Homemade Caramel Apples & Skeletons With Nancy Slater

 

These were really delicious. Gotta say. We'll be doing this every fall now!!

We made the caramel and didn't do the store bought candies... so much better and easier!!

 

Nancy has been my saving grace these past few days. The kids had gone to her house, I can't even remember what day. I think it was before mom died. I don't know. I hate that I can't think.

Anyways, they made these beautiful skeletons together. They've had a lot of fun with her and the many women that have so selflessly given up time to help out. Thanks to Shanna and Kathy too. Man, what would I have done without their help??

Pumpkin Carving.... crazy good results this year!!

 

Pumpkin carving has always been fun, but never has it been this fun or SAFE before!!! We used Master Carvers kits I bought on clearance at Target last year. They were EXCELLENT!!!! So easy, and it felt like no one was going to hack a limb off.

 

Plus.... look at what they made!!! Christina did this vampire. I know!!!

 

Maria did a castle. I helped Eli (scary face) and Ella (bat).

 

Kids had fun, I was happy they were happy!

Pumpkin Patch.... Keep on Going, right?

 

I really wanted to get the kids out of the house to get some fresh air.

 

Glad we can still smile. Glad we have each other.

Bloody hell I need some happiness....

 

Healing. For. My. Soul.

Thank you God for these beautiful, FUN!!! children.

Ella as Depressed Chicken.

Eli as Burner/Mad Max Po-lice.

Eli's NEW SIDEWALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Good Day in Heaven

Christina Ahtipis Withers

October 6, 1954- October 25, 2015

 

The angels sing, I cry.

The heavens rejoice, I stare.

My best friend, my everything.

I blinked and you were free.

I kissed your hands, and kissed them again.

I washed your feet and prayed your walk back would be blessed.

I stroked your hair- you never got to use your new brush.

The damn carpet was cleaned Mom. It was ready for you to come enjoy.

And yet, that peace.

That other worldly peace that fills my soul.

The Good Lord giveth, and The Good Lord taketh.

You were never mine to have here for long, you were always divine.

My daughters weep every night and I can't help but join.

Such loss and sorrow. Such deep grief.

Because our love runs equal to exquisite heights for you.

Eternity. Promise. Hope.

The anchors in the storm.

We are still.

We are moments, knowing there is a grand picture.

An Eternal Picture.

Time moves slowly, the minutes drag, the hurt and longing crushing.

Yet, we know who we trust in.

Heavenly Father is merciful.

You are in His arms. What greater joy could we have.

My best friend, my everything.

I just finished your obituary.

How do I even begin to tell the world how great you are.

How could mere words ever due justice to what you were.

What you are.

I love you.

You are so beautiful.

I am so proud of you.

I repeated the words over and over as my tears soaked your swollen arm.

The warmth of your touch.

How grateful I am for the years by your side.

That you are no longer in any physical pain.

That you embrace my sweet baby for me past the veil.

Past this utter agony.

Mom.

Sweet Mom.

Sweet Yaya.

Stay by my side always.

Protect my children.

Be near my father and grandmother and husband and uncle.

Wait for me.

And be the first to embrace me when it's my time.

Be the first to hold me in your arms-

 should I be so lucky to make it to paradise.

I love you forever.

Peace, Peace, Be Still

Tonight I sang to my mom. She is very sick in the ICU. I read scriptures to her, prayed, and told her over and over how much I love her and how beautiful she is.

I hear her voice in my mind. I feel so close to her. I just want her to be at peace and not suffering. I can't keep up with everything that is wrong. Liver failure. Kidney failure. Pneumonia. Cellulitis. Low Blood Pressure. Internal Bleeding. Jaundice. It happened so quickly.

My heart has shattered. There are no words for the sadness.

And yet, I know God lives. I know He has made it possible for us to live again through His Holy Son, Jesus Christ.

The peace and comfort are there. The grief is still hard to bear.

Christina came to the hospital to say goodbye. Her sorrow was so pure. She was hesitant to touch Yaya. And then, she threw herself into a big hug. She laid on Yaya's stomach and cried silently. One of the best choices I made in life was to name my sweet firstborn girl after my hero, my mother. Christina. Anointed. Blessed.

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o'er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master.

Oh, hasten and take control!

 

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:

Peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, be still; peace, be still.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, peace, be still.

 

Master, the Tempest is Raging Hymns 106

Katherine Dunn Halloween Carnival

 

Everyone, especially Elijah, was very excited for his school carnival! It was very typical. One thing was you needed a lot tickets to play the games, which was kind of lame. 75 cents to throw 3 bean bags?
Yeah.....

 

The food was fun though! I really liked that they had the option of adding on a salad for free!

 

The kids ran around on the large grass field! Man!! So many memories. I used to love playing soccer on that grass. It was good to walk my old halls and see how things have changed!

 

Our little hero!!!

 

It was a nice night and the kids were VERY excited to have Jody come join us!!

Viola- Life Long Dream

I don't know when Christina's obsession with the violin started. But it was a long time ago, she would always say that one day she would play!

Being the cheap mother I am, I never got her one.

However, 6th grade has a free teacher so I thought, why not? She chose the viola, didn't want to be too mainstream.

The thing that impresses me most about her is that she actually practices consistently. She sounds really good for only starting a few weeks ago.

Keep up the great work... our future little Lindsey Stirling!

"Getting Ready for Halloween"

 

EVERYWHERE we go, Eli always has to tell whoever is around,

"We're getting ready for Halloween."

 

He was so excited to put up our decorations! Understatement!!

 

He even suggested we go to Michael's to find some.

 

I really need to get him out more.

 

I have JoAnn and Shanna to thank for a lot of my decorations!!

October Art Farts

Christina's :

 

   

 

Elijah's:

 

 

 

 

 

Maria's: