10/15/08

Seasons

I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee, a nice breeze floating through the screen door, bringing with it the smell of fall in the air. I'm watching leaves drift lazily to the ground in various shades of yellows, browns, reds and deep, deep orange. The house is fairly quiet, with just some Taylor chatter as she plays with her toys and crawls around, stopping every couple minutes to see what Dora is exploring today.
Jake is home sick, but even he's been pretty peaceful today (puking all night will at least make you seem peaceful, when it's really just taken all of your energy.) Everything seems to be at ease, and I'm just kicked back, enjoying my coffee, the quiet and my favorite time of year.

We need it, all of us. We've been stressed to the limit recently, and this lull is just what the doctor ordered for some recharging. There have been so many things happening (good bad and in between) that it was to the point where every small thing seemed huge, daunting, one of those "oh what NOW?" deals. And it's mostly been fairly normal stuff- Taylor teething, not sleeping, etc. Alyssa finding her wings and pushing the limit (and getting grounded) with attitude and responsibilities. Planning for birthdays, holidays, etc- from the time fall hits, it's one occasion after another. So there's re-budgeting, planning, etc., and that's somewhat stressful on a good day. LOL

Now, it seems to be settling some. I can think about baking, about decorating for the holidays. About my Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, all the things I love so much about this time of year. Seriously- I start playing Christmas music in early November, ok? And speaking of?!?! (You knew it was coming, didn't you? Yes, of course you did.) My FAVORITE Christmas album of all time has finally been reissued. It's been out of print since.. what, early 90's?... and all i had was a cassette that finally died on me a couple years back. Now, I can finally introduce the kids properly to even more music from my boys- (insert evil laughter). I think they'll like it better now that it doesn't sound warped and slow (cassettes do not hold up well for nearly twenty years, even if they are only played once a year.)

I'm enjoying the changes. In the kids, in myself, in everything. I feel so different. Like I'm finally comfortable in my own skin. Like this is the time when things are finally going to settle into place how they are supposed to be. Like the pieces are going to fit, not bulge and crack as I try so hard to MAKE them fit. This is the right path, the one we are on right now. I don't know where we're going, but I think that's ok. I think that's how it should be.

Now- here's what we all need to do. Go play in the leaves. Let them crunch and crackle under your feet. Jump in a huge pile and roll around. Toss them in the air. Whatever you wanna do. and then go have some warm apple cider (with a cinnamon stick!) and bask in the ultimate time of year!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

GREAT post! I could feel the peace basking from my computer screen.... amazing how you put words together that I could actually feel. I love it!

Anonymous said...

You make me miss living in a state with trees! Sure, Colorado has mountains full of Aspen & Pine, but I sure do miss Maple & Oak and the leaves that go with them!

But the cooler weather and visits to the pumpkin patch are definitely helping me celebrate fall! =)