This year was a blast having two little doing Halloween. I decided to make both their costumes, which was much more involved than I expected. BUT the end result was totally worth it. Braden went as a scuba diver. It was adorable. He had a paci connected to a hose as his respirator. The tube was connected to two bottles on his back which were his oxygen tanks.

Breckette was a cat! I'm not sure if she was more excited about the outfit or the makeup. Totally takes after her mama that's for sure! We made her a floor length black tutu which she loved. Then put her hair up in two high buns and attached the black cat ears I made for her. She also had a fluffy, long black tail sticking up from her tutu. We also added some fun makeup. She loved the whiskers and the nose, but her all time favorite was the hot pink sparkly lipstick!! 

And when your daughter asks you to be a cat too - you do! So Kyle and I dressed up to! It was really fun. He was a shark and carried Braden around most of the night, and I was a leopard and hung with Breckette most of the night. She was so thrilled with us. We spent the night trick-or-treating at our church's Trunk-or-Treat event. It had been cold and raining all day so we were quite relieved when they moved it inside! It was such a fun night!

Off we go again...

Every year at this time it becomes a mad scramble in the Ostrand household. Travel plans are a work of art when they come together and life seems to throw us more curveballs than should be allowed. September in our house is more than just cool mornings, football and pumpkin spice lattes. It's hunting season for Kyle. It's his time of the year where he takes off up a mountain with no cell service where he camps, hunts, and spends time in the silence. He has a a strong tie to the mountains and all that they produce.

It's not just about the hunting for Kyle. It's a time where he can disengage from work and the stresses it produces. It's a time where the distractions of life calm and his ears and mind are engaged. Engaged not only to the sounds around him, his next quiet step or his ability to melt into his surroundings but to the sometimes all too quiet voice of the Lord. For Kyle it's a time where he can reconnect with his Maker without the usual distractions. And it never seems to fail that just before we leave there are some very large, impending decisions that need to be made. This year is no different. The stresses of owning your own business can weigh heavy and can consume your thoughts.

So I am eager for him to head off to the mountains to do his manly-man thing and spend some much needed time with himself, nature and above all with the Lord. It's typically a month spent away with few calls or texts. Days go by with me waiting by my phone praying he got THAT ONE SHOT in so I can hear his excitement and the story that will soon follow. It's joy to see him in the midst of his passion.

While Kyle hunts I usually travel. It's the perfect time to head out to see family. I usually start my trip seeing my parents, but this year since I spent a month with them I am heading straight to Kyle's family ranch in Nebraska. Breckette LOVES the ranch, and with good reason. She gets to help feed the cows, ride four wheelers and of course spend an abundant amount of time with family. So it's a win-win for all of us. We will also be trying to get out to Denver to take Breckette to her eye specialist and hopefully get a good update on how her eye is doing.

What Wikipedia Can't Tell You About Kids

You've done the research and read the books, but are you really ready for kids? Below are 5 things Wikipedia won't  can't tell you about kids.

1. They are MESSY. Poop will be everywhere. On every thing. At some point you will wonder how in the world this precious little thing can produce....THAT...ALL THAT! So brace yourself, and when you are just about to leave the house and you hear the rumble from the carseat try to just smile. You're not alone. 

2. They are LOUD. Yes, they cry, squeal, and coo but they also scream - LOUDLY.  You can almost guarantee that the moment you are on the phone in the middle of a deep conversation -BOOM! They must have a sixth sense to them and they know the perfect moment to explode in the loudest sounds you've ever heard.

3. Your heart will GROW. You can never fathom the love in your heart until you have that sweet child. As they grow so does your love and pride for them. Their smile will melt your heart faster than the speed of light and you won't mind it one bit.

4. You will love your husband MORE. Well not always...haha! But seriously when you see your husband grow into a father it just does something for your heart. There isn't anything sweeter than watching your handsome manly husband tenderly kiss your little's itty bitty forehead, or hold their tiny fingers. 

5. You're AMAZING. Here me right here...if you don't read anything else I hope you hear this. YOU ARE AMAZING. You aren't just a teacher, cook, maid, or nanny. You are a MOM! Someone who carried and grew that sweet babe and fought to get them here. The extra weight and marks will fade. But the memories of your middle of the night kisses won't. What you do matters. So hold that little one a little tighter and hold your head high for you. are. amazing.