It's officially fall in Utah!!
The leaves on the mountains behind our home are getting more vibrant
with color, and the nights are getting colder.
It is heaven.
I'm telling you, my heaven is autumn with rain storms and dark clouds.
That seems weird, but it's so true.
(Although the clear blue skies today were absolutely amazing too).
I took this photo this afternoon before starting dinner because
I wanted to remember this stage of my life.
I want to remember the pumpkins Lottie stacked on the cake stand,
the yellow aspen leaves in the glass jar on the table,
and the way the sun shone through my windows.
I want to remember the ant-infested sunflowers that Jane and Ollie
picked for me and that I put in the kitchen.
I watched them as they picked the flowers.
Jane was wearing the skirt she made at sewing lessons and Oliver
was following behind her with the clippers.
She would point at the perfect flower, and he would snip it.
At that moment, I was exhausted, yet I felt incredibly grateful for
the ability to prepare and serve dinner for my family.
I remembered my feelings of gratitude because I
had everything on hand to make a good meal.
I wanted to remind myself that even though I was exhausted,
I also felt strong, healthy, and energetic to finish the day.
On the computer, I heard Claire help Nicholas find the perfect
birthday gifts for himself as he turns nine in a few weeks.
. Lottie was on the kitchen swing, dressed as a princess, singing to herself.
Music to my ears.
I also wanted to remember the sound of Mr. Nielson's truck coming up our gravel road.
That sound always brought me relief and comfort.
I wanted to cherish my beautifully ordinary life
and appreciate the small moments that make
each day happy.
