Leaf Day

Well -- last Fall, we had our first 'annual' holiday that we declared to be: "Leaf Day." Just a 'reason' (if you need a reason) to drive around these pretty country Island roads on a beautiful Fall Day, take family pictures, and come home at the end of the 'tour' and eat cake!



 

So, we had our second annual "Leaf Day" celebration yesterday...

 

Since summer ended, Jonah's been asking when Leaf Day was coming! So -- yesteday we declared it to be Leaf Day! A gorgeous, sunny Fall Day -- driving around this beautiful Island...stopping to take pictures whenever we felt so inclined.

 

It. was. perfect.

 

 

 Doesn't it look perfect???  The beautiful colors, the smiling faces, the delicious cake???

Well. It was fun, but it was far from perfect. Which reminds me of how deceptive blogs and facebook and anything online can really be. I can make my life look any way I want it to online...and when I read other people's blogs, or look at their pictures or facebook statuses...I need to realize...its only 'part' of the story...I read only what people want me to read...and even then...its through my own perception, so it can easily be distorted.

But I do strive to be authentic...even if only for my own self...

Jonah was grumpy and tired all day long, to be honest.  And there's alot of 'pressure' for a Saturday to be nothing less than perfect: our one family day all week...and trying to please all of us, and do it in the timeframes specified in between meals and naps...is not always an easy task.

But we prevailed. And it was fine, but our level of frustration with Jonah was certainly escalated.  Oh my word, this boy has emotions...and he is NOT afraid to vocalize how he's feeling. I'm grateful he is verbal more than physical, but...it is so. ex.haus.ting. good grief, that boy is intense.

But, you don't need to know all the details...if you have mothered a 4 year old, you know exactly what I mean. And the details are not necessary.

We were all quite happy to go to bed lastnight, knowing we had a 'new day' to try again to do better and be happier when we all woke up.

And today WAS better. Amazing what sleep can do for us all. Jonah still naps most of the time...and he needs his sleep. If he doesn't get it, he can certainly function...but he is a much happier and obliging child by mid-afternoon and early evening if he's had a nap for ANY length of time during the afternoon.

Oh, I do so love that boy, though. He is anything but boring!! So much energy and LIFE in that little fella...and I love that about him. most of the time...though sometimes, it really is quite exhausting.  But I love his sensitive heart, too -- and his imagination and creativity!  He's been singing 'worship songs' that he makes up for quite awhile now, and he sings them with me and Jay on our bed right before we take him into his bedroom at night. Lately he's been naming these songs...and it is just amazing to me the words that come out of this kid's mouth...I so badly want to record them, but he does become a bit of a performer when that camera is out...

But it is the sweetest thing...

Often his words are similar: "I love You Lord...You know us, and You made us...and You are everywhere...and You live across the street, but You live here...and You were born on Christmas Day, and You are the best, and You are wonderful, and You are good and I love You and You love me..."

I love that He knows Jesus...and it is amazing to me how much Jesus has become clearer to me since I see Him through Jonah's eyes...

So, despite my 4 year old being...a 4 year old with 4 year old craziness and emotions and disobedience...and he tries my patience and makes me see the weaknesses that are in ME....I love him with all that I have in this heart of mine...He is an amazing little person...and I am. truly. incredibly grateful that I get to be his Mama.

I love it.