My current train of thought.

*It's just a matter of a few weeks until we know what we'll be doing for next year. A matter of weeks!! Will we be in Colorado another year? Will we be stationed to one of the places on our top ten?! I am excited and nervous and impatient and scared.

*I haven't seen my nephews since July. I am going through withdrawals.

*Oh my goodness, I had so much fun this weekend learning how to can. I'm going to talk about it more this week on my cooking blog, but I foresee lots of canning in my future.

*Elisabeth is home for another week. She told me she's ready to go back to school. I don't blame her. It's not like Julia and my's schedule is exciting for an almost 8 year old. Evan's going to take Wednesday off of work, so we'll do something fun that day. But, I will say this--Elisabeth has been playing a lot lately with her toys and books and all the things that I was thinking of getting rid of. Part of her playing might have to do with the fact that the upstairs tv is not working and I keep forgetting to see if Evan can figure out what was wrong because I tried and I don't know, but most of it is that I have been repeatedly saying, "Hey, if you're bored, you have a whole upstairs full of things to do!!" I don't feel like I should have to traipse around town going to one activity after another just because she's on fall break. I have a couple things planned this week that are fun and not in our normal routine, but otherwise we're just hanging out here. But you all know how I feel about boredom being a character builder in kids.

*I am in desperate need of new sweaters. Apparently last year I threw out a bunch that were old or worn or ruined. I still have a few but they are all black. So, I am sure a sweater shopping trip will be in order in the next couple of weeks. Ooh, which reminds me, All Kinds of Pretty (you know, the site that I occasionally throw my two bits of fashion "knowledge" in on every now and then) is back!!! After a summer hiatus, the ladies are back with lots of denim talk and more to come! I swear that that site is the only reason I branch out and try new styles of clothes.

*I bought apples yesterday. They were 57cents a pound at the Sunflower Farmers Market!!! I bought $7 worth of apples. I am thinking an apple crisp will be in order, don't you?!

*Halloween is coming up. Then Elisabeth's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Not to mention that we have people coming to visit us and I'm starting to feel the pull of the holiday seasons. Don't worry, though, cause I've already started Christmas shopping. I'm almost done with gifts for a couple of people. I know, I'm a nerd. I don't know why I feel the need to tell you how big of a nerd I am, but I do.

*Today I have to clean. And launder. And run to the store. The girls have asked to stay home after a very busy weekend, so I'm allowing it. Julia specifically said, "I no go anywhere today, Mama." She's such a homebody.

I love you fall.

Virtual Coffee

Hi! It's Tuesday, which, of course, means it's time for our virtual coffee date. Ooh, and don't forget to check out all the other coffee dates going on over at Amy's Lucky Number 13!!

I love Tuesdays. I really do.

If we were really meeting at my house for coffee today...you'd be racing into my house to get out of that cold rain. The high today is 58 degrees and it's supposed to rain pretty much all day. I love it!!! Rain is one of my favorite things and I have missed it. Plus, it was so dark and cloudy this morning, both girls slept past 8:30. No complaints here. Then I would apologize for the state of my kitchen, but last night it was either clean the kitchen or finish my book. You can see what won.

While I poured you some coffee...I would tell you that both girls are home because Elisabeth is on her fall break. For two weeks. Her school is considered year long, so she gets a long break in October, December and March. She enjoys it and I think I have enough things planned that she won't get bored (aka: start begging for tv all day because she has nothing better to do). She's been tackling the projects in her craft drawer that she forgot were even there. She has also decided that she is going to turn the upstairs play area into a preschool for Julia. Every day, she drags Julia upstairs to learn her numbers, letters, have calendar time and a snack. Elisabeth is all business about it, to the point that sometimes Julia comes downstairs whimpering because she just wants to play and doesn't want to be in school. So, I've talked to Elisabeth about how there's a reason 2 year olds aren't in preschool and that it's okay to play school if Julia's willing (which is about 50% of the time) but that she can't make Julia play school or Julia's not going to want to play with Elisabeth at all anymore. Then, Elisabeth said, "But, Mom, I want her to be the smartest preschooler when she starts school next year." Can't argue with that logic. :)
If you were really here for coffee...I'd tell you that I'm in a bake-y mood today. I foresee banana and pumpkin bread in the near future and two little girls more than happy to sample them for me. I love the way homemade bread smells in my kitchen.
After I offered you seconds on coffee...I would tell you I'm trying to be more positive--in the way I think, the way I act, the things I do and say. Especially with this whole weight loss thing. I haven't heard back on my blood work yet (which reminds me, I should follow up on that today) and I do have my appointment in 2 weeks with the nutritionist. I'm trying to not make my unhappiness with this whole thing affect everything else in my life. I'm trying to stay positive, be positive and make positive decisions. It's hard. Surprisingly hard. It is amazing how negative thoughts can sneak in and bleed to all other thoughts. And I find that more often than not I'm just very frustrated and depressed about the whole thing.
We would chit chat about what's going on in your life. What your plans are for the week, for Halloween. We'd laugh and whisper so the girls wouldn't hear the occasional grown up topic. We'd sit long past our final sips of coffee.
As you were leaving...I'd tell you how glad I am you stopped by. Nothing's better than a friend to share coffee with on a rainy autumn morning.

Bear Creek Nature Center

In June, Rachel and I took the kids to the Bear Creek Nature Center, where the children went creeking. The kids loved it and I vowed to bring Evan the next time we went.

This weekend, I kept my word.

It was a beautiful fall weekend here in the wonderful Colorado Springs. We packed a picnic lunch and headed over to Bear Creek to do a little hiking.

I shan't lie...I was in love with the way fall had completely transformed the trails.

If I had been there on my own, I would have spent hours taking pictures of the leaves alone.
Even the grass turns fall colors here.
Evan was impressed with the scenery as I knew he would be. Julia was a tad grumpy, but that's not too out of character for her.



Look! I made it into a picture!

Julia spent a lot of time on her Daddy's shoulders. She loves it up there.

I asked Elisabeth to sit on a rock that looked like a chair for a picture. She told me she couldn't because a lizard was already sitting there.



We found the creek again, but we didn't wade in it due to the coldness.



This is a nest. Maybe for squirrels? We aren't sure, but it was soooooo cool.




It was a perfect fall day.

10 on 10

Today's 10 on 10 is kind of extra special because...

It's 10/10/10!!!! And I had to take 10 pictures in 10 hours today! Hooray! (I'm such a dork)

Here's my 10 on 10:

Girl Scouts

Elisabeth joined Girl Scouts this year.

She showed interest in it when one of her friends was in it and the friend's mom was the leader. But, because of other activities she was in, we had to wait.

This year, Elisabeth asked super early to join.

I, myself, was never apart of Girl Scouts growing up. However, when I talked to one of the leaders about what they do (camping, crafts, community service stuff), I knew Elisabeth would adore being a Girl Scout.

This past Monday, Elisabeth and the other girls in her troop were initiated in as Brownies. There's a title for different grades (Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, etc.) and 2nd-3rd graders are Brownies. Parents were invited to the ceremony.

There was a ginormous mirror on the floor in their meeting room.

The girls started all outside and knocked loudly on the door. Their leader asked what they wanted and they all replied that they wanted to become Brownies. Then, the girls filed in one at a time to where the "magic pond" (aka: the huge mirror) was.

Each girl had to spin around while the leader said, "Twist me and turn me and show me the elf. I looked in the mirror and saw...." and the girls would then lean over the "magic pond" stare in and say, "Myself!".


Then the girls were given a pin for their sash that was put on upside down. Each girl must do 3 good deeds that their parents ask them to do. Only after 3 good deeds can they turn the pin right side up.
It was a super sweet ceremony.
Then they asked all the parents and siblings to join them for their friendship circle. Do you see that little boy with the sweet face holding hands with his big sister? I totally want to squish him with hugs and cuddles. He is soooooo sweet.


I love when Julia smiles so big her eyes disappear.
Evan was able to attend the end of the meeting. Elisabeth announced to the entire room that Evan was in the Air Force. She loves to state the obvious. ;)
She earned her first badge--the Try-It badge. They had to try new things (food, activities, etc.) in order to earn it. She was very proud.
Julia appreciated the brownies that were served.
In the spring there will be a big camping trip and moms are invited to attend. Elisabeth wants me to go, so I will be attending.

Oh, and if you need cookies, you know who to call.