I love the change of seasons here in Michigan, and I happen to adore Autumn the most. The crispness in the air, the unearthing of blue jeans and sweaters, and the thought of delicious soups and chilis simmering away in the crock pot just add to the joy.
I love it!
The smell of change is hanging thickly in the air. Among other things…
* Our little ones were launched off into the world of public school last week – something we feel passionately about {sending our children out as little lights into a dark world, walking alongside them as they process disappointment, tough decisions and as they navigate their often unpredictable environment}. I read the book ‘Going Public’ during our long hours on the road this summer and was just further convinced that our conviction in this area is what’s best for our family.
* Compliments of the above transition in our lives, I have acquired the sudden ability to shower sans interruption. Epic indeed. Along with this hygiene-enhancing delight, comes the return of enjoyable grocery shopping, working out and {actual} quiet times.
* Being away from home for 2 weeks has fueled the organize/purge/redecorate fibers of my being like none other and my hubby and I have been busy bees! Our kitchen is now the most stunning shade of ripe avocado {Behr: grape leaves}, all the drawers have been lined with fabulously green, stripey contact paper, our bathroom is going to get overhauled {along with a stunning hand-tiled mirror}, and our entranceway has ceramic tile just waiting to kiss its baseboards. We will be making the switch from a queen bed to a king in the next couple of weeks and have pinned the most fantastic homemade headboard tutorial. A hen house is somewhere in our not so distant future as we plan to get chickens in the Spring. I’m also forging ahead with another 31 Days purge. Aaaaargh! {hear me roar?}.
* My precious man, after waiting patiently for years {while driving his teeny, tiny (read: sad, pathetic) little ‘blue bullet’}, acquired a very sexy, black truck this week. For $1,500. Whoot whoot. He feels his Man Card was just returned to him. I am just tickled pink black for him!
* In spite of our best intentions to lead a healthy, active summer…we both packed on a few pounds. We’re in the midst of stripping bare our diet, eating whole, naked foods and retraining our palate to be satisfied when we’re no longer hungry, verses stuffed. We typically eat very well. We just tend to eat way too much of it. And I may or may not be wildly addicted to sugar. Especially in it’s chocolatey form. So here’s to a great change in our eating habits and health {chink}.
* We’ll be leading a small group at church, starting next week. We laid down all leadership positions at the end of last year for a period of ‘rest’ as we transitioned into this new church, and are excited to get back on the bandwagon.
* I have two speaking engagements lined up for next month {knuckle bumps!}
* And newest – and probably hardest – of the changes in the air for us is our decision to get rid of our smart phones. Ugh. We’re semi dreading it, and are semi thrilled about it (my hubby switched back to his old ‘simple’ phone today and turned off his smart phone in the hopes of selling it on Craigslist – I’ll be making the change as soon as we find my old phone). It was a very hard – and yet no-brainer – decision. We are so aware of getting sucked into the vortex of the technology addiction, with constant need for contact with the social media world, reading {depressing} news, and just frittering away time we’ll never get back. While we have loved our smart phones, and use them for valuable, practical purposes every day, we feel the benefit to our marriage, kids/family, and overall productivity will far outweigh the inconvenience and sacrifice of no longer having them. Pray for us. I’m scared.
* To numb the fear {not really} we made over a fresh batch of homemade laundry detergent {pics and the new recipe to come}, and 3 gallons of homemade pasta sauce yesterday and bagged and froze 47 cups of the stuff today. Woah and amen.
Other than that…we’re loving the season of life we’re in! We just feel like we’re in the center of a ‘sweet spot’ : surrounded by incredible friends, exciting adventures, and endless opportunities to grow and mature in our marriage and our walk with God.
Aaaah, yes. Life is indeed delicious!
