Enjoying my season

The leaves on the trees are "finally" begining to change colors and drop here in South Carolina. Having come from Kansas where fall makes a much early arrival, the tardiness of autum has made me a bit anxious for it which made me reflect on the times I tend to await the next "season" and fail to thourghly enjoy the one in which I am in.
God has blessed me with four wonderful children. My oldest is 10 and my youngest is 3, with a 6 and 8 year old in the middle. This is my season, being the mother of four wonderful children who are at the most delicious age. This is the time where they all think I am still cool, they still think that their siblings make great playmates, they of their own free will create family celebrations with "Thanksgiving Family Story time". I know that this season will pass, more quickly that I would every imagine to the next season of my life and theirs. I think that the key isn't to dwell on what is coming but to be thankful and appreciate what you have whatever the circumstances.
During all three deployments my husband was gone on, I kept working for the end. That was my focus, get to the finish line, make it through the year, but as I look back on that time in my life I see how much of that season I missed. The colors changed without me noticing their vibrant hues, and the leaves got crumbled before I could pick out the biggest one. My children grew without me really absorbing them.
I will be more observant to the season that I am in. I will Love that I have a chubby belly, and little money, and tons of laundry. I will be gracious for every single craft project that comes home, and will take time away from vacuuming to watch movies with my kids on my bed even though it is made. I will  live in this season completly so as to fill my memory book full, so that when I am in my winter season I have lots to keep me warm.

I took a picture in Eureka Springs, AR in November of 2009 and it hangs in my living room. I like the colors and the composition of the tiles. It wasn't until later that I noticed the panel that shows a woman throughout her seasons.