It Really is SPOOKY!!

It really is SPOOKY how fast time flies! Thursday I attended my last elementary school Halloween parade as a parent. I realized (while waiting for the sixth grade to 'bring up the rear" in the parade) how much I love the little things that make my life complete!

I love seeing little ones in costume. I treasure the excitement that the holidays bring (especially for children). I live for traditions! I even appreciate routinely hanging out surrounded by "Kids" (young and old) and listening to their adventures.

I recognize that the stories change as the years go by. I enjoy the tales of missionary experience as much as I smile at the gossip of sixth grade romance. There are rare moments when life seems to appear before me in almost full circle (all that's missing are the sweet little grandchildren that I expect in the future), and I feel complete joy!

Last night was Halloween - well, not exactly - but it was the annual Halloween celebration. (Since the 31st falls on a Sunday this year.) I will always love having people drop by to eat, visit and enjoy with us. The process of getting ready for such an event, however, nearly always puts me just about over the edge. I claim to love fixing food, decorating, and creating an atmosphere - which I do! It is unfortunate that I cannot seem to do it with any sense of ease. I still live under the complete misconception that any form of perfection will actually be achieved in this lifetime - and that includes the state of cleanliness and preparation in my home. Nonetheless, when the people arrive, I finally don't really care that things are not perfectly in order.

My children have lived their lives with a "do-it-yourselfer." I guess it's not a bad thing that they have become all that they know. Friday was filled with cutting, painting and creating. The champion procratinators in the family finished the job on Saturday, just in time to leave for their Halloween parties. The remarkable think is that the outcomes are amazingly clever and look pretty great!

Kalinee and a couple of friends decided to be the three little pigs. They went to a party in Draper where they danced, ate, played, ate, watched movies, ate and had a great time.

Chandler and his group made themselves into a "Barrel of Monkey's."

They enjoyed a two-night celebration. One

in Salt Lake at a dance party. The next in Logan at the "Howl" at Utah State. It is good to see 22 year-old boys cutting, sewing (OK, I did the sewing) and making barrels.

Haley went to a Halloween party in Logan on Friday night dressed as referee.

She and Kalinee spent the day painting a white T-shirt with black stripes. Then on Saturday she had her whole gang of old friends over at the house.

They are finally coming back from their missions, and she is so happy to have her "friends back."

What a pleasure to see them all back laughing and talking as if no time had passed at all - not older, really, just better!!

Easton and his "band of brothers" always come up with some bare-chested themed costume.

This year it was the construction crew! Their boots and vests accentuated an already pretty good looking bunch of boys. They attended a party where, as usual, they do not go unnoticed and do not leave un-taunted!

Teagan showed up for soup night at our house with a herd of about 12 friends! Initially, the plan was that the gang would all be World Cup soccer players. The costume outcome was varied and diverse but all looked great and had a fun time. They left here to go to a Halloween party where they enjoyed more food and a scary Halloween movie!

When I was of the age of having children, I would have taken a dozen of them if I could have had them. It was really just a matter of increasing the JOY in life. Now, I am overwhelmed by the world that they encounter on a daily basis.

I worry often, pray more and sleep poorly. I can't imagine the strength of character, power of commitment and the knowledge of the gospel that it takes to get them safely through each day. They do it well! They are certainly not untouched, but they bear the scars of battles well-fought!

It Only Gets Better!

How well I remember the days of serving corn dogs to Easton and his posse of friends on the back deck or fixing mini tea party sandwiches for Kalinee and her playmates.

I thought they were "the best of times." I remember anxiously awaiting the return of little elementary school children and thinking that there was nothing better than being sooo busy! I was wrong.

I have spent the past few years trying to get used to having adult children under my roof. I have agonized and complained about my lack of control. I have lamented my short, interrupted nights and my chaotic and dirty bathrooms.

What I have neglected to recognize is the untold joy of being surrounded by really GREAT people. They are not perfect - but they are perfectly enjoyable.

Easton turned 18 this past month.

That makes three legal adult children in the family. What it really means is that I am getting old. Easton has the most diverse and unique group of friends of any of our children.

They are varied in their beliefs, their backgrounds, their ethnicity and their hobbies. Some play football, while others play the guitar.

Some snowboard and others ski. It is a potpourri of great personalities. Having them around makes our life and home rich with conversation and perspective.

I love hearing them plan for upcoming dances, watching them prepare for the next football game and witnessing their crazy fun spontaneous adventures.

Chandler is Alan in every way.

He is a true entrepreneur. He doesn't have a 'conventional' job but has his hand in so many things.

He is running a photo booth business, putting together dance parties, selling 'stuff' and coming up with a new idea every day.

In the midst of all that creative energy there is a practical and hard-working individual who is excelling in school.

He is carefully and thoughtfully mastering his college math class (after not taking any Math for about 6 years).

I wish that I could bottle the happiness, wittiness, zest for life and quirkiness that is Kalinee Hansen.

She makes me laugh. From a rousing rendition of "Rain is a Good Thing" to a rap version of whatever rappers rap about, Kalinee makes life seem like a party.

She breezes through school and bounces from one social group to another.

"Don't worry, be happy" appears to be her motto. Even a season-ending injury in her first Varsity soccer season at the high school has not set her back much. She bounds out the door on her "air cast" with a bag full of clothing layers to keep her warm while she WATCHES practice.

"I like where I am in my life right now!"

There were days in the past when I would have paid big money to hear those words come out of Haley's mouth. Luckily, I didn't have to pay a cent.

She has worked through her uncertainties and opportunities. She has forged ahead with the typical Haley approach. She has become involved, met new friends, joined new groups and shared her personality. The outcome is as it always has been - a whirlwind life filled with fun, friends and options.

Teagan has the most important job of all - he keeps me young!

We have a great time riding to school together, and I sincerely love his company whenever I can get it. He still likes to go to the store with MOM- the smart child knows that there is always something in it for him.

Teagan is so very good. He wants to please, never wants to get in trouble or do anything wrong. His goodness is refreshing and inspiring.

This weekend Al and I will have been married for 24 years. It doesn't seem that long, but the adventures that have colored those years are plentiful.

I don't believe in marital 'bliss." What I do believe is that the moments in life that have been both blissful and challenging have been made better because we have each other.