Sunny Winter Day

The sun came out today.  It hasn't snowed a drop but it's been cloudy and cold for weeks.  When we saw the sun we took break from school and went out to play.  Audrey had this moment when she laid back in her swing with her eyes up to the sky staring at the clouds.  Then I watched as she closed her eyes with a big smile on her face and continued swinging.  She declared it the best day ever.  

In that moment I was so grateful to my sweet friend who offered her old swing set to us.  

We've never even thought to buy a swing set because we move so often.  Her gift was received with so much gratitude.  We never would have bought one knowing that this home is a very temporary place for us.  Today when I saw Audrey do what she did I thought of how often I had done the same thing when I was a kid.  It made me smile knowing that she would have the same memories of  the sun on her face and the wind blowing her hair all while gliding back and forth through through the air.  She also had to show me how well she could climb the side bars and hang from the horizontal ones.  I'm so glad that the sun showed it's face today and that we had an afternoon outside.  Time like this together is priceless.

Prizes

Audrey gets prizes weekly for doing well in school.  When we got home from Utah her prize was some Halloween nail stickers.  Even though it was past Halloween we had to have a nail day.  She was so happy with how they turned out.  I didn't know stickers would bring so much happiness.  I guess we'll have to do it again..maybe for Christmas.    

Trick or Treating in St. George

We took a trip down to St. George for the Haunted Forest fundraiser that Michelle put together for Wyatt.  I was so happy that I was able to make it.  It felt so good to put our efforts toward something in Wyatt's name.  One of the highlights was spending time with Michael being the chainsaw clown.  It was fun to watch grown men run for their lives.  I also enjoyed spending time with Michelle's family.  It's been years since I've spent that kind of time with them all.  Being with Michael's boys and going through the forest with them was among my favorites.  They were practically pulling me.  I gladly held onto their little hands and screamed the entire way through.    

Later in the week we took a break with the kids to trick or treat.  They were all so proud of their stash.  It's been years since I've spent time with my family on Halloween.  It was much needed family time.  Thank you to Michelle for hosting and being patient with us all, thanks to Jenn for watching kids, thanks to Mom for joining me at the tractor when Michael couldn't, and thanks to Neil's family for sharing their farm.  It will be a week I will never forget.  A week full of tears, laughter, love, and pain (carrying a chainsaw around for several hours a night, along with a lot of fake limping can do a number on your body).  Seeing my family come together in this way was so rewarding and beautiful.  I love them all to pieces.   

Ice Cream and Smiles

What soothes a sad heart better than ice cream?  Jennifer was so smart to take the kids to go get some ice cream to share.  It brought big smiles all around. 

I felt the need to take more pictures while in Utah this time around.  I guess it's the way I'm dealing with things because my camera has been used more in this last month than it has been in a while.  Each moment is so precious, and I want to remember these ones forever.  Justin and his Grandma just warm my heart.