“The wind that makes music in November corn is in a hurry. The stalks hum, the loose husks whisk skyward in half-playing swirls, and the wind hurries on... ”
Aldo Leopold
I’m usually not a busy person. I like quiet days, days at home, or days at the beach in the Alaskan summer.
However, this fall has felt very full, bustling, like hurrying wind. Perhaps it’s a good problem to have, with so many opportunities among which to choose. The kids are slowly getting older, and with the passing years there are new sports, friends, volunteering, yard work, pet sitting, birthday parties, Christmas plays, concerts, and more academic demands as well.
But all that, plus a new baby, has made this fall a challenge to balance fun and enriching activities with precious time together at home. Each hour we spend here or there represents an opportunity cost, and often good things threaten to crowd out the best.
I haven't yet figured out how to walk this balance, although Big and I agree that less is more. And I’m glad we're both reflecting on this and willing to change pace as we go!
Memories of the past month . . .
I Choose Joy November 2024
Trig, 3, holding up a dinosaur with spikes down its back: “what do you think this one's name is? Pokey-saurus?”
Trig and his little toddler buddy McKinley playing piano, dancing, and going on expeditions around the house hand in hand, wearing backpacks and carrying baby dolls. “We're king and queen.” Firebell calls them “the chubby couple.”
Laughing at all the nicknames we've given the kids over the years. Rig as a baby was Little Buddy, Firebell was Boo Boo. Hazelnut was Huggy, Cub was Noo Noo and Choo Choo. Trig was Pudge, Pooch, and Puppa. And now baby Faira has a range of monikers: Pudding, Baby Dear, Princess, and Kissy.
Celebrating Big Country's birthday. The four older kids hand sewing him bookmarks out of colorful fabric for the many chapter books he reads to them. Piling the kids into the van to drive up to the fire station to vote, on a very exciting election day! Flowers, brownie cake, and an interesting experiment of carnivore ice cream.
Rig, 12, and Cub, 5, working for Mr. Al. Running alongside the elderly man riding his bulldozer around the neighborhood, the boys jumping into ditches to fish out trash. An entire dozer bucket’s worth by the end!
A fun birthday party at the gymnastics center for little neighbor Josie, turning seven. Firebell and Hazelnut scampering around in their leotards and skirts, scaring the other parents with their fearless jumps, flips, and running on the balance beam. Enjoying chatting with Coast Guard couple Devin and Crystal who recently moved here from the Netherlands.
Faira's beautiful baby blues. I think we have another blue-eyed child besides Firebell!
The girls accompanying me for baby Faira's trip to the pediatrician. The first and only time any of the kids has ever visited a doctor, we needed to go to prove baby Faira exists so we can request an Alaska birth certificate. The doctor was very kind and pronounced her perfect in every way.
Cub's 6th birthday. The actual day falling within a rare 48 hour span of time Big Country was needed at work on the island, Cub happily, patiently waited til Daddy was home to open presents and celebrate. Brownie cake, whipped cream, and berries. Books, pajamas, a handsome flannel shirt, dinosaur cars, more kinetic sand, and an adorable Peter Pan outfit. My little sprightly Cub is Peter Pan himself, bounding on light feet about the house with wooden dagger drawn, and now he looks the part even more.
The kids snuggling on the bean bag two consecutive nights while Daddy was away to watch Disney's Cinderella and Peter Pan on the laptop.
A clear morning for a walk around the neighborhood. The kids jumping into ditches, clearing fallen leaves and letting the stream flow freely. Huckleberries still glistening red on the bushes, vines of ivy twining up tree trunks.
A lazy Saturday at home, recovering from mild colds. Playing with piles of kinetic sand, reading books. Big Country baking his signature homemade pizza with freshly ground flour, sauce, beef, olives, mozzarella and cream cheese.
Big taking Rig and Firebell shooting at the free range up the road. Warming themselves at a propane heater another shooter graciously shared. Cleaning guns back home.
The girls dressing up Faira, parading her around, and making a little baby throne for her. Their real life doll baby!
After realizing that 2026 was America's 250th birthday, daydreaming as a family about an epic trip to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms, Gettysburg, Mount Vernon, and all the many national sights. The wheels are turning!
Our first snow of the season. Looking out through the snow draped evergreen boughs at the twinkling lights strung between trees along the neighbor’s drive at night. In the mornings, watching the sunbeams lighten the woods.
Rig, 12, volunteering all Saturday to set up a giant wooden platform shaped like a tree for the upcoming Singing Tree concert at Clover Pass Church. When asked who the work crew consisted of, he replied, “me and a dozen men in their 80s.” 😊
Thanksgiving here at home with Josh, Becka, their kids, and Pastor Bob while Terri was down south with her parents. Delicious country style ham and other plentiful food. Good natured ribbing each other. Easy cleanup. And tired kids gladly hopping into bed early . . . a great Thanksgiving I would say!
Three mornings of sledding for the kids. Having been given a closetful of hand-me-down snow gear and boots, the troop suited up and ran out to play for hours, somehow getting their school done in the afternoon. Ringing the bell for them to come in for hot chocolate and lunch. Quiet mornings inside for me and baby.
Love, love, love! Queen Faira is quite fetching when outfitted by her ladies-in-waiting.