gratitude Archives - Page 2 of 4

October Camping… err, “camping”

Posted by Carolyn on October 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

Last Christmas, Alma’s gift from my mom and step-dad was a camping trip with her cousin Liam and their dads. They decided to go to Silver Fall State Park. Of course, it turned out to be the first rainy weekend in months. They went anyway, and decided to play the camping part by ear.

When they got to the park, it was sunny and warm. They hiked around the waterfalls, in the woods, and had lots of fun. They had a picnic lunch in the lodge and hiked some more. Alma and Liam are just a few months apart in age, so it was fun for them to get to spend so much time together. One of the stories they came home with was from the caves. Alma said to Liam, “Will you protect me?” and Liam replied, “I AM SCARED.” Alma has been looking forward to her camping trip for months. She would tell me, “I’m going camping with Grams and Grandpa. You are not coming. Harriet is not coming. Daddy is coming.” She was very clear about this. There was no way I was going to sneak into the car. Of course, the rain showed up. They embraced the water and got soaked. At this point, it didn’t matter if the rain was falling, or the creek was splashing. It was warm enough that it was still fun. It was so wet, though, that everyone decided to head home. They realized they would have just spent the whole night in their tents as a fire would have been impossible and everything would be too wet to sit on. I don’t think Alma was too disappointed. They got to do all the fun things of camping without sleeping on the wet ground. I can’t wait for this to be an annual tradition. Maybe next year Grams and Grandpa will take Alma and Liam without their parents… maybe they’ll take Harriet, too!

The photos in this post were all taken by Jesse. He did a great job, didn’t he?

Playgroup Pumpkins

Posted by Carolyn on October 5, 2015 6 Comments

Our Fourth Annual Pumpkin Patch Playgroup. I could write a lot about this, but I’d basically just say the same thing I’ve said before (here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here). I won’t put you, the reader, through that again. I’ll just say that I love raising my kids with these people.

Before I post the photos from this year, let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we?

2012: So many Ergos, so few people. This was one of our first organized outings. We have grown in families and children. Most kids weren’t walking yet. Leia and I were almost pregnant, but this was it! Seven kids in this photo!

2013: Quite a bit bigger. A few pregnant moms, two new babies, eleven kids. andthenthey pumpkin 2013 2014: Even more! More families, more babies, more pregnant moms! Just more! Fifteen kids (I think!) andthenthey pumpkin 2014 2015: Wow! So many kids! So many people! No pregnant women (as far as I know!) Nineteen kids! Today was one for the books. We were planning on going to our usual, traditional farm. Someone (Jane I think) checked their website and saw that they didn’t open until noon. We were all on Facebook discussing what to do. My family was already in the car, ready to go, so I suggested a change of venue (after changes of time and other ideas had been thrown out there). Everyone agreed and spread the word. It might not sound impressive, but it was quite amazing to watch 10 moms discuss and agree and mobilize all within about three minutes. I told you this playgroup was special. I love these people.

Hayride, pumpkin picking, corn mazing, fun, fun, fun. It was an oddly beautiful day. I love these sunny, crisp days, but I have to admit, I’m getting anxious for the rain to come (and stay for a while). Call me crazy!

Autumn To Do List, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 23, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s the first day of Autumn! Officially! Finally! Here are some photos from last Autumn and a list of things to do this Autumn. Feel free to play along! andthenthey autumn to do 6

Drink hot cider.
Drink pumpkin beer.
Go to the pumpkin patch.
Make art.
Make Halloween costumes.
Go trick or treating.
Make new Beatrix top.
Christmas gifts.
Make apple crisp.
Jump in puddles.
Go on a date.
#30daysof thanksgiving on Instagram.
Go on a hay ride.
Go to a Halloween party.
Find some snow.
Put the garden to bed for the winter.
~~Decorate for Autumn~~. Done!
Make Christmas banner for CaroMade.
Prep the December Daily album.
Get some Advent things ready like:
1. The Goodness Gnomes (or whatever they will end up being.. I bought some little fairy things at the Country Fair this year).
2. Other traditions for Christmastime/ Advent.
~~Drink tea~~. Done! That one was easy!
Do a puzzle.
Eat some cheese.
Plan our 10th Anniversary Party.
Go to the library.

Gratitude – One Little Word – 2014

Posted by Carolyn on December 30, 2014 3 Comments

My One Little Word for 2014 was Gratitude. As I said in my post from last December, I’ve done a One Little Word, but it’s never been incredibly meaningful. Until 2014, when my One Little Word was GRATITUDE.

I was very intentional with my word. I thought about it every single day. I wrote down what I was grateful for every single day. The wordle above shows all those words. The cool thing about wordle, is that the frequency of each word increases the size of the word in the final word cloud.

So, clearly, in 2014 I was most grateful for my friends. Followed closely by my mom, my dad, Jesse, family, and home. Then, a little smaller is Harriet, Alma, church, Eugene, alone, parents, and Autumn. Isn’t that just lovely?

Looking back at my list of words, I am a little surprised that Jesse isn’t bigger. I think this is because it’s obvious that I’m grateful for Jesse (and Harriet and Alma). I probably could have filled a whole year writing down just their names, but I was trying to go beyond the obvious and think about what I was seriously, truly grateful for each day.

That was usually special time with friends – time that rejuvenated me – time that expanded me – time that filled me. I can still feel that feeling of gratitude that comes with good time with good friends. I’m not sure that I had ever paid much attention to the enormous amount of gratitude I felt for my friends.

Or my parents. Sure, I have always appreciated them. They are amazing people. I was lucky to have been raised by my mom and dad (and my step-dad and step-mom). This year, it is clear that they do a lot for me and my family. They watch my kids (and love them in the process) so I can work, or get things done that would be difficult with 2 toddlers in tow. They feed us food. They keep us company. They have ideas for me, and encourage me.

I have loved 2014. I have really loved giving thanks every single day. I think I’ll miss it. I’ll always be grateful.

Friday Gratitudes 40, 41, 42 & 43

Posted by Carolyn on October 31, 2014 Leave a Comment

3: Friday
4: Traditions
5: Dad
6: Walking
7: Church
8: Love
9: Family
10: Rach
11: Autumn
12: Friends
13: Holiday
14: Friends
15: Motivation
16: Home
17: Friends
18: Art
19: Church
20: HealthFirst
21: Friends
22: Autumn
23: Bedtime
24: FitBit
25: Family
26: Friends
27: Mom
28: Church
29: Time
30: Me-Time

Friday Gratitudes 38 & 39

Posted by Carolyn on October 7, 2014 Leave a Comment

19: Story time
20: Restaurants
21: Nursery
22: Jesse
23: Autumn
24: Friends
25: Home
26: Walking
27: Friends
28: Family
29: Half days
30: September
1: Friends
2: Kids

Friday Gratitudes 36 & 37

Posted by Carolyn on September 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

5: School.
6: Love.
7: Friends/music.
8: Preschool.
9: Mom.
10: Walk.
11: Memories.
12: Friends.
13: September.
14: Shower.
15: Courage.
16: Mom.
17: Walks.
18: 100,000.

Oh How I Love Fresh Starts -Autumn 2014

Posted by Carolyn on September 15, 2014 1 Comment

To me, there are three times in the year when we all get fresh starts. Fresh starts to set new goals, or to recommit to old goals. These are my favorite times of the year.

The first is obviously New Years. I love to clean up all the Christmas decorations and go into the new year feeling fresh and clean. The resolutions always feel a bit forced to me because there’s that overriding sense that we will all fail at these goals. But, there is also the choosing of the One Little Word. And the new numbers we have to learn to write in the date boxes on forms.

The next time of year when we get a fresh start is Novruz. It is the Spring equinox, and a time of growth and rebirth. At this time, we get to leave all our problems, worries, and bad things in a fire to get all burned up.

The third time is Autumn. After a long, hot summer, It always feels so good to feel the crispness in the air. The light starts to change. The leaves turn red, yellow, orange. The grass turns green again. Kids and teachers are making new starts in their classrooms. They buy new clothes, pencils, backpacks. The school year is full of amazing possibilities. I always loved when it was time to go back to school. It’s no surprise that I went into teaching with this kind of attitude about school.

The summer is hard for me. I don’t like the heat – it drains my energy and creativity. I don’t like how everything looks dirty – without a good rain dust and dirt starts to build up on everything. I do have to admit that summer is a lot more fun with kids. It’s been great getting to play outside and swim so much. I also loved all the fun things we did this summer – the track meets, trips, and lots of fun park dates with friends. But I’m pretty much ready for a cleansing rain and cooler weather.

I always get a surge of energy around this time of year. Energy for decorating my house (this is pretty much the only season I actually decorate – besides Christmas). Energy for making things. Energy to work in the garden. Energy to drink tea and do jigsaw puzzles. Energy to cuddle and wear slippers. Energy to stay up late playing board games.

I know some people hate to see summer end, but I say bring on autumn! And I’m already indoctrinating Alma. I have her on the lookout for autumn – whenever we’re in the car, she’s looking for the changing leaves and yells “MOMMMMY!!!! AUTUMN!!! OVER THERE!” whenever she sees some. Hattie even pointed out a yellow tree on our walk yesterday.

So, let’s set some goals. Let’s clean up our gardens. Let’s make things. Let’s drink tea and cuddle with the people we love. Embrace it!

I will leave you with my autumn anthem by Laura Kemp. Enjoy!

Hannah Branch!

Friday Gratitudes 35

Posted by Carolyn on September 5, 2014 2 Comments

Friday the 29th: Mom and Phyllis. We had a lovely park picnic with our sweet friend Phyllis.

Saturday the 30th: Clouds. Love the clouds, rain, weather.

Sunday the 31st: Poppy. Got to meet a sweet baby.

Monday the 1st: Holidays.

Tuesday the 2nd: Thanksgiving. When Katrina suggested that she would roast a turkey and we would be sides, I was all in. And it was delicious.

Wednesday the 3rd: Walks. I love this early fall/ late summer weather. It is so much more pleasant to walk when there is a nice breeze and it’s under 90 degrees.

Thursday the 4th: School. Parent orientation for Alma’s school. Whoa.