Saturday sleep-in's

Sleeping in today and other luxuries that I have missed ...

We are eeeeeasing our way back into fall schedules. Kayli has started valley performances back up (today) and John was a gem to take her. 

Other than that, only Kyler has soccer practices & Brooklyn/Brayden haven't yet begun their fall "extras".  Happy dance!

Academics seem to be more than enough to adjust to as we come down from our summer travels and freedom :)

Everyone who knows me knows that fall is heavenly to me. The crisp seasonal smells, "fresh starts" of a new school year and comfort foods that I love to serve to everyone who's over. 

Today, as John drove Kayli to her phoenix performance, I took the opportunity to fill the crockpot with fall flavors. This slower pace meant I could even pause enough to freeze time for a blog post. I've really missed journaling our happenings and memories. 

I moved slowly, lit seasonal candles/filled diffusers, turned the jazz music up. Although they tried to hide, I coerced the boys & "extra" kiddos into helping scrub/vacuum (they work in exchange for sugar cookies) 

While I purged cabinets and organizers, I remembered how quickly they become overstuffed with papers, planners and schoolwork. And -as I do every year- I silently vowed to myself to not become buried in that again. 

This is my year to StAy organized! 

((Sigh))

But for now, I'm going to enjoy the cleaned space, fresh opportunity to organize again, and the grace I'll give myself for probably never becoming "on top" of this mom gig. 

I'm looking forward to so much this coming season; even when my best intentions become buried in life's beautiful mess. 

 Life really is good even on days that it isn't.