Trick or Treating... and Living in the Mud

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So this past week began with a scare of a phone call from Michigan… Chris’ dad had been admitted to the hospital and no one really knew how well (or unwell) he was. After a day of calls and texts back and forth with family, we made the choice and he flew out to be by his father’s side. We knew that no matter what, he wouldn’t regret the choice to see family, take care of his mama and be there for his dad… but if anything were to happen should he choose not to go, well, that he would regret.

We are so blessed and so grateful that Chris was able to take his dad home from the hospital on Thursday and then stayed the rest of the week to make sure all was well there before I picked him up from the airport yesterday.

Needless to say, the kids and I had a week of fall celebration to enjoy together before I leave next week. For a moment I wanted to forget about decorating pumpkins and costumes, parties and schedules and just finish unpacking our house (since we only moved in two weeks ago), watch too many movies with my wee ones and eat. Though I did a good share of unpacking and eating, we kept our date with the pumpkin patch and trick-or-treat party intact, and I’m so glad we did!

In the car tonight, Chris and I talked about how easy it can be at times to get frustrated when things don’t go the way we “think” they should, when kids seem to constantly leave messes in their wake, when your hope for sweet moments turns to crying and pouting (as evidenced in the photo above), when we go to bed tired and wake up tired because even at night our wee flowers still need tending to, and yet, when we feel that frustration overpowering our gratefulness we’re forgetting how blessed we are that have have these three beautiful little flowers relying on our love, our guidance, our watering. I wiped away a tear tonight thinking of the dear friends I have, and so many others, that would love the opportunity for messes to overtake their home if it meant having a child to leave them. I remember the prayers I’ve made with loved ones wishing to be a mama, and I realize how much I cherish all the mud that makes it’s way into the mix, because to be without it means I’d be without these sweet little pieces of my heart that go walking around with me.

“I just had a muddy moment.” I said as Chris climbed back into his seat in the car. He’d gone in the store and after hearing a rustling in the backseat I turned around to find a mess of chips on the floor of a car that I’d just spent hours wiping, vacuuming and cleaning out before daddy returned home. My initial reaction was overridden as I laughed at the opportunity I faced after just talking about this very thing. It’s just a little mud, I thought, a little mud I’m glad to have if it means I’ve got them. But also? No more eating in the car for awhile.

I can be practical at times as well.

I just read a quote recently by Lemony Snicket that said, “If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting the rest of our lives.” Life doesn’t always go like we plan anyway, and in so many ways, it’s even better than what we’d imagined. Even when there are bumps in the road… even when we book a last minute flight not knowing what situation with a loved one we face on the other side, we live to find beauty in the mud. I don’t think we ever feel ready when it comes to life, or the different hurdles we face… as mothers, as friends, as children, and I’m certainly not immune to stressful days or sleepless nights, but I’d rather take those days clothed in the beauty of living life than spend my days waiting.

Since this mama is needing a little bit of sleep when I can get it… our Halloween, sans daddy this year, in photos. Okay, and with a few words too.

For our pumpkin decor, we used pushpins to make fun patterns and shapes… so easy!

I made this simple “candy-corn” dessert with whipped topping and a few boxes of pudding. We used butterscotch pudding for the bottom layer, vanilla pudding and a bit of yellow food coloring for the second and a nice thick layer of whipped topping to seal the very sweet deal on top.

We passed out glow sticks, tattoos and candy and still have SO much candy left over. What are you doing with all of your extras?

Good times were had with such a great group of friends that joined us Thursday night for a round of trick or treating in our new neighborhood. Obviously Brayden wasn’t too keen on photos this week, and as I was uploading these he walked up next to me and said, “That’s when I was being mad about pictures. I shouldn’t be mad anymore.” But don’t let these pictures fool you, he was full of smiles… and by the end of the night, he was full of sugar as well.

I think our friend Chad deserves a dad of the year award with this King Triton costume his crafty wife whipped up for him to wear with his little princess Ariel!

Skylar carried the torch this year as sugar bear… it was Aliyah’s first costume, then Brayden’s. I happen to think he filled his older sibling’s shoes… err, costume, very well.