On gratitude.

 

A grateful heart.

It's something I've been thinking a lot about lately.

The holiday season is upon us, and while these last two months of the year naturally lend themselves to helping us recall what we should be thankful for...what I'm wanting this year is more.

More than a list of blessings.

More than just a month of acknowledging.

What I want is a change in my heart.

 

Let me explain, most of the time I am surrounded by more blessings than I can even begin to count...but often times my heart searches for what is next, wanting more, comparing.

 

Oh that sneaky devil...comparison.

 

I'm sure you've seen around the bloggy/pinterest/facebook world the saying "Comparison is the Thief of Joy" and I couldn't agree more. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others in this bloggy/pinterest/facebook world in which we live...

Look at her clothes!
Oh my goodness, her house is so perfectly decorated!

Did you see that amazing vacation they just went on?

That mom is so lucky- she gets to stay home with her kids!

That mom is so lucky- she has a successful career!

How long do I have to workout to look like that?

She is so clever and crafty- what lucky kids to have her as a mom!

I wish...

I wish...

I wish...

 

Ugh. It's exhausting. And unnecessary. And unhealthy.

So here's my theory...I think if comparison is the thief of our joy, then the way to get it back must be through gratitude. Through a continual practice of a grateful heart. To gain the quiet confidence that comes through such thankfulness.

So that's my goal.



But let's be honest, it's not always easy to do that in the moment.
In the moment, it's easy to get caught up in the frustrations and challenges and temptations.
It's always easier after the moment has passed to look back and realize some of those frustrations really are just blessings in disguise.
What's harder is realizing we have enough. We ARE enough.

A three year old who battles us with eating?....How fortunate we are that our issues are that she often chooses to exert her independence in the form of food strikes vs. the alternative of not having enough food for her to eat.
That sounds a little overly dramatic, and I'm not meaning it to.
It's just the shift in thinking that I'm striving towards. A journey towards a constant grateful heart.

Oh...and I'm pretty sure eating pie can always help on that journey.
Off we go my friends.

All Hallows Eve.

I don't actually know...is All Hallows Eve actually Halloween Day that we celebrate, or the eve of Halloween day?
I suppose I could look it up, but I'm a little too lazy this morning and apparently writing in stream of consciousness.

Moving on....Halloween 2013.
It was the bomb.
Our two little fairies were quite a sight to see. Their dresses handmade by their talented Teta are a treasure and will be used for many more dress up occasions I am certain. Seriously, people who sew are amazing!! An art that was completely lost on me.

A feisty fairy and an angelic fairy.
Really... quite perfect for the stages they are both at in their little lives.

 

 

We started the night out at the school's annual Harvest Party where games, candy and friends were in excess.

 

Little friends. Big friends.

 

And then headed over to Ballard for some trick or treating action with our buddies who live on the best Halloween street!

 Fairies was the theme this year.

 

And the next morning...the Great Pumpkin came and traded all the candy for a special prize (a dinky little figurine toy!) Not sure how long that trick will work, but I'm going with it for now.

 

Another successful holiday for the books. Bring it on Thanksgiving! 

The October roundup.

Also known as the one-where-I-need-to-catch-up-before-I-get-anymore-behind post.

So we'll be heavy on pictures, light on words tonight.
Which is actually kind of good. We are entering the last few months of the year...my favorite months. Months filled with gratitude, and family, and friends, and giving, and so, so much love. A reflective time. My heart does a little happy dance each time these months approach us {and it couldn't come at a more perfectly timed space in my life right now...had a few real rough patches in my parenting journal. More on that later}.

Tonight as I look back on our last couple weeks, the trials and struggles and challenges that life sometimes throws at you...well, they aren't taking front seat. These happy memories are.

Which, come to think of it, is kind of the whole reason I write this blog in the first place.

**********************************************************************************
Anniversary celebrations.
Nick's parents celebrated 20 years of marriage last month and lucky for us, they wanted to celebrate by hanging out with our big, crazy family! Apparently we have a love for The Sorrento because Nick and I stayed there on our wedding night, Hans and Becky's rehearsal dinner was there and now 20th wedding anniversary. I have a feeling it won't be the last time they see the Juhl/Almberg/Moore/Farrah clan.

 

Yep, the babies are still sleeping.



Best friends.
It is constant giggles when these three are together.

 

Lazy afternoon game time.



 

Walks through the fall leaves.

Charlotte and I like to listen to the crunch, crunch, crunch.

 

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays.

I am such a birthday lover and prefer to spread out the celebrating a least a week long. So happy that I got a night with Nicholas, a night with my little girls, and I night with my ladies. HAPPY indeed. 

 

 

 

 



And a certain other little lady celebrated her 2nd birthday at the fanciest, most darling party! Ooh la la did we have a good time celebrating Miss Camilla!

 

Tippy toe kitchen helper.



 

Monday Night Football.
In a very calm, serene atmosphere.

Oh wait...

 

Twinsies with my babe.

And loving every second of it.

 

Tea parties and Halloween practicing.

 

Pumpkin carving with the guys.



 

 

Oh October, you were so good to us.



Life lately.

How it is the middle/end of October is beyond me. It seems like I was just getting excited at the first hints of fall, and now here we are smack dab in the middle of it.
We've been enjoying all the beautiful colors that the Northwest offers during this time of year and embracing this season.

A glimpse at our life lately...

Sister, Sister.



Fall Arts and Crafts

 

Friend dates...for the kids and the adults. 

 

Pumpkin Patch

We met some of our PEPS friends at the most darling pumpkin patch ever just North of Seattle. The Farm at Swan's Trail was my fall dream come true: apple cider donuts, hay rides, corn dogs, a farm maze, gunny sack slide, corn bin for the kids to play in, farm animals. We will definitely be making this place a tradition! 

 

 

Putting babies to sleep.
Always. Every day. Those babies are ALWAYS tired.

Celebrating 11 months.

And not believing that we can possibly be a month away from her 1 year??!?!! My little dovie girl...you are such a perfect addition to our family. Your sweet nature and toothie grin bring me such joy.

 

At home play.

As fun as it is to have activities to go to....sometimes staying home and making messes in your own room is the best activity of all.

 

The little teacher.
Reading a story to me and Madeleine. I love her love of books.

A little park action.

Feeling very blessed and thankful to be the mama of these two girls.
Life is good.
Happy Fall!