HALLOWEEN!

It was a fabulous Halloween for us! Joshua was super spoiled with our ward and neighborhood party. Both had moonwalkes and tons of friends and food.

Matt and I can't believe what a great area we moved into. Everyone is so kind here and they are eager to get to know you. Everyone has kids, and lots of them! We all seem to be about the same age and all just happy to live in a safe family friendly area! I feel so blessed we found this house. I was so scared and had buyers remorse. It was a big step but I'm glad we took it!

Joshua wanted to be the same thing he was last year so we were a skeleton again. And Samuel was our morphed monster, thanks to Brooke's hat.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

First Corn Maze

Today we went to the Rippavilla plantation corn maze. It was great! Joshua and Samuel loved running around and playing with our friends, the Fulton's. We had the boys lead us around with a map that made zero sense. But we all had a good time.

After the corn maze we went on a hayride and played around. It was a great family and friends day!

Prayer

Samuel said his first prayer yesterday! Joshua never folded his arms or wanted anything to do with praying when he was little. We always tried but our efforts were futile.

Samuel however loves to pray and always folds his arms. But yesterday during FHE we asked if Samuel wanted to say the prayer and he nodded. Then he proceeded to repeat what we whispered to him! Ahh! Our efforts aren't fruitless!

Joshua though, has great faith. A few weeks before we moved I caught him muttering to himself and he told me he was praying because his hand hurt and he wanted Heavenly Father's help to make his hand feel better. And the week we were suppose to move it was predicted to rain. I started to feel overwhelmed and Joshua asked me what was wrong. I told him no one would come help us move if it was raining. He then proceeded to tell me, that,'well mom, we should just pray it won't rain and then Heavenly Father won't let it rain. And people will come help.' Joshua then said a prayer to help it not rain so people would come help us move. It didn't rain that weekend and lots of people came to help us move.

I have the best boys!! I'm glad somethings we teach them are being learned. Still working on teaching them not to run away from me in public places though.

Book 18

This book was incredible. I adore C.S. Lewis! I have always marveled at how insightful he is, especially for someone who was not LDS. President Monson & President Hinckley have often quoted Lewis before. His colloquialism is fabulous! I think that is why I like him so much. David McCullough write in a similar style and that is probably why I enjoy all of his writing.

I loved his explanation of how Christiniaty just makes sense. His explanation of the word, begotten, was enlightening and made it much easier for me to understand and explain to my children. He has some incredible deep thoughts, but realizes that they were deep, and simplifies his reasoning in an easy to understand scenario. Basically, I continue to be impressed with the brain of C.S. Lewis. A great book. One of my favorites!

Yeah, 50 books is slowly back on track. Next, I promised myself I will finish my brother-in-law's book. He's amazing and it was intriguing but sometimes I just can't wait for a story to develop and lose interest. But it was entertaining and I do appreciate good, clean literature.

This Is Home...

Twelve moves in six years. We have lived in hovel type homes, really, one of them use to be barn that they had the audacity to turn into a 'home.' One had a flimsy plywood front door and pedophiles as neighbors. But now we will sign away our life and own a home of our own.

Bountiful is a special place. The temple is ginormous, the bike riding trails are amazing, friends are plentiful there, Dick's market is clean/friendly, you have a good chance of running into a member of the twelve while grocery shopping, a General Authority could come to your stake conference or even attend your ward. The community is clean and safe. The community shuts down for General Conference, it almost feels like a holiday. This is probably why I am extremely jealous of friends who own homes in Utah.

But I think this new area comes in a nice second. Our neighbors here are incredible. People have 3+ kids, they came over the first day to see if they could help move us/ buy us dinner. The neighborhood is frequently patrolled, is quiet, is friendly, and clean. The grocery store is close and rivals Dick's in friendliness and cleanliness. Everything we love about Nashville is now 15-20 minutes away instead of 45-60 mins away. Matt has a better drive, being that it is safer but a slightly longer.

This was a really good move for our family. We are excited to be part of a friendly community that feels like what we have always wanted, Bountiful.

Pic of the house, but please don't mind the boxes and 'storage' room. I think every room is done except the 'storage' room (3 bedroom) and the formal dining. Mainly I can't decide what to do there because all I really want is a baby grand piano. But since it will be awhile since we can afford such a purchase, maybe I will just buy an ascent chair or two and a sofa table?

Matt and I are simple when it comes to decorating our home. We don't want clutter. Just clean lines and open space. I am exhausted from moving and never want to move again. At least for a several years.

Happy Conference Weekend!