Little Blessings

I love fall. The cooler weather (I wilt over the hotter summer months), hot cider, being able to drink hot tea again, the smells ... I also love the beauty that comes when the leaves change color. When the leaves still on the trees grow sparse - I love the stark beauty of the tree itself peeking through those last, vividly colored leaves. It has been overcast and drizzly the last few days, and it makes the colors even more vibrant - if that's possible - than they are on a sunny day. I keep saying I'm going to take pictures but I never seem to capture what exactly it is that's catching my eye in the first place.

Today was the last day of soccer. Fall baseball ended last Saturday, too, so we are sport-less for a few months - scheduled sports, at any rate. The weather was icky, wet, windy - Justin flat out refused to go on the field to play - no big surprise there, he can't stand wet grass, often won't even walk through it going to school. Betsy, on the other hand, played her heart out, ran after the ball, despite the mud, and did better on offense than I've seen her do all season. Andrew did his typical stay-back-and-watch with the occasional kick-the-ball thing. They all lit up when given their trophies (instructional league) and got all excited over their pictures, so all in all - despite a wretched day for watching for the parents - we all had a good time. I'm sure the hot dogs, chips and drinks the kids got helped with the good cheer just a bit.

We had a big "first" this evening (I'm not sure who else in the house saw it as a big deal, but I do) - Brendan ran an errand for me. I went to the grocery store earlier, but thanks to a headache, forgot to pick up the carrots I need for supper tonight. I rarely have cash on hand (deliberately), and tend to be a bit overprotective (I can see my husband rolling his eyes at that one), so I have never sent him to pick up something for me, ever. Well, tonight I had cash, and as we've been looking for ways to help him build our trust levels (turning into a "tween" is proving very hard for him), I thought we'd give it a trial run. He's been going to a friend's house very near the store, so it really wasn't a crazy stretch, but I tell you, I was very happy to hear the squeak of the screen door when he got home. It does seem strange to have a child old enough to do that kind of thing.

Justin funny for the day ... he ran outside shortly after we got home ... literally just opened the door and ran outside. He went all the way around to the back shed, came back around to the front of the house, flew in the door, stopped short, and said, "MOMMY!!! The STORM is COMING!!!" I have no idea whatsoever where he got that from. It is indeed windy and overcast and foggy and maybe even a little bit rainy, but a storm? LOL!

Last thing from me tonight: GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!