Ode to the Seasons

The weather the past few days has been inspirational! Fall is my favorite season of all! some of the best things in my life have happened to me in the fall:started going back to church. got engaged to rob. found out i was pregnant. bought the condo. bought the house. Somehow the change of the seasons heightens my awareness of God... His power and interest in one small, simple life.

i am a type of person who senses change when it is coming-usually this is to my dismay (i like my life). but when change comes i know enough to roll with the punches and look forward to what will come next-the next adventure if you will. fall is so good in this way... the heat, the glorious summer nights give way to the swishing of jackets and my most cuddly nature comes roaring alive as i pull out all my warm snuggly hoodies and jackets. i want nothing more than to sit by a fire, listening to calming music eating pumpkin pie and reading a good book (or watching a chick-flick). i love baking and am learning to really enjoy cooking and the fall means i can start to make yummy flavor filled soups and other delictable dishes that are best when the weather is cool. Now, having a baby with this weather is even better! we can go out running earlier in the day and we can go out any time without as much concern for Caleb overheating.

The fall wakes me up to a renewed sense of vitality. i am inspired to move forward, take on new projects and become the better version of myself. the perfect combination of sunshine and cool air wake me up to the miracle of life, the reality of love and all the opportunity that lies in between.

Homeowners!

It is official--we closed on the house today! i will admit, i feel a bit like i signed my life away. it doesn't help that the financial markets are insane currently. who knows...i suppose you could say we are taking this step on a wing and a prayer. Really though...Rob and i are thrilled! we went over after and checked out the house...construction guys were there putting finishing touches on it and it seems so normal that we are going to be moving... I am really looking forward to not having a family room full of boxes--and having more than two places to sit down.

My Little Homeboy

I decided my recent post is a little bit of a downer so we are updating...:). This is Caleb in his Nike outfit (thanks cousin jenny!). i just busted up laughing (what a mean mom) when i put the hat on...it cracks me up. Caleb is awesome...sleeping through the night, drooling and being cute. He loves to try to blow air over his tongue to make that fart-sounding noise. he tries so hard and it is so funny, especially when he spits all over. He gets a huge grin on his face!

i would like to officially announce we are moving. However fear not! we are sticking to the neighborhood. there is a house just down the street(a new street) we are buying (for those of you in the ward, Stanley's house). We are way excited and are hoping to move in real soon. Just in case you know anyone who needs a place...we will be renting out the basement...1600 sq ft $800/mo (includes utilities).

On a more serious note...

i found out a boy who was in my home ward, the same age as my brothers died today. He was over in Iraq and was killed by a road side bomb. i did not know him however he symbolizes hope, youth, the future... he died fighting for our country. i do not know how long he waited for death-- for his sake, i hope he died very quickly.
i wonder about his life. did he ever have a romantic relationship? did he ever kiss a girl? did he dream about his wife and the kids he would have someday...his white picket fence? what about the car he always wanted? what were his plans after he got out of the military? these and many more questions fill my mind.

his mother, father and sister must be devastated. for me, his death, the death of an acquaintance of my brothers brings the reality of war all too close to home. suddenly when i hear "there were X number of deaths today in Iraq" i realize that every one of those people have lives, families, hopes, dreams, pets, hobbies, love to give, and loved ones to lose.

i suppose the purpose of this post is twofold:
to say thank you to his family. they did not willingly sacrifice their son but they lost him while he was serving his country and protecting the freedoms of those i love--thank you. this young man did not die in vain.
and
to ask a question: what are you living for?