Sweet November

Where have you gone?

This month has been bonkers. Seriously bonkers. Crazy school, crazy world, crazy life. But alas, Fall break is fast approaching, and the semester is winding down. Per request of my few and faithful reader(s) (you know who you are) here are some more Halloween pictures.

out for the tricks and treats.

Friday night we went to video store and walmart in costume.

this was the local Zoo Boo.

One wonderful thing in November for our little family is that our sweet Jed is rocking 1st grade. I think I have blogged about him being in the Special Education program. He tested quite low for math, reading, language arts, in Kindergarten. Well, last week, they asked if they could put him back in the regular room for math, because he was doing so well. Then this week, they asked if he could do reading in the regular classroom. They told us that he would always have a learning disability. However, if he has one, we dont know what it is exactly, and we have hope that what he really needed was a bit of extra time. We realize the road is still long, but we are amazed with the work Jed is doing. He CAN read!!! Geesh! That is crazy! He is really doing well. Erick has been the homework master because I have been out to school every night, and it seems those boys understand each other.

Anyway, I am exhausted. I have some 'real' clients who are paying me for graphic design projects, and I have some other things in the works for school - must ponder on them first.

Whats on your Thanksgiving menu?

Makes Momma Proud

Happy Halloween!
We started our spooky festivities last weekend when we took the kids to the Zoo Boo at the zoo. Then Friday night we hit the family video where the kids got to play games, get their faces painted, bowl on the Wii, and rent free videos since they wore costumes. Then we stopped at Walmart for a few groceries and trick or treating too. Yesterday was the highlight, with a bit of sunshine and a lot of wind, but no rain or snow for trick or treating. We scored the annual doughnuts from the doughnut lady, and even got some full size bars! The kids actually hardly got any non chocolate candy! Awesome!

Ella made me so proud, after each house, she would turn around, and hold up a piece of chocolate and say, "Look mom! Its my favorite!" or "Look mom! This one is for you!"

Love my candy kids! Their passion for sugary sweets just makes a momma so proud!

As far as costumes, if I get to it, I will post more pictures. Ella wore two different costumes over the course of events (Ariel and a Cat), and so did Luke(Spiderman and Stitch). Jed managed to dress as Super Shield (his 1st grade superhero costume), Ben Ten, and Anakin Skywalker.

Hope your Hallow's Eve was as spooky and snuggly as ours.

Picture Day

Its a Miracle!

I scrapped last Friday! amazing! I went to the local store with some buds and made some cute decorations for Ella's 5th birthday. A post to come regarding all that. Then today, I spent a good amount of time doing productive things, and rewarded myself with making two cards. I used the blog sketch over at Paper Popsicles to create both cards. I was going to make one, and I thought, if I am getting all my supplies out, I should make two. I tried to make three using the same supplies, but the mojo wasn't there anymore. But it was fun and I like both of these cute cards.

Our local scrap store is closing. They started a big liquidation sale yesterday. I went and left right away because it was insane! I will go back sans kids I think... But then where do I go to scrapbook with my pals? My house? Whatever works.

Generally General Conference

This past weekend was 'conference weekend' for the Mormons. Twice a year the leaders of the church give talks from Salt Lake, pertaining to all manner of topic, scripture, Christ, charity, families, and other aspects of our religion. General Conference as it is called is great for many reasons. One, we can listen to the broadcast on the Internet, and we also get the BYU channel through AT&T, so we also get to watch from home. This is so nice. I like to hang in comfy clothes, snuggle with kids and blankets and listen to wise men and women offer council and encouragement that feels meant just for me. I listened to intent testimony from Apostles, whom are called by God, and believe with their souls the truth of Christ, His atonement and the truth of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. It was uplifting to listen. While I listened this year, the family milled in and out of my 'front room' which is where my computer is. I had a lot of homework and so while listening, I worked on a picture I had to do for a school assignment. This was a photograph I took of the Washington DC temple when I went there with my sister like, what 2 years ago... The assignment is about coloring/shading, and perspective.

More important than linear perspective is Eternal Perspective. Something I have, but often forget in the hub bub of day to day life. What seems so very important now, may truly not matter in the eternal perspective. What may seem trivial, and can be postponed for later, might actually matter more eternally than anything else. Such as prayer and reading scripture.

You can access the archives of General Conference here. Even if you are not Mormon, its OK, you just might hear something to lift your soul. I personally feel inspired to continue improving my personal prayer and scripture study. I look forward to April when I get to listen again.

Haunted Henries

Happy October! I love the Fall! I am trying to really put a bit more effort into making the house feel festive this Fall, and embrace the holidays as they arrive. We have some apple cinnamon fragrances around the house, a BOO! rug, and I bought the $5 Fall flowers from Walmart last week. Just adds a little something I think.

In the spirit of the holiday, I give you Jed, in costume, drawn from a photo by me.

Nope.

No, I couldn't peel the egg with the special technique. Bummer. But I can see how it could have worked... if you have the lung capacity. My cheeks hurt when I try to blow up balloons, but someone who doesn't have that problem, like Erick, could totally do it I think.