Trunk or Treat!

 Was there ever a girl who felt more beautiful?? This is what makes Halloween priceless!

 One of her favorite families in the ward! These girls could not be sweeter to Katherine. I love them so much!

 Several girls in Katherine's sunbeam class and just younger.

 The Beazers (and several others) had just barely finished decorating their van when a sudden gale burst on to the scene! The whole Trunk or Treat had to be moved inside! Poor Geoff was helping on the grill and was frantically trying to transport a hundred hot dogs into the kitchen. It was a madhouse, but the kids totally loved it anyway!

 Katherine's wicked parents tried to go home at 7:30pm instead of 8pm and it sent her into tears. Her misfortune did not go unrewarded for very long... She got attended to by the YW and got another half hour of carnival games... Sometimes the battle is worth it and sometimes... we're just soft!

Such a good time and still good times to come!

Carving our pumpkin

I did not expect this response...

Our pumpkin turned out great, thanks to a dedicated father and talented artist!

MacDonald Ranch

 One of the best field trips we've had with our preschool class was to MacDonald Ranch. We invited all the families to join. It was a great day. The weather cooperated and as soon as it got hot, the sun went behind the clouds!!! Hooray! (It's still hot in AZ during October!)

 Roping the steer with Chase

 Katherine woke up at 6:15am so excited that she would get a chance to ride a horse for the first time. This was truly a dream come true!!!

 Her horse's name was Clyde and she couldn't get enough of him!

 A small petting zoo

 I don't know who loved the hay bale maze more - the kids who got to run around or the parents who didn't have to follow them because you could see exactly where they were!!! A brilliant alternative to a corn maze!

We also got to take a hay ride over to a pumpkin patch and she picked out one she could she carry. (There are some advantages to her getting older!) It was a great time!

This is a picture at 38 weeks. I've been feeling pretty well, but no longer thinking that I might deliver early. Patience is the game, right? My poor family has to deal with my ups and downs, panic attacks about not being ready and grumbling about being uncomfortable. Some days are better than others. My goal is not to drive the people I love crazy!

Katherine has reached a new milestone - She is finally able to pedal on her own! I've heard that it takes longer for the first child to get it because they don't have older siblings to motivate them. We are definitely looking forward to the cooler weather so she can enjoy her new found freedom!

Joy

There have been a lot of changes in the last month and more changes to next. Katherine has started preschool and is growing & maturing exponentially. I have been released from being a relief society president in my ward and, though I miss the association, I truly enjoy being able to focus on family and friends. Geoff was finally granted a transfer north with a shift change that will allow us to go to church together again soon. Genevieve is due to arrive in the next three weeks and she is healthy and I am healthy. I am full of gratitude for these amazing blessings.

I am truly grateful for our family, both the Jacksons & Saragers and the Bergerons & Howards. We push through some hard times and love each other through them.You are amazing examples of perseverance and a source of strength for me.

Times of transition always make me evaluate how I am growing and leading my life. I am so grateful for General Conference, for its reminder to live with integrity, worthy of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me each day. I find myself setting goals again on how I invite the Spirit into our home intentionally and repent of those things that would drive him away. This perspective alters how I parent, how I interact with my spouse, how I pray and study the scriptures... I want to live with the Light of Christ burning brightly within me and find greater joy in every facet of my life because of it. I want it to be obvious to Katherine & Genevieve that our family loves the Lord, that we keep his commandments and serve with a willing heart.

I am truly searching for and finding joy in this season of life. My heart is full.

PRESCHOOL!!

A bunch of moms and I are testing our sanity through running a home preschool this year. It has been an awesome experiment. The kids love it, the parents appreciate how much work goes into teaching these children and we are all settling down into a routine. Katherine raves about it!

 The first round of teaching was at our house. There are 7 kids in the class, mostly 3 yrs old. For all of them it is their first exposure to structured learning outside of church. Though it's a challenge to teach them to sit still, it has been fun to see them all learn to count better, hold their pencils and write better, memorize new songs and learn to get along with each other. This was my wall for Circle time.

 All of the kids LOVE putting their back pack of supplies & snacks together. It's funny how little things are so important at this age. Carrying this back pack is a rite of passage!

 Our first field trip was to the donut shop and park. Everything went well until one split open his chin on the splash pad! The second field trip went much more smoothly at the Children's Museum. Only 3 were able to attend, but we had a great time!

 Katherine really liked being the only girl and the boys were so kind to her.

 

I truly love these women who have agreed to do undertake this massive project this year. This is what sacrifice and parenting is all about.