Poison Apples Don't "Fall"

Phew! I'm going to have to be really intentional about when I write these blog posts. The only reason I have time to write this now is because Lorna took SJ to see the Nutcracker as an early birthday present, Julia went to bed early, and Hayden is at KFC tonight, so I have exactly one free hour before Dancing With The Stars starts;). This fall season has been BONKERS! I started my new job with the Church Communication Department on September 15, and it's arguably been the craziest time for the Church in the media in history. But I'm surviving, and I'm LOVING my job. It feels so good to feel needed, fulfilled, and busy doing important things! It's funny how in every season of life, you pretty much feel like you're the most busy you can ever possibly be. I thought that in high school, then on my mission, then in college. There was maybe a little lull during my first pregnancy and for the first couple of years of motherhood, but now...OOF! What a time.

Hayden works at the Fourth Street Clinic on Mondays and Fridays, and I work from home on those days and try to get everything else that only the woman of the house thinks of (I love Hayden dearly and he's the most wonderful support, but there are some things only women remember to do, ya know?). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, I work in the office, and it is a marathon. I try to work long days and get as much done as possible so that my Mondays and Fridays are relatively free for other things. In the evenings, we often have activities, or we're just home, spending time together and wrestling our kids into bed. All this while trying to work in time to exercise, go to the temple, and spend time together just as a couple. What a life we live! It's so wonderful and probably the most fulfilled I've ever felt, but it's a lot.

And speaking of exercising, a couple of weeks ago, I got probably the worst injury I've ever had. I was playing in my soccer game and was just beginning to run when I heard a horrible POP in my foot. Even the players around me heard it! I rushed off the field and, by the next day, I could barely walk. We are now two weeks into this injury, and I feel like I've plateaued pain-wise. I can walk, but I certainly can't run. According to the two PTs I've talked to, I tore my plantar fascia, and I'm not sure what to do now. As if I could just sit and do nothing until it heals?! Who has time for that?! It's been tough, and I have certainly done more physical activity than I should be doing. All this after I was just starting to feel better in my postpartum body. :(

Anyway. Enough about that. This fall has been busy, but so wonderful. We've tried to spend lots of time outside enjoying the weather. Utah really shines this time of year! It's been harder to get up into the mountains this year since we're so busy, but we're doing our best to instill a love for the outdoors in our children.

Of course, General Conference fell during this month, and we spent Sunday morning at our friends the Thorleys' house. They are the best neighbors!

It seems like most of the photos I take are just of our everyday lives, like these ones. Julia is theeee messiest eater. We always have to throw her right in the bath after dinner. I also just sometimes find myself sitting on the couch watching Hayden make dinner, and my babies eat, and I just think about how lucky I am to have the life I have! It's the simple things, ya know?

Oh, this was fun! The Snow Canyon girls' soccer team made it to the state championship game, just like we did in 2012! Two of my best friends (Tirsa and Grace) and I met up at the America First Stadium (previously Rio Tinto) to watch them play and take a trip down memory lane. It was so fun to reminisce on that awesome day playing for the state title! And, just like we did 13 years ago, Snow Canyon won! They won in a shootout, which is always the worst. But it was an entertaining game, and I always get so nostalgic about that time of my life. It was the best!

Our kids were psycho the whole time, though. Julia was non-stop, and SJ basically ate snacks the whole time and ended the game crying her eyes out because she was so tired. She even fell asleep on the drive home, which is saying something considering we live quite literally seven minutes from the stadium. Oh well. It's never too early to indoctrinate them!

Halloween this year was so fun! And yet, every year, when Halloween ends, I couldn't be happier :). The dichotomy of being a fun parent during holidays, ya know? This year, SJ wanted to be Snow White (she's had this Snow White dress for like a year now, and I think she just wanted an excuse to wear it outside of the house, but hey! I'm not complaining!) The unfortunate part of having a princess-obsessed daughter is that, as the mother, you almost always end up having to dress up like the villain. Last year, I was Mother Gothel. This year, I was obviously the Evil Queen. And Hayden always gets to be the prince! So whatever. Given the choice between being a dwarf and an apple, I figured dressing Julia up as an apple would be easier, so here ya go: Snow White, the poison apple, the Evil Queen, and the prince.

We spend a lot of time hanging out at the Swoggers' house, and lately, SJ has been "paying the bills" for them. Basically, Rachel just unplugs the keyboard, and SJ clicks away and writes little notes on sticky notes. Hey, somebody's gotta do it!

We've also had some fun times with cousins recently. So many little blonde girls! The photo on the right here is from Nolan's baptism day. It was the most gorgeous fall day at Amber's parents' house!

Hayden captured these sweet photos. He's actually home with the girls a little more than I am, and I love that I married someone equally as invested in their well-being. And, a lot of the time, he's much better at taking photos than I am.

Last week, Hayden and I took a rare opportunity to go to dinner and a BYU Men's Chorus concert. We couldn't even remember the last time we'd been to dinner together, just the two of us. It's really hard to make time to date when life is so chaotic! But it was great to eat at our old favorite place, Maria Bonita's, and take a trip down memory lane on BYU campus.

Last weekend, I went to St. George with Kasia, Asher, and Jonah for Kasia's bridal shower! I can't believe I'm finally getting a sister-in-law. I left Hayden home with the girls for the weekend (he sort of owed me one for letting his Brazilian mission companion and his family stay at our house for a FULL WEEK, even though I asked him not to...but we don't need to dwell on that). It sounded like it was a lot for him, but I was so happy for the break and had a blast in St. George, celebrating Kasia and my mom's birthday.

Have I mentioned how crazy life is?:) Probably too much. I can't stress it enough, and I also can't stress enough how much I adore this little family of mine. The holidays are going to be so special with this little gang. And hopefully by the time I write again, my foot will have healed and I'll be back to running and playing soccer!