This is the first Halloween in YEARS that we have not gone trick-or-treating. My kiddos have been very thankful the past few years that they have younger cousins to "help" trick-or-treat, because it gives them a reason to go out. This year, though, the kids wanted to have a party. The invited lots of their friends, we decorated the house, and had lots of candy on-hand. The kids came in costume, and everyone looked great.
A few days later we found ourselves with a free afternoon, and so we decided to head to Monte Sano to enjoy the fall colors. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of color to see, but we had fun being out. We discovered a fun trail that had once been a road, so the walk was nice and easy, and there were other trails leading off of it for exploring. Barry and the boys had fun climbing around, and even managed to scare the crud out of me! The girl and I enjoyed kicking and crunching the leaves. The weather was a bit brisk, but it felt kind of good, too.
In other news... I don't think I've mentioned that I have a new calling. After teaching RS for about 2 years, I was released and asked to serve on the Activities Committee. This is the first time I've ever done this, and I'm really looking forward to it. I got called a couple of weeks before our Halloween activity, and that also happened to be the same time my mom was in the hospital, so I really didn't do a whole lot for that activity, but we are already planning the Christmas party, and I think it will be really fun.
I've been crafting again... and I'm excited about it!! I've been busy working on some Christmas crafts, and can't wait to decorate this year. I'm planning on getting Christmas cards made this year, and I am excited to work on those, too. It's been a while since I have been excited to craft, and it really makes me happy that I'm so excited!
I've been counting some of my blessings... at least the ones I don't always think about... on my facebook page. I'll have to recap them all here soon. Of course I am very thankful for my family, friends, the gospel, and the obvious blessing I enjoy, but I wanted to focus on "little things" that often get overlooked everyday. I've been kind of amazed at all the little things there are everyday to be thankful for. I've not only gained an appreciation for them, but it has made me even more thankful for the "obvious" things as well.
So, to end things on a "thankful" note tonight, let me say that I am thankful that my kiddos are now home safe and sound from their temple trip; I am thankful that I can sleep in just a bit because I don't have to drive to seminary in the morning; and I am very thankful for the comfy bed I am about to crawl into!!
