As leaves fall

Small wonders...


Simple pleasures...

Let's start with these edible colours, from two of the fruits in season:
Besides the Gala apples, there's also the Cameo on that plate on the left. Of the pears, including the ones on the right plate, are three varieties -- the green Anjou, the red and green (turned yellow on ripening) Bartletts, and the brown Bosc that's great for cooking and baking, and tastes like the round Asian pear (not shown). But really, they're all delightful to eat out of hand. All of us, including Kait, love our fruits, and she always gives them the thumbs-up (her version is holding up one index finger for "good", or more fingers for "very good", as was the boys' when they were little, too).

Literally the fruits of the grower's labour, fall harvests and not to mention the colours are the season's best reminders for us to give thanks.

Now I may be getting a bit ahead here with the thanksgiving message already, but it's one I need to tell myself -- to focus on the joys, not that the frustrations aren't there. Same old things I'm trying not be weary about and need to give the "right" attention to: attitude from the tween, mischief from the middle child, and the youngest fighting her only nap and screaming her lungs out several times in the night thinking this mom is an all-you-can-drink-buffet! I'm so worn out, and it's awful when we have our "moments" all at the same time =(.

What helps: At day's end, if I can take a moment with the children to each pick at least one thing to be grateful for, we can try and wrap up a not-so-great day on a positive note. There's also tomorrow to look forward to: a brand new day for us to start again, no matter how messed up we are; God's love is new every morning!

Turning 14 months old last week, Kait's picked up more things. Like, blowing into the harmonica to make a little tune, pointing correctly to her nose when asked (but alas, thinking leaving her finger in there/picking her nose is funny!), and figuring out how to lift the lever on the safety gate and swing it open, and on a good day, she'll listen and shut it again instead of trying to walk up and down the stairs (vs. climbing up and scooting down backwards that's still safer for now). She also does quite a cool handstand, and the split! And oh yes, I have to watch her like a hawk!