LOVE

I've been going through an interesting learning experience the last few months with someone close to me that has made me think about loving others. I decided to share my thoughts.
*Love is rarely easy, but always worth it, not because of how the other person might respond or reward our feelings, but because of how we grow within ourselves. Most times, the more dificult a person is to love, the more our souls and abilities expand and enlarge.
*Love is not an obligation, but is often a responsibility. It is always the responsibility of a parent to love a child. If a parent doesn't love their children, he/she better get busy and find that love. Love between a parent and child must first come from the parent, though it doesn't always work that way, it should. The best place for a child to learn how to love and about love is from the parents.
*You don't "fall" in love, you "fall" in infatuation or adoration. Love is a choice...always. If we don't love someone, then it is our choice. No matter what another person does to us, we can always choose to love. And that is what makes love so much work, and at times, hard to do. There are times when I don't want to love someone and I chose not to. So often we put so much responsibility of what goes on in a relationship on the other person, when nothing we do can change another or their minds...that's their choice...but loving them is our choice plain and simple.
*Every time I choose to love, I'm uplifted. Loving someone isn't always fun, or happy. Love can mean saddness, frustration and disappointment. But when I let love guide me, I always feel peace.
No matter the length of time or curves in the road it takes for us to find success in our loving of others, we can reach our ultimate goal. Here's to getting there.

Pumpkin Patch

Last week for family night we went to the pumpkin field on 9oth. I love the look of all those pumpkins spread out, row after row. Everything about it has the feel of fall. We walked the entire length of the field, enjoying the colors, odd shapes, and each other's company. When we got to the end, we finally had our choices. Last night we carved them. Only Matt chose a "typical" pumpkin face. Jensen wanted a transformer, Joseph had to have KITT from "Knight Rider" (the 1980's version, no less) and Nadine delicately drew her little Piglet on her tiny pumpkin. All in all, a fun and fabulous Halloween tradition!

Witches' Tea

My friend Emily has a
Witches' Tea Party every October. She makes LOTS of food, we all bring food as well, and we eat and chat and have a fabulous time. She decorates to the hilt and the house looks amazing. Afterward, we go to Gardner Village for the Witches' Night Out. Tonight it was perfect weather and we all enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Emily!! You're the best!

Jump for Joy!

I do preschool with 4 other ladies. We rotate weeks, which is great. My week is this week. Paul purchased a mini-trampoline last week and the children LOVED it. I thought I'd share some photos. The looks of pure joy on their faces really lifts the spirit. We should all find something like this to make us as happy for even a few moments. Finding a little joy each day is what makes life so wonderful.

A Little Too Inviting?

As I've said before, I feel that I have created a peaceful yard. I love that birds, animals and, of course friends and family enjoy coming to visit. My eagle-eye, wasp nest expert son, Joseph, found this "little" house in our tree a few months ago. As the leaves have begun to fall, Paul was able to get a good photo of this wasp nest. It is over a foot tall and about 10 inches across. I don't even want to think about how many visitors are housed in it. I do have an open door policy for my yard, but I must admit, this nest does make me consider perhaps installing a few "rules". =)