So... it's been a while since I have blogged. Several reasons for that. With the start of school the kids have been more busy and there is a lot more busy work out here - they come home with a lot of homework (personally some I find to be fairly pointless) but all the same a lot of work for them is a lot of reminding and checking off for me. Also I was... okay I'll say it... a little disenchanted with my situation and homesick. I was having a hard time moving forward and needed to right myself and fix my balance before posting. Also I didn't really have any cool pictures to post. 
Now I have new material and new pictures. The kids are in full swing at school. Adderly has made quite a few friends and one she has been hanging out with quite a bit. She is in the school play and seems to be enjoying herself. Kyler seems to be struggling a bit with friends at school, but I'm never sure as he doesn't tell me a lot. He recently got a phone that can text and as I review it weekly per our agreement to learn texting etiquette, I have found a few friends he really hasn't told me about so that gives me hope he's branching out. McKye sweet guy is friends with everyone. He loves school, he loves all the new people he has met and is quite the little leader. He is "the teacher" on the playground, he helps kids learn tricks on the bars and then rewards them for their best behavior. He keeps me laughing with all the "unique" ideas he has.
I have really settled into work. Have a few families I would call my own and can wave and smile when they come in. We've now met 3 parents in the area so at least feel a slight connection to our lakeville residence.
My sister came out to visit and we had SO MUCH FUN. We went to Salem - ON... halloween!! It was like one giant costume party and we were the stars. I'm not sure if it was that our costumes were really that amazing or that the size of our group made us impressive, but we were literally stopped at least every block to have our pictures taken - we may even be on the web or Facebook with the number of shots we had taken. While Salem was a blast, it was just nice to sit and talk, and spend time with my little sis.
We are settling into fall and I can't believe how quickly I have come to understand why so many people here say that fall is their favorite season. I have never seen anything so beautiful. The trees are in full color, and as almost every street is tree lined it's like enjoying a sunset at every turn. Also the air is so clean and fresh there is a crispness that seems to speak of hopes and dreams and new things to come.
As we were in Salem there are a few places that talk about "the old beliefs" How their religion cycled around the seasons, and this is the season of the harvest. Not only a time to collect what you have sown, but to plan for the future. A time to reflect on the past, realizing that as some doors close a vast number of doors open.
I have always loved Spring for the rebirth of the world from plants to animals to the resurrection, but fall has taken on new meaning. Not just that things end, but they more so go through a time of waiting or hibernation, this season speaks of a time of reflection and gratitude. Even Thanksgiving has new meaning when I think of a season of reflection and work - getting everything ready for the winter storms, making sure all is prepared so that with spring there will be a renewal. That preparation and cycling of the seasons fits so in tune with the gospel as we learn and grow, take time to reflect - go through the storms of life and if we have prepared we can be reborn again with a stronger knowledge of eternal truths. I can't quite put my feelings into words, but I feel encompassed about in the arms of love as I watch the sun filter between the falling crimson leaves and look forward to the next season of life.
While reflecting on life's seasons, I have found myself thinking about my friends and family in Utah. Ways that I can continue to stay in touch. Obviously this blog is one and I have repented of my ways for now and am determined to write steadily (at least for a little while hee hee). I am so grateful for the conversations I had in my office with my nurses, the friendship we shared, all they taught me about life and how we treat others. I am thankful for my patients that loved me even with my human frailties. I am thankful for the neighborhood friends we had, the fun times in our backyard and the familiar faces of my children's friends. I am thankful for my family. We siblings are so different from each other, but I love the unique nature of each one.
May this season reach each of your hearts as you reflect on the past and make plans for the future.
