What's wrong with this picture?

You know why I am on the computer right now? I'm searching for funky/spooky food to make for dinner to be a fun mom for Halloween.

I thought it would be fun to do something neat and festive before the kids head out to have the annual thrill of dressing as something from their imagination and gathering obscene amounts of candy.

And then I read this story, a headline on my home page...

Kids in Pakistan quake beg for food


I don't feel as festive as I did a few minutes ago.

This hurts me more than it hurts you

I had a tough parenting decision to make last night.

I had to evaluate a child and their worthiness for something, so to speak. I vacillated for a couple hours and then decided I had to be the bad guy, say "NO", and make it a teaching moment.


I prayed for guidance to use the right words and it really helped.


It wasn't popular but I believe he understood.


I know it's rough to be a kid sometimes, and that you feel a lot of the time that your parents just don't *get it*. But I also know that it's my job to guide and direct. Natural consequences are my parenting friend. I love it when it works out so that I can logically explain my reasoning. "Because you chose A, you will experience B".


But it's still very hard to have that talk with the "student". It hurts my heart a little.

Even though I'm doing the right thing.

The sights and smells of autumn

Reasons that fall is the best season:


Applesauce...

Pumpkin seeds...

Apple pie...

It is the only time of year to experience those smells. I swear, when the applesauce is cooking it's so scrumptious, it's all I can do to not jump in the pot with it!

I love all of it. I wish I had more trees near me - I'd be walking through crunchy leaves right now as well. I made a great Thanksgiving decoration last night that makes me want to leap right past Halloween and into Nov! Okay, candy first.

Plus, hubby said it would be a little silly to take down all the witches and bat decorations on Oct 29th....

Family Night

We did our annual carving tonight...well, we carved one and painted the rest. Much less mess! I liked it that way.

Add yummy cookies and wassail and it was a great night.

What have we been up to?

Ahhh, sweet victory!

The highlight of our weekend was watching our #3 Penn State win an outstanding game against #9 Ohio State. Always a great Big 10 rivalry, these teams did not disappoint with their defensive battle. It was fantastic.

Here is the family:

Hi Dad!

Hubs and I with sister Wendy

Ok, not family, but he blends in well. Bro's bud Steve.

Ash (Don't know why she's frowning)

Baby sis Jessica with hubs Tyler

Hi Mom!

And here's the cake I made. Tough to see, but those are Jello helmets facing off on either side of a chocolate football :)

With BYU currently playing like they can't find their chin straps, it's nice to still have our main team tearing up the turf!!!!

Thrift store fun

Another fantastic trip to the local thrift store. I have had the family room on my mind lately. We are painting it soon and I wanted a few things to add to the decor once we do.

I totally fell in love with these items, and I can't wait to use them.

That bread box is big and very cool. I'm a bit obsessed with distressed black wood right now. The birdcage is gorgeous. I love the arched faux door. The oblong tray will be great as a centerpiece or a serving dish. And OH I love this fabric!! It's a long curtain panel, but my window is short, so I'm hoping to get two out of it :) Oh yeah, and I need to figure out how to sew. hehe

Total for this stuff: $11.00

I'm doing a bit of bedrest for a day or two. Just making sure my little contractions are practice ones and not going anywhere.

After a short episode yesterday they seem to have died down.

We are pretty sure everything is okay - yes, I have plenty of people taking care of me :)

Just going to guzzle water and put my feet up....

Proud to be an American

I decided to try voting by mail this year. Very easy, although anti-climatic. But I didn't have to get a sitter for the kids or anything, right? It still felt awesome to mark the boxes and seal that envelope. I'm so glad that I have the chance to speak my voice!

Anybody else in Utah feel completely in the dark when it comes to which judges to retain? Yeah, me too. Until I started asking my dad, an attorney, his opinions. As far as he is concerned, all should be retained with the exception of Judge Lindberg (3rd District). So if you have no other opinions on which to base your vote, there is one for you!

Fall Break

Ahh, one of the perks of being the family of a teacher. When the kids are off for fall break, so is daddy!

We had a family picnic and fed the ducks at Wheeler Farm yesterday. It was fabulous fall weather and we had a ball - for free :)

And while we're at it, some funny animals...

This guy above was sitting in his food :)

And this mallard-gone-afro dude was hilarious!