To Remember

Last week was full of unusual events during the day mixed with very little sleep at night.  Turns out that is the recipe for a week of joy that moves at warp speed.  In the quiet moments I’ve been trying to jot down our happenings.  To remember:

Emily has started brushing my hair at night while I read her books.  My five-year-old self who loved it when my mom would “play with my hair” is in heaven right now.  I’ve also received an almost daily manicure or pedicure from the three-year old’s salon.

Purdue had fall break on Monday and Tuesday.  Andrew took the afternoon off to join us at a park.  We pulled out the slackline and nerf football.  Nathan loved bouncing on the slackline and playing with a big stick.  Emily enjoyed walking along the line and jumping on it.  Andrew and I enjoyed tossing football together while the kids played along the line.  We spent a few minutes at the playground and then headed to Greyhouse Coffee Shop for a crepe and gelato – split four ways.

I taught seminary (a 6am morning scripture class for high schoolers) on Thursday and Friday morning.  Discussing the principles  and doctrines found in the New Testament with engaged and insightful teenagers was absolutely a highlight this week.  I hope one day this calling is in the cards for me.

Fall weather is here in all its’ glory and I enjoyed three perfect runs in the just right weather.  The kids are also spending lots and lots of time out at the playground.  Emily has figured out how to swing herself on the big swings by rocking back and forth.  She also loves pushing Nathan and swinging holding on to the baby swing.  Nathan loves crawling around and feeling the sand, dumping it and digging around in it.

I binge watched the Mom Conference Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (there is an encore watching session on Tuesday Oct 18 if you missed it – highly recommend watching!!!).  I feel motivated and inspired to keep going, trying, solving, and changing. I also added a whole list of books to my reading list for further learning.  I’m looking forward to this conference every year from here on out!

I’ve had a plan to put a hanging shelf up in our main room for two months now and this week it happened.  In my quest to center my life on Christ and remember him throughout the day, I realized I need a picture right where I can see it frequently.  This week it was printed, put in a frame we found at goodwill (along with 17 disney classic picture books that I had as a child and bought for our Rest and Read time), and put on display.  I still need to trim the twine and add a clock and family picture (just ordered today!), but progress is happening.

Friday morning we pulled off our very first temple playgroup with five other families.  Emily, Nathan, and I left our home at 7:50am and returned at 2:30pm.  The eleven kids played at the playground while three moms went to the temple and the other three watched the kids, swapping halfway through.  There were moments of stress and craziness, but overall it went incredibly well and with last weeks success it will officially become a monthly trip.

(pic via Madeline – thank you!)

Nathan has started eating whole apples.  He just grabs one and takes off, devouring the whole thing rather quickly.

In attempts of simplifying the applesauce making process for next year, we made a test batch leaving the skins on.  Results: beautiful pink applesauce that tastes delicious.  Because we had extra apples I also made an cranberry walnut apple crisp last night and it was gone before we went to bed.