what matters most

i fell in love with adjectives as as young kid. i remember the teacher telling us we needed to write a describing story using our new found "modifying words". they captured me, had me nailed.

and good thing, because our life is full of them. rich with story words.

this weekend was no exception. we packed dictionary pages of adjectives into 3 days.

not intentionally planning to cram so much in, 'cause i am constantly in search of the yin and yang for our life.
ever trying to make sure we aren't turning 'busy but good things' into 'chaos with too much'.

... sorting out the "do your homework" moments with the need to "snuggle and just be" moments of life. sounding the orders for bedtime, while giving in to the"just one more times."

deciding whether to home in for the night, or open the house to a bunch of teens or college students...

the fill and deplete. the ongoing quest for balance.

and thankfully, though crazy busy, this weekend was one of good fill-ups.

it began with a parade through our homey downtown...with a generous dose of fall breeze and squealing kiddos scrambling after candy. all woven into the sounds of my favorite marching band as they ushered in the excitement...




and this fall has graced us with sunshiny Indian summer days and nights, where shadows fall long and the harmony of the melodic chords of a season change are all around.



then, following the usual hustle/hassle of the "suiting" of the son, Carter looked incredibly handsome as he escorted his date for the homecoming dance.


and I was not the only mom flashing camera apparel and lurking around bushes in order to get the right lighting for just the perfect picture story. sadly for the kids, there were several of us.
thankfully for the kids, they do love the pictures...



yep, a great guy , he is!

my miracle rose bush which i personally dug up the last roots of and scrapped two years ago,... came alive again this fall! and just as summer is a bit tardy this year in her exit , i am so grateful that these incredible roses are sharing that pace, gracing us a little longer with the beauty and scent only a rose can produce.

and my beautiful Astor was also a "mistake", planted with two breeds that so beautifully interwove together . again, thanks nature... for being our teacher.

but my most fun find of the fall has been my geese, whom Kylie and I oohed and ahhed and set all different ways until they were... well....just perfectly perched for their fall visit. welcoming onto our cozy porch all who would like to curl up and chat, brush a dog, read a book , or just enjoy the magic of autumn.


time is marked with pumpkin patch visits and i take them in with awe. beautiful growing up girls, with so much waterin' and growin' yet to do as they are becoming. but i soak up their "lovely", laugh with their goofy and fun natures, and their sisterness... as i watch a weaving of a bond as tight as they come.


and after all this goodness, we still had Sunday and Aunt Genelle's birthday in Sprio Oklahoma.

sprinkle in some cousins and sis in laws and warm family chatter with the kitchen crew. yep, it fills hearts with the sense of being a part of something bigger...family.


where grandson's proudly share the legacy of a treasured grandma.


and we can laugh with cuz, cuz he rolls his tongue when he concentrates....


where the little old church side yard becomes an instant game of football and grass stains.
and all the grandkids sneak around the little sanctuary ,peeking out of the baptismal and pretending to be the preacher man.

they laugh...and play, and take their turn in the family role of babysitter
and there is a sense of belong. a rich investment in their hearts.



and with the emotional good stuff of family comes all the food good stuff of family. enjoyed by all, especially the littles.

thank you aunt genelle and aunt charleen for sharing your birthdays with us! for giving us another chance to celebrate family.

nana , bro and sis n law, ray and linda, and neice kate followed us to our house where we still enjoyed the last bits of sunlight, and a beautiful sunset disappearing behind the lake across our street.



followed by more good food round our big table and hours of chatter and picture looking, as we about hyperventilated over the beauty of ray and linda's switzerland and germany trip.

and the girls wrapped up the weekend with a cup o' tea....


ours was allot. ours was good. we're that good kind of tired. hope you are too. blessings.