Since my 100th blog post, I've been rather uninspired in my writing. Maybe it's because our lives are pretty boring, or maybe it's because I didn't want to do yet another post about how I struggle being a mother. The other day, I read a post by an old friend of mine who is unable to have children. It is a burden that is almost too much for her to bear. I've been thinking a lot about trials, particularly those of people in the scriptures and church history. It seems that any "saint" or true servant of God had to go through amazingly difficult struggles and endure them well. This makes me worry, since my life is pretty easy-breezy. Don't get me wrong; I struggle. Daily. I can barely take my kids out into public without feeling completely angry and embarrassed at their behavior. I struggle with feelings of self-worth in a world where just being a mom doesn't seem to be praise-worthy. But, if I can't even endure these paltry things without losing my cool, how would I be able to handle anything more? The more I think about these things and other people's perspectives, I guess we all have our own burdens. Whether yours is not to have children or to raise many, not to find your true love when you want or to be tempted to a life with someone that could be destructive, to be generous with your plenty or to have barely enough to scrape by, these are all important challenges that we are commanded to endure with patience, hope, and even joyfulness. I've got to be more hopeful that I'm doing okay by my children. I have to be more joyful in my everyday tasks.

Last night we read about Noah for Family Home Evening. I started singing an old Raffi song about Noah, and the kids started dancing around the room, giggling and singing along. It was such a nice moment of family togetherness. Clayton looked over at me and said, "How can you not think you are a good mother?" What a sweet husband. Maybe my burden for now is to be able to see the good in every person and every situation instead of feeling depressed or hopeless. My life really is so good, and I feel like I try so hard to do what's right. Maybe someday I'll be worthy of harder trials. Hopefully not too soon.

Halloween

We didn't participate in nearly as many of the Halloween festivities that we did last year, but I still felt a little bit relieved when it was all over. Overall we had a lot of fun, but I was definitely tired of fussing with Audrey's ears.

First things first, we had a blast carving pumpkins as a family. Here is the pumpkin I carved, minus the middle bar which squirrels ate. It won first place at the Branch party! (I also won best-tasting pie and Audrey won cutest costume, which I felt bad about after. I didn't have anything to do with the judging, but I am the Activities Committee Chairperson.)

Clayton helped Luke with this one. Luke did a lot of it himself. Unfortunately, the squirrels ruined it before we could take it to the party.

One of my favorite things we did was the Joy School Halloween Party. The kids showed off their costumes in a parade, serenaded the parents with songs, and then served us cookies and cider. The kids are all so cute!

The kids had fun painting pumpkins at a G.P. Mom's Club Art Date.

And finally, costumes! My amazingly talented mom made Luke's and Clayton's costumes, along with part of mine. Clayton and Luke looked awesome, and those boxing gloves are going to be fun for a while, I'm sure.

Should have added padding to that punching bag

I made Audrey's pink poodle costume, and it took several tries to make ears she would actually keep on. In an attempt to match her, I am a "rich poodle owner" or something like that. I fit in a little too well around our neighborhood, and several ladies I know said I should dress like that everyday. Ha ha.

Sometimes I wish I could keep her on a leash indefinitely.

Last Weekend in Pictures...

Lego Castle Adventure

The Henry Ford Museum had a Lego exhibit in town, and our great friends, the Beutlers, invited us to go with them. It was so much fun! I marveled at the awesome sculptures made of Legos, while the kids had fun jousting, catapulting, sliding out of a castle, listening to castle stories, making up stories, and - of course - making their own Lego creations with their friends Nathan, Braydon, and Tirzah.

Jousting

The Catapult

Don't Princess Audrey and Princess Tirzah look cute?!

More Birthday Festivities

Late summer/early fall is birthday season at our house: Audrey and Clayton in August, me in September, and Luke the first day of October. Just so you don't think I didn't have a great birthday, here is a goofy picture of the present Clayton surprised me with. I was completely spoiled by everyone, and the day was only marred by the fact that I'm getting older.

Luke's birthday followed, and it's hard to believe that he's already 4. He grew from this cutie:

To this handsome 4-year-old! Can you tell that he helped decorate the cake?

A couple of weekends later, he helped me get ready for the big party by making the favors.

Here is a shot of the guests eating pizza and veggies at the 3rd annual Luke and Sam combined birthday party. I was worried about Luke since a lot of his friends ended up being out of town or sick on party day, but he still had a great time with the friends who came.

After getting energized, it was time for the big race. The kids had a fun time racing these cars around the little race track, being the crew chief, waving the checkered flag, or being part of the pit crew.

At the starting line

Pit Stop! The cars had velcro wheels and spots for gas fill-ups.

Luke and I had a race ourselves. I stuck my tongue out at the end for a photo finish.

Handing out Piston Cup trophies

Luke and Sam with their race track birthday cake. We joked that it was an "8", 4 for each of them.

The kids also had a bean-bag toss game into tires and played on the playground. I'd say the party was an overall success!

Somehow, two weeks later, Luke convinced me to make these cakes for FHE. Apparently it was Lightning McQueen and Blightning 5's birthdays.

I think I'm all caked-out for a while.