16/52

Fall is my favorite season.  Don't get me wrong, I like Spring - I enjoy the flowers and colors after what seems like six months of Winter. And even Winter has it's charms.  When we get our first real snowfall and the sun shines and makes every snowflake dazzle and sparkle - it's mesmerizing!  Summer is good too - the one season when I don't have to wear a jacket.  I'm a chronically cold person - I don't retain body heat, so I like sitting outside enjoying the breeze in the air and warmth of the sun on my skin. 

But Fall?  The apple cider, apple cider donuts, caramel apples, pumpkin muffins, - I even tried Trader Joe's pumpkin flavored Oreos (which really tasted like pumpkin, but were SO sweet!). Everything is delicious!  Yes, I know it means that Winter is coming but before the temperatures dip to sub-zero, we get this amazing display of color.  The leaves on the trees go out with a bang! 

I have a thing for barns. 

It's the time of year when I really appreciate what is around me.  My long drive to work isn't so bad when I see beautiful tree lined streets with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. It makes me want to be outside to feel the crunch of the leaves under my feet and hear the swish of the leaves as I drag my feet through a pile of them. 

I guess I have a thing for bridges too. 

 
The other reason I really enjoy Fall is that three generations of birthdays are in October - me, Abigail and my mom.  And as I think about my mom, I think of the millions of reasons I appreciate her. 

My mom and Isaac - the end of flag football season.

Like how she is Isaac's biggest cheerleader.  To clarify, she is the biggest cheerleader for ALL her grandkids.  She goes to countless games, recitals, performances, and special events.  I'm sure she's tired after a long day at the law firm.  I'm sure she would love to go home and put on her pajamas and veg out for the night, or get things checked off her to-do list, but she doesn't.  She shows up.  She cheers.  She claps (even when she isn't supposed to).  She's there.

Abbi asked for a Ukulele for her birthday.

Or how she makes a big deal out of every grandchild's birthday.  Every year she mails a birthday card with singles equal to the age of the child.  So Abbi got a very fat envelope this week - with 15 singles in it!  It had to have cost extra in postage.  Birthday children are taken out to dinner - and it's their choice - it can be just with Gramma and Papa, or the whole family can be invited.  Special and unique birthday gifts are requested - and then delivered.  Abigail went to that choir camp this summer and the elective she chose was a class that taught her how to play the ukulele.  Well, once you know how to play the ukulele, you should have one, right?  Abbi did her research and found a great beginner ukulele, sent the link to Gramma and viola, now she has a ukulele.

She puts a priority on family during the holidays.  Every holiday is an occasion to get together and have amazing barbeque. We have traditions - we make a huge mess in her kitchen in early December and bake a ridiculous amount of cookies.  We have our family Christmas celebration in the morning - in our pajamas!  She gives all of us silly string in our stockings so that on New Year's Eve, we can run outside and spray each other and make the yard colorful with neon colored string made of silly (because really, what IS that stuff??).

Mom (because I know you read this), thanks for ALL you (and Papa) do for us.  We don't tell you enough.  Nathan and I know we weren't easy to parent.  And we turned out alright.  Well, I'm more alright than he is, but he's not too bad most of the time.  But we turned out alright because of you.  We appreciate the sacrifices you made for us when we were growing up and the sacrifices you make now.  Your love, support and encouragement has carried us through good times and bad.  Thanks for being the glue that holds us together.  Love you!!

I guess I appreciate this time of year because it's so beautiful, but so short.  The leaves will all have fallen soon, been raked up and put to the curb.  The greens, reds, yellows and oranges will be gone and replaced with brown (and then soon white).  The holidays are right around the corner.  My sister-in-law, Marcy, can probably tell you right now how many weeks, days and minutes until Christmas.  And she's not alone - my friend Julie can too.  And for so long it felt so far away... but not anymore.

So go enjoy and appreciate what you see outside.  It won't be here much longer.  :)