The Chatter: Halloween

This year Maia is a witch for Halloween. Today she told Aleks "You know why I'm a witch for Halloween? Because I'm scared of witches. This way, if I'm a witch, then I can play with them."

I'm pretty impressed with her approach.

Ruby is Rapunzel.

(Don't mind the cleavage)

When I asked her what she's doing for Halloween, she said "I'm face painting Maia because she's a witch."

This year they are going trick or treating for the first time. I'll be in Emporia for the annual NATS conference, so I'll miss out on the sugar high, late bedtime, and inevitable crash and tantrums that will follow fun.

In other news, often when I've gotten ready for work Ruby will tell me "you look fabulous!" or my other favorite "you looked stunned."

I think she means stunning, but I believe stunned is accurate too.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Almost there

It's been a rough week.

One of those survival mode, fall into bed exhausted, yet mind racing with to do lists kind of week.

The kind where you want to yell, "I get it! I'm know I'm not in control! Can we stop now?"

One thing at a time, be in the moment, breathe in and out.

Looking for glimmers of light in the disarray.

Thankfully, once you start looking, it becomes pretty obvious that the good stuff outweighs the struggle.

And by some weird phenomenon, it is these weeks, when I have to dig deep into my reserves of patience and kindness, growth occurs.

My capacity for selflessness increases, and the reservoirs aren't depleted, but filled.

Doesn't mean it's easy, but at least its satisfying.

So, I'll finish out this week one step at a time, surrounded by the little lights I choose to take with me.

Fall Break 2013

I just got back from a quick trip to visit my brother and meet Campbell.

He's such a sweet puppy.

Never in my life did I think I'd go antiquing with my 26 year old brother.

But, seriously, he's got great taste and style.

It was so good to spend time together, I'm grateful that I was able to go by myself, even though I missed my family.

And I learned that I can't leave my husband alone anymore.

He sent me this picture the first night I was gone:

Yeah, so homeboy started a grease fire.

Most importantly, everyone is safe.

Now we are cleaning up and replacing appliances.

And I see painting in my near future.

Applejack Pumpkin Patch 2013

A lifetime ago, when I lived in Pullman, my friend Chelsea and I took our little 6 month old kiddos to their first pumpkin patch.

Before she had suggested that outing, it wasn't even on my radar that going to a pumpkin patch would be a fun, typical autumn activity that my family would grow to love.

I vividly remember putting Maia's carseat into the back of Chelsea's car, next to Owen's and the both of us shaking our heads at the thought of "what if this was our life? two rear facing car seats, but both of them belonging to one of us?"

We shook our heads at the absurdity of the thought.

Haha. 

Joke's on us.

I do believe a few weeks later Chelsea got pregnant, and I wasn't too far behind.

Anyway, this post isn't about the Red Barn Pumpkin Patch. Even though it holds a special place in my heart, as all things you've experienced for the the first time at a certain place tend to do.

This weekend the girls and I and some friends went to the Applejack Pumpkin Patch here in Kansas.

The weather is just starting to hold the crispness of fall and the leaves are beginning to turn.

It was a beautifully sunny, mild afternoon.

Maia's face in this cracks me up. She did not want to take a picture. She wanted to GO ON THE SLIDE!

The zip line was a huge hit.

Even Ruby got brave and gave it a go.

Sweet, tiny Ruby. She couldn't even reach the handle bar on her own!

And of course the "bouncy rainbow" is one of their favorites.

Happy pumpkin patch season everyone!

On using a professional camera and lens

The title of this blog is a little misleading because it sounds like I'm going to give advice on how to use a professional camera and lens and in reality, I don't really know what I'm doing.

But, as I mentioned last week, some gracious friends let me use their camera gear and I got to play around.

You'll be able to see from these pictures that I'm still figuring it all out, but I'm hooked.

I need a new camera and a 50mm lens.

These photos are 98% unedited.

(That's a whole other can of worms that I'm not ready to dive into.)

The editing that you see is mostly cropping.

And I boosted the color on this one.

In iPhoto.

Are you professional photographers cringing yet?

I think I want to become a bit more serious with this hobby.

As if I need more to do.

Grateful

I've blinked and it appears that a week has gone by.

Somewhere in that time fall-like weather has appeared and we're at midterms.

At this time of year, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the day to day, but there is so much to be thankful for.

*Like the fact that I have a job.

And this new student:

*The cooler temperatures that allow for hoodies and pajama pants and sleeping with the blankets on instead of bunched up at the foot of the bed.

*Friends who let you borrow their fancy camera and lenses.

*Brothers who I love, and more importantly, like.

*3 year olds who have discovered the adverb "very."

"I very want to go outside."

"I very like this pancake."

"But I very want to."

*Children who are getting healthy and consequently more fun to be around!

*Good food.

howsweeteats.com (carne asada nachos. you're welcome)

I hope you find things to be grateful for this week!

ASD is 33!

It's ASD's birthday today.

My dear, sweet husband.

Today we figured out that we've been together for over a third of his life.

When we first met (well let's be honest, we were babies) he was just coming into his own.

He is certainly living his life to the fullest.

Who would have thought that the kid who almost didn't graduate high school

would have a doctorate?

Aleks is a wonderful husband

friend

father

and so much more.

Happiest of birthdays Aleks.

I'm so thankful that I get to celebrate you today.

You are a constant inspiration to me and to our girls.

You're my BFF.

Totes love ya.