Fall Happened

This fall has demanded a level of effort, an effort I know that I am called to maintain, an effort that is fed with an energy only through God's grace. Right now in my life I am not called to put aside the busy pace I am called to acknowledge God is with me in it.

We have 5 schools this year, so it is a lot of emails to sift through and schedules to track. Our girls take responsibility for their schoolwork and schedules and they do it well. We don't have to manage their homework, aside from checking in on them and asking questions. They are independent but also come to us for help when it is needed and they bring the never ending stream of forms.

We got to visit Emma at TU for parent's weekend. We joined her for a football game and she gave us a tour. It was a great chance to catch up with her. She has a handle on her classes and is doing well. Her roommates Aly and Mattie are easy enough to get along with and there doesn't seem to be much drama. Emma is doing well and it was nice to see it. On Sunday we all went up for Mass together, her sisters were so happy to see her.

Rachael has struggled to find a rhythm with Emma gone but I think she is getting there. I pop in and out of her room on a regular basis and we spend more time together. Rae has been missing the morning school bus a lot, I don't mind driving her in but it disrupts the morning flow getting myself and the little sisters out of the house, so she is working on that. Rae has been doing a lot of stargazing and loved the Supermoon this week. This year in addition to her academics she is taking flute and art.

Megan recently finished her soccer season on the teal team. Her team didn't have the best record but they had good players and were engaged each game. She is developing friendships and likes to stop at Starbucks with friends a few time s a month. Megan is participating in the after school quizbowl team and is active in Girl Scouts and dance.

Bridget Rose also just finished her soccer season. Her purple team did very well and they were a supportive wonderful team. Bridge gained confidence and asserted her skills on the field in a new way this year and she enjoyed it. Bridge is working very hard at school and is getting reading help in 4th grade and is excelling in Math. She is an amazing dedicated student. Bridget is active in her scout troop too and takes tap and ballet. She also has a service club at school called, Kids in Action and she goes to a Catholic girls club once a month called Little Flowers, where they learn about saints.

Johanna is a force to be reckoned with. She is looking for constant input and stimulation and pre-school has been great at providing that. Hanna really likes the weekly Spanish lesson and regular art projects. She loves the chapel songs and books, all of the books. In addition to Spanish she is very interested in the moon and stars, so she and Rachael have fun using Rae's apps to identify stars. I went with Hanna on a field trip to the pumpkin patch. It was her first bus trip and she was very attentive and engaged. The trip was a joy to do with her.

Jim has been a constant stable force at home, helping to keep things going. He got a chance to go to Las Vegas with friends at the beginning of November for 4 days. He enjoyed some time away and brought home a few maps, which Hanna has been pouring over ever since. Right now he is outside in shorts and a t-shirt raking the leaves that are blowing fiercely as a cold front tries to push in.

I have increased my work hours with the start of the school year. I went from half time to 3/4 time and I feel much more productive at my job. I also joined a weekly women's bible study at our church one night a week. Between work and managing the house and the girls, I am tired a lot. I needed a little more food for the journey and the bible study helps with that. I took a night and went up to PA to visit MarySue. Emma was my road trip companion and spent the night hanging with Maura at her college. I enjoyed both the roadtrip and seeing my friend. It was a treat to have a single attention and focus for a few hours.

We are so blessed.

There was also an election that felt like such a burden and absorbed a lot of my mental energy. It is going to take a long time to heal from this. I can only entrust our country to Mary Our Mother and ask her to intercede for us to her merciful Son.

It wouldn't be fall without the leaves. The girls all helped, even Emma who was home for my birthday.