Peaceful Sunday Morning

Sam, Oskar, and I are awake on this quiet weekend morning.  The air outside is crisp as a cardinal sings somewhere nearby.  Sam munches on dry Cheerios by the fire while Oskar chomps on his kibble. 

Yesterday we had a birthday party for Audrey and Violet and our cousin, Penny.  It was special to have nearly 20 people over at our house to celebrate and enjoy themselves.  We all had plenty of food and drink, and the Notre Dame football game was on to keep some on the edge of their seats.  

By the evening, my brother-in-law, Mark, had fixed our leaky toilet upstairs and the kids had tired themselves out completely and we all finished the night with a movie and sleep.  

It was also a fun experience watching my dad meet some of my Indiana family.  He and our close family friend, Davey, had fun talking with and interacting with all of the children.  It was a nice way to spend an afternoon.  

On the selfish side, I now wake up to a clean house, mowed yard, and stocked refrigerator ready for an afternoon of football and grading papers.  

Paths

The fall is upon us.  While the leaves haven't completely left the branches, there are a few daredevils that have left their view from on high, and are now resting on the lawn.  The heat that summer brought us is now replaced with some cooler winds and a slight crisp in the air each night after the sun sets.

Audrey is now ten.  It boggles my mind, and cliches such as, "Where did the time go?!?" are on a constant loop in the back of my mind.  Violet is returning to taekwando after an irregular summer schedule.  Sam is now 100% mobile and searching every inch of every surface in order to find anything interesting to throw or taste.  Sam and the dog, Oskar, work together to maximize snacks and annoy the poor old cat, Eliza.

My dad is slowly adjusting to his new placement in an assisted living home, and I doubt that he will remain there for long.  The years in Alaska have permanently settled into his bones, and I think that the idea of remaining anywhere for too long that isn't familiar is just a tad too much for him.  We shall see.  Everyone has their own path to travel, it is just that some paths meet up and parallel for a while.  Ultimately, I hope that he finds the things that make him happy and that he savors this additional time in his life.

We are only given this day, and I am trying to do my best with my children and wife and family.  There is so much sometimes, and yet we feel as if there is never enough.  This Saturday morning is shaping-up nicely, though...as we have taekwando for Violet, and rain the remainder of the day.  It should be a peaceful day in the Orelove household. 

We are excited about the fall and transition towards the leaves changing colors.  My Uncle Michael and his son Jonathon are visiting in November, and Violet will be turning 7!  I am also setting up my race calendar for the fall and next year with some half marathons that I will report on at a later time.  It is nice to have things slated and to look forward to.  Events and people are how I am trying to define this next period in my own life.  Hopefully participating more in the events that I can and seeking out those people in my life who are most important will help me to become a better human on this planet. 

-a

Audrey and Sam in the Moo-Choo at the apple orchard.

Violet Moo-Choo

Sam investigating a tractor.

Saturday morning lounging with a fire.

Sam running outside in Indiana.

The girls finding hearts around Naperville.

Uncle Stuart and Uncle Fred in Naperville.  It makes my heart happy.

Uncle Fred playing with the kids on a hill in Naperville.

Found another heart along the way!

Ice cream with Uncle Fred in Plainfield.  

Sam wondering why everyone is standing like a flamingo.  

Fresh blueberry scones.

Uncle Fred and Dick Tracey in Naperville.

Sam and Oskar lounging on a sleepy morning.

The Orelove kids visiting Zayde's new place in Plainfield!