A piece of heaven...or home

I made the mistake a couple of weeks ago, voicing to my husband that I wanted to be home. Home in Idaho. Surrounded by family and enjoying the fall season to its fullest. It was a mistake because as soon as I voice my desire, it is harder to bear. If I keep my mouth shut, I work thru my problem or whatever it is better.
As I have been dreaming of home, it did not help that I was talking about Idaho to this nice Lady who I visit with each day, while we wait to pick up our kids at school. Her family was planning a trip to Boise. Her husband and son got tickets to a BSU game, and decided to make a family trip out of it. She would ask about places to see and eat, the weather, colors of leaves on the trees etc. The more we visited the more I missed that great place.
She gave me a report today about how their trip was. Of course, she said it was like a slice of heaven. They loved every minute and did not want to leave. She was amazed by the fall colors, especially the red. You do not see that color around here. You are lucky to get a little yellow in November/December. She was fascinated by everything Idaho has to offer. She could not say enough good. I was so glad that it had been a very pleasant trip for them.
One of the places I had mentioned to her, when she asked about fall activities was The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I told her how each fall I would go and get 1 of their HUGE caramel apples. They are truly amazing, or at least that is how I remember them. She said they made sure to go there and let each of their kids choose an apple. They loved them! and even brought back one for me!!!! I was soooo surprised and touched by her small gesture of thoughtfulness. I stole a small bite as I cut the apple for my kids and felt like I was home for a moment. No mater where we go or move, I will always appreciate what a great state Idaho is.

Thumb or Pacifier?

I have always wanted a thumb-sucker. Mainly because I had heard my whole life that they are a lot happier babies. I am not completely sure why,but I know why it makes me happier--I do not have to put a pacifier back in every 2 seconds when the baby accidentally spits it out or pulls it out. I am aware that with a thumb sucker you can not take away the thumb, as you can the pacifier. There are many reasons I am aware of, but I still think it is so adorable to see little babies sucking their thumbs.

A couple of times, during an ultrasound I saw Madaline sucking her thumb and was very excited. While she was in the hospital, they used a pacifier. She goes back and forth between sucking on her hands and when she is done with that or frustrated, she will take a pacifier. The other day she finally found her thumb and was so happy! so it seemed, because I told Samuel to look at her and he said to pull it out--since we know it can be a hard habit to break. I did and boy did she get upset. I told myself if she finds it again, I am going to let her keep it! After many attempts of her trying to find her thumb and me getting the camera I finally captured a picture of Madaline sucking her thumb.Who knows what she will prefer thumb or pacifier, only time will tell. Right now though, she seems to like both and has her preferences for when she wants one or the other!

Every day while I am at school, waiting for my kids to be released people will come up to me and say, " Look at that red hair!" "Her hair is getting redder by the day!" I wish I had a good photo that showed her hair color. I never thought I would have a red headed baby, but maybe I will :)

BATS!

I LOVE Halloween! Probably because it is in the fall and fall is my favorite season. Life seems to start to calm down, there is a fresh cool breeze, the colors are always breathtaking when they change. You can make caramel apples and all the other really fun autumn treats. I will not go on and bore you anymore. I think my love has been passed on to a son, who is now obsessed with Halloween...and with that comes an obsession of BATS!
Last year as a reward, he picked out a Vampire Dick and Jane book. I did not think much of it. Every project as the year went on somehow turned into a bat theme. A gingerbread boy, was dressed as a vampire( closest thing to a bat) A humpty dumpty was dressed as a bat and so forth. Brigham loves bats!
A couple of weekends ago Samuel and I, with some of his friends from school went on a hike to a canyon out in the desert.Samuel found a small opening at the bottom of a rock wall and decided to go in. It turned out to be a cave! Everyone climbed in but Madaline and I. To their surprise there were Bats everywhere inside! Brigham, to say the least was in heaven. He missed seeing them the first time, so Samuel being a good sport and knowing how disappointed Brigham was took him back in for a second time to make sure he saw them.