TOFW

A few years ago in Las Vegas I discovered a program called Time Out For Women. It's based on the principle that when our kids need a break and a chance to regroup we put them on "time out", but do we ever give ourselves a "time out" to regroup. It is a weekend away from your usual routine and an opportunity to laugh, cry, be uplifted and encouraged. Since then I have tried to attend whenever the program comes to the city I am living in or near. This year the closest event was in Reno. When I received the flyer I dismissed it at first because I would have to travel and pay hotel fees as well as registration fees but after a few months of the ups and downs of life (and I admit over those months it seemed like the downs outnumbered the ups) I started thinking seriously about going. Thankfully I have a wonderful considerate husband who recognized my need for a "time out". I think he was more than ready to put me on time out if I didn't go on my own! So on October 14th & 15th Katie, Andrea and I headed for Reno to take our "time out". The theme of this years event was Choose to Become. We had a wonderful weekend with inspired talks on learning to believe in ourselves, getting out of our own way, trusting Heavenly Father. There was great music, lots of laughter and a few tears. We learned a lot about ourselves and what we want and need to do to Become the women Heavenly Father would have us be. They challenged us to choose one thing we can do to Become closer to who it is we want to be and not to leave what we had learned in the convention center parking lot. On our way home Katie, Andrea, and I talked about what we personally took away from the program and what we want to accomplish in our lives. We set some daily goals that will help us reach our larger goals and agreed to return and report to each other on how we are doing. I am so grateful to have attended this event right after General Conference. Having the two weekends so close together helped to increase the power of the messages to me that Heavenly Father knows and loves me. I am thankful for Katie and Andrea's company that weekend, for the support they gave me to follow through on what I want to accomplish. While my kids are now old enough that they no longer need to be put on time out I hope I never miss an opportunity to put myself at Time Out. 

Fun with the Great Pumpkin

Greg and Carinna came up for a visit in mid-October so we decided to go have some fun. Dixon CA has one of the worldest largest corn mazes. Since it's only an hour from us we decided to give it a try. Upon entering the maze Ty informed us that he would be our GPS for the trip through the maze.

Greg, Carinna, our GPS system (other wise known as Tyler) and I somewhere in the first half of the  maze.

GPS guiding Greg

We caught up with Brian and hit the half way point where a nice employee offered to take our picture on the center bridge

Having navigated the maze successfully in 45 minutes our GPS needed a break. What better place to relax than in a giant corn bath?

Jaxon was a little less enthusiastic about the corn bath than GPS

The corn maze is in the same location as Cool Patch Pumpkins so of course we had to explore the pumpkin patch. GPS took mommy for a tour on the pedal car in search of the Great Pumpkin.

Not finding the Great Pumpkin with mommy GPS heads out again with daddy, Jaxon and uncle Greg

Unable to find the great pumpkin GPS trys again with Riley and Kevin. Will the third time be the charm?
 
Success at last! Riley finds her "great pumpkin"

While GPS was busy taking eveyone out looking for the great pumpkin Joe and Katie were busy collecting pumpkins to carve. Two full wagons later our bank account said that's enough!

After a long day of navigating corn mazes and searching for pumpkins Joe and I took a break with what appears to be the Sunkist Orange mascot (although I think it was supposed to be a pumpkin) before heading home. Lots of fun memories!

Craigslist strikes again!

While I was in Arroyo Grande with Greg, Joe found an ad on Craigslist for free sod. All you had to do was rent a sod cutter and go remove it from the yard it was in and put it in your yard. Sounds easy right? NOT! I missed all the fun as Joe, Riley, Kevin, Kaitlin, our friend Virol, our neighbors son Tyler, and Brian worked all day Monday cutting it, rolling it, transporting it, and laying it. It actually took Tuesday and part of Wednesday to get it all in place but we LOVE our new yard. Thanks, Craigslist!

Before and After

Riley decided to cut her hair. Here are the before and after shots.