Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

We had a free evening at home one night, so we cooked hotdogs and s’mores over the firepit on the deck.

Brett was pouring part of his driveway last week, so Creighton, Anya, and I went to watch.  Not content to simply stand and watch, Creigh climbed to the top of the dirt pile and watched from up there. 

:)

One afternoon, we needed a diversion, so we went and raked up some leaves at Dad and Mom’s and jumped in them. 

We are very blessed in that our kids all LOVE to read.  This is a common sight and it makes me smile every time.

This weekend we had our annual pumpkin carving party with the neighbors.  Kate took most of these pictures. 

In case you think that life is all perfect pictures and fun outings, let me throw in some real life for you.  The reality of it is that in between the outings, we have two older kids learning the art of fighting with each other what sometimes feels like every waking moment.  We have a 3 year old who is well into the “thrilling 3’s.”  He finds it fun to assert himself in many different ways and the correction this often requires is quite often not enjoyable for anyone.  The babe continues to struggle with her teeth, seemingly getting an ear infection every time a tooth is about to pop thru which will likely mean a trip to the ENT doc is in our near future.  I personally have been struggling off and on lately with figuring out the balance of “running” a 4 kid household.   I find it hard to figure out the balance between getting the “stuff” done that keeps everyone fed, clothed, and from living in filth and getting down on the floor and playing and helping and reading and paying no attention to the to-do list.  I tend to swing back and forth between the extremes.  It is easy for me to forget that comparing what I do or do not do will never get me anywhere good.  In fact, what we do in our family will not work for someone else and what someone else does, will not work for us.  The dynamics of every family are different and you have to find what works the best for you in your particular situation.  Whatever situation you find yourself in, I pray you can find the joy in the journey.