Mr October

October has been a month chalk full of delicious moments, fun outings, friends, family and general merry making. A lot has been featured here on the blog, but there were a few noteworthy affairs that I haven't had an opportunity to share. 

So grab a cuppa and let's catch up. . . 

In just these past handful of weeks, my beautiful wee babe has morphed into a little girl. Walking, and talking and hanging with the big kids like she's one of them. It's beautiful to watch, especially as her brothers and sister so readily take her in, thrilled to have her accompany them on their many adventures. 

As fun as it is to see her blossom, I do miss her baby-ness, her all consuming need for me. We've put breastfeeding behind us for now, my first time to not have a nursing tot in years, and I find myself a little bereft, not sure what to do next.

My amazingly beautiful and talented friend Trisha came to spend the night with me. I am so grateful to have her. She is the most loyal friend a girl could ever hope to have. I feel so honored that she always finds the time to drive two hours to spend the night on the farm. 

With no agenda, we sat at my dining room table til the wee hours of morn chatting away. Always scheming and dreaming together, we planned new ventures and laid out hopes for the road ahead- and laughed- big full belly laughs. I love this gal so!

We have scootered away these fall evenings. My little bugs love them some razor scooters.  With no place to ride at the farm, we load up scooters and the stroller and head to town.

I have enjoyed these evenings so much- The weather has been so mild and the sky so clear. Kaleb and I walk hand in hand sipping hot lattes, all the while the three bugs ride on. Filled with excitement and frenzied energy, they roar ahead showing off new tricks as they go. Our little Eleanor so calmly relaxing in the stroller as she enjoys the show. Good times, these nights.

Using some spray paint we found in the garage, Kaleb fashioned the kids their very own football field. So any downtime seems to have been filled with hilarious tournaments that somehow evolve into huge family wrestling matches. 

These crazies are so used to being here on the farm. They love getting to roam free, run like mad men and play and wrestle. It can sometimes make it challenging to get them into town where they are required to practice a little restraint.  On one such town outing, Zain said, "I just want to go home, so we can be wild!".  

The stars aligned and my BFF and I actually had a day that we could spend together. It's a rare and beautiful occasion, and when it comes around, we jump at the chance and relish every moment. This gal is hilarious! Fiercely loving, smart and beautiful. 

We've been best friends since I was fifteen. Our relationship has stood the test of time. Sometimes we fight like sisters, sometimes were brutally honest, but we're at the loveliest of places where we know that none of it matters. It will do nothing but stregthen us, we're in it for the long haul!

We ate and shopped, had manicures, ate some more, then topped it all off with our first try at hot yoga. It was too fun! She always has to show off. She does headstands like they're a party trick! And yes, I'm a little jealous of them, but she even did one the last time we did yoga together, and we were on paddle boards! It's too much- am I right? I kid, I kid.. It was a fabulous day and I am so crazy blessed to have her.

We got to take a little weekend jaunt with my Mom to celebrate her birthday. One morning we headed straight into the heart of the Ozarks to hike and walk and play. The kids had the best time, running along the path, dipping their hands into the cool stream and exploring uncharted trails.

While strolling I told them a tale of me- a little girl from Alaska who had traveled to see my Grandparents in Missouri. I described to them a day I remember so vividly. My grandma out washing laundry in a silver tub, while my Grandpa had just sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee. He told me if I could catch a floating leaf then legend had it, I would have seven years good luck. I ran and chased and leaped for the free-falling  leaves all day, with never so much as one caught.

My bugs accepted the challenge, and chased those leaves our whole day thru. Except they walked away victors with near forty years good luck for each of them.

Here's Zain with his prize, and it was camo colored to boot- He was a happy boy!

I gifted my previous camera to this beautiful gal, and she has blossomed with it. She carries it with her everywhere, snapping away when she sees fit. We have slowly been learning our way around it, and she has started shooting in manual now! She is such a talented girl and I love watching her grow and her interests change, strengthen and take shape. I am so proud of her.

While driving home one evening listening to the radio, Kaleb heard that the Broadway musical 'Once' was on it's way to the Memphis Orpheum. Sweet man that he is, he surprised me with tickets. It was the most amazing show I have ever seen! The entire cast was so talented and I laughed and yes I'll admit it- I cried too. It was such a dreamy night out with my man. He is the finest one around, this one.


It was a good month, busy sometimes a little crazy, yet delightful all the same. 


Finally I believe fall weather has truly set in and I am excited to welcome November. I have high hopes of taking this month easy, resting. Focusing on being more present and not a million miles ahead on new projects, and to-do lists. Here's to a new chapter!

How was your October? Anything you're looking forward to or hoping to accomplish in November?


p.s. My friend Trisha creates the most lovely hand sewn little girls vintage inspired dresses. You can find them here.