“Fall is perfect. Let me explain. Winter is a slow slog. It’s drags. Then spring is the process of coming out of that slog. It’s a bit faster but not by much. Summer happens in a flash. It goes by too quickly. However, the speed of fall is perfect. Not too slow and not too fast. The days go by at a nice pace.”
I love that. Around here, the fall days have been going at the nicest speed. And the weather!?! Can I just say the 70s during the day with cooler nights and mornings is gold.
* I started a draft of this post about a week ago, and since starting, we’ve been managing a major medical emergency for Jess. As I sit in the hospital with not much to do but be patient; looking at photos and sharing my thoughts on our fall up to mid-October is a nice way to stay grounded. I am sure in the future I will have things to record about the experience, but for now, I’ll stick with what’s happened up until then. But know this: people need each other (which I believe is by divine design) and medicine is amazing. Now here we go with photos.*
In this pic, stacking toys become bracelets. Elsie is the cutest age these days. Have I said that about every age and stage? The answer is yes. Her favorite activity is riding the scooter, bike, or plasma car. She’s working on saying Cs and Gs and Ss with consistency. She’ll say Titty Tat when she can say Kitty Cat but she talks so fast, she gets lazy. Jess is always reminding her to use consonants other than T. She thinks she’s 6, like Ian.
Ansel gave a talk in church and we weren’t able to make it to Primary to watch, so an older member of the congregation who I really like sent us this pic saying “he did a great job!” Remind me to do stuff like this when I’m a 60+ year old.
Double rainbow! The best part of it was the fact that Ansel and his buddy came excitedly exclaiming it as they ran inside to tell me. We had to get a photo.
We did our annual check-out-Halloween-decorations-at-Target run. We love seeing what decorations were successful enough to carry over from last year, but our favorite is seeing what’s new. Elsie couldn’t get enough of these dancing skeletons (upper right), she did her own jig.
We went out to eat after parent teacher conferences because these boys are great students. I appreciate the fact that school is interesting to them and they enjoy it. Elsie, on the other hand, just got rewarded for being two.
Ansel drew our family.
We went up to Park City and spent the weekend there. While on a short hike, we took a chance to climb the ski lift ladder. Lots of fun on a beautiful day.
I did Elsie’s hair in braids for the first time. All of my practicing of braiding my American Girl Doll hair went to good use after all.
Jess and I got to get away on a vacation with some friends. It was such a fun time. And I got to check off a bucket list item: bike along the beach.
And just because I’m thinking about him a whole lot right now. Here’s a Jess appreciation photo.
I love him so.
Halloween activities have begun. Witches Brew Party at my sisters house. Bubble bubble!
Complete with costumes.
Elsie is so dang cute, but my nephew’s costume wins.
And I was just wondering, is there a blowup pumpkin I can get that’s like, um, two stories high? The answer is yes.
And finally, Ian with his “Star Student” poster. Ian did a great job filling it out and I helped color. Take some time to look at his answers, but he sure not to miss Ian’s flared nose. This guys cracks me up.
I imagine fall will continue to move at its perfect speed like it always does, but it may be a little slower for our little family for the next few weeks. Keeping these memories alive helps me have perspective. Cherish your loved ones. Give them big hugs today and everyday. Be kind and patient and enjoy it all.
