Arsenal in Autumn

  Sunny days in Colorado are glorious for two reasons :
1. There are always new places to explore
2. If it's 60 degrees...it feels like 70 (me likes to be warm...very warm.)

Brady can't handle "walks." They bore him, him feels agitates....he just isn't into them. After about two years of feeling like "my son needs exercise, he needs fresh air...he SHOULD enjoy this because MOST people do" I've finally changed my thinking to "He can get fresh air playing in the backyard, I'll give him extra vitamin D, and he isn't MOST people." So, we will let him sit in the car and read or play the ipad (God bless the iPad) or we will leave him in his room for about a hour or two with the instructions that he needs to stay in his room. Brady is an avid rule follower so he does what he's suppose to do, and he loves texting us while we are gone.
 This allows the rest of the family to get out a little bit more and for my other three kids who adore the outside to run and play without listening to their older brother growl and spit in the background. Win win ....every one's happy. Work with what you have instead of coveting what you can't right? I would love for Brady to love nature walks...I'm a nature lover - I almost cry if I see a tree's reflection in water or light on tall brown grasses - Brady sees something that isn't exciting, and the sun hurts his eyes. That's fine - he is who he is...but I will always be who I am - so sometimes we will just have to do different things. :)

 With all of this being said...I give you my pictures of our family walk at the local nature arsenal. This area is about 10 minutes from our house and is just miles and miles of prairie and has a lake, little bridges hear and there, lots of paths for kids to run down - and the afore mentioned "brown grasses and tree reflections." The top picture is of a grass call "Granny Blue" or something - I loved it. It reminds me of something that a little mouse family would live in ... you know the ones...the mice with the thimble cups and the matchbox beds. So lovely and cozy and homey and the perfect grass.

  Trinity was stoked that the weather was warm enough for a tank top and skirt. This is what I'm saying - 60 degrees but tank tops and skirts totally wearable.

 I wish I could know how old this tree is. Unfortunately the only way for us to know it's actual age is to murder it - not a good option. I like to pretend like I know the age of trees, my kids think I'm cool when I say "Oh yah, that baby was certainly around during the civil war days --- probably even shaded a family moving out west in a covered wagon from time to time. " Who knows, but it sounds good.

 The lake with it's lovely reflections. I wish I could paint - I would bring my easel and little case of oil paints and set up right there on that dock, and paint....

 This. At least I can take pictures. 

“Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

― Albert Camus

 “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” 

― Elbert Hubbard

 Trinity worked on her photography skills (I edited. ) We had to find her a little hill to perch on so that the pictures wasn't just a few of our nostrils (lovely as they may be...no one wants to look up someone else nose.)

 Don't you just love Tristan's little chipmunk face peering out from behind Zac's shoulder....or how about Trin's awesome choppy bangs? We are still in the process of letting them grow. I love it - some people might view this picture as precious little angels - I see mischief. Lots and lots of mischief. Can angels be mischievous? Oh...seems I just answered my own question - never mind.

 More of the lovely plants that make me cry. I know, I know...I have issues. Loveliness just makes me happy.

 And then...a deer - one large deer (well, buck?) I was able to get rather close to him. He stood as still as stone, just watching me inch closer and closer - he never moved a muscle. I was making sure I would be able to run back to the car in case he decided to charge (where hopefully Zac would be ready to video me on his IPhone - just imagine how many "likes" Brady could get if he put THAT on YouTube?!As long as I'm gorged for the sake of love and entertainment...) At the same time, I didn't want to get to close where the poor guy would feel "unprotected" in a nature reserve....so I got my shot and we drove on.

 Isn't it weird looking in the side mirrors as you drive away from somewhere or someone - a clear "past." As in... "wow, those trees were in my past. If I turn around they will be in my future...if I go and stand under it it will be in my present." A girl could make herself positively edgy thinking this way all day "these dishes are behind me right now as I walk towards the dining room table...grr...back to the kitchen for a glass of water, they are no in my 'here and now.' "

And then...Zac with his keen deer spotting eyes found this baby --- unfortunately those tall grasses are in the back ground (as lovely and as eye misting as they may be) so his antlers don't stand out as much as I would have liked in the photo. He was just beautiful...his face all snowy white and his body a muscly grayish brown. He was lovely. And...I don't mind saying...I want a set of white antlers for my wall. Just white. Preferably the "rack" would come from a deer that died of old age, not the hunted variety.

 Seeing a deer makes Zac very happy - seeing an elk makes him happier. There were no elks, but he did get to hug a Koala for free so that's something!

 Then, to finish off our adventure...a tree, loaded with starlings. We had our windows rolled down so that Tristan could feel the "refreshing "(his word for breeze.) The birds were all perched on the bare branches, soaking up sunshine and singing and harmonizing with one another....

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” 

― George Eliot

My thoughts exactly George...they were just too restful for such a lovely autumn day. So....we honked the horn.

And they flew.

November

  October behind us, November before us ... every day full of reasons to be thankful.
This year I'm especially grateful for my daughter having such a devoted friend, someone she can be herself with and that she can enjoy but also give love back. I have now heard at least on three different occasions, the girls walking together, and one of them looking at the other and saying "I love you."
 Brady told me in the car the other day that he wished he could have a best friend. My prayer for now is that God would bring someone into Brady's life...whether it be a little boy or an adult...that Brady could attach himself to and feel equally as loved - and for the other person to GENUINELY enjoy being with Brady. I'm so thankful for the Awana's program because he has a reason to really really smile every week and he has been pursuing God's word on his own - and becoming pretty obsessed with it. Aspie kids generally always have an obsession with something, it makes my heart sing to hear my child say "can I watch a Bible dvd mom?" or "so Jesus loved us and died for us mom ...why on earth would He do that?"

  Brady is such a bright boy and he thrills my heart with his candidness and honesty. We were watching an episode of 19 Kids and Counting and there was a scene of a lady giving birth. Brady said "yikes, that hurts. Thankfully I'm not a woman." After that he looked at Trin and said "just so you know you will have to go through that someday Trin." Then, a few moments later when he was watching a Duggar Wedding and he saw the bride walking towards the groom he looked at me and said "that's the kind of wife I want to have....someone who is sweet and kind."

  Little Finn - I don't know how to begin. He has been a joy and a huge challenge - typical of two year olds. He is trying to say words and loves to copy his brothers and sister - he is definitely an "arrow in our quiver." I'm not quite sure I will know what to do when I don't have a little snugly bug anymore...he's growing too fast! I'm trying not worry, because really...thinking of the troubles of tomorrow just aren't worth it. But...I do feel like Finn is developing some sensory issues. Call it a gut feeling....my gut has served me rather well two other times. I'm not trying to borrow trouble, at the same time it's good to detect early and it helps HUGELY when trying to train a child to know where they are developmentally. He is becoming obsessive, hates bath water no matter what the temperature....just little things. We will see what happens...could be a phase. Last year if I would have thought it even possible that Finn might have some type of developmental issues I think it would have sent me over the edge. How awesome it is that we don't NEED to worry about our whole lives....just work on today being the person we need to be right? This year, it makes me slightly sad but I know deep down inside that I have to take THIS day and not worry about my boy's future. I also really want to believe the truth that life isn't going to hand me anything that I can't handle with God's love and Zac's companionship.

  My sweet Trinity...folding laundry on her own, begging me for the "honor" of peeling potatoes, loading the dishwasher for me. Her sixth birthday was last week and it was such a special day to truly focus on the gift of her sweet life. She is a squirrel still...into every body's things and business...but she is also compassionate and a hard worker and a huge asset to our family. Trinity is going to do great things with her life...whether she is a veterinarian or a mother of ten (her idea) she is going to do it well, with all of her. She will be competitive but also caring. Trinity has a sensitive heart and hates to hurt others, especially me. She is going to be my best friend someday. She asks me all of the time if I would mind being her neighbor and I said "not at all!" She says her husband will pay for me to go to Hawaii and that they want to be able to drop their kids off at my place so they can go on dates. Anytime little girl...anytime.

  So, we are enjoying this season. The kids are working on their thankful charts and Bible memory and math - Trin has comes LEAPS and BOUNDS with her reading over the last two weeks. I don't know how...we did nothing different...she just "got it." Huge relief for me because of course I was blaming myself and my lousy teaching abilities! Finn knows all of his letters, numbers and shapes....most animals. Finn has the advantage of watching everyone else in our family learn and he just follows along - Montessori style! He just sits back, plays copy cat and snacks on muffins (this child NEVER has a clean face.)

  The air today has changed from slightly warm to snowsuit and hat weather. We made a batch of pumpkin muffins, some tea - and are enjoying our day but at least every hour I hear "good thing dad is coming home tomorrow!"

 And...one more tidbit to share...I pulled Tristan out of preschool. I know....shocking. This is my third time pulling one of my kids out of public school haha.  He is so much more happy at home, he just loves being with his siblings and his mama so why send him? I know I know..speech therapy. Well, we are working on that here too without having to drive all winter in the snow to drop him off for three hours so that he can learn, essentially, not much. He was basically ahead of all of the kids there. Socially, it was good for him and his teacher was AMAZING. But, we have started going to church, he is enrolled in Awanas and I will be taking him for story times at the library once a week if I can. I will probably start trying to teach him to read and I think that will actually help him with his speech. He is very bright....I think he could start doing simple addition by the end of this year (before traditional kindergarten.) I also just want the opportunity to teach him about the world on MY time and the way I want to, and I was noticing things in his classroom that were already conditioning him towards how the government would like him to believe...and I would like to be the one to teach those things when I'm ready....and according to our faith.
 So...no driving him to school today. We took him out the last day before fall break - we celebrated today with fun learning games and muffins and him getting his Xbox time and outdoor play. I'm thankful for my Tristan and I'm glad to have the little "nudge" in my heart go away. I felt like for three months I felt uneasy on a daily basis.
 This season is my favorite - I love the thankful/giving season! Happy weekend everyone!

Happy Harvest Continues

  More activities for the kids, centered around fall and it's all of it's homeyness. We made paper bag owls and hung them on the windows with our leaf garlands. The kids have been enjoying videos about Johnny Appleseed and how much he loved the earth that God made - I thought he was a perfect person to study for fall!

  And then because I couldn't resist - a little bit of winter. I want to make snow globes with the kids this Christmas so this was a test run - I think it turned out just peachy.

  Pumpkin Spice tea parties with hotcakes for snack. I made a sour cream pancake batter then mixed in sharp cheddar and apple chunks...fried em' up and served them plain. The kids ate every last one and didn't care a bit about the missing syrup.

  Little bug looking very "bugish" if I do say so myself.

  Just this afternoon the kids got to dress up and celebrate Halloween early. Mom and Dad Corley found a local fall festival at the college Zac use to attend so had lots of fun with that. I didn't put much thought (or money) into the kids costumes but they turned out pretty darn cute.

  I found this lovely purple dress at the thrift store for about 3 bucks and though it would be perfect for a princess fairy (Trin's costume wish) but she could also use it at church or whenever. I found a sprig of flowers at the dollar tree and bobby pinned them in her hair...she would scrunch her nose up and squeal every time I stuck in a pin...as if I was sending it straight to her brain.

  And as usual, I forgot all about the fact that people need shoes....especially fairies going out in public! About a hour before we were due to leave I grabbed some flip flops from the summer, wrapped ribbon around them and hot glued the leftover leaves and flowers. Perfect - and thrifty.

  She said she was a fairy...but I think she's an angel.

 The wings we found at the thrift store - probably the prettiest little costume wings I've ever found (I think in Trin's lifetime we've gone through 4 sets?!)

  Tristan chose to be a pirate which was good news for me - I still had Brady's Jack Sparrow costume from last year...also a Goodwill treasure. The sword is from the Dollar Tree as well.

  A little bit of mama's eyeliner applied to his chin and he was done - love his little expression. So posh.

  Brady found a robin costume at the thrift store...donned Finn's eye mask and a pair of his favorite black rain boots and he was simple yet very super heroish. Oh yah, Zac used ample amounts of hair gel to achieve the "comb over" affect.

 Finn used his Yoda costume from last year...it will probably fit for at least four more years . :)

 The weather was beautiful and the trees were orange. There were games and a "trunk or treat", free pony rides and cotton candy and popcorn...lots of games and a bouncy house slide - the kids had a blast.

Thanks to grandparents and their extra helping hands - we were able to have a much easier time with the kids out in public (a pretty big challange for us!) and also skip the spookey freezing  Halloween night trick or treating. We are finishing off the day with some Papa Johns Pizza and calling it a "holiday." Next...
Trin's Birthday!

Fall Creativity

“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.”

William Cullen Bryant

 Fall doesn't last long in Colorado. Knowing this (last year I was QUITE disappointed that my favorite season flew by in about 4 weeks!) I decided to take advantage of this furiously fast flying sweet season and try to enjoy it to the fullest....as much as my time and wallet will allow me. My answer for inspiration....Pintrest, the grocery store, and the left side of my brain.
 Now, don't call me super woman  ( I mean...if you want....) because I haven't ALWAYS made everyday pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar sweet - by I've tried to do one semi special thing a day. It hasn't always happened, let's get real...this is life...but I made my goal this year to make the holidays truly special for my little family. Last year was pretty blah for me. I'm a holiday lover and I think I allowed lousy circumstances and high expectations to get in my way - and this year God has reminded me that my life's happiness totally depends on one thing - my attitude and trusting Him to give me the desires of my heart. So with that said - I begin charting our holiday season thus far :

   We took a lovely trip to the mountains searching for oranges and yellows and reds. You will find some leaf changing in the city but definitely not as vibrant (too many buildings and not enough trees!) Our "leaf hunt day" was perfect in every way. The kids were champs even though they were basically in the car for five hours. We let them listen to their first ever Adventures In Odyssey (which I think I enjoyed more than the kids and even CRIED at one point ) while munching on some homemade gingersnaps (I think I ate eight of them...but who's counting?). We found a lovely spot to take a walk on a trail that had an old railroad track, very picturesque, and then we drove PAST our destination and kept going for another hour and a half just because. Apple cider on the way home and a sub sandwich and it was a DAY.

 "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

Fall Project number two - Pumpkin Painting! At the end of summer I had gone to Micheals with a friend and found some metallic Acrylic paints on clearance, all gorgeous fall colors - gold, silver, copper, and a pearly white. I had a pumpkin sitting on our porch the other day...trying to figure out what the kids could use these awesome paints on - anyways, the pumpkin was the perfect solution. I drew a line down the middle so that the kids could both paint a half. While painting we learned about the different pigments that turn leaves red, brown, yellow, and green. You Tube has been my friend this year. Homeschooling is so easy with Youtube. "Hey kids, let's color these leaves and watch a video on why they change colors." Click Play. Watch. Have a short discussion and question and answer and we call it a class. The best part? The lesson actually sticks with them. Success.

   "If you hear a voice within' you saying 'You cannot paint' , then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
- Vincent Van Gogh

 Painting with those bright glittery colors was just so much fun we didn't get our fill with the pumpkin - so we also tried painting leaves. They turned out really really pretty.

 Our homeschooling is going well - the kids really love learning at home and I'm able to give them individualized lessons which is ideal for kids with ASD. Zac and I just found a great church this last week and are so excited about our kids being able to make new friends, being able  to learn to serve, and the awesome added bonus is that this church has an Awana's Program! The kids loved being part of a club and memorizing scripture and competing in games. It gives them an opportunity to be around other children each week, have goals and lessons to complete, and also gives them some kind of competitive outlet. Trinity loves competing. :) Brady did pretty well but the two hours of socializing was definitely all he could handle. He says he looks forward to going back though so that's something positive!

  Another little bit of wonderfulness is that this fall we get milk delivered to our door each Wednesday morning...only a day old and more of the cream left in the milk then even the whole milk found in supermarkets (that was a really long sentence...my apologies). The eggs are two days old by the time they get to your door and the price is fair. I could maybe save three dollars a week buying them at the store...but waking up to fresh milk and eggs and coffee cream at 6 am? Priceless. I've always wanted to have a milkman...and now we do! What a perfectly fallish thing .... on a chilly morning, venturing outside in your winter jammies, opening up your white box and finding fresh dairy goodness. I thanked God - because for me finding out we could have dairy service was such an unexpected gift. God gives us fun little things...a falling golden leaf, a bird flying across the sky, the smell of coffee in the mornings - and milk on the doorstep - all lovely gifts and they are SO much more special if we remember to thank Him. Thankfullness makes everything magical.

 Do you think the milkman liked our pumpkin?

 And our latest project came out of pure desperation. I was sitting on the porch swing trying to soak in some sun and get over my hormonal gloominess, just thinking to myself "how in the world am I going to get through this afternoon with these kids without becoming some kind of witch." Trinity ran outside at that moment and I just thought "beauty." We needed to create something beautiful. Beauty to me is something organic and naturally perfect (a tree, a smooth stone, a creek flowing and bumping into rocks and sliding itself against the soft grassy banks) mixed with a bit of glitz (silver, gold, a simple chain or a vibrant color...a beautiful fabric.) I looked in the shed and opened up the box of Christmas supplies and found the most perfect disco ball glittery ornaments - and I had about 15 of them!

 Trin and I "bedazzled" our trees in the backyard! If you can't have a Christmas tree INSIDE yet we might as well have one outside. The way the sun hits the glitter is just stunning and is sure to cheer you up on a gloomy grey day.
 Mama Bear Grumps not totally solved...but being creative always helps!
Now to plan a sweet little girl's birthday (my squirrel is going to be six in ONE week from today) and then some type of Halloween party for my kids that doesn't include pounds of candy and witches and spooky things that belong in hell ---- we will see what we can come up with. :) Hopefully something fun AND lovely.

 Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. 
-- Hamilton Wright Mabie