Our Last 2 Weeks

Wow it has been 2 weeks since my last post...so what have we been doing?

-online classes
-taking the CFP test
-preparing Thanksgiving dinner (best turkey ever made)
-sewing
-setting up our Christmas decorations
-Christmas shopping
-making Christmas gifts
-sewing (I know but I have been doing a lot of sewing)
-preparing/planning for the RS Christmas party
-counting or at least working on counting
-taking Jackson to school
-going to the gym
-play dates
-park dates
-date night
-guest posting


Basically I am tired. I have something to do every day, aside from the usual clean the house, play with the kids, feed the family, etc. I think that after the new year our lives will calm down a bit but until then I have my calendar out and about 7 lists attached to my refrigerator.
Here are some other things we have done over the past two weeks:

Liz pulled our Christmas tree over right after we set it up and it broke so we had to buy a new one. Good thing it was Black Friday and we got a great deal. I really like the new tree, it is bigger and fuller. Plus I can put all my antique ornaments that my Aunt Sue has passed down to me on the bigger tree. The kids had a great time putting the ornaments on the tree and listening to me tell them about each one. I have a few from my own childhood which brings back so many memories of family and love. I buy the kids a new ornament each year as well so it was fun telling them about their ornaments as well. We also bought an electric train to go around the bottom of the tree this year. That facilitated about an hour of fun, laying on their bellies and pushing the button to make the train circle around.

Making pies for Thanksgiving. The kids helped me roll the dough for the crust. Jackson was actually really good and it and a big help.
This is Elizabeth's favorite activity these days. Painting. Not just painting, painting herself. I have learned that when Liz is painting she must do it naked because she really enjoys making herself "beautiful" by adding lots of colors to her tummy, arms, face, and even her hair. After her painting is done we immediately follow it with a bubble bath, her second favorite activity.
We are busy but happy and looking forward to the holidays with food, family, and friends.

Fall Themed Service

Jackson learned about service this week in joy school. They made a service sticker chart and learned about serving the community and our family. So when he got home the first thing he did was want to do a service project. It was a beautiful sunny day and fairly warm (50 degrees) so we went in the back yard and racked some leaves. It was so much fun. We racked and racked until we made a huge pile. Then of course we jumped and rolled in it! I just love fall and the beautiful color changing leaves.

I think this is the first time the kids have ever played in the leaves. It brought back all my childhood memories. Working in the yard with my dad. The roads lined with orange and yellow trees, leaves sprinkled on the ground. The fall wind brisk, a bit chilly, and smells amazing. I am just loving the weather in Albuquerque.

Creative Endeavors

Starting my own clothing line....

I wish. I'm not quite there yet but I have been doing a lot of sewing lately and come up with some very original ideas, most of which are my own designs. Want to see what I have made in the last month alone (not counting Halloween Costumes)?







I am currently working on a swing jacket for Liz, a Christmas skirt for her, Christmas shirts for both the kids, and a black dress for Liz. Good thing I have a girl or my creative outlet might be stiffened. My little muse always happy to pose for the camera.

Cancer Watch.The Next Round

It is far past time for an update. Sorry for anyone wanting to know what is happening. Since my last post my mom has finished her first round of chemo, had a 3 week break, and is now into the last chemo stretch (1x/week for 12weeks). I think it is just wearing her down going in every week. On the plus side the chemo is less severe and she doesn't have to have the bone shots so that is a big relief on the bod. After her last round she was feeling really crappy (only word to describe it that I feel comfortable using.) She was nauseas, tired, and just worn down. So the doctor decided to give her a blood transfusion. After that she bounced back and found relief. Sometimes the body can only take so many chemicals before it breaks down.

Another side effect is a neurological disease that sometimes appears in chemo patients on their palms and bottom of their feet. It can be really bad, raw, red, and blisters. My mom's case was mild but itchy, raw, and red. Thankfully the doctor gave her some lotion that seemed to sooth it a bit but soon after her skin peeled off. She described it as similar to a snake shedding it's skin. I know that might be TMI but I am really trying to be clear and accurate in what has been happening for our family records.

It is ironic that most of the problems my mom has faced so far are side effects. Things to consider when fighting the battle of cancer. It is not just the fight but there are many obstacles along the way. Last month was breast cancer awareness month...I hope all of you had someone in your prayers that is battling this disease right now. It only takes one person to effect hundreds.

Happy Halloween

A little late but better than never....our Halloween update. This year we were lucky enough to go to AZ for Halloween. Brandon had to go to Phoenix for a CFP course so we tagged along. It was really fun to visit our family and friends again. But it wasn't all fun and games I had to work too. But at least my work is fun, taking pictures of families I love. I actually booked 10 families over the week so that was a great surprise. That is one of the reasons this post is so late...I have been editing.

Anyways, we had a really fun Halloween party with our AZ mom's group. I really miss those moms.



We carved pumpkins on Sunday, well mainly just Diane, Brianna, and myself but the kids liked looking at the pumpkins and giving us advice on what to carve. And of course we watched Disney Halloween Special, a tradition that both Brandon and myself shared growing up as children. We carved a pig pumpkin for Liz and a pirate for Jackson (what else would we carve right?)






Then we went to the neighborhood Halloween party on Halloween. BEST PARTY IN TOWN. Food, games, bouncy houses, and candy. Can't beat that. The kids had a lot of fun this year playing the fishing game (Liz won stretchy bracelets), tossing the football and bean bags, and of course the bouncy house. They mainly stuck to the little kid bouncy house but Lizzy was brave and went down the slide a few times with all the big kids jumping around, running up and down the slides, and just being too rowdy. She really is so brave. But what I think Jackson liked the most was the fact that Grandpa dressed up like Jack Sparrow as well.





Then we tried trick or treating for the first time ever. I didn't take Jack last year because I have this rule that you have to be able to say trick or treat to actually get candy. Anyways, it wasn't a total success. The first house Jackson said trick or treat but then he tried to give the man his own candy. Then next house it was the same. I figured by the third house he would understand. But he was so excited to ring the door bell that he tripped, fell on his face on the cement and ended up crying with a huge abrasion on his face. After that he was done.

Lizzy however wanted to try a few more houses. She was so cute. Saying trick or treat and Happy Halloween then thanking the people for the candy. When someone wasn't home she would say, "oops this house is broken, try the next one." But the cutest part was that she didn't understand why the people weren't inviting her into their homes. She would wait by the door even after they closed it. So sweet.

Even though the kids didn't quite understand everything about Halloween it was still so much fun watching them enjoy a holiday that I love and I can't wait for next year. Something about children brings magic to every holiday.