A Change of Scenery

I'm someone who likes a healthy dose of change in my life from time to time, and in that vein, I've spent the last year or so contemplating the state of my blog. It's taken me awhile to admit this to myself, but I'm just not feeling it on this blog. I've never really loved the name, or how it looks, and as someone who is driven by creativity, this blog has left me uninspired and unable to keep coming back :) I tried a craft-ish blog last summer, but soon realized that I also don't like making tutorials, and I wanted it to be more than projects. After a lot of thought, I realized that I don't really need a place to document the big events in my life. I keep a journal that I fill with pictures and momentos, so that base is covered. What I need most is a place where I can practice my writing, share some of my photographs from time to time, and be more me :) It will be more introspective in nature, and less a regurgitation of what we've been up to. Of course, there will still be snippets of our family happenings, because my family is my life, and I am not me without them :) - did you follow that?

So, you are welcome to make the jump with me. The new name of my blog is "Coming Up Daisies". You can find me HERE.

Gratitude

We gave up a lot for James to get his MBA: a house that I loved very much (although it was a small one), our friends, a job, a debt-free life (besides our mortgage), and as it turned out, a portion of our independence, mental stability, and a lot of our pride :) And even though the road turned out to be harder and longer than it is for most, and harder and longer than we could have ever anticipated, we have never regretted the decision. We haven't loved every minute of it, mind you, but we never regretted the decision.

As a wife, there are few things more heartbreaking than seeing your husband undervalued and seemingly un-needed in his job. As James used to say, "A monkey could do my job". He hated feeling unsatisfied in his work, like he was expendable - and I hated witnessing that. I would have walked through hell just to see him happy, and for several months last year, I think I did.

James left the house at 4:30 this morning and won't be home until well into the night. Instead of complaining, I am intensely grateful. Grateful that he has a job, grateful that he loves his job, and grateful that he is needed in his job.

Halloween 2011

Here it is, Halloween in all its glory :) As always, I had fun making the kids' costumes ( I actually bought, and then embellished Ethan's). And just like last year, we got together with the Hone cousins to trick or treat to all the businesses in town. It gets crazy busy, but it's also tons of fun. Practically the whole town comes out for it, and it's quite fun to see the streets and sidewalks packed with costumed people of all ages. I probably should have gotten a picture of that, but maybe next year, right? :)

Matthew as Harry Potter

Ethan as Darth Vader (his Grandma Hatch made his awesome gloves!)

Justin as a pirate (third variation on this theme over the years :) )

Natalie as a fairy

The hamburger place in town gave out ice cream cones. Sweet!

After the business trick or treating, we came home and ate mini mummy pizzas (again, probably should have taken a picture) and then hit the neighborhood for some more trick or treating. One of the houses had turned their front porch into a spook alley and gave out glow bracelets to those who went through it. All the boys went through and were pretty proud of themselves for being so brave. :) Halloween rocks!

Split Personality, I Guess, Kind Of

Lately I've been blogging HERE. I'm not exactly sure why, it's just feeling like a better fit right now. I guess I'm shifting my blogging focus a little. I'm not abandoning this blog, I'm just spending more time at my other one, and I'd like to invite you to come along!!

And here's a nice close-up:

Funny Talk

Justin: "What store are we going to...and what are we going to buy...for me...?"

Bannack Ghost Town

I promise to do a post that has pictures of Us in Montana, with witty recounts of what we did, but until I have the time and energy to put into it, enjoy pictures of Bannack, MT. One of my favorite places to visit in the state, it was Montana's first capitol, but eventually, after the mines stopped producing, was abandoned. Unlike some ghost towns, you can walk into all but three of the remaining buildings, and explore to your heart's content...which is pretty awesome.
Bannack was a rough town back in the day, complete with a sheriff that was the leader of a dangerous underground gang. Bannack:

Almost Spring in Montana