7 Quick Takes at BC

It's been awhile since we've done one of these over here at Building Cathedrals, so I thought I'd give it a go again. Here are the top 7 quick bits in my life on this beautiful fall Friday morning:

1) Autumn is officially here. Tomorrow promises great fun as our family heads to a nearby apple orchard to participate in their annual Apple Harvest Festival. We'll be taking in our loot of apples, donuts, hayrides, and folk music. Way back when on my college application to Princeton, I put my favorite activity as "apple-picking". I was totally serious. I cannot think of much else I'd rather do but climb trees and eat fresh apples. And now with my kids and husband (aka. my favorite people in the world) in tow? Just heavenly.

2) Halloween is in full swing at our house. Forgive me, I know, it's a dark, secular holiday, but you have to admit that a Halloween done right is beyond fun and creates great memories. So away we go!

This year the boys have latched onto a NASCAR theme for their costumes. We're not quite sure how that happened seeing as none of us follow car racing, but hey! We're getting into it for the sake of the boys. I am blessed to have my seamstress mother-in-law, waiting in the wings to create the perfect costumes. Though this year, we found official car racing suits at Tar.get and even our Mimi assented to the purchase. In the works is a "finish line" costume for our sweetest baby J. Note: He will be checkered and scrumptious.

3. If you want a good laugh, play the game "Telephone" with a 3 and 4-year-old. Today as my hubby and I groggily arose to the start of a new day, we were joined by two little blonde boys, who couldn't have been happier to crawl in our bed to snuggle. Such bliss. We all giggled and tickled. The boys started whispering secret messages in our ears, which then led into our first go 'round of the game "telephone". My husband whispered a message into the 3yo's ear, who then passed it to our 4yo, who then whispered it into mine. "The apple orchard is in the mountains" became "All aboard the apple mountain" and we lost ourselves in laughter. "Puff the Magic Dragon lives by the sea" became "All aboard the apple mountain" (again) because the 4yo thought the first one was so funny, why not just repeat it? We haven't laughed that hard in awhile.

4. If you happen to run into this guy, run the other direction.

He's fierce. He's fast. He's four.

And he's wearing Lightning McQueen socks inside-out on his hands. Beware of this fighting machine.

5. All's quiet on the homefront. I would say that life, in general, lately has been very peaceful. That is, as peaceful as life with three boys under 4.5 can be. We are all sleeping well and enough, our physical and emotional needs are being met, the boys are growing, learning, and maturing. I can honestly say that we are well. This makes a mama happy.

But all this serenity has me really only thinking one thing... when's the next baby? :)

Isn't being open to life the best? Some might look at it as a hindrance, but I really only see freedom. God is good.

6. I'm thinking of entering another half-marathon. Considering the above quick take, I may just have enough of a window left to squeeze in a November race. It's in town, its about 6 weeks away, I already have a training base. I really think it would be silly not to enter the race. Don't you think?! Most of my brain is echoing, "Why not?" especially while in the midst of a base-pumping, heart-thudding, iPod-influenced 5-miler. Really, though, why not? Carpe diem.

7. We need to start taking guesses on the arrival of Red's baby!

As you know, Red is very close to delivering her new little wee red one! Her due date is a week from today, Friday, October 9th. She is prone to having bigger babies and going past her due date, so that may affect how her midwives decide to "encourage" things along. I'm going to start off the predictions now: Tuesday, October 6th at 7:30pm, weighing in nicely at 9lbs. 4oz. Red, doesn't that make you feel good?! When making your guesses, please enter date, time, and weight in the comments section and doubling up on dates is aok since we're also guessing time. Good luck and have a great Friday!