Fall R and R

The sumac has already started to change in our neck of the woods. The geese are starting to fly again and the weather is noticeable much cooler. It definitely feels like fall, but summer isn’t quite over yet. The older two still have their swim lessons at the Aquatic Center in town. It has been so cool to seem them blossoming spending time with their classmates and having a good time in the water as their confidence grows. They do a great job here. 
 

Today there was some free time. Normally I join them but it is a bit chilly in the mornings now. Here Two is shooting so fast down the slide all I got was his foot.

Avril is a bit more dainty while Two cheers her on.

It has been quite the year for us including some huge huge life changes. As we enter the fall it is very satisfying to look back over the year and respect the learning curve. My it has been a diificult one. So much is new–life in rural America, raising animals including hooved animals, managing a much larger farm then we have ever had to deal with, homeschooling and the impending pregnancy of our 5th child to name just a few. While alot of things haven’t gone as we hoped this year, the time of slowing down and rhythm is upon us and it is so comforting after a hectic spring and summer.

As my pregnancy progresses I am able to do less hard labor so I am working more on beautifying our home and making it our own–something we never did before. Before we felt very transient. Even though we lived in the same home for 8 years it didn’t feel like our permanent place and as it filled with children we knew it we were out growing it fast. But now we are hopefully in our permanent home and let me tell you roots feel good. Here is a picture of our bedroom. I made the curtains with an assortment of fabrics. The pictures are some cheap document frames I got and filled with artwork from the children. They were so excited to see their artwork on display in such a permanent way. I think it really dresses up the place. And while the room isn’t complete it is getting to be a place I love to go and just relax.

Baby fever is hitting me. I think it is probably the fact that we are settling down and that this will be our 2nd boy. After 3 girls everyone is excited for the change. Feeling more settled allows me to knit and create for this baby. I have added knitting to my evening relaxation. Here is a little buddy I made the one from 101 Designer One Skein Wonders. I am also working on a sleep sack for the baby and planning Christmas presents for all my wee babes. So much fun.  

I also love taking time for beauty. Special thanks to the sellers who left this beautiful hibiscus tree. It makes all the work keeping it through the winter worth it as it is blooming now. Reminds me of last year when we first looked at the place and reminds me, we are in a wonderful place–relax and enjoy it.