when it's warm in november

The little boys and I spent the entire day outside. It was gorgeous. We set up camp in the driveway with a blanket, toys, chalk, bikes, snacks, and whatever else we deemed necessary. I cleaned the car and intermittently played. After making my car look like new, Kaden and I decided to tackle the garage. He was my little helper and he felt so big. I didn't even make him take a nap. He was sweeping, carrying stuff, throwing trash away, riding his bike, and running around like a crazy man. Adorable. He was perfect today. No whining, crying, or nonsense. He said funny things, had manners, we pretended all sorts of things, and he was my pal all day. There is no one I would rather spend a sunny Saturday with.

Kaden still comes up with the most hilarious things. A few of my recent favorites:

Hey momma, why are your legs so prickery and freckery?

M: Hey Kaden, will you please put Special Blanky on your bed?

K: Sure boss! He has called me boss repeatedly since then, and it really is so funny.

He also calls me the Bomb Dot Com whenever I do something he thinks is awesome or funny. When he says "thank you" he often says, "Thanks Mom, you're the best!"

He is so protective of his little brother. Beckham was throwing a fit today and I told him he was being ridiculous and his behavior was completely unnecessary. Kaden piped in, "Momma, he is just a baby and it's okay if he cries. He is just very frustrated. He just wants his Momma. Hugs him Mom." So sweet.

Beckham is just the cutest thing in the world and it's a good thing because he is so feisty! He took a three hour nap today though and was happy as can be.

I love days like today when we have no agenda. We just play and enjoy each other. I feel like a million bucks because my garage looks amazing and my car is spotless. I love that the little people were so happy and seemed thrilled to just have a day with mom.

I love these boys. I love these boys so much.

something better

A friend of mine just posted this quote and it is too wonderful not to share. It is an answer to the prayer of my heart. It made my heart feel light and peaceful and was yet another reminder of things that are good. A reminder that, even though things are good now, the best is yet to come.

When you are compelled to give up something, or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.-Elder Bushe, BYU Devotional May 1996

I say, try to find that something better in each day. I bet it's there in some form.

the things

"I know some good games we could play", said the cat. "I know some new tricks," said the Cat in the Hat. "A lot of good tricks. I will show them to you. Your mother will not mind at all if I do."

I will pick up the hook. You will see something new. Two things. And I call them Thing One and Thing Two.

Kaden is so in love with Dr. Seuss. He has nearly the entire collection and we read them over, and over, and over. He's got half of them memorized and when I mentioned he and Beckham be Thing One and Thing Two he got so excited. I had so much fun putting the costumes together and couldn't stop cracking up at the crazy blue hair. Those kids looked cute. Dang cute. I put the wigs on beanies and they didn't mind them a bit.

We spent the entire weekend celebrating. On Friday we went to the main street in Bayfield and tick-or-treated to all of the businesses. Then we hurried over to the rec center for the pumpkin swim. They dump 100 pumpkins into the pool and the kids get to swim with them, pick one, and take a goodie bag home. The boys were in heaven. Kaden was so cute clinging to his pumpkin bobbing up and down.

Saturday we went to a local community where they had more trick-or-treating, hot dogs, a live band, a bounce house, fun run, costume contest, and all kinds of games and festivities. It was so fun when other kids got excited to see our costumes. We even had a few people take our picture. Kaden got to jump and climb and be wild--his favorite things.

Saturday night we went to the trunk-or-treat. Kaden was so cute and excited. Beckham held his little bag out for candy and hammed it up. I have to admit that I am excited and scared to have all of this sweet stuff in my house. I love sweets and have a bit of an addiction. So, I probably should get rid of it, but I know I will actually end up eating most of it myself.

It was quite the Happy Halloween.

jack

I loved having Michaela and John-Isaac here for Halloween. I love that we have so much fun together. I guess we can be a little immature when we hang out; we're sarcastic, tease each other, and laugh so hard. No one can crack me up quite like they can. JI brought his cute girlfriend Shaelee down and we decided to carve pumpkins. I haven't done that in years. We had teams and even got Mom and Dad in on the fun. Matt and I decided to carve Jack skeleton and I think he turned out awesome.

operation roommate reunion

I got to take a road trip a few weeks ago, sans-husband and sans-kids. It was weird. I felt so free and light and my arms literally felt empty. It was strange not having to lug a huge diaper bag around, making sure sippy cups were always full and plenty of snacks were in tow. I loved it but at the same time I missed those boys so much! I know they would have had fun, but I am glad that I got to do something just me. I got to be selfish and free and didn't have to worry about anything. It was so refreshing and I feel like I came home a better mom and wife...at least for a little while. My mom kept the little people for me and they probably hardly noticed my absence.

I loved the long drive up to Idaho. I love talking and catching up with my favorite girls. I loved the yummy food we ate, the lazy mornings, the shopping, the talking, the laughing. We ventured up to the campus and I can't believe how much it's changed. I felt nostalgic a little bit. We laughed so hard, like we always do. I love that we are all so different but we meld together perfectly. We understand each other and always pick up right where we left off. It was so good, just like it always is.

Look at my halo! It's glowing. hahaha. I wish.

Cute little Ashley. What a character she is. I was so glad that she met up with us the night we were in Utah. It was so good to catch up with her; I love her so much.

I just love Andrea's shirt so much. It makes me laugh everytime I see it. She has two boys who would marry her tomorrow. Such is the life...

Seriously, what would I ever do if I didn't have such wonderful friends? I feel so blessed, truly. We got talking about someone Andrea knows who really has a lot of challenges and struggles. I said something about how I can't believe some people have to go through so much in life that it just seems unfair. Amber said, "Jess, that is you." I may have my fair share of struggles, but so does every other person on earth. I feel like I really do have it so good. I have a family that I couldn't be closer to, friends that love and support me, the gospel, etc. and all of those wonderful things completely trump the hard stuff.

I love the renewal that this little trip was and I am already looking forward to the next one.