Joseph's Birthday - 15!!

Oh, this amazing kid made me a mom 15 years ago. Being a parent brings so many emotions with it. I was 24 when I had Joseph and thought I had a pretty good idea of what life was all about and how to navigate it mostly. Well, Joseph has been my introduction into the unknown. He is a great kid and has helped me learn and understand so much about this world and the people in it. He has humbled me, loved me, forgiven me, and made me laugh. He offers his joy and laughter to anyone willing to join him in his happiness. Joseph seeks for goodness, light, fun, righteousness and obedience. 

 One giant pancake for my man child. 

 Due to early morning seminary, we did not have our usual birthday breakfast. So, Joseph asked for breakfast for dinner. He also asked for bundt cakes for dessert and I was happy to oblige- thank you Nothing Bundt Cakes. 

And then, this happened a few days later- He passed his Eagle Board of Review. So proud of him! 

September: Races- Tour de Fleur and Tough Mudder

I ran the Tour de Fleur at the Dallas Arboretum in the middle of September and it was a wonderful day for a race. This is such a fun race and the after party is so great- there is so much food! 

I love the group of ladies that include me in their running circle. 

 Pre-Race

 My final time.

Post-Race

Above is the pre-race and the below is the post-race.

At the end of September, Peter and I ran the Tough Mudder. It had rained and rained off and on for the days and even weeks leading up to it. The race was on though and gratefully we had an earlier start time. There was so, so much mud! The past 2 mud races I have done the trail between obstacles was dry dirt or sidewalk or road. Anyway, this time the trail due to the aforementioned rain was like unto a swamp, bog, mud bath, pigsty- choose your happy muddy place. We walked more than we ran due to not wanting to get hurt. They actually shut the race down a few hours after we finished due to medical help not being able to get to those injured on the trail. 

 Above: pre-race and below: post-race. This is the same spot and notice the grass has disappeared. 

 

This is my friend Stephanie Yost and I hope we have many more running adventures ahead of us.