transitions

It has been an absolutely beautiful transition into fall this year, don't you think? My favorite time of year... I visited my dear old friend Leez in Westcliffe last weekend for a knitting retreat, and I am kicking myself for not taking my camera. We had such a great time! The drive there was awesome, and staying in Leez's sweet, cozy country home made the trip that much better. Always does. {She even made vanilla spice coffee syrup, people...}

When my girls get up from their naps today, I'm going to recruit their help to pumpkinize our house with our fallish things. Liv especially will enjoy deciding where to put things; she is a helper through and through. {Today, we stopped by Donahue's Paper Emporium, and the girl had to touch every thing she saw. But then, she was probably just copying me! She kept asking me, "Why all this paper mommy?" All I could say was, "Isn't it wonderful??"}

We left with some paper bag envelopes and a spool of thin twine. Our second official fall purchase, after these mums a couple of weeks ago. I'm very proud that they are still alive!

I've been sitting on our front stairs during naptime lately. Sometimes it's just to sort mail, but often it's nice to just be outside by myself to enjoy some sunshine and quiet; it doesn't happen often enough! I love the simplicity of just... sitting and enjoying.

It's almost October, and I know that the end of this year is going to be rough. I was just telling Raul yesterday that I knew it would be, and already I can feel it creeping up.  With my parent's anniversary date (1) and my mom's birthday (19) coming up next month, I can sense a new shadow of grief looming, just waiting to darken some days for me, and for my dad, as we begin the holiday season.

And you know... I'm dreading that that's going to happen... but I don't have to fear going through it. The peace of knowing my Lord is actively, faithfully ministering to my spirit every day in different ways will hopefully lessen my dread, too. I'm asking Him to do that for me, anyway! We lose our parents and families from this earth, but we never lose our Heavenly Father or His love for us... Ever...

Music has been a comfort to me, and this is one of my favorites:

Ahh. I had to get that out. Thanks for listening.  Sadness aside, I really am looking forward to this new season, and kicking it off with my best friend and a knitting retreat was just what I needed. Our little family has plans to go to the pumpkin patch and to Cider Days (a carnival of sorts where you can press your own apples!), and watch classic movies (my faaav.o.rite), knit, bake, and have fun with the girls... lots of new memories are in store.  Oh, and I need to get planning this little one's First Birthday Party:

Get ready to party, Natalie!