Autumn decor

So I haven't put up a lot of fall decorations really. Living in an apartment cramps my decorating style. I want to have a big white mantel over a fireplace to hang stuff from and an entryway table to hold lots of pumpkins but that's just not possible right now :(

All I can really do is hang a wreathe up,

put some stuff on my table,

and then some more very light-weight stuff on my goodwill shelves up high on our wall.

That's about it. I've since added some white pumpkins and these little jars on my table. I'll spare you more pictures, but they look pretty cute. I love Fall decor, and just about everything associated with Fall. I was going through our old pictures from the last 4 years this week and realized that I take way more pictures in the Fall than during any other season. So get ready! haha.

But, seriously, I apologize in advance ;)

Our household has welcomed the new season with sickness. This last weekend was no fun....even though it was only the kids who were sick, we all felt tired and miserable. I think they're getting over it a little now, but there's still snot everywhere and lots of incessant coughing. My original plan for this weekend was to go apple picking, make caramel apples, buy some new candles, bake a peach cobbler crisp, perhaps visit a pumpkin patch...and we did none of that! haha. You gotta love how such magical plans get ruined by a few colds.

Needless to say, we're sure spending a lot of time indoors doing nothing more than playing with toys, watching tv, and being cranky. I am ready to go OUTSIDE now :)

the ME that I am

Now that Jonathan has had a "real" job for five or so months, we are able to use our awesome health insurance. I am extremely grateful for this because we have both been insurance-less for oh, a few years. It is a miracle that we were able to get by with nothing at all. The kids have always been covered by the welfare of the state, and that's been very helpful. Even I had medicaid in Idaho but it only covered pregnancy-related stuff. It was such a blessing (having babies is NOT cheap) but I have so many more, non-pregnancy related issues.

In the last few weeks I have taken full advantage of our insurance, and after many doctor appointments I've learned a few things:

1. My vision has slightly worsened, which I didn't think was possible. Without my contacts/glasses I am truly blind. Hopefully Lasik will fix that (though I'm not getting it anytime soon). I also have a retinal coloboma in my left eye but it is no threat right now. The good part of all of this is that I get to buy a new pair of glasses! I've had my eye on a few different pairs ;]

2. I finally have a name for the little bumps all over my arms. Ever since we moved to Oregon the bumps have gotten progressively worse. Its called keratosis pilaris and apparently its common- affecting 50% of the population. I've been getting more & more self-conscious of wearing short-sleeved shirts because it has gotten so bad. Turns out there's no treatment for it but a few things make it better. I've found the best solutions to be an "alpha-hydroxy" lotion in the morning and coconut oil before bed. I already love coconut oil for the kids so it's really no problem using it on myself!

3. Ever since I had Charlotte, I've been having chronic pains in my feet. Even walking hurts. Now, a year and a half later, I decided I need some answers. It turns out that I have over-pronation, which explains why running didn't work out for me. It got so painful I couldn't stand it...often over-pronation can lead to shin splints and plantars fasciitis, both of which I felt I was experiencing. The good news is that with some proper shoes and orthodics I CAN run again! I was so happy to hear this, because I've been wanting to fall into the runner's groove for a while. Plus, I'll enjoy walking around with my family when we go places. And secretly I'm excited to have a good excuse to buy fancy tennis shoes :]

This isn't the end of my health issues, but it's what I have learned so far. I've also realized a few other things:

Although my body is far from perfect, I am still so grateful to have it. I know that regardless of any current or future problems that I have or my children have, we are made in the image of our Heavenly Father.  Our bodies are temples- they are sacred and they are perfect. I am far from my ideal weight, I do not have perfectly smooth hair, and my fingers and toes may be abnormally stubby-- but I am ME.

I don't say it often enough (or feel it), but I do love the ME that I am. 

I am also so thankful for modern medicine and technology. It is wonderful what doctors can discover with the tools in their trade. We are a blessed generation.


On a slightly different note, there is a book that I've been reading called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility". It's mostly about natural family planning but I have been astounded by the science of gynecology. I'm surprised that, as a woman, I knew so little about my own body before reading this book. It just confirms to me that we women are COMPLETELY AMAZING- regardless of what our body shape or hair type is, etc. Because every single woman has the same inner workings going on in such a rhythmic, beautiful way. (If anyone wants to know more, let me know!)

As I've become more aware of my body and tried to understand the delicate balance of all things in it that work together, I've gotten more curious about my health in general. I know I need to work on a lot of things, mainly diet & exercise. I'm excited to start implementing some changes and creating a happier me :] There is NO time like the present!

soccer mom to beach bum

Since I don't drive a minivan, or have 3 or more children- I'm not sure if I qualify for the status of "soccer mom". But today when Talmage had his very first soccer practice, I felt like a total soccer mom yippee. I was shouting "YAY! KICK IT!" and "WOOHOO! GOOD RUN!" more times than I'm willing to admit. I probably looked ridiculous, but I couldn't help but be so proud for my little guy, especially when he scored his first real goal. His face was priceless, and you could just see all of his three year old enthusiasm bursting from his wiggly little body. He loved it.

patiently-or not- waiting his turn to kick the ball!

His three coaches. Noah, Zack, and of course his dad!

well, most of it. A couple of times we had to get him back on track because he has a hard time focusing on one thing for so long (typical toddler...I hope?) And he had one or two mini-meltdowns when another kid would "steal" the ball and kick it away from him, but it actually worked out as a good opportunity to teach him about fairness. I'm not 100% sure he cared, though...it's hard to teach toddlers the rules of life sometimes. :]

 Charlotte was less enthralled. She wanted me to distract her endlessly :)

Our fall season here is really weird. All this week we've been having nice cool days and lots of rain, and it's been wonderful because it FEELS like Fall should. And then there are these random days of pure sunshine and heat, like in the 90's. Today was one of those days, and I told Jonathan that the only thing I really wanted to do was go to the beach. So beach it was!

As much as I love to sit back and take pictures, I couldn't help but play with the sand and run up to the ocean waves. The beach always brings out the little kid in me. The reason I have no pictures of that is, because well...I was busy having fun! haha.

lots of starfish in the tide pools!

he always does this with his arms when I take pictures. not sure why- but its a lovable quirk!

I can't remember why he made this face, though he was genuinely upset. whatever it was, he got over it fast! and I just think his sad face is adorable :]

It was VERY busy.

We had a such a great time! (thanks to Jonathan who goes along with my whims...) Seriously every time we go to the beach it's so different from the last time- but always fun! Even though the sun wasn't radiating sunshine on us, the air wasn't cold at all and there were lots of fun things to see- including about a zillion paddle-boarders, surfers, boats, caves, tide pools, and great BIG rocks.

Still. I so badly want Fall weather to be upon us full bloom. I'm ready for hot chocolate days and falling leaves and apple crisp and scented candles. mmmm.