Pumpkin Picking and a Fall Bucket List

I can not believe it has been two weeks since Nathaniel and I returned from Cincinnati. One reason is that within a couple of days of getting back, I learned the dates of when we go again. It seems my life is now categorized under two labels: "Has to be done before Cincinnati" and "Can wait until after Cincinnati." By mid-November we will have been there three times in three months. It does not leave much room for the "Has to be done before Cincinnati" things.

When life gets super busy, I err on the side of writing really long blog posts that pack in too much information. In hopes to avoid that, I am just going to share a few photos of our recent outing to a pumpkin patch. We have a fall family bucket list on our refrigerator so through this busy season of extra medical appointments, we take time to have fun. We found a rare afternoon recently when all the big boys were home and went to an orchard close to home. Nathaniel loved it. Daily, he does "heavy work" as part of his occupational therapy. A pumpkin patch provides many opportunities for lifting, pulling, and pushing.

I loved this last photo of my children - the big boys allowed Nathaniel some independence when the terrain got easier, and Nathaniel persevered at pulling the wagon and pumpkin to the shed. Looking at the photos I am again reminded how despite the outward appearances of a carefree outing, medical is always with us. Rich has the airway bag on his back. Ben carried the suction machine. Life is always this unique blend of normal and complex; relaxed and urgent. We must choose to mentally live moment by moment in the normal and relaxed or else the stress of complex and urgent would still our joy.

Nathaniel and I have painted a few of our pumpkins teal. Another plug - Please consider signing up for the Teal Pumpkin Project if you are able to give out non-food treats on Halloween. Take the extra minute to add your address to the crowd sourcing map so families know to visit your home.