My Daily Blessings 3.0

I did my longest competitive run over the past weekend.  It was a 10K.  What I didn't expect was the fact that it was a trail run.  I am not at all used to trail runs so this was a very unexpected challenge.  I ended up placing 4th in my age division (out of 13 in my division).  This picture was taken by photographers on the trail.  I don't look like I actually feel in it (which was absolutely miserable) because I saw the photographer ahead of time.   I put a wreath together out of some dried eucalyptus that I had.  It was hanging on our door for a week or so and now it's hanging in our bedroom.  It smells lovely.  Wreath making is something I could see myself really getting into.  Kyle drove home the other day to see this huge white skunk in our yard.  At first we thought it was the groundhog that's lived in our drain pipe for a number of years.  I had no idea skunks can be white!  It was so pretty.  I look...

Evangeline's been dreaming of jumping in a leaf pile for weeks now!  Her good old dad made that wish come true.  Sheer childhood joy!

We have absolutely loved our new patio so much!  We lived out there this summer.  This fall brings another kind of wonderful out on the patio.  The woods around the yard is just beautiful right now.  We have had such fun lighting a fire in the firepit, grilling or smoking meats, eating outside, and even watching shows outside on the portable TV with the kids.  I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful space to enjoy with my family.  We miss the pool, but we'll get so much more use with the patio.  Some of Evangeline's woodland sketches....

I LOVE being at school with them when they are little and I am still cool in their eyes!  Jed was recognized for his award as Star Student in his classroom.  My door burst open as if I wasn't teaching a lesson to 14 other students and he announced, "mom, the most exciting thing just happened!  I am a Star Student!" Of course I immediately stopped what I was doing and made a huge deal about it.  He was so proud of himself and so excited about his ribbon.   This last picture are the other recipients from his class.    

This is getting ridiculous.  I have not write here in almost a year.  I've missed it so much and it's been hanging over my head.  Just thinking of the memories I've let slip away...Again, technology has been in the way.  We got fiberglass internet and my ancient computer will not recognize it, so the task of preparing all the pictures on that computer and then transferring them to my work computer has been so daunting.  Taking the time to reflect, journal and look over all of my blessings again and again has always been so therapeutic for me.  I feel that it's a part of my life that is so beneficial to my wellbeing.  So here I am.  I hope I can someday go back and fill in the missing year.  Maybe I can even start here and keep up.  Maybe I'll be back one year from this post with the same words I'm typing here, but for now, here I am trying it again.  I've still been running a lot.  Last weekend I set out for my typical 3 mile r...