Super Saturday

Our Saturday began with my oldest daughter quietly stating to Steven and I that she wanted to have a family day. So, after breakfast with grandma and grandpa, we set off to the park on our bikes...with kites in tow. The wind was perfect, the sun was shining and we were all together...what more could I ask for? Here are just a few pictures chronicling the afternoon.











After scanning this post, Steven quipped, "We have two daugthers, ya know." Yes, but only one will ALLOW her photo to be taken!!!

Similar Sentiments

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon?"-Hal Borland

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."-Andrew Wyeth

"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of. The mite which November contributes becomes equal in value to the bounty of July."-Henry David Thoreau

"November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear."-Sir Walter Scott


While we South Floridians may not be able to witness the searing red leaves as autumn continues to descend, I still like to fill my home with everything that is November. Although the fall foliage is of the silk variety...I love it. And while I may not be able to wander over to the nearest cider mill for some fresh Honey Crisps and mulled cider, I can burn fifteen autumn wreath votives from Yankee to get my fix. For me, this season is a time of reflection and contemplation...and that's a large part of why I love it so. A time of self-examination if you will. And I'm pretty satisfied with my life thus far. As this season progresses, I find myself pulling my family closer, wanting to develop those relationships more fully. As the year draws to a close, I am pleased with the way God has stretched me spiritually and pray that He will continue to do so. Yep, I love November.

Transitions Are Interesting!

This has been a difficult Halloween. Let me rephrase that. This has been a very different Halloween. From the time we became a family of four, we have followed the same Halloween traditions. The girls always planned their costumes for weeks prior to the big night and began dressing for the festivities three hours before dark. Steven prepared his famous homemade chili with steamed hot dogs, corn bread and all the fixings. My in-laws and folks joined us at the house and simply enjoyed the evening...some staying behind to greet trick or treaters while the rest of us traipsed around the neighborhood accumulating bags and bags of goodies.

But, our former traditions have been set aside this year and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it...a little sad, maybe, a little unsettled, definitely, but...like so many things these past few years...I have to recognize that the changes aren't necessarily bad, just different. So, when Alissa began preparing for Homecoming and dressing in her beautiful gown looking every bit a woman...ready to conquer the world...I surged with pride. And when my Kinsey set off for a Halloween party with her girlfriends without us..I was oddly at peace. I have all of these wonderful Halloween memories to look back on. So, as I notice the neighborhood kiddos dressed for the night with their parents following closely on their heels...I will remember and treasure those not so long ago traditions. And I will work hard to embrace the new traditions that now seem to be.

Senior Night

Whew! It's over...after countless hours spent chasing down teen girls for their quotes...after sleepless nights spent fretting over the details (the presents, the program, the dinner, the posters, the decorations)...after many minor meldowns, too many trips to Target to count and a few tears too...it's done. And I learned a few things about myself along the way.

First and foremost, I don't delegate well. But, I love to volunteer my time and talents for others. Second, I am a perfectionist and I have ridiculous expectations for myself. But, I love spending time with teens...because they really do notice when you put forth the extra effort.






And I'm thrilled to report that Senior Night was a huge hit...in fact, it exceeeded my type A expectations. And, looking back, I would do it all over again...exactly the same way.

(By the way, that's Alissa's boyfriend on the left!)

Enjoying the View

I really love the view. The way that when I'm sitting on my couch, tilted just so, I see nothing but palms fronds and the sparkling water of the fountain...how at that moment the rooftops around me just melt away.

I really love the view. The way I'm able to witness the sun dropping just behind the treetops when the clouds are extra heavy...painting a picture that takes my breath away every single night I'm lucky enough to catch it. And these random thoughts set my mind to thinking.


I really love the view. The way in which my tender-hearted girl wears her heart on her sleeve...never afraid to express her love for family openly for all to see. And the way in which my blue-eyed beauty continues to blossom before my very eyes...no longer the gangly and giggly goofball. This emerging young woman who is figuring out how to make her way in this world has somehow taken hold.

To state that I love the view seems so basic and simple. But I do.

Man of Many Projects

Thinking back I can't remember a single repairman ever coming to our home when I was a kid. The time the pipes froze under the kitchen sink...my dad took care of everything..I can still see him huddled under those cabinets with the blow torch lit. Or when our lower level (a fancy way to describe a walk-out basement) needed updating and remodeling...my dad did it all. He ripped out the 1970's red shag carpets, hung and painted new drywall, designed and built walk-in closets with cedar lined drawers...and the list goes on and on. But the many talents he possesses are not limited to only home improvements and carpentry because he's also a whiz at general car mechanics, boat engine repair, antique car restoration, and lawn design. At least once a year some huge project evolved from his imagination. One summer it was the expansion of our sundeck complete with a privacy wall of his design and a new outdoor table fashioned from a door! Or the time he winterized our house by switching us over to wood heat by installing wood burning stoves on both levels, creating a wood shed with a secret door (making cords of wood accessible from our breezeway so you didn't have to brave the elements outdoors when stacking) all in order to save some money on heating bills. His expertise in all things extended to more than just repairs and building for a purpose because these schemes and ideas of his were put to work in order to maximize the fun of every situation. For example, each winter he would build elaborate jumps at the bottom of our sled hill to maximize lift. Or how he would take the snow blower to the pond out back to clear the ice once the river froze...but if it hadn't frozen yet he would create our own ice rink using the garden hose on our backyard. I remember camp-outs in random boats he had just purchased to fix up and learning to drive in antique cars with three on the tree. I don't believe there is anything he can't fix or figure out! When I really stop to ponder what he's capable of doing it's pretty darn extraordinary. And it makes him exactly who he is...my dad of many projects. (By the way his latest project has taken him to northern Michigan via his motorcoach after spending the summer in Colorado working as a handyman...and remember he's retired!)

Wishing

I know that she's already in agony. She tries to hide it...to pretend it's not really there. She doesn't share the hurt and confusion often. It's simply too much. Because behind the bright green eyes and effervesent laughter...her tears are only a blink away. Barely beneath the surface...I can see it. Her pain. The type of pain that cuts her heart out...knowing that her brown-eyed boy will soon have to face loss and pain and sadness...and she can't shield him. Knowing the turmoil she has faced over these past several years and the bottomless love she feels towards her babies makes me want to just wish this all away all the more. But, she has to witness it firsthand. She might even be blamed for it. I'm wishing I could take away her worry. I'm wishing I could somehow wave that magical wand and change the crappy circumstances that her son will soon experience. I'm trying to cover them both with my prayers. I'm wishing she turns to me or Him or anyone who can help them through this. I'm wishing.

Sometimes a reminder is necessary.

Like after the miserable week you've just spent with a forty plus body that wouldn't function independently without a z-pac, several boxes of tissue and ridiculous amounts of rest. But, after spending seven long days headachy and exhausted I'm reminded good health and unlabored breathing are often unrecognized joys which should be celebrated.

Or when your oldest child exits her room early Sunday morning asking, "Mom, do you want to go to the beach so we can read the Bible together?" Suddenly, I'm reminded how much this girl inspires me and the gratitude I feel witnessing God's influence on this child's heart which, in turn, brings me closer to Him.

Or yet again after your daughter states quite plainly after walking past a beautiful and unexpected bouquet of white roses, "I hope that my husband brings me flowers, like Daddy does for you." And while the man I married can easily drive me to drink on any given day of the week, I'm reminded of his commitment and devotion to us, our marriage and family.

Or while your youngest child places her thirteen year old hand lightly across your thigh while watching one of her favorite shows together after a long day at school. I am reminded that regardless of how old she professes to be via her mascaraed lashes and flat-ironed hair, she is a little girl who still needs her mom to be close.

It doesn't take much. Just a brief moment. To know and be reminded.

She's Changing

My little crazy girl with the bright blue eyes is changing. Each day some small alterations to her personality and appearance are taking place. Awesome changes. She's truly turning into a young woman...right before my eyes. Maybe it's the eighth grade and the influence of her peers. But, it seems to be so much more. She's confident. And she's comfortable in her own skin. So, she's stretching her wings just a little bit more each day. Happy. Sure of herself. Maybe she's trembling on the inside...but I really don't think so. God has graced her with a self-assurance that just seeps from her pores. Like I said, she's changing.

(love this photo she took...a kaleidoscope of Kinsey)