Fall

Ally was assigned to give the opening prayer in primary today. A first for us. I wasn't sure if she would get a case of stage fright at the podium or if anyone would be able to understand her. Turns out I think she thought she was assigned to sing a solo as she sweetly SANG her little prayer into the microphone without any help from me.

Pumpkin Patch

I never knew the joy of pumpkin patches as a child (did they not exist in Katy, TX??) Anyway, they pop-up like weeds in Wisconsin autumn-time. It's great fun for everyone, especially the ones that go all out with hay mazes, petting zoos, play houses...and it's mostly free! You only pay for the pumpkins.

Unwanted Guest

We found this guy on our back porch. Don't worry. He has since been eradicated.

To Nauvoo We Go

To my 3000+ employee friends, a trip to small town Nauvoo, Illinois just doesn't really strike an interest. Well add 7 saucy redheads, 3 hot brunnettes, and 2 cuter-n-pie little cow-girls and get ready for some good times. No one was injured, although many people were shot, we learned a lot about church history, cried a lot, captured frogs, practiced life-saving skills, and cried some more.

An update on ME

Truth be told, this blog is about my girls. It's written for my family and friends who care to know the feats of potty training and what-not. But every now and then I go through a break through and you get to enjoy that update as well.

I've been kind of struggling to know my place in life. I feel like I've been in "survival mode" for so long, I don't know how to just relax, turn off the anxiety, stop worrying that the kids will drown or get hit by cars, or kidnapped, or turn into teenagers and drive away and never come home. Ahhh. such are my bedtime stories.

So Matt and I have really been making a conscience effort to be true to our values. I've started to attend a Bible Study group on Wednesday nights and he goes with me when he has a night off from Young Men's. We've been making a real improvement in our daily scripture study and finding our identity as a couple. It feels nice to share that. I mean, he's always been my best friend, but it's nice to be able to share the emotional and religious growth moments with him as well. Can't wait to see him again on Saturday!!

Updates

One of my favorite things about Ally right now is that everything is a secret. And "I need to tell you a secret" gets shortened in Ally-speak to "I need a secret." So all day long, she's constantly pulling on your arm, "Mommy, I need a secret. I see light-bugs." "Daddy, I need a secret. I hear rain."

Lily turned one last month and she is walking! She cruises around like a drunk old lady, crashes into everything, and jumps back up again for more. She's cut one of her top front teeth and shakes her head no with a big grin on her face.

Both of these girls are growing up too fast!

Victory is Mine!

Check out this little scairdy cat (who once couldn't even walk by a pool of water without cover her eyes and shrieking) and she's actually.in.the.water!
And check out this cute baby who will be 1 this month, can you believe it?