Living in the moment

A couple of nights ago at church I found out that a friend is joining the ranks of those who bravely and proudly bear the title SAHM (stay at home mom).  I'm thrilled for her.  I know she and her husband have made many sacrifices for her to make this transition home to raise their precious daughter and baby on the way.   I loved watching her face beam with delight and hearing the anticipation and excitement in her voice, no doubt dreaming of all the exciting adventures of mommy and me time ahead.

This morning as I began my morning trek, I kept thinking back to the conversation I had with my friend; what a sweet reminder of dreams coming true and blessings abounding.  As I walked I began praying and evaluating my role as a SAHM.  By nature, I am a task oriented person.  I love to-do lists. I thrive being able to check something off.   I began to wonder...do my lists override me sometimes living and being in the moment with my toddler?  As Titus and I  neared the park, I couldn't help but take in the beauty of autumn:  the colors, the crisp cool air, and the peaceful anticipation of a day just beginning.  As the wind blew and leaves tumbled to the ground, I found myself looking up and admiring the beautiful canopy of trees over the path.  I even stopped a few times to take in the sweet beauty of the sun shinning through the leaves. Gorgeous!  Had it not been for the colors of the season, the light shinning through the leaves, and the sweet reminder of a friend's dream come true, I probably would have just kept walking to cross another task off my to-do list.  But, not today!

 Far too often my days become ordinary.  I lose the excitement, anticipation, blessing and vision Kevin and I share of me staying at home with our child(ren).  However, in that moment,  I quickly pulled the stroller off the path and decided to take in the moment and put aside my to do list.  The list of daily tasks waiting to be checked off could wait.  This moment with my toddler could not.

Ahhhh....leaf love!  We ran. We threw.  We piled high.  We jumped.  We watched leaves dance and twirl to the ground. We experienced pure joy.

  Thank you, Father for the precious reminder of true blessings, 

of living in the moments,

and looking beyond the ordinary!

Welcome Fall!

We were so excited that Auntie C and Cousins H&B were here to celebrate the first weekend of autumn.  We love when they come to visit us and always plan special things to do.  

 Roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and sipping apple cider...the perfect way to begin the autumn season!

Our day for pumpkins began with some delicious pumpkin waffles and then we were off to the pumpkin patch for some autumn fun.  

Three kiddos excited for some pumpkin fun

 We were excited that the farm we visited didn't just have a pumpkin patch, but a large open area filled with fun activities for all ages.  The kids were thrilled too!  They had a small feeding and petting zoo with goats, chickens, pigs, and rabbits.  There were also rubber ducky races, a large playground, a wooden fort, a ginormous slide, tricycle track, a corn maze and the list could go on and on.  

 "Pumpkins in the cornfields

Gold among the brown,

Leaves of rust and scarlet

Trembling slowly down.

Birds that travel southward

Lovely time to play,

Nothing is as pleasant

As an autumn day!"

~Author Unknown

Ahhh...life in the country!

Family Pictures

My sweet friend, Stacy, took pictures of us in the park last weekend.  She did a beautiful job and we couldn't be happier with the pictures she captured for us!

Here are our favorite shots: