You're never gonna catch me copper!

Our ward had their annual Chili Cookoff and Trunk or Treat on Saturday. Ryan made chili. It was hot. Why does my husband love spicy food? Sam tried, but wouldn't eat it. I ate it, but it burned my throat. I guess that is what you get when you put this in your meal:

Habanero pepper anyone?

Other than that, it was tasty. If Ryan wouldn't make things so spicy, he might have a chance at winning the contest. I've tried to tell him that people can't taste chili if it burns their head off. He doesn't agree, and keeps making it spicy. Ha ha.

We dressed up. Now, anyone who knows Ryan and I, knows that we have a strong inclination to dress up and be silly anytime we can. Exhibit A:

Circa 2005: I'm not sure what Ryan is supposed to be, I think something disco. But, I'm sure we can all agree. It is epic. I especially find it amusing that his bishop told him that those pants need to be excommunicated. 

 Exhibit B:

Circa 2007: I won "Best Costume" award for my rendition of the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man. 

Back to Saturday, we went as bank robbers.

Sam was our loot, bag of cash, cash wad, money bag, you get the picture. Ryan had fun running around with Sam, saying in a Chicago accent, "You're never gonna catch me coppers!" All in all, it was a fun night and we won the award for the Best Family Costume of the night. Of course, Sam didn't care about the candy. But, he loved his orange bucket, and he chewed on a glow stick someone gave out at the trunk or treat for most of the night. Ryan and I took a "candy tax" when we got home. Of course.

We love you all, have a happy Halloween! What do you think of those pants. For anyone who is interested, we have awesome video of Ryan dancing in those pants. It is a coordinated dance. Ha ha, next time you visit, we'll have to bust it out.

Being Happy with Mediocre

This past month has been nice. I always love when fall sets in. I saw a quote that I love:"My favorite color is October". Fall isn't my favorite season, (holla spring!) but I do love fall. I love the crispness in the air and the excitement of school starting, football season, and of course, the holidays. I've been sewing the past few weeks. I finished a quilt top that I started a year ago. It'll be a Christmas quilt when I'm all done. I know it's corny, but I love imagining my sweet baby (hopefully someday babies) cuddled up underneath it as we read Christmas books and look at the twinkle lights. The other nice thing about October is that I don't feel guilty for listening to Christmas music. As I've been sewing I've been listening to Mannheim Steamroller, and missing my mother. Sometimes I wish we lived closer so I could sew and listen to Christmas music with her. For some reason, Ryan doesn't appreciate the Christmas music until after Thanksgiving . . .although I can't imagine why. 

 

Finished quilt top

Anyway, I'm feeling a bit chatty today. Writing has always been a little therapeutic for me, so forgive my ramblings. I don't expect you to read. To prove it, I'll post a bunch of pictures at the bottom (some are older). But, in case you want to stick around, I've got a few things to say. 

My entire life I have chided myself for not being the best at anything. I’d get mad at myself for not being the best piano player, writer, athlete, sewer, etc. In my head, I always figured that the most notable and wonderful people are those with extreme talent. It just takes a few minutes of watching the Olympics to make you feel insignificant. Here are young people that have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of one thing and they are amazing at it. It’s not just athletes either.

Imagine all the actors, authors, singers, brain surgeons, finance gurus, and artists. They are amazing, and yet, sometimes I want to poke their eyes out. Those people make me feel insignificant. I have never truly taken the time to be a wonderful pianist or gymnast. I so desperately want to be a wonderful author, but I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my life writing novels. The very idea of dedicating my life to just one pursuit sounds awful. At various times in my life, I have been good at many different things. I can play the piano and the flute. I sing, quilt, run, do yoga, designed a website from scratch, bake, sew pretty things, paint, read, decorate my home, play sports, learn about finance, teach a religion course, write, take photographs, and much more.

Although I strive for excellence, I’ll probably never be the amazing in any of these things. I just love too many things. More importantly, I love learning new talents and skills. No, I can’t accompany the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on the organ, but I’d sure love to learn how to play the organ. I can’t run a two hour marathon, but I lost six of my toenails trying to finish one in six and half hours. Yes, sometimes I’m sad that I’m not the best at anything. But, I’m mediocre at many things, and I love it! No one is going to remember my name because I’m famously good at anything, but my life is wonderful and varied. I’m happy, and according to my husband, I’m fun. I like trying new things, and that is what I will remember from this time I spend here on earth.

So for all you who are simply mediocre at many things . . . don’t beat yourself up. Enjoy learning new things. Whoever said that you have to be the best at anything? That works for some people. I’m grateful for them because I get to admire their artwork, sing along to their music, and enjoy the benefits of their research. But, there are billions of people on the planet. We all cannot be the best. For many of us, I think it is important to learn to be happy with being “good” at the things that make us happy.

And now, pictures!

Grumpy face!

First sucker, lasted half a day.

Most of my pictures of Sam turn out like this, blurry! He just moves all the time!

Climbing on the box.

Happy face just moments before he fell and bonked his head. 

Sam can say one word. "Cheese". He will say it when he wants to eat cheese, and he'll smile if we say cheese and take a picture.  Sometimes. If he's in the right mood. 

Flowers from Ryan, sometime this summer. Brownie points!

Grandma Kiesel sent home Halloween decals for our window. Sam loves them.

Birthday cake and "Dity" cupcakes for Sam's birthday party. 

We went to our local zoo. Our sweet little old neighbor gave us some tickets to take Sam for his birthday. Of all the things, he loved the Flamingos the best!

Rocking the Robot pajamas and surfer hat.

We had a great harvest season this year (most of it wasn't really our harvest, we were just blessed). We canned quarts and quarts of peaches, applesauce, jam, dried plums, froze homemade marinara sauce, and froze zucchini for later use.  

We love this boy! Can you believe he is 13 months?

 Carrying around the basket of dog toys.

The many faces of Sam . . .

 Who needs toys when you have a funnel? 

Well, that’s it. I’m out of thoughts. Happy October. Enjoy dressing up like ghouls and goblins. I’m going to go spend my time making Halloween costumes for our little family.