VOTE

Fall -- turning leaves, orange sunshine, beautiful colors, pumpkins, harvest, school activities, field trips, a nip in the air, a mother's new year, schedules, waning sunlight, harvest moon, apples, cinnamon, allspice. I am trying to keep in mind all the reasons I like fall because I'm not ready for summer to end yet. There are still so many thinks I'd like to do with warm weather however the fall lover in me is beginning to wake up and nudge me toward embracing all the brilliant colors with abandon.

This year I am anxiously awaiting the outcome of the elections. It seems that our country is really at a critical point and no matter who is elected some change needs to happen. The times feel strange to me. I hate all the political ads on TV but even more than that, I am afraid for those people who only listen to the awful ads but don't read or in some cases can't read and find out what these canidates stand for. I love that in America we get to choose our leaders. Voting is such an amazing right that we get to excercise and I feel truly blessed to live in a country where my vote counts. My encouragement to all is to know what you believe and know what the canidates stand for and for pete's sake, VOTE!

For now, on this rainy Sunday afternoon, I'll leave you with some pictures of a new piece of jewelry I have designed and a field trip I went on with Moriah's class to the Lava Lands and the Lava River Caves here in Central Oregon. The trip was very fun and we enjoyed fantastic weather and lots of laughs.

Don't I always say it's been busy? Well...need I say more.

School has started and the kids are settling in well. Moriah has the same teacher she had last year and loves him still. She has all sorts of friends and is having so much fun. She plans to do Marimbas again this year and also wants to join our local swim club as well as play basketball etc., etc.,

This year Caleb is loving his teacher. He seems to be way more comfortable and not as uptight so far. I know we are only 1 1/2 weeks in but still. His teacher is a guy which Todd and I are excited about. We are hoping Caleb will be encouraged this year.

Tomorrow Moriah and I will be going on her first field trip of the year. Her class is studying volcanoes so we will be visiting the Lava Lands Visitor Center and the Lava River Caves. I hoping to get a geocache or two in while we go. Thankfully Moriah's teacher is into geocaching so it should be fun.

Summer ended up being pretty mellow around our house. We had two trips we went on which kind of wiped us out for a couple of other yearly ones we do. Todd had his 20 year class reunion in Boulder City over the 4th of July. It was so much fun. I think I already blogged about that.

The rest of July was spent doing little trips up to the lakes kayaking and generally hang out close to home.

August was more of the same though we did get to take our trailer out and go camping, again locally but it felt wonderful to be out in the woods, roasting things over fires and playing in the water. I love having a little home on wheels. At the end of August Todd was able to get some time off and we went to the Portland area for the week and were able to spend some wonderful time with Leanne and Billi as well as my Granparents. We also had a delightful time with our friends Jason and Kim and their 2 children. A highlight was going to a peach orchard and picking the most delightful peaches I have ever had the pleasure of eating. From their house, we headed to Newport and spent Labor Day weekend with my parents at their beach house. Again, it was so wonderful. We spent a lot of time splitting up and having all the girls go one way and the boys going another. We never did get down to the actual beach.

So, having said all of that, here we are. I am still trying to wrap my mind around this next school year. For me, September tends to be the "New Year" rather than January 1. It is the time I spend evaluating last year and making plans and goals for this year. I am very excited to continue working on my metal smithing and jewelry design. I have a bazaar I am getting ready for in Seaside that Leanne (my mom-in-law) puts on. In addition to that their are a couple other craft shows here in Central Oregon that I am planning on putting some of my jewelry in. It's all so new and exciting.

Todd is preparing for Awanas. He has take on a new role this year and will be one of the T&T directors which is a pretty big responsibility. He is so good with those kids and enjoys them so much. I love watching him teach them and am so glad he has found something that brings him so much joy.

Work has continued to be pretty intense for him but again, he is really doing well. He has really become a great manager and his employees respect him so much. We always sit on the couch for a while after he is home from work and he tells me all about his day. I enjoy hearing about what is going on and it helps me feel a little more connected with that part of his life.

Well, I think I will leave you with some pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Tulip