Nolte News: Thankful

I have not looked at Kelle Hampton's "Enjoying the Small Things" blog in at least a month, probably more. If you know me, this is a shocker, because I religiously follow her blog. It makes me REALLY remember to, well, enjoy the small things. To remember that life is made up of the precious moments shared with the ones that you love, and I have been, regrettably, guilty of not doing that so much lately. Maybe it is because I have gone back to work or maybe it is a case of the baby blues, but I really need to shake my 'tude, cause I've got a LOT to be thankful for.

No one told me how hard it was going to be being a mom. Those commercials with the adorable babies and children smiling and laughing and playing... all those sun shining days, rainbows, butterflies and puppies frolicking with bright eyed kids... that ain't every day life. I LOVE my kids. They are a joy and a blessing, but they are also a lot of WORK. My spunky, independent and very self assured almost 3 year old teaches me this every day. He is bright and sweet and smart, more than I could have ever asked for, and man does he keep us on our toes! And our sweet Molly Caroline, well she is just the best baby girl I could have dreamed of. Our cup is full and I sure am thankful.

Maybe it will get easier and maybe it won't. Maybe one day I will have the time to fit it ALL in, but for now I will appreciate and enjoy the moments I do have and be ever grateful for them, ever day. Suck up the goodness that is sweet babies and changing seasons and be ever happy for the life I have been given.

This is what I will remember... these are the memories that we are making:

The Corn Maize... new to Lakeland this year. Thanks to our friends Sarah, Denis and April for inviting us and having such a wonderful time playing with our precious babies:

Shooting the "Corn Cannon" with daddy

Eating a hot dog while walking through the huge corn maze... only Conor!

Love this face

Don't even think about taking my "pa-corn"

Halloween 2011

The Patch

Picking out the pumpkin. It is quickly becoming a favorite tradition. Conor running through the maze of various orange, green and gnarled pumpkins, always thinking the next one is just a bit better than the last. Until we finally decide on one (or two). Then to pick our the gourds, or "chords" as he calls them. "Cords are just like squash you know dada" where does he come up with this stuff?! Max & Ruby can take credit for that one, I think.

Costumes

Conor - a pirate (or a gypsy according to one candy hander-outer) either way, Ren said he will have final say in next year's costume...

Molly - a flower or as Ren dubbed her "Mollyflower"

Conor LOVES trick or treating. He still asks me to go on a daily basis. We read "Happy Halloween Stinky Face" nightly and we are currently in discussion on what his costume will be next year. Right now we have landed decidedly on "ghost"... but I am sure it will change tomorrow.And sweet Molly, well in true Molly fashion, fell asleep alarmingly quietly and quickly as we rode on Uncle Jason's golf cart... girl can sleep anywhere.

Conor wasn't even the slightest scared of the spooky Halloween decorations that we encountered, and there were some scary ones!

The loot was good!

And smack dab in the middle of the Corn Maize and Halloween we managed to fit our annual North Carolina trip. The kids were fantastic travelers riding the whole 10 hour trip without a peep... ok, maybe a peep here and there. We saw old friends in Raleigh and enjoyed the changing leaves, magnificent cabin and adorable town of Blowing Rock. We are so lucky to be able to do this each year.

This year was unseasonably WARM, which worked out well since we did happen to have a 5 month old baby along for the ride, but next year Blowing Rock, bring on the SNOW!!