mommy time

it has been a busy summer, and after being out of town for two long weekends in a row in september, i am welcoming some more home time as october rolls in. it's amazing how the loss of a monday can throw my whole week for a loop...

with the weather still being so warm and beautiful, it is hard for me to stay indoors, especially with the impending michigan winter soon approaching! (the kids can't wait for it to snow again, however... they certainly didn't get that from their mom.) the change of seasons, though, is refreshing. with the cooler air comes cozy sweatshirts and jeans (though i do wear my flip-flops until the snow flies!), and with the earlier nightfalls come longer bedtime stories. we also look forward to some fall campfires and roasted marshmallows in the backyard with our neighbors over these next weeks, along with raspberry picking (& hopefully some jam to follow), apple picking, pumpkin carving, and probably a few cups of hot cocoa.

while more and more i am enjoying just being home, i also look forward to a few regular "mommy time" additions to my calendar this fall. first of all, i am learning to KNIT -- something i never thought i would do -- and tonight i will attend my first knitting/craft night with a small group of women. i'm so excited! jen w. is teaching me -- check out her blog to see some of the adorable things she has made. i'm currently attempting a washcloth... matt is really glad that i will now have something i can do next to him while he watches bears football games on sunday afternoons. :)

every other thursday morning, starting this week, i will be attending a mom's group at a local church which has wonderful (& free!) childcare. we were a part of this group last year, too, and it was great. on the off thursdays, i may try to plan some different outings, field trips, or playdates. i have lots of ideas -- i just have to get them on the calendar!

also on thursdays, one evening a month, a veteran homeschooling friend hosts a homeschooling "support" group in her home that has also been a huge blessing. a number of moms attend from all over the area, and it is a chance to fellowship together, share ideas, glean wisdom from those who have gone before, and just be encouraged. can't wait to go to that next week, since i missed the first meeting last month.

i am also hoping to hit the coffee shop a few times with girlfriends this fall, and matt & i do try to retain some semblance of a date night once a week or so. oh, and of course, the other very exciting thing about fall is the beginning of a new season of "The Office", our favorite tv show. :)