This week started off with a bit of a scare when Chris got a call from Michigan. His dad had been hospitalized, and we weren't quite sure how serious his condition was. It was a whirlwind of phone calls and messages flying back and forth between family members. Eventually, we decided it was best for Chris to head out there to be by his dad's side. We knew he wouldn't regret being there for his family, especially his mom, but we also understood that the thought of missing out on something important would weigh heavily on him.
Thankfully, things turned out okay, and Chris was able to bring his dad home on Thursday. He stayed the rest of the week to ensure everything was running smoothly before I picked him up at the airport yesterday. In the meantime, the kids and I had a fantastic week celebrating autumn and Halloween together. We managed to keep our plans for the pumpkin patch and trick-or-treating party intact, despite being so busy unpacking since our move just two weeks ago. It was a sweet reminder of why we do what we do as parents—making memories with our kids is priceless.
Driving home tonight, Chris and I reflected on how quickly frustrations can creep in when life doesn't go exactly as planned. The constant messes, the tantrums, the late nights—it can all pile up. But then I paused and thought about how grateful I am. There are so many people who would give anything to experience the chaos of raising kids. Friends of mine who've struggled to become mothers have expressed such heartfelt wishes, and it made me cherish every single messy moment even more. After all, those little messes are proof that we're loved beyond measure.
Speaking of messes, I found myself laughing at one tonight. While Chris was inside the store, I heard rustling in the backseat. To my surprise, there was a trail of chips scattered across the floor—a floor I had just spent hours cleaning! At first, I felt exasperated, but then I remembered what we'd been talking about earlier. "It's just a little mess," I told myself. "A mess I'm grateful for because it means they're here." Still, no more snacks in the car for a while!
I often remind myself of a quote by Lemony Snicket: "If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting the rest of our lives." Life rarely follows a perfect script, but sometimes those unexpected detours lead to beautiful moments. Even when things don't go according to plan, like this year's Halloween without Chris, we find joy in the imperfections. Being a parent isn't always easy, but it's worth every sleepless night and challenging moment.
Here are some snapshots of our Halloween celebrations:
Our pumpkin decorations were simple yet fun—just pushpins creating cool patterns.
For dessert, I put together a "candy corn" treat using layers of butterscotch pudding, vanilla pudding with yellow food coloring, topped with whipped cream.
We handed out glow sticks, tattoos, and candy, and surprisingly, we still have plenty left over. Do you have any creative ideas for using up leftover treats?
We had a blast trick-or-treating with some amazing friends in our new neighborhood. Brayden wasn't thrilled about posing for photos, but he warmed up eventually. By the end of the night, he was glowing—not just from the glow sticks but from the sugar rush!
Chad looked incredible as King Triton, thanks to his wife's creativity. And Skylar rocked his role as Sugar Bear, following in Aliyah's footsteps from last year and Brayden's the year before.
Hoping your weekend was as sweet and memorable as ours, even if it came with a touch of chaos.
xo
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