The View From My Front Porch : October 2017

You guys. The leaves. The colors. The weather. I can't even handle it. The beauty is so breath taking! October has to be my favorite color. I can't help but be in complete awe of God's handiwork every single time I look outside. We're so blessed. And yes, I still have trouble remembering that. Daily. Sometimes when I step outside, I close my eyes and listen to the trees, and I feel like God is whispering in my ear, " Hey Mandi. Stop treading water. You can swim. You've always been able to swim, so just do it. I've got you.You don't always need to be in survival mode. Stay in this moment. This one. You don't need to worry about your unbelievably never ending to do list at school. The laundry will still be there when you get around to it. The kids will be fed and happy. Just breathe this in. This moment. This feeling. This beauty. Be present."

And sometimes that's all I need to snap out of it. Other times, I remember when I'm looking at pictures or reading blogs or going for a walk. Sometimes it's when I listen to my kids laugh, or they put their head on my shoulder or when my husband takes my hand in his. I just need a lot of reminders. That's all.

Fall has delivered in not only breath taking scenery but also in moments well spent with friends and family. Busy as we may be, we are already missing volleyball and football. It came and went in the blink of an eye. So hard to believe it is over. Our varsity football and volleyball teams are both battling it out in the play-offs, and we are excited to cheer our teams on, hopefully onto the state tournaments. We've celebrated a big birthday with great friends, spent time to get to know middle schoolers on Wednesday nights as both EE and TIC sponsors, adventured down to the Ozarks for our 6th straight year of soaking up all the time we miss out on not being close enough to some of our favorite people, chaperoned nine 8th graders to the Haunted House this past weekend and feeling so very blessed our daughter trusts us to be a part of her social circle, celebrated Colin's birthday while Dan and Carter enjoyed some father son time at the Iowa/Penn State game. So many fun things in these last few weeks. And although, school has got me burnt out and stressed to the max, I'm grateful for my students and colleagues (read friends) who make it worth it to come every day. They make me laugh and always make me feel better by greeting me with giant bear hugs that can't help but make you smile. How can you be anxious when your students bring up the most beautiful questions about God and heaven during lunch time?

This too will pass. The overwhelming tides of emotion will come and go, and I'll make it through. I just need to remind myself to stop trying to "get through life" waiting for the next big thing and start enjoying every part of it. It's meant to be lived to the fullest. Even the small every day moments have things to be celebrated and enjoyed. Find your happy. I will share a little of mine.

Carnaval

Happy Birthday sweet friend! You are so loved.

Father son bonding

Seestahs

My heart.

Oh how I miss volleyball

Undefeated season! Way to go boys! Next year some of you will be Warriors!

Our beautiful chef! Love her...and her food.

Recharging our batteries

Getting in the water on an 89 degree day while NW Iowa suffered a cold and rainy 34 degrees. Another reason I will have a winter home in Florida when I retire (or one in the Ozarks if Jeff and Amanda still live there :) ).