Halloween 2015 - Cops and Robbers

 

This was the first year that we had a child who cared what he was for Halloween and that certain little boy wanted nothing more than to be a Policeman.  For the past few months he has been quite obsessed with all things "police", in fact almost every morning when we list what we are thankful for, the first thing on his list is "police motorcycles". ;)  Anyways, I'm not quite ready yet for all of us to go our own ways for Halloween, so "Cops and Robbers" it was! Levi and Maggie thought it was hilarious that Mama and Papa were dressed up as robbers and there were plenty of funny antics throughout the night. We even taught Magnolia to yell "Stop, thief!". After visiting the grandparents and aunts and uncles, we met some friends in Salem for dinner and our very first "real" trick or treating. Such fun! 

these days

these days, I'm,

- wanting badly to blog again, to record our days and count our blessings; wondering if I'll have the time or motivation to continue to do so

- grieving the loss of my dear Dad and breathing "to live is Christ, to die is gain".

- rejoicing at the recent wedding of my littlest sister, thankful for a new brother and heartbroken that Dad didn't make it.

- cutting out as much extraneous "stuff" as I possibly can and trying to focus on what counts

- in the groove of a new school year with wonderful students who are making beautiful art

- enjoying my ninth year of marriage with the one I still can't get enough of and excitedly planning and saving up for a celebration of our 10th.

- doing yet a little more schooling with Levi and enjoying (almost) every minute ;), finding endless inspiration from Charlotte Mason

- listening to Magnolia laugh and say new words and mimic everything she hears and sees from her beloved older brother

- spending as much time outside as possible and soaking up October; the blushing trees, golden light, crisp air.

- thankful for this season of slowing, simplifying, cloistering in.

Apple Pickin'

 

(Most years it's late October and the apples are almost gone before I end up finally going apple picking. This year, somehow we went 5 times at 4 different orchards! Needless to say, it was quite the apple-y autumn for the James family. Apple crisp, anyone?)

The last ride on the Silver Lake Railroad

On a mild Sunday afternoon in October, we remembered hearing about a small railroad in Silver Lake, New Hampshire where they offer free train rides run on donations and by volunteers.  We decided to give it a try and at the very least it would be a beautiful ride up north near peak leaf season. When we got there, we realized we would ride the very last train of the season on this adorable little railroad that runs through the New Hampshire woods. The experience was quintessential New England *magic* and we look forward to making this trip an annual tradition. 

The Autumn List 2015

Levi and Kerrie's Car Birthday Bash

Levi and I are both August babies and this year we shared a car-themed family birthday party. Special thanks to Grammy for making us awesome matching box cars! Notable gifts included a few "real" (but found on the side of the road) drums for Levi and Brian got me an awesome record player and some fun records to start my collection. :)

these days...

these days, I'm...

- catching up on some blogging :)
- head over heals excited for my sister Kimmie's engagement and wedding in October
- writing 3rd quarter evaluations for my students and gearing up for the home stretch, a big art show and lots of awesome final projects
- watching the Magnolia trees start to blossom and getting ready to celebrate the birth of a special little lady!
- spending almost every day with my Dad, trying to keep him company, bring some cheer (mostly in the form of my children) and encouraging him to eat and keep on fighting. 
- listening to Maggie giggle and imitate words and intonations 
- enjoying "spring" Levi and the change in his demeanor now that he spends most of his days outside running around, smelling the wild air and making as much mud as possible.
- loving the love my kids have for each other
- crossing all my fingers (and saying all my prayers) that Brian's master's thesis gets the "Ok" so we can celebrate big time in May.
- putting my new fav album on repeat, Psalms by Sandra McCracken.
- crushing hard on my neighborhood; the salty air, the blossoming gardens, running into friends everywhere, the beautiful historic streets filling up with people and excitement again
- picnicking as much as possible
- looking forward to this week of school vacation and time spent enjoying spring with my loves.