Seasons of Change

I love living in Utah. I love the gorgeous mountains. I love the change of the seasons. I love that there are four seasons that I get to enjoy. I like that flowers grow in the Spring. I love the unreal colors of the trees in the mountains in the Fall. I enjoy the snow falling on Christmas morning. The hot summers definitely feel like Summer--swimming in lakes and pools. 

But there is something difficult about seasons changing, for me, too. 

I tend to struggle emotionally with change of seasons. I know it sounds crazy but I truly believe that the tilt of the earth and the change of weather truly affects people. I saw it with my students when I was teaching. When there was any change of weather, a Full Moon, or a season change, they acted a different way--they were more lethargic, or, perhaps, more energetic, depending on those factors. 

I find my body doing the same thing.

I find that the hardest change is towards the end of October, when it is changing from Fall to winter. I think that my seasonal affective disorder is very triggered and those few weeks are the hardest. The cold days and the dark nights are just the worst. Ha! 

My life is in constant change. Having babies and kids means your life is in a everchanging--hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. My life is constantly in a state of "figuring things out" and then it changes again. I just feel like I have the baby thing down and now Georgia is becoming a toddler. Then, in the next couple years, I'll have another baby again. And the cycle continues. It's part of life and it's amazing and difficult and worth it. It's true what they say that the only constant is change. 

I am grateful that I have coping skills for when I feel like my Depression and/or Seasonal Affective Disorder kick in. I am grateful that I can see myself spiraling and just giving myself grace to slow down and be intuitive. I am grateful that I am able to see those things in myself so that I can still take care of myself so that I can be a good mother. 

And I am grateful that Halloween is over and we can enjoy the Holidays. ;) 

"Overall, We Had a Pretty Good Year."

When it comes to the department of in-laws, I got pretty lucky.

I am the first daughter in law in the family and we live about 5 minutes from Tanner's parents so it's been so fun to get closer with my in laws; and be a part of their lives. 

The Charlesworth gang is very different than the Ainge gang, but it's still awesome to see and learn the differences. 

First off, the Charlesworth gang is way more country than the city-folk, sports obsessed family that I grew up in. I loved how I grew up, but it's still interesting to learn new things: about hunting, fishing, being more outdoors. 

We thought it would be pretty funny to use that country background and dress up in our "country attire' as a joke. As you can see, we took some normal photos. 

The background of these photos are so beautiful and rustic, I couldn't even handle it.

We were jokingly coming up with phrases that relate to these photos. I think my favorite is:
"Overall, we had a pretty good year."

(hardy har har) 

Family Photo Outtakes.

Last week, I posted my beautiful family photos. I came across these awesome out takes and thought I would share with you. 

Because who doesn't love funny photos, right? 

Goodbyes & Hellos

I know that it is not quite fall. But, as many of you know, I am a 6th grade teacher so my "summer" has, in a way, come to an end. The mornings are starting to cool down here in Utah, with a little frost on the car windows as I step out to leave early for work. The beginning of the school year is sort a new beginning for me.

Goodbye summer, hello back to school. 

Goodbye free time to work on this blog. 

Hello to 50 hour work weeks as a teacher. 

Goodbye to actually seeing friends and family. 

Hello my silly, fun, creative, intelligent 11 and 12 year olds. 

Goodbye being tan. 

Hello pale (er, fair) skin. 

Goodbye daydreaming in a field up in the beautiful Alpine mountains (see picture above) 

Hello to leaves starting to fall off the trees and colder air. 

Goodbye to spending hours and hours with Saylor puppy.  

Hello to watching her freak out after a long day of work when I walk in the day. 

Goodbye to fun traveling and awesome adventures. 

Hello to teaching and loving my students. 

Goodbye to naps in the sunshine.

Hello to naps in my bed :) 

Goodbye to avoiding church because of traveling.

Hello to a new calling: Mia maid advisor. 

Goodbye to long HOT summer hikes,

Hello to perfect, crisp air to walk right now! 

Goodbye to socializing with people my own age. 

Hello to pretty much socializing with 11/12 year old students all day and 14/15 girls on weekends :) 

Goodbye to long phone calls while driving.

Hello to quick check-ins. 

Goodbye evenings.

Hello to co-ed softball, choir, my calling and other extra curricular activities!

Goodbye to my big 1200 square foot apartment.

Hello to cuddling up in our teeny apartment now that we love :) 

Goodbye summer baseball,

Hello Football! 

I know some of this sounds pretty negative, but it's not. There is something so exciting about a new school year, bonding with my students and really getting to know them. With my crazy schedule, and a lot of new changes, it's just a transition. Transitions are good. 

Happy Back to School!