Fall Is Here AKA The End of Summer Hibernation in Louisiana

Here in Louisiana, we count down the days of August as if they were a jail sentence.  Because they kind of are: the heat and humidity forcing us to hibernate and dream about someday owning a summer vacation home in Colorado or Vermont. September isn't much better.  In fact, the only thing that makes September somewhat bearable is the fact that football starts and we are distracted by the fact that going outside is such a miserable task because we are able to hunker down in front of our TVs for the big game. But we made it: fall is here!  I check the weather forecast every week and cheer when I see the numbers begin to tick down into the 80s and THEN, and then, into the heaven sent 70s!  An end to the 90 degree ridiculously humid summer weather, football and gumbo, and an endless amount of time outdoors as we wake from our end of summer hibernation: my soul feels revived as the trees begin to turn colors and the air grows cooler in the mornings.  The garden is still pumping out eggplants and peppers but the tomatoes and cucumbers and squash have now been replaced with broccoli and cabbage plants. The kids have been busy riding their bikes, digging in their baby garden, and playing basketball. Shawn and I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and have been running every chance we get.  It's unbelievable what a difference the temperature makes in your running performance! It's been an amazing couple of weeks around here lately.

River learned to drive and the girls painted lots of pumpkins.  They were completely uninterested in carving pumpkins this year: they wanted all the paint and stickers and whatever else I would let them glue together for our front porch decor.  We spent many afternoons on the front porch, sipping hot tea and making big messes with our pumpkins.

My cousin April and I took our combined seven children out for a trip to the pumpkin patch.  It was a beautiful day that included hay rides, face painting, and pumpkin picking.  April and I laughed until our sides hurt at our children's complete lack of interest in anything we had to say that day, an experience that could be compared to herding cats.  But through the tears and toddler tantrums and bathroom breaks and diaper changes, we made some incredible memories together.  And that's the good stuff, the stuff that makes my heart beat strong.

And, of course, there was Halloween.  We did it big this year, taking the kids to as many neighborhoods as their little feet could carry them.  You want all the candy?  You go right on ahead and eat as much as you want, boo!  We had hot dogs at a local church's trunk or treat event and then ended the night at the most awesome fall carnival complete with pony rides, a petting zoo, and inflatable jumpers.  Isabelle even won first place in the costume contest!  River wouldn't come anywhere near his scary witch mama for most of the night, instead hiding out in his stroller and looking around with his big hazel eyes.  Brees was scared of some of the costumes until I reassured her that superheroes don't have to be scared because superheroes are AWESOME.  She then put her hands on her hips every time she saw a scary costume, holding her ground and shouting "I'm awesome!  I'm not scared at all!".  It was the most fun night we've had in a long time.

It has been a beautiful season in our lives as a family: we are working hard and playing every chance we get.  The kids are getting so big so fast and we don't want to miss one single thing.  I love being their mom and I love seeing their little faces light up at just the simplest things.  They remind me to stay humble, keep things simple, and to live in the moment.  Shawn and I thank God every single day for this life we are living: the good, the bad, and the beautiful moments of clarity in between. 

Rain, Rain, and a Little Candy

Sometimes it rains on Halloween.  You think the weather might clear up but then it actually gets worse and the rain becomes torrential downpours, thunder and lightening, tornado warnings and flash floods.

Sometimes you have to change your plans because of said rain.  The hayride gets cancelled, door to door trick or treating becomes impossible, and the outdoor backyard party gets rescheduled.

Sometimes you just have to decide to go for it and make the best of it regardless of what the Weather Channel and the all knowing people on Facebook are predicting.

Sometimes you have to go easy on yourself and accept the fact that you don't have the perfect coordinated family costume theme you really wish you did.  You are not that family this year.  Maybe next year, though.  Don't give up the dream!

Sometimes a community will come together and hold a make shift Halloween carnival in the town auditorium to give families a place to celebrate.  They will come up with food and candy and games and a place to take refuge from the rain.

Sometimes you just have to take your kids out for pizza after said make shift carnival because you feel guilty that their Halloween was a bust and they didn't get very much candy.

Sometimes your kids will surprise you with how happy they are despite all of the above "sometimes". They will wear their rubber boots with their costumes, play games, visit with friends, dance along to "Thriller" on the jukebox at the pizza joint and remind you that they don't need a lot of bells and whistles.  All they need is family, a couple of Tootsie Rolls, and a slice of pepperoni with extra cheese to call the night a success.  And it will be.

    

Happy Halloween!!

Happy Halloween!

Love, the Vampire Queen, Raggedy Ann,

and Mr. Chubby Skeleton

 

The Obligatory End of the Week/Halloween Recap Post

We made it through the week, despite all of my anxieties about my busy schedule
and endless to do lists.  I managed to meet all of my deadlines while simultaneously
feeding and clothing my children, hurray!!  Big thank yous go out to my super hero 8 year
old who was kind enough to remind me that I forgot to put on a bra before work as well
as my dear husband who takes my glasses off when I fall asleep face first at the kitchen
table while writing reports in the late night hours.  Who knew opening up a new office
was such a big endeavor?  Not this eternally optimistic overachiever/glutton for
career punishment lady!  Achieving big dreams has always, in this family, been a joint effort
and this week was no exception.  I am so thankful for my job and the ability to support
my family.  But, more importantly, I am thankful for the people in my life who inspire me
to keep going and stay positive, even if it means that the laundry room just
might explode.

In the midst of all the craziness, we were able to kick up our heels and hit our small
town's Halloween festivities.  The weather was perfect, the streets filled with friends
and neighbors, and I kept my fingers crossed that Brees would overcome her Halloween 
fears long enough to at least enjoy a couple of lollipops.  We kept our expectations for the
night pretty realistic: she's barely 2 after all.  There's only so much stimulation and
sugar intake a toddler can tolerate.  

She clung to me like a real little kitten for the first couple of trick or treat encounters,
hiding her face in my neck whenever she caught a glimpse of the older kids and their
scary masks.  But she hung in there, her curiosity getting the best of her, watching after
her older sister as she bounced from place to place, her bag growing with treats.
Brees finally asked to "get down, Mama".  Shawn and I held her hands and coaxed her
over to the sweet little old ladies passing out candy.  Suddenly, the light bulb went off as
she realized, "Hey, I just have to smile and look cute and these people will give me
candy!!".  BOOM!  Brees was hooked!  Suddenly, Halloween wasn't so scary at all!  And
off we went, visiting the fire station, the church carnival, Brees walking like a big girl up
and down the street.  She and Belle waved and smiled and we had the best time
watching them on their kitty cat prowl.

We managed to get them packed up and in the car just as the epic annual Halloween end
of the night sugar rush temper tantrum struck.  They ran around the house for a
while, looking through all their loot as Shawn and I stole a few pieces of candy on the
down low.  No sooner had we cleaned their sticky, smudged up make-up faces before
they both passed out, sugar coma style.   It was the happiest Halloween.