I Have Fought a Good Fight~

Today in Sunday School our teacher said something that will stick with me for a long time.  I feel like the last year or two have taken a toll on my body!  I see more small fine wrinkles appearing.  I am starting to sag in places I really shouldn't sag.  I am tired and usually want to go to bed by about 10 pm.  I color my hair, but when my roots show, there is a little gray!  My back hurts  after I run, or after I pick up Zach. 
     So what I am saying, is that I am not 19 anymore.  I think I am finally coming to terms with that.  I am not old by any means.  I still have a lot of spunk and energy and am so thankful I have great health.  The reason I am getting fine lines by my eyes is because I smile a lot.  The reason my back hurts is because I lift my kids up and kiss and hug them.  The reason I didn't go to the gym was either carpool for pre-school or I am sitting with the cute first graders helping them with their "word walls."  The reason you can see  my roots is because I am going to get my hair done next week or maybe the next.  I try to be a good wife and mother a good neighbor and friend.  I try to serve and pray for others.  I mow my lawn.  I mop my floor.  I try to work hard. 
     My Sunday School teacher talked about getting our priorities straight.  I have thought a lot about this today.  When my time comes and I meet  God.  I want to have wrinkles from laughing and smiling with my kids and friends.  I want to hurt and ache all over from hard work and from serving others.  I don't want to be so caught up in looking good that I missed living.  I will embrace my wrinkles and rolls.   I will embrace my gray hairs and aching body, and I hope that I can say that I fought the good fight and that I have returned with faith!

Family Pictures~

Is it fair to say that they are painful?  Do we all wear the same colors or not?  Should we go to a studio or have a friend take them?  Should we try to control Sami's hair?   Does Alex know how cute his "real" smile is, because his fake one isn't working out!  Can we get Zach to quit being so dang cheesy, he really can be charming.  Did you want to talk about Chad, and how much he LOVES family pictures?  Me either!  So this year we had one of my dearest friends take our family pictures!  She is super talented.  She has a creative eye.  She is clever and quick.  She is pretty much magic.  It is amazing to me how she can capture my life.  When I look at these pictures of my kids and husband, my own little family, I cry!  This is what I do and what I feel like I was meant to do.  I was meant to dress them and feed them and love them.  I was meant to hold them and help them and guide them.  I was meant to be their mom and his wife.  It is my place in this crazy world.  It is my legacy!  It is my life.  So thank you Sarah for showing me again, how amazing my little family is!!!  (I can give you a referral if you want..she is awesome!)

If there was volume on this, it would be LOUD!!!!  just sayin~

He is relaxed and looking straight at the camera.. He and I, we fit like a puzzle!



~My cup runneth over~



October Highlights~

Halloween...we have a little green dragon... Goldilocks and or course Shaggy from Scooby Doo!  (bless our hearts)



Grandma Sans and the kids on Alex's birthday!



The ladies on the beach at Cancun!

Chad took the kids to Moab while I was in Cancun... 

Chad and Alex in Moab!

Sarah and I, after we ran the Halloween Half~

Alex's 7th birthday

Some of my besties and me at the Halloween party!  I know we are attractive!!!

October is one of my favorite months!  We had a great October.  We celebrated Alex's 7th birthday.  I went to Cancun with my mother in law and sister in laws.  Chad took the kids to Moab.  Sarah and I ran the Halloween Half Marathon in Provo.  We dressed up for Halloween and lots of Halloween parties.  We ate lots and lots of candy.  We went hiking and spent some time raking leaves.  Overall, it has been a great month!  I have so much to be thankful for.  I feel so blessed and alive.  Everyday is a new adventure and challenge.  Sometimes, it is exciting and fun, and sometimes it is not!  I feel uplifted by my great friend.  I couldn't ask for a better husband, who always keeps me laughing.  But most of all, I am surrounded by three little people who make my world go round, and I love them more than life itself!