Ten for Tuesday 10.28.08 Heat Wave Edition

I'm way too tired to be blogging right now, so if I seem a bit incoherent, I apologize!

1. I really can't imagine anything more glorious than the weather we've been having lately. The colors of the leaves, and the bright blue skies have been absolutely gorgeous, and I love how warm it's been. I've been seriously tempted to turn on the AC during the day, but I just can't bring myself to actually do that at the end of October. I wish it could stay like this all year long.

2. This was a really emotional and tiring weekend for me. On Saturday morning we attended Johnny's funeral. It was a really nice service, but still just heartbreaking.

3. This weekend our stake presidency was released, and a new presidency was called. We've been so lucky to have a really outstanding stake presidency, and we were sad to hear about upcoming changes---especially Reed. He had been moping around all week! Anyway, we both really wanted the 1st counselor to become the new stake president. He's an amazing speaker, but we didn't think they would do that, considering he's already been in for 9 years. I think he was as surprised as anyone to learn that he'd been chosen to lead our stake. Reed and I are thrilled. It's not very often that you can look forward to stake conference because of the amazing speakers, but now hopefully we'll get another 9 years!

4. This is my mom. She's been spending a lot of time at my house lately! I roped her into helping me with Halloween costumes, and she's been working tirelessly all week. I think we're nearly finished! She's also helping rearrange the items on my bookshelf to hopefully make it look a little more interesting. That's why there are books and picture frames all over the top of my piano right now. My house is out of control! My ironing board is set up in the kitchen, and there is costume and sewing stuff all over the place. I've really got to get this situation under control so I can start thinking clearly again! Anyway, back to the point. . . thank you, thank you, thank you Mom for all your help!

5. Halloween is coming, and we've had a bunch of festive activities this week:

Costume party! We went to a party right after stake conference on Saturday night, so our costumes were super-easy. Palin and McCain. The spittin' image right? We had a great time, and were so glad to be able to enjoy the company of good friends, and have a good, hard laugh.

Michael and Ty got to go to Grandma's house and make Halloween crafts and decorate sugar cookies. I forgot my camera, but I wanted to tell Becky that I'm so glad she loves to spend time with my boys.

Today we got to go to a fun little Halloween party for the kids in the neighborhood. The kids had a ball, and ate a TON of sugar. Ty didn't eat one single bite of his dinner before bed tonight! I think this picture will be so fun to look at a few years down the road.

Blake enjoying some alone time on the trampoline.

We also got to carve pumpkins for FHE last night. Blake was so excited to be able to help! He loves any excuse to climb on top of the table, and any excuse to get messy!

6. Two months and 5 x-rays later, the much awaited day has arrived! Ty got his cast off! Hooray! He had started to use his cast as a weapon, and loved to chase Michael around, so Michael was particularly relieved to see that cast gone (Side note: Michael started crying at the doctor's office today because we got the room with the princess wallpaper. Honestly. . . ). I was relieved, because Ty had taken to banging the thing on the walls and the table anytime he was frustrated about something. Good riddance is all I can say! I think though, that Ty was the most relieved of all.

7. I wanted to share a little video clip of Ty, but it's getting late, and I'm not sure I want to wait for it to load. Maybe I'll share it tomorrow. It just highlights his fun personality. He is in a really fun phase where his imagination is running wild. He loves to tell stories and sing and color pictures. He cracks me up. In the video Ty is a little bit hyper in front of the camera, but I think you get the gist.

8. I've recently discovered Pushing Daisies (thanks Sarah Jane!). This is such a cute show. Doesn't this picture just make you want to watch?! I love all the bright, beautiful colors.

9. Kitchen tip: Use your George Foreman grill to make grilled sandwiches. Stephanie told me about this, and it was so easy. I just sprayed the bread with Pam and threw them on the grill. It was so easy and fast. Tonight's special was bacon, apple slices and muenster cheese---surprisingly good combo!

10. Lately I've been feeling like I've bit off more than I can chew. I feel like I've been running around crazy trying to get everything done without going insane. So much to do---all the time! Today as I was tripping over toys and observing the smeared yogurt on the wall, I was fretting over how frazzled I've been feeling. Then I took a deep breath and realized how lucky I am that my life is so full. My life can be crazy, but it's filled with fun and fulfilling things to do, and wonderful people. This weekend President Crapo told us that our list shouldn't be "Things To Do," but "People to Love." Maybe my priorities need to be rearranged a little bit (does it really matter if I don't get that yogurt cleaned up right away?). In the meantime, regardless of all my craziness, I hope that my friends and family know that I do love them, and that they make my life full.