The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I love the fall. I say that a lot because I really love it a lot. I don't think I need to wax poetic about the many reasons why autumn is such a great time of year. I think I'll let some photos do the 'splainin' for me.

Oh my stinkin' heck. I don't think it gets much cuter than this!

It's not every day you get to enjoy a (double) rainbow.

I taught Mason to love puddle jumping years ago. It never gets old. :)

Mason and I introduced Marissa to the joys of puddle jumping this year. So. Much. Fun.

Finding the Blessing

The nature of Landon's job is such that sometimes he is crazy busy. As a litigator, he generally works more than the average Joe, but sometimes he works completely insane hours. Like seriously mind-numbing amounts of work in short periods of time. On one case, he seriously worked several 22 hour days. I can't even imagine.
Anyhow, since I'm really good at self-pity and not always the best at keeping perspective, I often find myself feeling really resentful of Landon's job when he is in the middle of these crazy busy stretches. I know he's stressed out, so I try to keep it to myself, but I know it spills over into everything I do. Like maybe I find myself shouting at my baby for crying a lot. Everyone knows how helpful it is to shout at a baby, "I'm finished with you crying all day!" Totally shuts them up every time. Really, it's incredibly useful.
Landon has been working a lot lately, regularly billing ten or more hours a day (which generally translates into working 13-14 hours a day since not every minute you work equals billable hours). In the past, Mason has been a little extra sensitive when his dad has been working a lot, but I don't think he's ever made the conscious connection that he's feeling a little sad and lonesome because his dad hasn't been home as much. In the last few weeks, Mason has definitely made the connection. He misses his dad and he is struggling with not getting to see him much. And it breaks my heart for the little dude.
A couple of weeks ago, Mason started crying in the middle of class. His teacher told me he cried for a good 45 minutes, and told her that he really missed his dad. Last night, when I offered snugs before bed, Mason told me he didn't want my snugs. He said, "I only want Dad's snugs. I only love Dad." So that felt good. I'm not taking it personally. I know the kid loves me every bit as much as he loves his dad, but it still makes me feel sad because I know he's trying to make sense of something that I clearly don't even really get.
In an effort to find the blessing in the middle of our small personal struggle with not getting to see Landon as much as we all would like, I am writing today.
An obvious blessing is that with every hour Landon bills, he gets a bigger bonus at the end of the year. That will clearly be a blessing for the whole family to enjoy come January.
Landon's absence gives me more time to strengthen my bond with my children, and encourage the two to bond with each other as well.
Landon's absence teaches me to be more self-sufficient and independent, which are important traits I clearly need to work on more.
Landon's absence means that I expect Mason to also be more self-sufficient and independent, also good things for him to practice.
Landon's absence also means that I expect Mason to help me out more around the house and with his sister, teaching him responsibility and leadership.
Landon's absence means job security.
I choose to be grateful today for the long hours Landon is working because it means I am learning and teaching and growing, and it means that my children have a roof over their heads and food in their tummies. It means that we have stable income and can continue to plan for our future and our children's futures.