Fall Finish

After Halloween, we enjoyed a few more weeks of nice Autumn weather.  And lots more leaves!  I guess that is the downfall to having heaps of huge trees!  But I'll take it!

We had lots of fun tromping around in them.

 It got quite a bit chillier, but still nice days.

 Remember Ava's school pictures?

Well retakes came out much better!!  :)

 I've had to slow down a bit on my projecting, but I made this wreath.  I was happy with how quick, easy and cute it was!

 Ever since I became a full time stay at home mom, I have had days where I really struggle with feeling like that is enough.  I struggle with thoughts that I am "just" a stay at home mom and I'm not even good at it.  Some times the negative thoughts take over and consume me.  I was having one of those days and thankfully someone very wise referred me to the Mormon channel where I was immediately uplifted and overwhelmed with the love of God and an amazing sense of purpose! I watched an address by Jeffery R. Holland.  It was such an inspired sermon and I know it is exactly what I needed in that moment.  I still struggle from time to time now, but I keep feeding my spirit with positive nourishment from prophets and scriptures.  I know what I am doing is what I should be doing and I know that I can't do it alone. I need to rely on the partnership with Heavenly Father to take care of these special spirits I have been blessed with.  I also know that I need to be aware of how I am spending my stay at home time.  I can be a stay at home mom and still not be doing what I should to raise these little ones properly.  It was a great moment of clarity for me, and for that I am grateful!

It just so happens on this day of struggle, Ava brought this book home from the library.  Wow, I had not read this book since becoming a mom and I bawled through the whole thing!  Ava kept telling me not to cry because it has a happy ending.  Indeed it did, and I will keep working as hard as I can so that my story can also have a happy ending.

 We have been lucky that we can walk and pick Lily up from school as long as we have.  It's been great! Fresh air and exercise does wonders!

 I happened upon this beautiful little note.  Ava had made Lily's bed for her while she was at school and left her this note.  My heart could burst!!

 Ava's friend from school, Averi came over for a play.  We had fun playing outside and decorating cupcakes.

 While playing outside, Ava found a ladybug.  It was fun to have a friend over, but we still miss our Australian friends. :(

 One Saturday in November we decided to conquer the huge task of leaf removal from our totally covered back yard.  Yes, Will has no pants on!!!  That little renegade!

 We remedied the no pants problem and got to work!

 Here's Will in the huge leaf pile.  He lost his shoe in there.  It's gone forever.

 These kids had so much fun! It was a seriously huge pile of leaves.  It took over 20 bags to remove it all.

 All along Main Street are different bulls.  My kids love them.

 It was a really windy day.

 On a pretty cold day, I locked us out of the house!  Oh dear!  So we played at the park as long as we could, then hung out in the car waiting for the neighbor with a spare key to come rescue us!  We are sure grateful for that neighbor.  This is me and Ava taking selfies in the car.

 The girls have this pretty serious training routine to get in shape to beat up my brother, Neal.  They all wear sunglasses to train for some reason.  These are Will's cool glasses.