Hello there, and Happy Sunday.

I've been accused of being Pollyanna-ish and an optimist too many times to count.

I actually think you need to be a bit of an optimist to use your crockpot as much as I do --- I can put a hunk of totally frozen solid meat into that thing with a jar of salsa and some black beans and come home to the most delicious tasting soup of all time.

Also, there are other reasons being an optimist comes in handy.

I'm happy. I can decide that when I have a thought that doesn't sit right I can slightly shift it to one that feels slightly better.

And I believe that I have the power to do this, all on my own, which sort of makes me feel like I have a super power.

and since it's close to Halloween, it's perfectly okay for me to walk around wearing a cape.

;-)

(I don't really. I actually wear this exact same dress every year so I don't have to re-think of anything else, and I'm also really proud of how I'm terribly frugal.)

;-)

ANYWAY. We are nearing the end of this calendar year -- and tomorrow is Halloween, which means that the fast-forward button has been pushed.

If you can, I'd like you to try your hardest not to rush through it.

Soak it all in.

Hug your babies.

Breathe in their little sweaty curls and let them know that everything will be okay.

while you're at it, give yourself a great big hug, too.

You're doing an amazing job.

lots and lots of love -- I think you are wonderful.

xoxo steph