My life - from the impact of great loss, to a refreshing new take on life and a place where I now share ............... my favorite Plant Strong recipes....

Friday, October 19, 2007

Changing Seasons














Ok, so I am loving the change in seasons. The crisp air, the colors. Really, I thought I would dread fall - the idea of it seemed dreary to me. I feel like we missed so much of spring and summer with all our time at the hospital. Yet somehow this is nice now, not dreary at all, but peaceful.

More time to rest instead of trying to function and do, do, do. More time to be mellow as a family… more time for home cooked meals and games. There’s something about the rain that makes me love to be in the kitchen, and Kati is loving the games geared towards her age.
More time to snuggle up in a blanket with a good book.

More time for football.

Yep, you read me right. Jeff and I are both enjoying football more this year - both youth and NFL. We’ve been to several games now to see our friends play, and Jeff is looking forward to staying home instead of taking on the seasonal job that he’s done for many years - leaving more opportunities for him to enjoy the Raiders this year. It even seems like they’re doing fairly well this year…. Amazing!
More time for cribbage, and for gathering with friends. A good movie sounds good.
I think the fog is starting to lift. It still gets thick at times, but each day seems a bit better than the last.

Kati’s preschool class had a field trip to visit one of the many farms/pumpkin patches in the area. But when looking over the papers, I found that it is to our favorite pumpkin patch that we’ve gone to many times over the years since Chelsea was her age. The idea of being with a group of people that I don’t really know, bombarded with all the memories we have out there (hay fights, baby pumpkins, pony rides, nut house, hot doughnuts, fresh cider, goats in tree houses….) well, it was a little more than I thought I could handle.

So, some friends and us got an early start last weekend and had a great time at a different pumpkin patch before the crowds arrived. Coffee, fog, warm doughnuts, pony rides, pig slop, hay rides and of course, lots and lots of pumpkins.
Hope you enjoy the pics!
(Thanks to Lindsey and Jen for taking them!)














If you would like to be added to my mailing list to receive updates when I post, please email me at chelestay@yahoo.com with "BLOG NOTIFY" in the subject line. Thanks!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I crack up everytime I see that pic of Dani on the swing! These are great! Thanx for letting us tag along! Love you~ Jen

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you were able to make some new memories of going to the pumpkin patch without Chelsea. I'm also excited that you're enjoying fall. I so dread this winter rain. I've never enjoyed it in the past and now that our spring, summer, and fall have been taken by cancer, I think it's going to be even harder to get through this year. But when I think about it, it seems like we'll we waking up from our nightmare when all this is over.
Christmas of 2006 is when McKayla began to not be her normal self. Christmas of 2007 we should be finished with treatment and pick up right where we left off a year ago. I know in reality it won't be that way. If only this year could some how be boxed up and hidden away in a closet, never to be thought of again. Unfortunately for the rest of our lives we'll never forget all that McKayla has endured and all the other families we have met through the process. Like You :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy to hear that the Lord is blessing you this season. It looks like you had an awesome time with family and friends. See you tomorrow night - can't wait to give you a hug and to hold Kati! You guys are the best! I love you. ~Em

Lori said...

I was driving to work the other day just praising God for his artistry. I never tire of the beauty of an Oregon autumn.

I'm glad to hear that you're finding ways to build new memories and honor the old ones without being overwhelmed. It can be a tricky balance!

We too love a great game of cribbage. Give us a call if you are ever up for a game night.