Moments 10.2022

Posted Nov 03, 2022

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October is my favorite month of the year. The kids ran cross country, we went hiking, I turned another year older and traveled without the kids for the first time, and we celebrated Halloween.

“I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell myself to hold on to these moments as they pass.”

Welcome to “Moments” here on JoyFoodSunshine. At the end of every month I share a recap of our family’s favorite moments! Here’s a snapshot of our life from October 2022!

Life lately

This was the best month, so much great family time enjoying the outdoors. We went on walks al most every night, hiked in the mountains, and just enjoyed the beauty of fall.

Baby Z

I guess I should be calling him “toddler Z” and this point but I just can’t bring myself to do that.

He is getting so big and is such a little trouble maker. He is always busy doing something and keeps me on my toes 100%.

He has the sweetest little smile and personality. He is a class clown and always tries to make everyone laugh. He loves his “Dada” and finally started saying “Mama” after my trip to Miami (more on that below).

My Birthday

I turned another year older and was showered with love. My closest friends plotted with Ritch and surprised me with a dinner out at Sundance resort. We enjoyed delicious food, beautiful fall colors and sweet fellowship. I felt so loved and I am so grateful God has blessed me with the best friends.

On my birthday it was a gorgeous day AND we didn’t have co op – so we took the day off of school and work and went hiking. We’ve done the same hike every year since living in UT, and this year it was by far the most beautiful. The fall colors were breathtaking and the kids all hiked like champs.

Bethany skipped cross country practice to make my birthday dinner – which included burrata salad and my favorite flourless brownies. Ritch smoked salmon to go along with it. It was so delicious! It was a fun and relaxing birthday and I was grateful for all the love my family and friends showed me.

Cross Country

The kids ran their 6th season of cross country. This was Mara’s first year and she crushed it, placing 8th and 6th in her age group during the meets. The other kids ran their best and had so much fun.

Miami

I traveled by myself (without kids) for 4 nights for the first time ever this month. My ad company invited some of its publishers to Miami and I am so glad that I decided to go (which I wouldn’t have done without my friend Melissa from Modern Honey pictured below).

Honestly, I’ve wrestled with the fact that I can travel alone now. That I’m no longer “wholly needed” at home. I know that’s not totally true, and I’m needed in different ways – not just for nursing/baby care. However, it has been a reality I’ve really been struggling with. I miss having a sweet baby so much but am trying to embrace this new season of life.

I’ve basically put the website on “maintenance mode” since I got pregnant with Keilah in 2018. Meaning I create delicious recipes for all of you to enjoy but don’t really focus on much else.

And, it ended up being really great having some time away to just be without so many tiny people needing me. I met some amazing women who also run their own websites/businesses and it was just so wonderful. We talked business, life and just laughed and had a great time. This kind of trip is 1000% out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I went.

If you’re looking for additional sites to find delicious recipes, please consider supporting these blogging friends I got to know and love on my trip to Miami!

Plus, I got to wake up every morning and walk on the beach for an hour and watch the sunrise, which was enough to make the trip worth it in and of itself.

Halloween

If I had my choice, I would not celebrate Halloween. Call me a scrooge I don’t care! Haha! But, since my kids get excited and my husband thinks Halloween is a fine holiday – I try to get into it and make it fun for everyone.

This year the kids picked out HUGE pumpkins – which were a blast to gut and carve. 😉

We also realized a dream I’ve had since becoming a mom – themed family costumes! I usually don’t care enough about halloween to coordinate and just let the kids pick costumes from our dress up clothes. But this year there was a very obvious choice for our family – Encanto!

The 3 little girls already had the dresses, so I just bought the remaining costumes and we were set.

We had some of our closest friends over and had pizza then went trick or treating. I’m grateful for the community God has given me and the people I love like family!

Things I’m Loving

Black loafers – If you have wide feed you must buy these loafers. They are so comfortable I traveled in them and my feet felt great: loafers.
This body wash has been amazing. I’ve been using it for months and love that it’s made with essential oils and no artificial fragrances or ingredients.
This long sleeve top is my favorite. I bought the white one and wore it so much that I also ordered the black one. It’s great to wear on its own or layer under a blazer or sweater.
This Deuter Backpack has been used and abused for 12 years through 6 kids and still looks brand new. I highly recommend this pack to everyone!

Recipes

Here are the recipes I made this month:

Cut out sugar cookies shaped like pumpkins.
Ground beef tacos with homemade taco seasoning on repeat.
Our favorite Beef Stew – my whole family loves this recipe.

Snapshots

Weekly Sunday Selfie – even Z is getting the hang of it.

Hiking!

So grateful to live where we can hike all season long.

Ritch took K on a daddy-daughter date.

We sold our house in the mountains (it went under contract in 2 weeks – a total miracle in this market at that price point). So we went up there one last time. We actually found our dream home down here near the mountains where we live – more on that in months to come!