Blogging works best when it's done frequently. I find that the longer I wait between posts, the harder it is to write one. But today seems like a good day to try. For starters, it's a gorgeous autumn day, one of my all-time favorite kind of weather days. The air has the kind of bite to it that suggests crisp new apples. It is just cool enough to make us appreciate the sun that pokes out its head from time to time, highlighting the red, orange and yellow leaves that are still clinging to the trees. It is the kind of day, in short, that makes one grateful just to be alive. Plus, it also happens to be my birthday.
The last time I posted we were on the cusp of a new school year. I think there was a sense of both dread and excitement for all of us. R was three weeks into his second new job since our return, and I couldn't help but remember the challenges of the previous year. Now that we completed the first quarter of the school year, it should be safe to report that this year has been far smoother than the last one--and for that we are ever so thankful. I love being back in the classroom. All four kids are happier and have settled into some nice friendships. Three of them are motivated to work hard and learn as much as they can (well, two of them anyway), and while we still have frequent talks about what we miss about Australia, I think we have accepted that Pittsburgh is where we live now (with the possible exception of the one who started it all).
Here are a few highlights of the past two months.
Back to School:
Trying out new sports, cross country and baseball, and discovering new passions:
A September Birthday:
Homecoming Dance (they each went with dates, but I like this photo best):
Cousin Visits:
The changing colors of Autumn:
Truly, October has been overflowing ... overflowing with color, with laundry, with studies, with good food--yellow kiwis and Tim Tams at Costco!--with family, with notes from friends far and near, with the prospect of reunions ahead, with abundance of all kinds. For all this (and so much more), I am grateful.
Beautiful post, Christie. Everyone looks great. I'm so glad that the school year has gone off to a good start. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Shanda | 11/21/2015 at 01:18 AM