Scuffling

Her feminine little work boots scuffled through the tissue-paper crunch of fiery painted leaves, alerting my hearing to an unappreciated sound. I had overlooked the fragrance, colour and crisp loveliness of fall out of fear and selfishness. I missed some of autumn this year because of dreading the winter. When the last leaves were drifting to their final resting place, I glanced back at a season I had hurried through, and mostly stayed indoors for, and I longed to have a re-do. The picture of life became clearer as I realized I can miss what God is offering me in the present by being so busy planning and thinking about what may come. Although, I love many aspects of winter, and I don't have much to fear of the future, that I am aware of, I allowed myself to become less than grateful for the serenity and brilliance of fall days. With all my normally regular woodsy walks and practicing thankfulness, I don't know how I succumbed to this attitude--but I did. 

Looking back at photos--the very few I took--I regret not savouring, and yet, I know I can apply that gratitude to this moment, this season, no matter how long and cold it may seem. There is a gift in the everyday, in the little things, in the wilderness, in the seemingly less beautiful. And, so I pray for the wisdom and joy and openness to embrace today. Scuffling helps. Watching children helps. Gratitude helps.

Gratitude:

1995. fire in the leaves
1996. Holy Spirit whispers that wake me up
1997. new seasons, new chances for thankfulness
1998. cold weather (yep, speaking words of life!)
1999. how children see the beauty in every season
2000. how I blinked, and my toddlers jumping in the leaves turned into big kids still jumping

Doing Autumn

Before the snow flies, we take a few trips to the apple farm. It's not too far from our place so driving over on a whim is easy. We pick our own apples and a pumpkin, and maybe, just maybe, a caramel apple or pumpkin cookie. I stroll slowly past the eclectic assortment of jams and jellies in the shop, slide my hand across the freezer of uncooked pies. I settle on cheddar and jalapeno scones to add to the squash soup I've already made at home. My children race the wagons, climb on the rocks and swat the bees that buzz around the apple taste-testers. Then, as we pile back into the truck, we feel a little more like we've done autumn. 

 

Gratitude:

1674. for wagons and how they never outgrow them

1675. apples, a blessed variety!

1676. finding Uncle Warren working in the poly-houses and sharing our apples with him

1677. big "brothers" who pull really fast!

1678. little arms trying so hard to do what the big people do

1679. how these little things like finding the perfect pumpkin are still important to her :)

1680. the way he knows that getting her to help will make her happy

1681. enjoying another little one coming on all our adventures

1682. how she's grown so much we can laugh our hearts out at the same things till we cry

1683. the way he cares for her even without prompting

1684. his belly laugh that explodes from the simple joy of climbing on pumpkins :)

1685. how this "big" adores this "little"

 

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease." Genesis 8:22

 

A New Season Creeps Up

September crept up on me and I wasn't prepared for changing leaves and school buses whizzing past our home. I found myself reluctantly scrambling to get my head into the game of books and pencil crayons, of maps and field trips. But here we are, beginning our homeschooling again and as I waken earlier than I did all summer and remind children of chores and journals, I embrace the season and thank God for His goodness in every area of our lives.   

 

Verse for the year: "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Philippians 4:5

(because we need this one :)

Grade Two

 

Grade Four

 

Grade Seven

Grade Ten

Vanderkids--somewhat excited to be back at it ;)

 The teachers--praying for a diligent, God-seeking year!
 

How is it going for you?

 

Whisked Away By Winter

Our mild and lovely Autumn has just been whisked away by wintery winds and snow.

Farewell, Autumn... till we meet again and I scuffle in your brilliant and gently placed blanket.

Autumn Tradition and Growing Up

She sits there all teenager-ish on the wagon ride, sipping her hot chocolate, and I am distinctly aware that they're all seeming a lot older than usual. We visit this place almost yearly but this time all my children sit quietly, bumping along, arms resting on the rails, pointing out pumpkins and brilliant leaves shining in the sunlight. This time there were no tantrums in the corn maze, or crying because of the cold temperatures, or falling from the hay bales. There was only one bathroom break and one moment of begging for a treat. It's not until I'm at a location that I frequent only once every few seasons that the disparity between who they were last fall and who they are now is obvious.

I stand at the opening of the corn maze and in one minute they all race out exclaiming this is way too easy now and how the riding toys are too little. We just may be out-growing this place but I still savour the aroma of the freshly baked pies, choosing pumpkins and apples and taking photos in the crisp air. And as we load up our goodies and pile into the truck at the end of the afternoon, one by one they call out, "Thank you, Mommy for taking us!". I pull out of the driveway of this nostalgic farm and I'm thinking about how much they're growing up but also, how much this autumn tradition is still a sweet thing.