A mixed bag weekend

This weekend had it's ups and downs. I've been wanting to go apple picking all season long and there have been a hundred reasons each weekend why it doesn't work out: the weather is crummy, other plans crop up, we're out of town. I've really been hoping for a fun family outing and we're running out of time. So yesterday I wanted to give it a go, even though the weather report was less than optimistic. We should have stayed home. It started raining before we ever left the parking lot of our apartment complex. We tried to make a go of it anyway but the orchard was just sloppy and wet. We walked through the pumpkin patch and Amelia picked out a soggy orange prize. Then we pretty much rose the white flag. I was really bummed but apple picking in the rain wasn't really what I had in mind when I pictured our cozy fall family outing. Please pray for good weather next weekend! It'll be out last chance. And I've so been looking forward to all the apple pie and applesauce and apple muffins just waiting to be made in my kitchen.

Today brightened my weekend a bit, because we got to spend an amazing day in New York City with some friends. God was sure smiling on us because he orchestrated a fantastic time for us. Our friends Kevin and Christie are in town for the weekend from North Carolina and we planned to meet them for lunch and hanging out in Central Park. And as it happened we got a random phone call from our college friend Hilary, who was in the city for just one night and wanted to hang out. It was perfect. We caught up with Kevin and Christie, played with the kids in the park, then met up with Hildary and had some dinner before we drove home with three incredibly sleepy two year olds. The weather could not have been more beautiful today. A complete turnaround from yesterday. The sun was out, fall colors were in full bloom, the temperature was warm, and the company couldn't be beat. It was fun to be in the city with the kids at an age where they can really enjoy the surroundings. The played at the playground and rode on the swings and played "chase" with Kevin and it was just fun to spend the day in the park. They are also at an age where naps are still a necessity on a regular basis, but if they miss one here and there the day doesn't have to fall apart. I was delighted that at dinner with Hilary the kids stayed in their seats and ate a tiny bit of food and didn't spill their waters. I have the best kids, the best family. I don't know what I'd do without any one of them.

I realize I have been a bit delinquent with my blog in some ways lately. I don't think I've even mentioned yet that a few weeks ago Amelia started physical therapy. We had her evaluated through Early Intervention, the same state program through which the kids receive speech therapy. Amelia was found to be pretty behind in her development with gross motor skills and her muscle tone is low, so she's getting PT now to hopefully help her gain some stability and grace. I take her to a special gym facility for her therapy twice a week, which means our schedule is a bit fuller this fall than it has been. Unlike with speech therapy, I don't get to be a part of the PT sessions. It's probably a good thing, since I always have Abigail and Gabriel with me and it's impossible for Rebecca, Amelia's therapist, to get anything done with all of us tagging along. It's hard to not be involved, but I'm also proud of Amelia for being willing to go off without her mama. Last Wednesday was the first time Amelia agreed to go off with Rebecca on her own. She's such a brave girl! We're still getting used to the new routine and it's too early to know if the therapy is going to help, but I have no reason to doubt it will. We're incredibly blessed to have these services available to us. God is good.