Month in Review

Could it really be a month?  I haven't made blogging a priority because I am still wondering why I do it other than just getting my photos out of the black hole of my memory card.  And switching my blog to private is always so tempting.  But really, the only people that read my blog are family and close friends and if I switch it to private I doubt some of my family would ever access it.  Private or public???  That is the question.

 Russ turned 40!

 Chad earned his Life Rank in Scouting.  Next step...EAGLE!

I've had to hang up my biking helmet for now. I can't explain the panicky feeling I get when the weather is nice and I am trying to figure out if I can squeeze in a trip to the trail with all my other time constraints. In some ways the weather getting colder is a blessing because I can stop obsessing about the trail! Of course I can wear a face mask, etc., (which I've done!), but I am such a weather wimp. I'm all about the SUN!

Halloween came and went...

 I was in charge of Alyssa's class party which meant I got to assign myself the easiest no prep game of TP Mummies!!!

 I brought Scooby too.

 Chad couldn't have loved being a rock star more.  Being in a rock band at the music school is quite the passion of his right now too.

Sarah felt right at home dressed as a movie star.

 Ahh, the view at Mom and Dad's.  We love spending random Sundays with them.  Mom graciously fed us and taught the girls how to make cute owl cupcakes

 

 Had two tearful events this last month.  The first was rough.  The kind where you sit in your car by yourself and let it all go (until your kids and husband come find you and you have to control yourself again because I hate to let anyone see me cry).  Let's just say autism can knock you off your feet sometimes and people can be horrible, but the next day...your skin is so much thicker.  And the second tearful event...let's just say involves MAJOR surgery for my child.  Major.  I can't even wrap my brain around it.  Getting a second opinion.

Sarah got glasses.  She picked purple ones!  I love her flair.  But Alyssa who got a 20/100 on her exams has an issue that can't be solved with glasses and the optometrist had no answers.  Getting a second opinion on that too.

Alyssa bought a new bird everyone loved.  The kids were smitten.  Sadly it was a sick bird and died after 3 days.

So many ups and downs, and one big up is the January Maui trip with Russ.  Free tickets, some free activities, cheap or free hotel, it is too good to be true.  Still trying to figure out how to make it easier for Mom and Dad with Mom working so much.  Looking for nannies, but they're all booked so far.  I hope it will all come together.  I want to bring the kids because I hate asking someone to take them for a week and I know they'd love it, but Russ wants me all to himself.  I couldn't feel more adored than I already do by him.