Well now that the school year has started up again, I don't have a lot to update on this blog! Many have asked how my transition has been from teaching full-time to staying at home full-time. Well, to be honest, I've been feeling a little guilty for having so much more time! I feel like I should be doing something so much more than playing on the floor, coloring, and reading books. I know, making memories like these with the kiddos is of utmost importance, but for years, I've been used to a really crazy and hectic lifestyle. I used to feel like there wasn't enough hours in the day... Now, I feel like I have nothing but time. I'm not complaining- just sharing! It's a very strange thing to get used to.
This year, my focus is entirely on my family.
For Jason, I am committed to being a little bit more domesticated. Since school started, I really have had dinner ready for him when he comes home! I've been experimenting with different recipes that I wouldn't have tried last year due to lack of time. For example, tonight we had Crispy Fried Tofu with Vegetable Stir-Fry on Rice. It was really time-consuming to bread each tofu cube, but so worth it in the end. Since I have time to clean during the week, Jason hasn't had to really pitch in as much on the weekend (as was the case in previous years). I've also been able to do some baking, and I know he loves that!
For the kids, aside from the time that we get to spend together on a daily basis, I am working through a journal called, "A Mother's Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words." It is so neat! The journal asks questions that I am able to reflect on and write about. My hope is to give my kids this journal when they are older so they can learn more about who their mama is. Obviously, I hope to be able to personally share things with my kids as they get older, but I think the written word can be a real treasure.
I am also focusing on myself this year. I look at this year off of teaching almost as a sabbatical, a year to get rejuvenated and renewed. I would really like to "grow" this year, which means I need to work on treating myself better. One of the ways I've decided to do that is by joining a gym. I was thinking that this was more like a decision to torture myself rather than treat myself, but I'm going to trust that it's not. I just want to commit to living an active lifestyle. Hopefully, I will be able to follow through...
Thanks to everyone for your kind thoughts and encouragement these last few weeks!
Our family enjoyed a wonderful evening tonight. For us, it began with pumpkin carving. Grace and Jason carved the two pumpkins Grace got on her two trips to the pumpkin patch earlier in the week. It was cute that she drew a picture of what she wanted one of the jack-o-lanterns to look like. 
Next, the kids got into their costumes and we headed to our church's carnival where the kids played on the inflatables, played some carnival games, we ate dinner, and chatted with friends. Grace dressed as Tinkerbell this year (or depending on who you ask, a fairy or a princess), and Jeremy was supposed to match as Peter Pan (or some people guessed Robin Hood). Jeremy lasted in his costume for about 20 minutes- he undid his belt, the hat was thrown on the ground, and he bent his sword soon after that. Grace didn't want to wear her wings or carry around her wand, so Jason and I ended up carrying around all of their accessories.
You might be surprised to know that Grace has never been trick-or-treating before. She discovered this year through classmates at school what it is, so of course she has been asking all week if she could go this year. Before heading home, we went with the Wiens and Lee families to a few houses near the church. I am surprised to admit that it was fun watching their excitement. Since tomorrow is Daylight Savings, we decided to take advantage of having an extra hour by having the Mack family come over to hang out after we went trick-or-treating. I'd say that tonight was a pretty Happy Halloween- the kids had a great time and we got to spend time with many good friends! (more pictures in the photo album on the right)
Oct. 27 is Grace's actual birthday. It's an Isaac family tradition to visit the pumpkin patch every year on her birthday. This year, Jeremy got into the excitement, and both kids enjoyed exploring and finding the perfect pumpkin.
To finish off the day, Grace got to open up a few more gifts. Since her shining debut as a rockstar at her preschool's Open House performance last spring, Grace has been wanting a guitar. 
Happy 5th Birthday, Grace! (pictures are in the slideshow on the right side of the blog)
We feel so blessed to have so many people in our lives that shower our kids with love and attention. Today, Mrs. Karen and Mr. Darrell (we consider them to be the kids's adopted grandparents) took Grace home from church for a special birthday afternoon. Even with that, there's still so much in store for Grace's birthday this week- treats for the class on Tuesday, our family's annual trip to the pumpkin patch, Grandma's going with Grace and her class to the pumpkin patch on Wednesday, and a family get-together with Grandma, Auntie Jen, and the cousins on Sunday. So many celebrations for our special sweetheart! More pictures in the slideshow on the right side of this blog!
Jeremy's birthday is actually October 11, but we had a small party for him today. We were so glad that Grandma, the Wiens family, and McCreary family were able to join us (we missed you guys, Micah and Jackson). Jeremy is completely obsessed with anything that has wheels, so it was easy to go with a "Cars, Planes, and Trains" theme. We met at Roeding Park for lunch, ate cupcakes, and opened presents before walking over to Storyland. From there, we took the train to Playland where the kids got to ride the Cars and Helicopter rides. Jeremy had a lot of fun, though I don't think he fully understood that everything was about him today. Below are a few pictures from today. There are some more in the slideshow on the right side of this blog. 
Grace went on her first field trip today to Storyland. I'm so thankful that Christa watched Jeremy for me so I could help chaperone. I was actually one of 13 parents (for a class of 20) who went- I was kind of surprised by the turn out! It was nice because I was only responsible for Grace and one other girl. They both enjoyed themselves, and I appreciated the chance to get to know some of the other parents. I would have to say that Grace's highlights for this trip were riding on the bus and her juice bar snack!
I think it was good for Jason to be with family this weekend, particularly since yesterday would've been his dad's birthday. It's a day we still celebrate! During his stay in the hospital before he passed on, he mentioned to Jason one day about how he wished he could go to "that place where they cook in front of you." Well, over the last few years, it has somewhat become a tradition to go to teppanyaki on his birthday.
Jeremy was with us last year, but he was too young to really react to anything. This year, he insisted on holding Jason's hand the entire time, particularly after the chef lit a fire on the iron plate!
After the meal, we headed back to our house. Each of us released a balloon into the sky, a tradition that started when the kids said years ago that "it's not a party without balloons" and since Grandpa's in heaven, "that's where we should send them". This year, each of the kids drew or wrote something for Grandpa, and we taped them to their balloons. With the extra weight, it took a while for some of the balloons to float off.
The evening ended off with dessert from Coldstone. It was great to be able to spend such an important day together. We love our dad and grandpa so much and miss him tremendously.
(These pictures are from a trip to the zoo last week)