Life certainly has its ups and downs. I have highs and lows in my marriage. Peaks and valleys in my healthy habits. Surges and trickles in my devotion to my passions. Yet, only one can take the title of Biggest Emotional Rollercoaster EVER.

Drumroll please.

Motherhood.

Being a mommy will send your emotions through the wringer and make your head spin more times in a day than I thought could happen while still staying sane. Although, some may argue my head isn’t exactly screwed on straight. I hear ya. It’s not surprising when you consider the following…

Braedon caught Makenzie’s virus. When he gets sick, he has a very hard time breathing. The thought of your child not being able to breathe is enough to put you over the ledge of crazy-freak-out-worry-wart.

Breathing treatments have returned…

Then, you stumble across a moment like this and feel nothing but peace.

And thank heavens he decided to take a nap. It was a looonnnnggg night last night. Baby boy needed some rest even more than mommy needed a break.

Then, let’s not forget the other roller coaster that comes in the 28 pound package with blonde curls and way too much energy.

One moment I can find myself wanting to rip my hair out, even while praying for the ability to show the little terror some grace.

And suddenly she does something to melt your heart and make you forget the tantrum from mere seconds ago.

You want to know what she said? I love you THIS much, Mommy! It’s a circle. It goes round and round and never stops.

Putty. In. Her. Hands.

Emotional rollercoaster? Most definitely. Best ride of my life? You betcha.

• What’s an “emotional rollercoaster” for you?

I had another crazy day today. Fortunately this time it was crazy busy and crazy fun, instead of crazy clumsy. After I hit the ground running spinning with this morning’s cycle class, I had special plans with Makenzie. Her first field trip!

We visited Uncle Shuck’s – a corn maze & pumpkin patch north of Atlanta.

As a family we have visited this little haven of fall every year for the past few years, but today’s trip had some special and learning for the kids.

We learned about products that have soy beans in them and how to recycle…

(holy junk food propaganda! but let’s not get distracted)

The kids learned how to measure pumpkins…

And they got to learn some fun facts in the "Maize of knowledge”.

The simplest things always take on a new level of excitement when done with children. The many smiling faces and off-the-wall-energy will get you excited about corn, hay rides, and goats too.

Or at the very least, cute kids sitting in a pumpkin patch will warm your heart.

Just keep a keen eye. The little man thinks mulch is fine cuisine.

I, on the other hand, prefer the orange globes behind him as my cuisine of choice. And I was quite disappointed to not get my pumpkin bread fix during our Uncle Shuck’s visit today. It’s tradition!

The craving wouldn’t relent, so I came home and made some pumpkin oats for lunch. I could eat breakfast all day every day, so this actually made me quite happy. Especially since I had to rush my breakfast this morning.  I needed to make up for it.

The pumpkin oats didn’t kill the craving, though. I had to bring out the big guns. Well, looky there.

I offered to bring a dessert to tonight’s small group and had the ingredients for the easiest pumpkin spice cookies on hand for such a need. If you don’t know this simple mix, you must give it a shot – one box spice cake mix and 2 cups (or one 15 oz can) pumpkin. Mix it all together. Plop on a baking sheet by the spoonful and bake ‘em up for 15 minutes at 350.

I love adding white chocolate chips to mine. Heavenly! I will happily eat as many as necessary to satisfy my field-trip inspired pumpkin cravings. Yes, siree!

• What was one of your favorite field trips for school?
• What is the last craving you had?
• PS – The next “Stuffed With Emptiness” post coming tomorrow.