Thursday, October 25, 2018

Stepping Away

I've decided to take an blogging break for a while. Right now I don't know if it will be a week or a few - or longer.
Everything is okay with us. Scott and I are immeasurably blessed.
But Anna is going through some really tough health issues right now (nothing to worry about)
and Abigail is still learning to cope with daily pain from the GI disease she's carried since she was 22 months old.
This week we were at the doctor for Anna several times - she is very sensitive to any normal prescription medications and has had many bad reactions to them - we are helping her through.
This weekend (10-5) all day on Sunday we will be at the hospital for a children's pain management conference. For children living with chronic pain.
On the one hand I feel so happy with this little life and I want to blog pumpkins and leaves and all that good stuff - because we are doing all that good stuff.
But on the other hand I ache for my two precious daughters who are happy and whole and wonderful - but who are hurting right now.
So I need to step away.
For now.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

She Makes Life Fun

I don't remember what song was playing but I always want to remember how much fun she makes our life.

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She can be deeply serious.

She has a side to her to that amazingly empathetic to anyone and their feelings. She knows pain well and can help anyone through moments of pain in their body or in their heart. She's done this forever, like an angel from God, since she was a toddler.

She can be fiesty and fun, forgetful and funny. And she loves to dance and sing.

(see the little yellow bird in the background?)
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She's not so little anymore. She's eleven but she's still my baby.

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And she makes life fun!

Monday, October 15, 2018

October Weekending

cool, crisp air

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fireplace

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cozy movie on the couch

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shopping for food

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confirmation class for Anna, homeschool religious ed for Abigail

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wishing I could capture the light on the leaves, the cool air, that magical feeling that fall is here

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a small town fall fair

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a stop into my classroom to make just a few things

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correcting

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reading in bed

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getting closer to the addition done

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stress about upcoming goals teaching goals due
date night on the couch after bedtime

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fall leaves not quite at peek yet

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sweaters and jeans

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apple pie

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orange bows in hair

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pumpkin shirts

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Friday, October 12, 2018

One Moment

One evening this week there was a moment when I realized that so much goodness was going on all at the same time. It was that wonderful feeling of knowing how blessed I was to live this life. So grateful for all God had given me.

So I quickly walked around and snapped what I loved.

She was reading in the family room.

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He was priming/painting.

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She was practicing and making the most beautiful music.

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And I was getting ready to roll out a pie crust.

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And all in that same moment.

There are days of stress and there are moments that I don't love of course.

But when I notice, when I choose to see the good, God blesses me with moments like these. Moments that make my soul full and oh so very grateful.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Weekends in the Fall

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Fall weekends are for hikes to see the trees just as they are starting to turn.

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Oh look! I caught a leaf in mid air!

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I can not get enough of this hike near our house! The huge trees make me so happy.

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Abigail and I think we might go for a hike each weekend to see the changes in the leaves. Love being outside this time of year.

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And for puzzles and pie. 

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and playing duets with your sister.

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and for prepping for a formal observation on inferencing. Oh boy... teaching can take it's tole! When is the next weekend? (one without a ton of school work)

Monday, October 8, 2018

September is for Apple Picking

Last weekend... just before September ended...

Just in time the weather got cooler. Apple picking is always that change of season activity that we love so much. Scott and I have gone apple picking since we were dating in high school.

I remember apple picking with Anna as a baby in the carrier. I remember Abigail just learning to walk in the apple orchards.

Each year is symbolizes the start to fall. The start to apple pies. The start to cozy.

I wonder sometimes what it will be like when the girls are off and it's back to just Scott and I.

Some things the girls will always be there for. But a September weekend... I'm sure that college will one day win out over this tradition, especially if they are not close by. Maybe that's why I love it so much. And no matter how busy we are I make sure it happens every year.

The traditions we love are:

the tractor ride out to the orchard

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being up on daddy's shoulders

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sampling

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looking for just that right one

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just being outside in the most beautiful weather all year

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picture perfect... fall just hanging on a tree

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too many pictures

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a few with their mama

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being together

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talking and laughing and running

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buying cider and donuts in the little store

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and guess what I spotted on the way home...

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it's happening! The leaves are changing and my heart is so so happy!

It's time for tights and loafers teaching. It's time for blankets on a Friday night. It's time for cozy nights and long dark weekend mornings. It's time for fall!