one inhale

Yesterday was the first official day of fall. I sometimes cannot believe how much different life can be from one year to the next. On this day last year I wrote a blog, talking about how Zach and I had just conquered our longest consecutive hangout streak (22 days)! Now being over a year married, that is so crazy to me, but also a great reminder of how God gave us exactly the amount of strength we needed to go through being apart for so long. Also, I didn't share the news on the blog at the time, but that was also the day we found out we were no longer going to Europe for three years! What a great day. Flash forward three hundred and sixty five days and here we are. This day wasn't as exciting as that day but it is was a beautiful day.

In thinking about the seasons changing, I have come to the realization that I have never fully appreciated the fall months like i should. During my four years in college, the fall meant waking up at 5:30am to work out. Maybe that's what tainted fall for me? But even without the brutal hours, I think it is natural for most of us to glance over fall, in anticipation for the holiday season!

I know for me last year, autumn was a challenging time. I was really struggling with transitioning into a new place and not to mention, a totally new roommate. I spent my time counting down the days until holidays would come so we could see our families. There is nothing wrong with being excited to see loved ones, but like it was told to me a thousand times in softball,

we can't count the days, we have to make the days count.

Looking back, at where I was a year ago, I am so thankful to have struggled through some of those challenges, because I learned so much.

But this year is different.

I want to spend the next two months resting and rejuvenating. Unfortunately, the holiday season can be a time of stress. Sometimes we feel like it's ok because we are stressing about "good things", like gifts, food, plane tickets, scheduling, etc. And it's all in the name of being with the one's we love! But nonetheless, whether your making the turkey, trying to figure out what to buy for twenty people, designing the Christmas card or just hoping your fantasy team will pull through, stress will more than likely try to creep up!

So let's enjoy the fall for what it is,

not a time to "gear up" for the coming months but a time to do things that allow our souls to grow,

things that we love.

Eat dinner outside, read a great book, join a yoga class, play on a softball team, hug your babies more, light a million candles, dance with your person, go to bed earlier, go to bed later, spend mornings with Jesus, cry, laugh, picnic, take a photo everyday.

Clear out the all of the voices in your head that talk to you about your short comings and inabilities.

I want to take really long, deep breaths and remember that, whether today we are celebrating, crying, laughing or just sitting on the couch and watching tv,

it is a beautiful life and I want to experience it one inhale at a time.

-haley