Posted on Saturday, 5th September 2009 by Catherine

I love fall, all 3 of my kids were born in the fall season.  For as long as I can remember I have loved fall.  My love for the fall season has brought about a passion for fall activities.  Keeping passion in your life brings meaning to the “routine” things you do each and every day.

Being passionate

Passion is a strong emotion or feeling.  As a mom it is so important to not lose sight of what you are passionate about.  What brings out strong emotion and feelings for you.   As the CEO of the house, keeper of the Cheerios,  or Ruler of the Castle it is easy to lose yourself in the daily grind of being a mom.  I am sure all of us are passionate about our kids and their well-being.  We want better for them than we had.  We spend countless hours trying to make sure they have the best chance at success in life.  Many of us could use a few hours making sure we are being the best we can be as well.

What makes you, “you”

I bring this topic to the site for all the mom’s reading this to take a look at the things you are passionate about and bring them back into your life – my guess is after the craziness of the summer you have lost sight of what makes you – “you”.

In an effort to keep myself grounded I have been reflecting on the fall season and all the things I am passionate about.  Much of what makes me who I am comes out during my favorite season of the year.

Back to School

Back to school for me is like the “new year” for other people.  I love the fresh start, new teacher, brand new school supplies, new tennis shoes on the kids and the natural progression into a schedule.  I begin  de-cluttering my house and getting back to projects that have been neglected over the past few months.  It is a fresh start to my “job” as a stay at home mom.

Football

I know it may be a shock to some but I am passionate about football – not in a technical sense but in an “excited for the big game” sense.  I grew up watching Air Force football and my mom was a very passionate football fan.  Some of my fondest childhood memories were of attending Bowl Games and watching football with my mom.  I often find myself telling stories and remembering her more during football season.  I suppose her love for the game rubbed off on me and I look forward to pre-game “tail-gating” and being hoarse the next day from cheering my team(s) on.

The colors and flavors of Fall

I absolutely love fall colors.  I have always been fond of neutral colors and I love the warmth of browns, oranges, cranberry and yellow as they mix in the trees, and decor in my home.   The smell of a apple candle burning or sipping on a pumpkin spice chai tea takes me to a calmer place.  I find peace in the fall and one of my favorite things to do is to head west and look at the aspens as they radiate bright orange and yellow hues.  I think nature is so amazing in autumn.

The perfect temperature

Here in Colorado I find autumn is the best season for warm days and cool nights.  You can still sport your flip flops and shorts but quickly turn to a sweatshirt once the sun goes down.

Opening windows around my house in the evening is such a treat.  Hearing the kids outside playing and the tress rustling in the breeze are things I never realized I looked forward to until I stopped and thought about it.  Being able to allow the cool air from outside into my house instead of the air conditioner is an added bonus.

I am a runner and there is nothing better than starting out for a long run on a calm Colorado fall morning.  The air is crisp and chilly but so inviting after the heat of the summer.

Revisiting my scrapbooks

When autumn starts to roll in so does my desire to check back in on one of my favorite hobbies.  I love taking photos and someday would love to take a class and really learn how to use my digital SLR camera!  I have been scrap-booking since 1998 and I really do adore the hobby.

I am currently nearly a year behind with my albums but I am very aware of the gift I am providing my family by documenting our life and writing to my kids about their childhood.   My scrapbooks are nothing fancy and I focus on the pictures more than the page decorations.  I have always believed simple pages = completed albums!  We have lots of fun looking back at the albums over the past few years and telling stories.   It is great snowy day activity to do as a family.

Be Passionate, Be YOU!

Take a moment to think about what you are passionate about and make sure to carve out time to enjoy those things that make you – “you”.   Our family is heading out to the Air Force Football game today – as you know this is the perfect way to spend a September day (in my opinion).

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