So I got through my first month at my new job. It's been a little overwhelming but things are getting better. It's just been a lot more difficult coordinating schedules for the kids and us than I thought. But it's just something we all have to get used to so there's no need to complain.

Because I haven't made the seasonal door display change a priority, September kind of got away from me and before I knew it, there were pumpkins and fall flowers on every door and porch. It's one of my favorite times of year and I haven't done anything to bring it to life in the house or at the front door except for buying some mums. We're already half way through October so it's time to get in gear. I looked online for some inspiration and here's what I found: Enjoy!

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 Using pumpkins as planters - I may just do this.

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 I love all of this. I'll even take the dog. (Don't tell my pup.)
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 Now I regret not getting the lanterns at Ikea when I was there a few weeks ago...must go back.
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What have I done??

I think I just signed my life away...

A few weeks ago I received a job offer that I felt I could not pass up. It was a whirlwhind round of interviews. The first one went well the 2nd one I bombed but the 3rd one was ok. Each time when they asked about me and heard a little about my family, they got really serious and told me this was a "big job, a really big job."

And me not being much of a panicker, thought 'what's the big deal?? It's just retail.' Oh my gosh, I came home after a few days of training with numbers and technical reports and deadlines thrown at me and I was second guessing this whole thing. Jon had to talk me down a little. I guess it also didn't help that I've been on a heavy dose of steroids during this whole process but that's another story. ANYWAY, a good night's sleep and a talk with our family, making a game plan with them, really helped. I feel much better and excited to implement changes and ideas to see this store run well. We decided that since Mommy is going to be working hard out of the house to do that, we need to play just as hard when she's home. It'll just be one more week of chaos until I have a team fully in place and after that all should be good.

Enough about that. Is this weather just beautiful or what!? It's gettting me excited for fall and planting some color in the flower beds and seeing house projects to completion within the next month. On Friday night the stadium lights were beckoning me to come to the highschool so we all hopped in the car and watched  our team get beat, but whatever, it was just fun to be out. Football season is exciting for us at our casa. We even keep up with our high school alma mater, #1 in the state ya'll in both athletics and academics.

The new season for this family will be a fun one! Oh and I have new senior pictures to share. I'm not giving that job up. It was fun and I taught him how to "smeyes." It totally worked.

Fair moments

The last week before school is our local fair so we made plans to go a few times. Blair also decided to enter a lego sculpture  which won her 4th place and a whole dollar! She was so happy she cried. She made a robot scientist. Not bad for thinking of it in the 11th hour and using leftover lego pieces.

Trae entered the potato sack race and was on his way to victory when he fell and came down on his elbow. I had to pick him up as he was crying in his potato sack. Poor guy. But he quickly got over it when I told him we could go to the petting zoo to hold the bunnies. While we were there the news channel filmed the kids and it was so funny. Trae put his face right into the camera. I'll post as soon as I get the video.

At the end of the week we watched the closing fireworks from our house which was so nice. We laid out blankets and the younger kids and neighbor friends just ran around the yard.

Good bye summer.

Winding down

Summer's last hurrah is upon us so I am getting all things ready for the school year. We're in transition at our house. The last one is off to Kindergarten. Even as I write that, my eyes well up with tears. It's safe to say I'm pretty attached to my boy; all my kids of course. The one real talent I've always felt that I had was that I could go with the flow and enjoy the stages with them, letting things roll off my back. That's not to say I haven't wanted to pull out my hair but overall, the raising of these future adults has been a kick. We still have some years to go in rearing children but we're at a milestone here and those times cause me to reflect.
Soon when we're back into the swing of things, I'll be on a regular blogging schedule. I'm shooting for September! Lots of ideas swirling...                                                                                        

xo
Laura

Soft and light - a baby photograph

   For this child I prayed
 1 Samuel 1:27

This baby was long awaited. 

We (along with all those that know her) are so happy for our friend and her family. I was also honored that they asked me to take some photos. There were no special photoshop tricks here; no layers or enhancements. Just a lovely mother, her beautiful newborn and soft afternoon light.

Heavy heart, thankfulness and words of advice

My heart is heavy and yet I am thankful. l received word yesterday that a friend I had served with in a Relief Society Presidency in my last LDS ward in South Carolina walked in on a robbery at her own business and was killed. She was well-known in the area and was very well liked. She was truly a wonderful and lovely person. Never have I met someone with such a smiley, happy attitude; one of those genuine souls.

I am so sad for their family.

I am thankful that I knew her. I am thankful that I worked with her and was in one of the best wards in the world where we still keep in touch, still send letters and Christmas cards, still mourn with each other... I am truly thankful for those associations.

As someone who has lost both parents at an early age, I can tell you that little anecdotes about your parent's life, those little remembrances told by people that loved them or worked with them or just associated with them somehow are hugely comforting. Not just the "you'll see them again" comments which are nice but I feel are a little trite. Mainly because most Christians believe in life after death of some sort so we want to hear something more personal in these moments. 

Remember that although intellectually they may believe in eternity and life everlasting, the heart is broken and tends to rule. It's ok to cry, it's ok to be angry, it's ok to be sad. Don't try to force the healing process by saying how wonderful their reunion will be some day. We know that. It may just take a little time for that to comfort us. Just share a nice moment in time about their loved one, something that will make them proud of their family, and be a friend. And all will be well eventually.

A little bit of latelys

We spent July 4th with friends, eating like it was Thanksgiving. I made hot-weather potato salad and chocolate chip shortbread with fresh berries. Luckily we had games like Bocce ball and 3 legged races to work off the food. It was ridiculously fun.

*****

Nothing says summer like beautiful blooms. A few days ago I found an abandoned house with a gorgeoous Hydrangea bush. The people next door said it has been empty for a few years and that no one should care if I took some flowers. So I did. It needed to be cut back anyway so I look at it as doing the bank a favor. Now flowers are all over the house. I love it.

You know I have a thing for vintage school items. But I have too many so I need to part with them. Some maps and chairs are going up for sale. The maps are big and awesome school maps from 1950.

I went to my neighbor's surprise anniversary party thrown by their 11 and 5 year-old. It was actually really nice. The kids came over and invited us a few weeks before the party. I think they have futures as event planners. I'm surprised Blair and Trae didn't let the secret slip. They can't be trusted with info.

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Our friends from Florida are coming to visit. We are excited. It's Jon's buddy from the military and his family. They are hilarious and Jon actually gets a day off to visit. He hasn't had a day off in over 3 weeks so we're making the most of it.

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The kids and I have been spending many days at the Library. Blair is determined to earn a ticket to an amusement park for summer reading. Except the last time she just danced.