Today has been a perfect fall day. Alayna and Carson played outside in the leaves for hours. The thought of how it is supposed to snow next week and how it might be the last 60-degree day for a while made me enjoy it even more. While I was sitting on the front porch step watching them play, I thought of so many things that I love about this time of year...
-The crunch of the leaves under my feet
-How Mom used to drive through the leaves on main street when dropping us off for school,
-The first smell of wood-burning stoves
-Alayna dumping crunched leaves out of her boots and all over the floor
-The shadows being long, and it always feeling like morning or evening
-The crispness of every sound
-Carson eating leaves like crunchy potato chips
-Cozy sweaters
-Christmas music (I know...)
-Anticipation of the holidays
-Getting wood in the mountains
-Pumpkins
-Cinnamon
-Dad saying that we're headed for spring
-A big bright moon
-Fiery red leaves in the mountains
-Watching the leaves change day to day on a specific tree
-Smashed fallen fruit on the sidewalk
-Soup
-Fresh chilly mornings
-Cool breezes
-Crackling trees
-Other peoples decorations
-Peaceful and quiet
-Lots to look forward to
There are so many things I love; I could go on and on with this list. It just makes me think about how much Heavenly Father blesses us and all of His "tender mercies". There are so many things we can find joy in in an ever-changing world. It is just like the seasons, summer is wonderful and we hate to see it go and try to make it last as long as possible, but there is always something great in store for us ahead. Even though it will be different and we many not be ready for it, it will be equally as wonderful and bless us with just as much joy.
I should also add runny noses to that list. Poor Carson is getting some teeth and I could hardly get him to smile all day. Here are some pictures of Alayna and Carson playing today. They are my biggest blessings no matter what season it is... They had so much fun.
We have been so excited for snow this year. She and Carson have been singing and dancing to "Suzy Snowflake" since early September. Alayna has loved playing in the snow this year. She didn't care for it too much last year, but this year, it is hard to get her to come in the house. I can't wait to take her sledding this weekend. This is the snowman she made today. Notice its hair and suspenders. I think its pretty cute.
Alayna was so excited about all the candy she got when we went trick-or-treating on Saturday. (It's okay to do that in Southeast Idaho when Halloween is on Sunday.) She was dressed up like a "Barbie, not a princess".
Carson was a chicken, and hated being bundled up.
. . . Especially because he couldn't climb the stairs.
He was also Alayna's puppy for the trunk-or-treat.
We did lots of fun stuff, like paint our fingers and toes like ghosts and pumpkins.
Alayna decorated this pumpkin at school.
And we made ghosts out of milk jugs for the sidewalk.
Alayna was so excited to start preschool this week. I can't believe she is big enough to go to preschool! It is true that it is harder on the parent to be separated from the child when they start school. I miss her so much when she is gone, but she enjoys it so much that it makes up for all my tears.
