End of Fall in Review

November is a beautiful month here in Salt Lake City.  I can't get over how beautiful and majestic these mountains are.  They are breathtaking and the sunset, the sky, the beauty of this world.  I find myself thanking Heavenly Father often for the ability to see and experience this world.  I find mortality fascinating, this life, the whole thing.  It can be so simple and complicated at the same time.  Reflecting on God's creations testifies on the complexity of this life, in a good, wonderful way. 

This world is so diverse with so many different perspectives and experiences.  We are in the same place, earth, yet we are all experiencing mortality on earth in so many different ways.  I continue to feel thankful for the life I have, I experience joy and sorrow, fulfillment and frustration.  I am brought to reflect on the words of Lehi often, when he was talking to Jacob with so much love and concern.  I love those verses of scripture so much--"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."  Without the negative, there is no way to compare the positive, happy, joyful parts of life.  I get to experience this life...and somehow it all makes sense, of why this plan of happiness, God's plan works for me, it makes sense in my mind, that I would want to come to this earth and experience this, the ability to use this free agency I have been given as an intelligent being. I get to experience all of this with an amazing, wonderful man Scott and our three beautiful, full of energy children and my mom and my sister and brother and so many good people.  

I recognize God's hand in my life everyday.  

I don't know how my birthday celebrations extended all the way to November, but somehow it happened that way!:) Penny and Jana took me out to lunch to Paradise Bakery.  It was delicious and the company superb! I'm so grateful to have those two ladies in my life.  It has been a blessing being so close to both of them while living here in Utah.  The three year olds love Penny! 

This little girl all tuckered out after a long day.  

I think I have more pictures of Brooke sleeping than any other child! 

This little boy is growing and growing and I love him.  

I told him that I noticed that he always smiles with mouth closed in pictures! I don't mind but I wanted a picture showing his cute little teeth! Isn't he a handsome boy? and a smart one too!:) 

Last night, he came upstairs after I had already sent the kids to bed.  He comes close to me and says, " I can't sleep, I am so happy! I have a warm feeling inside.  I wish I could start my life over, so I can live all of the happy memories again!" I said, "oh buddy, I'm so glad you feel like you have a good life! that makes me so happy! what else do you feel?" He replied, "I feel loved !" I got teary eyed and I gave him a big hug and we held each other tight.  

What joy that brought to my heart.  

I felt so validated in my work as a mother.  

The wind picked up one night and the next day, the preschool playground was full of leaves! 

It was beautiful but a reminder that winter was just around the corner.  

The first week into November we realized that Christmas was soon approaching! 

The kids wrote their letters to Santa and they of course had to draw and color a few pictures.  

Brielle and Braden worked hard on their pictures 

while Scott and Brooke danced to some Christmas tunes!:) 

November nights were filled with Scott reading "The Hobbit" to the kids.  

They loved it, especially Braden.

Wednesday nights were busy with Cub Scouts in November.  

So glad Scott had some good hours that month and was here to help me.  

Aside from our Wolf requirements, we are trying to get some arrow points too. Learning to tie a tie was one of them, quick and easy and they got it right away.  Smart boys.  Glad Scott was around to teach them because I have no idea how to do it.  I should probably learn. 

Cute boys! 

Preschool keeps Brookie and I busy 3 times a week.  We are enjoying it.  

We got to go on field trip to the gym.  We have a parent that owns the gym, 

so it was a fun opportunity to show the kids about exercising and being healthy.  

They all had a blast with all the different work outs they had them doing.  

Brooke was so fun.  She is shy in new situations but she was all over this! I was proud of her.  Always a fun time watching her develop into her own little person. 

On preschools days, I have a hard time keeping this girl awake to eat dinner. 

6 hours is a long day for a 3 year old! 

She stuffed her stuff animal in her shirt. Silly girl. 

I love her rosy cheeks.  

We had some rainy days in November, on one of them we got the kids stitching materials and traced pictures they wanted and they went to work.  They got it right away and spent all afternoon and evening until it was time for bed stitching.  It proved to be the perfect activity for them.  Both of these kiddos love working with their hands.  

More preschool fun.  Sometimes, my heart just bursts with joy watching Brooke be a big girl, I had to snap a picture of her helping Liz do the date for the day...and that crazy hair!!! 

Some mornings are so hectic, there is no time to do her hair. 

Braden is loving his Kun Fu classes.  

It has proven to be something he enjoys doing and he is good at it too. 

It's always fun to watch your kids find activities they enjoy.  

Scott had Thanksgiving week off! It was so great and 

we enjoyed having him home for a whole week! 

The day after Thanksgiving we headed to Temple Square to see the lights.  

The weather was so beautiful, a little chilly but not unbearable.  

Brooke did NOT want to take a picture! 

While Scott was off, we also put up our Christmas tree.  It seems like for the last couple of years he has missed this day, we were so glad that he was part of it this year. 

Brooke was particularly fond of the baby Jesus.  

It was really cute!

Fun little trick!