Fundraisers, Fall, and Fun

November was a fast month, at least in retrospect.  It's amazing now, how when writing this in September almost a year later, how I realize I was just surviving.  We were all just surviving.  Had you asked, I would have said we were settled, but I see that now that we were spending so much time getting settled, making friends, trying to be happy in this new setting. The moments were fun, sometimes more work than to achieve than previously, but then we, Whitings, we are a resilient bunch.

Kody ran in his elementary school fundraiser - Run the Gauntlet.  I ran with him.  It was similar to Race for Education.  It's interesting to see PTO differences and similarities.

Then as we moved clearly into fall, I looked for any sign that it was actually Autumn time.  I photographed any tree changing colors, any hope of lost leaves, overcast skies, and cool weather.  This may be the hardest part of the move.  What has been a major aspect of my life and my favorite season is lost to me.  Sure the calendar says autumn, but each morning I walk out when it is overcast expecting it to be very cool, but warm up with clear blue skies in the afternoon.  Instead it is already warm and moist.  The overcast skies will burn off, but turn into uncomfortable heat even still.

Last...with Six Flag season passes, we have tons of fun going to Fright fest, inviting friends on free days, birthday parties, and trampoline parks. 

 

 

 

November Was A Blur

So after visiting our newest foster child at Hershey Medical in October, he was discharged to our care on October 25th. I forgot how much a newborn can addle your brain.  Whether it is the absolute lack of sleep, the non-existent interaction with other functioning adult brains, or just the vortex of happy baby snuggles and endless feedings.  The month disappeared with hardly a thought.  But I have pictures that confirm I did things and continued through the steps maybe not as technically proficient and competently, but I managed to catch the autumn leaves, help plan a friend's wedding and reception, take the boys and our slightly jealous dog to the dog park where a litter of new German Shepard puppies happened to be, pull off a Women's Club Auction, decorate for Christmas and take a trip to Texas.

Cabin Trip and Fall Leaves

The cabin is my sanctuary.  I remember going with my family when I was younger.  My dad would lay on the bottom bunk whenever he could and just read in a somewhat darkened cabin.  I would wonder how he could do "nothing" for so long.  Now that I am an adult, I love to do the same thing.  Sure I play with my kids, take some hikes, look for Elk, go to Hyner view, etc...but I do just enough so that I can spend the bulk of my time laying in bed reading.  It's the best place to be without cell service, land lines, internet.  Oh how I love it!

A Great Time To Serve

Autumn time in our home is a great time.  It's filled with excitement and energy. Snow and Christmas are around the corner.  And each day is filled with the excitement of watching which tree will usher forth its colors.  The leaves start dropping and my kids get a manic energy.

When we lived in Utah we had our own trees turning and dropping leaves.  Now we only have one.  It's not that exciting and it drops late in the season.  Many others around us don't have that same love for autumn.  For them it is the raking of endless bags of leaves.

This year I offered out our family services to two or three individuals.  They took us up on our sincere efforts.  We raked over 20 bags of leaves, which is only a drop in the bucket for those with deciduous trees.  The weather was chilly, but not unbearable.

I love my kids willingness to help others.  I hope they remember these times as good and take this with them into adulthood.  Special note:  Issac is a champion worker and all around happy boy.   No matter the task, he has a smile on his face.  That's why he has so many pics.

They're Yellow, Green and Brown

What would the autumn be without the amazing foliage of the eastern seaboard.  Nothing but good weather.  But with it, you have good weather and spectacular views and endless opportunities to serve neighbors, friends and church members.  And that's just what we did.  Plus it gives my kids a little time to play since we only have one deciduous tree in our yard  :(

It's Autumn Time

"It's autumn time, it's autumn time,
the leaves are falling down.
It's autumn time, it's autumn time,
bright colors can be found.

It's autumn time, it's autumn time,
Red, yellow, green and brown.
It's autumn time, it's autumn time,
it's all around the town."

The words of this children's song play in loop
in my head this time of year
as I see the changing colors, the fallings leaves,
and the perfect days for building piles and jumping into them. 
I live in the most beautiful part of the country ever.  See!!!