Project 365, Week 43

I've had many hard Octobers. This is not one of them.

This is my prayer in the battle when triumph is still on its way. This is my prayer in the fire in weakness or trial or pain. This is my prayer in the harvest when favor and providence flow.

All of my life, in every season, you are still God. I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship.

October 21

It was my complete honor and delight to photograph Avery and Jack's engagement shoot. We had beautiful foliage and beautiful weather and lots of fun walking around Wickham Park, where Jack proposed last month.

We ended the evening high up on a hill, with the sun setting over the city of Hartford.  It was awe-inspiring. 

A couple things that stuck out to me in the moment...

•  a park ranger who had come to announce the 30-minutes-to-close warning, but instead ran back to his truck to grab his camera. I imagine he has seen this view many times and yet it still captivated him
• many groups of people scattered around, sitting together there on the grass, and not taking pictures, instead breathing in the moment

That same evening, in Pennsylvania, Pop and Kiki were doing dinner with Amanda. They did some rearranging to make it possible to visit with her on the return from their cross country road trip. They spent three weeks visiting family and friends and their last stop was with Amanda. Three happy faces.

October 22

Its just a really special time of year in New England.

October 23

Shaun and I had different views of the same foggy morning.

October 24

A picnic for three at the office. :)

It was a beautiful day for soccer.

October 25

Thank you, algorithms for figuring out that I only care about seeing my kids and I'm only checking in for two minutes.

October 26

A windy Saturday morning.

For the TBQ kids who had earned enough points, we went to a farm with all of the fall things. The kids did two different corn mazes, a hay ride and food.

Jack brought his hurricane-type leaf blower and the boys made quick work of the leaves.

Amanda was helping a friend seek medical care, so she had her phone. She Facetimed in for some of Family Fondue Night (and we welcomed Jack for the first time, although he noted he's had fondue with us in Florida a couple times)

October 28

When I walked down the hall to investigate who Aiden was talking to, I found him studying TBQ. Apparently comfortable.

He waited until the night before to make his poster for senior night but lucky for him, his mom and sister bailed him out.

Project 365, Week 42

“What is God doing in my life? In the mornings, I wake to find that he has traced the world in silver. Every blade of grass. Each pumpkin on the porch. In the afternoons, I find him washing these fields with the mellow sunlight of autumn. He has gilded every rail in the fence and the sheet metal roof of the old red barn. He has transformed familiar trees into something otherworldly.” ~Roots and Sky

October 14

We left PA early to be back for some of the day. With the rising sun and foliage, it was a beautiful ride.

I was touched that Jack was quick to jump in and help with the leaves (of which we have many!).

October 15

Bright and early to NY for all of the scan things. My eyes could not process the beauty of the foliage and the sun slowly making an appearance. I breathed it all in and turned up the music, fighting my severe annoyance to be doing cancer stuff. Since it all stayed on schedule, I was able to stop for lunch at my Wegmans and get some mums and pumpkins, too. That grocery store is a whole experience.

October 16

On my way to visit Nana in the hospital (we had a scare related to some gall bladder issues...she had a procedure and is back home now) I passed a flower stand. I turned around, put my money in the tin can and got a most beautiful arrangement in exchange. I adore the fact that people take the time to grow something that cannot feed them and then take the time to share that beauty in their little corner of the world. Yes, there are wars and elections. And also, there are country-road flower stands, collecting money on the honor system in a tin can.

Aiden is always patient with me when I need to stop and take pictures on the beautiful, back-country roads we travel on the way to Midweek.

October 17

We rarely have a meal at Avery's restaurant because they have terrible food and we wait for a table, but we tried it this night. And we were rewarded with big smiles. That girl is a hard worker!

One of Aiden's buddies had his appendix out, with a hospital stay. A couple of the moms organized a gift and a visit. These boys are so blessed to have each other, most of them have been together since they were born.

October 18

Our front yard forest showing off its beauty in the morning light.

Coming up the driveway, I noticed this pansy blooming and I felt remorse for not liking this type of flower, even though they are one of the first in the spring and randomly here in the fall. So now I'm giving credit where credit is due.

Aiden's first varsity game!! Our team was up by enough that the coach sent in the subs. Aiden was in the game for five minutes and both Shaun and I were there.

October 19

JV had a jamboree which ended up being pretty lame, but it was a beautiful fall morning.

Avery was so sweet to rearrange work so she could watch her brother and two cousins' games.

October 20

Sunday afternoons are for Vitamin D. As a bonus, Amanda called and we had a lovely and lengthy conversation.

When you are engrossed in a book series but also need to eat...