Dated

I believe my students woke up this morning and thought to themselves, "what can I do to drive my teacher crazy today?" I hope today was a fluke and things will normalize tomorrow...

As the days of this week press on, I find myself looking forward to the weekend with much anticipation. While I don't know who'll be joining me, I'll be taking G to one of our local pumpkin patches. They are having their annual Apple Butter Festival. In years past, I've gone with a dear friend of mine...but considering she has made her way to Boston, I'll be going without her this year. Fall dates continue to make their way onto our calendar. This time of year, on through the new year, will remain busy. One of my favorite activities, at whatever point I can get to it, is to begin putting dates on the following year's calendar. Tonight I bought our 2014 calendar and have begun to add birthdays and predetermined events. I love having things to look forward to.

One thing that I find particularly bittersweet is the date that marks my daughter's first birthday. I love the idea of the party theme, the friends and family gathered around, and her first dive into birthday cake. I ache, however, at the thought of my daughter getting so big. There are so many times I long to keep her little, even though I know it cannot be so. And, truth be told, there are so many things that I look forward to doing with her as she gets older. Regardless, I count myself unbelievably blessed to be her mother. God has given me a huge responsibility and I can't help but take complete joy in my role.

The final thoughts for today revolve around my three gifts that join my list today. I am to focus on 3 Gifts Burned...hmm.

-Wood Stove: The smell of wood smoke fills the house each winter as the logs crackle and pop with the fire's heat.

-Smores: I never eat Smores alone. I am always surrounded by loved ones, typically around a blazing fire in the crisp autumn air.

-Charcoal dinners: I've only burned a couple of meals in my time. I count these as gifts that, while not funny at the time, bring laughter to those of us who were there to experience them.

I suppose I'll take these "warm" thoughts and begin preparing for bed. Tomorrow will come way too quickly for this tired mom.