Halloween pictures and a new blog

I've started a new blog to write about more of the everyday stuff that happens around here.  If you're interested, it's here:
http://somedaywewilllaughaboutthis.blogspot.com

Feel free to check it out.   This one is my first love, though.

Halloween was so much fun this year. The past two have been pretty bittersweet for me.  The first one after Landon was the first big holiday without him, the first kid-centered holiday where I was missing a kid.  Shopping for Aidan's costume that year was pretty hard, to say the least.  "I should be buying two" was a mantra that repeated in my head from the end of August until Halloween night.  Actually, that chant repeated all through the holiday season.  I only got to buy one costume, one Thanksgiving outfit, one set of Christmas presents, one set of stocking stuffers. 

Having an only child isn't so bad, unless there was ever a period of time where you had more than one.  Then it sucks.  All the "should haves" and "Should be doings". 

The following year, last year, was still pretty sad, but easier to handle.  For one thing, I had a full year's worth of holidays, should haves, wish I could'ves, under my belt.  For another, I was about 3 months pregnant with the girls, looked and felt about 6 months pregnant.  I had something that was lacking the year before,  HOPE.  Not a lot of it, I never dreamed that I would have two perfectly healthy babies.  But enough hope to make life just a little easier.  Also, by last year, Aidan was over 2, and had such a funny personality.  He never let me stay too down for too long. 

So, this year, I have my rainbows. 

When I was a little girl (I think I've told this before)  the only toys I ever cared anything about were baby dolls.  Not even Barbies,  just baby dolls.  I took care of them. I changed their clothes and diapers.  I "fed" them.  I swaddled them.  All I wanted was to be a mommy.  I got a Cabbage Patch Kid that year when people were fighting over them. I still don't know the story about how my parents managed that, but I do remember hearing that there was nearly a fistfight over my sweet Jesse Eleanor.

Later that school year, I got Lombardo Anson as a reward for an awesome report card.  Then for my next birthday I got Margie Ellie.  Then the following Christmas, good ol' Saint Nick left a set of red headed CABBAGE PATCH TWINS under my tree!  I was in CPK heaven.  I can't remember their names, but they had red ponytails, and were wearing teal satin dresses.  Oh, how I loved my "PaPatch Kids" (as a younger cousin called them.)

So, with all that back story, here are the pictures from our 2011 halloween party and Trick or Treating.


Not the best picture, but it's from the party Saturday night

Aidan, ready to go get treats!

My very own, real live red(well, reddish) ponytailed CPK twins!!!


After Trick or Treating,  it wiped my babies OUT!! They were the hit of the neighborhood.  People I'd never met before were asking to take pictures of their costume.  One older man kept yelling to other neighbors, "Wait til you see this! It's the best one this year!"

So, this year was definitely a better Halloween, and we're gearing up for a Happier Thanksgiving and a Merrier Christmas.  I'll always have sad moments, especially through the holidays,  and I'm ok with that, because I'll also always have the joy of the 3 kids that I got to keep!  These kids are my very reason for being, I love each of them so, so much.  Thank you, God. I'm blessed.