Brooks Fall Activities Thus Far

I recently changed from the day shift to night shifts at my job, and while I like the general calmness of nights I'm still adjusting to staying up all night plus the fact that our night shifts are 7 on and 7 off. So I have been a little off lately. I've never been one to believe or desire to live to work. I've always been of the mindset that I would rather struggle a little bit and be able to experience my life than to work my life away so it's hard for me to sacrifice a full week like this. Plus I'm a millennial and you know we don't have a good work ethic and all that so I'm sure that contributes ;).  If you have tips for how you balance work and life, let me in on your secrets!

On my days off we have been greatly enjoying the goings on of fall. As you know a couple of weeks ago we had our glorious fall break camping trip and this week we enjoyed Halloween. 

My aunt bought herself a kayak recently and we had fun breaking it in for her :)

You know, someone was bound to fall in. And it just so happened to be Josh.

We caught enough fish this year to have our usual fish fry!

Josh and I slummed it in the tent. Someday we want to buy a little used camper and spruce it up, but for now bundled up with a million blankets in the little tent does just fine.

The next week we had our annual pumpkin carving contest with Josh's family-

Josh and I's pumpkins. Isn't his rather...ugh...inappropriate?

Top row- mine, Tim's, Josh's

Bottom row- Jan's, Kelsey's, Dan's

Then I worked a long seven days and was off for Halloween. We wanted a nice family picture in front of our house, but Patch was not having any of it. We may have had a few bowel movements in the making of this picture.
And because she wasn't cooperating, you need more pictures of Patch in her costume...

At my parent's on Halloween we made some spooky treats. My dad made his famous popcorn balls, Sarah made mini caramel apples and mummy cookies, I made monster cookies and Butterbeer, and Josh made the witch fingers. We had a perfectly frightful night watching Clue. 

I know that some Christians have some indifferent feelings towards Halloween, but I am thankful for any time of the year that encourages family time and silly traditions. Also, Natalie Grant posted this on her Facebook on her feelings towards Halloween, and I think it is a great point to be made-

"I've had many people over the years ask me if I "celebrate" Halloween. I don't celebrate evil. Or darkness. Or witches, ghosts and goblins. But I DO celebrate kids. And princesses. And fairies. And candy. Lots and lots of candy. And neighbors. And community. As children of the Light, why in the world would we hide in our houses on what is considered a "dark" day? And what other day of the year does your entire neighborhood show up at your doorstep? What good does it do to make sure all of the lights are out, trying to make a "stand" for righteousness while the neighbors turn and walk away? No - as a Jesus follower I will open my door wide, greet everyone with a smile and hand out the best candy possible. You don't have to agree with me. That's totally ok. We still both belong to Christ. Oh, and I forgot one other thing I celebrate...freedom in Christ WITHOUT the yoke of legalism. Let the candy collecting begin. " 

-Natalie Grant

And with that, I look forward to Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and New Years, and Valentine's Day, and St. Patrick's day, and so on and so forth. As always, they pass by way too fast. I think I would be okay with all of Josh and I's families living in a communal neighborhood, but I'm not so sure they would. Hope you all had a Happy Halloween and enjoy the extra hour of sleep tonight! 

In His hug,

Molly