More crafting

So I went a little crazy making these cloth pumpkins. I loved them so much I just kept making them. I am a little sad that you can't see the brown corduroy that I just loved. Now where to put all these little guys. And don't you think I need a few more medium sized ones?

Some Crafting

I made this apron for Kate for her birthday:




And then we all had to try it on.

Me:

Coen:

Beckett:

What a Difference a Year Makes

My Football Fan

Coen is obsessed with football (no surprise in our house). He lines all his toys up "on the line". If Beckett moves them he screams "no- no he is moving my offensive line!" We play tackle all day and this morning he started practicing his kicking. I woke up to find this:



Later that morning he told me he needed his uniform, and his pads (oven mitts) and his face gaurd. The following is how this all came together. He played like this for an hour (only it was hard to throw the ball) and kept telling Beckett not to touch his face gaurd or he would get a penalty. I laughed a lot this day.

Fall Pictures

These didn't even need any editing (and I am too lazy to do it tonight!).

Out Trip to Papa Ray's

Well at some point last month we headed on over to Papa Ray's house. Coen was in hevan. He loves his Papa Ray. He talks about him all the time and whenever he is sad or pouty I ask him what is wrong and he usually says " I just miss my Papa Ray so much" or he says "I miss Lukey". So he was pretty excited when he realized Luke was there too, and Marshall- not to mention lots of activities with the cousins who live in the area. A good time was had by all. I didn't get any pictures of my favorite moment- lounging on the couches in the bar, the fire roaring, the lights down very low, listening to the juke box. Coen was mesmerized by it and just laid on the ground watching the bubbles ans listening to the music. We adults felt pretty relaxed too.

Here are some other things we did- We went to the beach- but Becky had her camera out so I didn't take many pictures.





We celebrated Isabelle's birthday



We went to the Montery Bay Aquariam with Papa Ray and Grandma Dee- The boys loved this, especially Beckett. I was afraid he would be too little, but we had to pry him away from every display. The seahorses and jellyfish were the boys favorite.

Some Things We Did While I Was on a Blogging Break

Still coming up: A trip to Aptos and Moterey, Liz (or Wiz as Coen says) and Sean's wedding, crafting, crafting, crafting, and my attempts at first day of school pictures.

Things we did that have no photographic evidence: I got lice- ick and have done about a thousand loads of laundry, Grandpa Holmes' memorial, lots of stress, and lots and lots of debate about Halloween costumes. I keep meaning to write about Grandpa Holmes- but for various reasons I just can't. Maybe I will be able to with a little more distance. Music classes have started which Beckett and I love and Coen is finally getting into. Fall color has hit and it is just breath taking driving to our home through all the old Victorian neighborhoods. We made an offer on a 4 plex, but they accepted and offer just hours before ours was submited. Strangely I was more upset about that not working out than I was the first house we offered on that fell through. We took a wonderful walk to gather leaves with Grandma Conley who is getting sweeter and sweeter with age- it is a little creepy- like some one else is in her body. When we got back to her house Dale and Dee were there for a visit. I always love to see Aunt Dee- she is so sweet (in an uncreepy way). I think you can see why I took a little break- Becky even stopped getting phone calls for a while (a serious sign of stress) which resulted in a panicked call from Dad to see if I was okay- which was pretty funny. But I am back and will be a better girl, I promise.

Oh and thanks to those who noticed my break- it was nice to know I was missed. I sometimes think no one reads or cares about this little blog.

Tender Mercies

Today in Sacrament we sang this hymn in closing- I am familiar with the hymn, but today for some reason it really spoke to me. Maybe it was Nancy's talk about the power of love and friendship or just today I am especially aware of how many people bless my life. Here are the lyrics, or you can go here to listen to it.

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior’s name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943. © 1985 IRI
Music: A. Laurence Lyon, b. 1934. © 1985 IRI

So I just kept thinking about the amazing people in my life who bring me peace, love, encouragement, and laughter. Is it funny- but most of those people are women. I wondered how often I let them know how grateful I am for their presence in my life. So I set myself a challenge, reach out- thank some of these women in my life. It only takes a few minutes to write a little note- this week I will take advantage of those few minutes.

I also thought of the strangers who small deeds, and smiles make your life easier. Just the little hellos in the grocery store or the kind lady who recently gave me her spot in line at the fabric store as I stood there- tenth in line, two screaming kids, and a cart full of fabric. At the time I felt like she deserved the congressional medal of honor. So this week I will be looking for the opportunity to help a stranger. We will see how this goes. I will keep my eyes open and hope I am guided to someone who would benefit from a small kindness.

I hope if you have some of the same grateful feelings you too will act on them and find some small act of kindness to preform.

As a small post script- I was maybe able to feel the spirit in part because I was sitting by myself and not trying to entertain two little guys and trying to keep them quite at the same time. Amazing what you hear when you have time to listen.