What I hope my children treasure from their childhood

As I reflect on my own childhood, my thoughts are absorbed with time being outside. I remember playing hide and seek with neighborhood children, walking to my grandmother's house, building and hiding in snow igloos in the winter. I vividly can remember and smell all four seasons through various memories growing up. I spent the summers at my grandparent's house in the mountains, a very different landscape than the hills I grew up in. I can still smell my grandparent's town and home.

Thinking about how my husband's and my own childhood impacted who we are today has had a huge impact on the decisions we are making for our children. Most decisions aren't taken lightly at our house as we consider how what we're doing now can shape our children's lives. This has played a huge role in where we live, the animals we have, the company we keep, activities our children are in, and how we spend our money.

As I plan our days, I try to focus on what I want my children to remember. Sure, they are still young and may not remember much of these days but that will change eventually. I want you to remember the outside as well. I want you to know what it feels like to come inside to a warm, loving home. I hope that you can find a way to become as centered with nature as I have.  Therefore, we have been known to spend as much time outside as we possibly can. The weather plays a huge role in that though and we can't always make it out. Even two minutes outside can make a difference for us.

So, if you need us, you can find us outside soaking up that last few warm days we may have before winter begins.

As you can see, it only takes a few minutes outside and my children start to show the happiest sides of themselves.

The Gift of a Sibling

Over the last few years I have found myself saying numerous times that the greatest gift I could have ever given my children is each other. I know that this may not always be the case, but during times when these two show love to each other, my heart sings. My babies are creating a beautiful relationship as they go through life within the same household. One day, they may only have each other to turn to and I hope they feel nothing but love towards one another and embrace the life together they have had.

It has taken many years but I can honestly tell you that I cherish my own relationships with my siblings. I am at a place in my life where I wish I lived closer to my siblings and could spend time with them regularly. May my two children be as fond of each other.

As I continue to collect pictures daily of each of my children together, growing, and playing, I hope to see many more moments of beauty in their friendship. Payton is a natural caregiver and loves showing Riley how to do anything and everything. She is really looking forward to helping potty train him (still a ways away). Right now, she settles for helping him walk (which he can do and doesn't necessarily welcome the help at times), reading him books, and assisting him with brushing his teeth. Riley looks for "sissy" every morning and screams from excitement when she finally wakes up and emerges from her bedroom. He never misses the chance to hug and open mouth kiss her.

So, please, my babies, learn to love each other with all you have even during times of conflict. Because, one day, your sibling may be all you have. Love, Mom

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we decided to venture out to the local pumpkin patch. We have done this 3 years in a row now and it only gets better as the kids get older.

The kids had a blast going down the slide, picking pumpkins, walking hay mazes, bouncing on a bounce pad, and riding the children's train. Payton used to refuse to have her face or hands painted but was totally loving getting her face painted this year.

My family came up for this event as well so we decided to have a bit of a Halloween party as a group. Unfortunately, we were all so tired after the pumpkin patch that this plan didn't work out. Instead, we had a costume breakfast. I had Halloween coloring pages for the kids to decorate and put stickers on while I cooked breakfast. We had a blast eating with two Super Girls, a few pirates, Tigger, and a Mario brother.

We love this time of year. Fall has always been a favorite season for me. I hope you are enjoying this time of year as well!                                                                                                                               

Let's slow it down a bit

The best days in life are the ones taken slowly. Fall is my favorite season but it is also known as a very busy season. I promised myself not to put my kids in many activities but I keep finding myself overscheduling. 

Here's the thing, my daughter loves all the activities but they exhaust her. I also want my children to know how to live in quiet. I struggle to sit still and just sit back. I don't want this to be a problem for my kids, too.

So, what will I be doing? After a few months of my daughter in both dance and gymnastics and both my kids participating weekly at the library's story time we have decided to drop dance. We will finish out this month since it's paid for and then decide about enrolling her again in the spring.

I may regret this decision later as I love watching the 3 year old class, tutus, and I couldn't wait to watch the winter performance. Really though, my favorite times are days spent at home doing absolutely nothing and whatever we want. That's the perspective I want to keep.

Because this season of life is about to go too quickly.

29th Birthday Weekend

Over the weekend, I turned 29. Most birthdays are typically hard for me but this one was relatively painless. I feel like it should have been my 30th. Having children has definitely made me feel old, especially when I get around those in their early 20s. 

As I reflect on my last year, I am appreciative for the good and hard times I've had. I greatly treasure my babies and watching them grow. As a parent, they are teaching me so much when I typically assume it's the other way around. God has given me so many sweet moments with my babies that I will treasure always.

Before bedtime, we almost always make it outside. It's the last chance to burn off excess energy and works so well. Payton loves to run pulling Riley in her wagon. We also get to watch the corn harvested as you can see in the background. I am in awe of all the things my children are being exposed to that I wasn't as a child.

Before I end this post I wanted to share some pictures from my brother's wedding last weekend. It was a gorgeous wedding and my children danced the night away until way past their bedtime.

So, today begins the beginning of a new year for me. I can't wait to see what's in store for my little family!