Halloween Fun...

Today is Halloween. What a wonderful day at the Smiths...nothing pressing besides handing out candy to the neighborhood trick-or-treaters. That's my kind of day! Judah managed to have some fun amongst the relaxing of the day. One of his new favorite activities is called "Let's see what I can get into." Literally! One of his new favorite locations besides the pantry cabinet is inside our drawers. We have decided to embrace his exploration and just pray that he doesn't get too injured in the process.

The month got away from us regarding getting some sort of costume together for Jonah. At the last minute, we threw on Jonah's baseball clothes and got out the batting glove and mitt. Judah and I dressed up as ourselves and David actually pulled out his baseball outfit so Jonah could have some company. Jonah was so excited to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters who came to our door. Unfortunately, it took 35 minutes before the first ones showed up. After that, the stream was pretty consistent. Jonah eventually took off his baseball cap, glove and mitt and everyone kept thinking he was a Colts player. You'd think that we lived in Colts Country of something! David suggested that we just go with it and put Jonah in his jersey. So, even though Jonah started out as a baseball player, he ended as a football player. One of my favorite moments of the night was when Jonah's friend Waverley stopped by in her princess of all princesses outfit that he grandma made for her. She and Jonah adore one another!

Bonfire...

Firebon... fireplace... Jonah just couldn't seem to remember the word bonfire. It was nice to be able to enjoy an evening with friends at our church bonfire last night. I believe that we were all on a sugar high following the evening!

Bath Time...

This has got to be one of my favorite things to watch...my boys playing and having a blast together in the tub. It is so sweet. They splash and practically wrestle one another for the best toys. Jonah does get a little impatient at times because he wants "big water" and he can't have "big water" until Judah is done. Over the past few weeks (especially while my back was out) David was much more involved in bath time. I think he gets that even though it is exhausting, bath time really is fun. However, I think David has had his share of the fun and is gladly handing it back over to me=)

Resuming Life Among the Living...

These are true snapshots of what life has been like over much of October. Okay, so maybe we haven't been sleeping the entire month but the house has surely not been as active as it usually is. David has been healthy (fortunately). He has taken up a great deal of the slack that has resulting in my back being out for a couple of weeks followed by an odd week long stomach virus...I do not recommend it! Judah has been teething on top of dealing with an upper respiratory infection followed by a sinus and ear infection. Jonah has had the sniffles but thankfully nothing major. I think that I can honestly say that today was the first day in a long while that the family felt close to normal and oh, how nice it is to be back!

It has been so wonderful to see the energy returning to our home. The music is back and we are dancing and singing again. The drumming...well, it never left but it is bigger than ever now. Our collection of instruments has recently expanded. In the midst of being sick, Jonah managed to meet the goal of staying dry from morning through night! Praise the Lord. I mean that! Some days I wondered if it would ever happen and eventually I sort of gave up and realized that I don't know any normal functioning adults that are not potty-trained therefore I assumed that as some point it would click for Jonah and that it would have little to do with me. I feel like it clicked for him this weekend and on Sunday, we got to make a trip to Toys-R-Us for a new drum...an electric drum pad. It is pretty cool. Jonah obviously loves his new drum set and gave us a concert as soon as we could get it out of the box. He told us that he is going to give us a concert every day. Of course, he has done just that!

Being Grateful (even when it hurts)...

I am at home today, just trying to recover from a back that went out a week ago. Everyone else in my family is in Indianapolis cheering on my brother-in-law, Danny, who is running the Indy Marathon. He is hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Even though I know that it is much colder outside than it is in my comfy house, I do wish that I was there cheering him on as well.

It is so difficult being an engaged parent when you are in pain. Being in physical pain has seemed to distract my mind and thoughts even at times when i have been in the same room with my boys. Fortunately, after having a spinal fusion in 2001, the back pain I now experience is generally manageable and short-lived. This past week has been different. Just when I thought I was getting better, a day later I was worse again.

These pictures were taken on the one day this week that I felt alright. The boys love being outside. Jonah loves playing on his swing set while Judah loves putting everything he finds into his mouth. Thankfully, David hooked up the baby swing so that I could get Judah off of the ground for a while. I really treasure the moments I have with my boys. David has been a voice of reality lately as he has realized how quickly Judah is growing into a toddler and the moments that we get to hold and squeeze him and love on him won't be here forever.

As I have found myself sleeping and resting my back every chance I have gotten this week, I have really missed my boys. They are right in front of me yet I cannot hold them or comfort them like I would want to because of my hurt back. Jonah gets that I am hurting and he has regularly asked if he could kiss my back. (I gladly let him as it seems to somehow make me feel better.) But Judah gets it as well. I often have found myself trapped in a standing position with a little blue-eyed being pulled up to my knees, grasping my pants and desperately motioning to be held. But I can't give in...I know the repercussions.

Over the past week, I have found myself thinking about mothers who are unable to ever hold their kids because of a disability. I am confident that my back will eventually feel better, but I know that there are many women out there whose conditions are permanent. The longing that they must feel each and every time they look at there child seems unbearable to me. Those thoughts make me so appreciative for the times when I get to hold my boys even when I think I need to be doing something else. The laundry can wait...the dishes and the floors as well. They are only little for a while and eventually they will not want me to hold them. So, even in the midst of not feeling so hot, I am grateful for my health and grateful for most days when I am physically able to cuddle with my boys for as long as they will allow.

Punkins

Another Fall weekend...the leaves are turning beautiful colors and there was a slight chill in the air. Saturday morning my parents, David, the boys, and I all bundled up and headed out to the farmers market. After purchasing our share of yummy area grown veggies, we decided to pick up a few "punkins" (as Jonah likes to call them). None of us declare to be artists but that doesn't mean we should be able to decorate punkins! The activity kind of made me feel as if we were fully emerging ourselves in Fall. No turning back...bring on the orchards, corn mazes, wool sweaters, and of course, football!

A Fun Fall Weekend

Recently, I have felt that my heart is about to explode with love for my boys. Sure at times they test my patience beyond belief, but it amazing how easily that melts away with a sweet little smile or an adorable random comment. They are so entertaining. Typically, Jonah is the one putting on the show, however, Judah is getting more and more of a personality and he has got us laughing.

This weekend was wonderful. I love fall and I especially love th activities of fall. Saturday, we attended the Ball State Homecoming Parade. When asked about his favorite part, Jonah said, "the drums"...and what else Jonah..."the other drums". He even took along his drum and joined along with the marching bands as they would walk by.

On Sunday, after watching the Colts win, we headed to Mounds State Park in Anderson and enjoyed a hike and mini picnic with David's dad. Jonah loved throwing rocks into every area of water he found. He also was very kind to tell me to "watch out for the roots" which is apparently something he learned from Grandpa. Judah seemed to love being lugged around in the hiking pack especially since he got to be on daddy's back and play with his head the entire time. It is a beautiful park and David and I found ourselves wondering why we do not visit it more often.

Jonah Drumming

Jonah adores drumming. He has demolished these drums but just keeps drumming and drumming anyway! I have recently made the deal that if he keeps himself dry an entire day, we will go to the store and get a new drum. He asks about his new drum everyday but he hasn't kept up his end of the bargain. Here is a little sample of his drumming...

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G2OZj92JlJ0xcoqL0wt2dQ?feat=directlink