October 11

We don't have a lot of family traditions that've truly stood the test of time, but I really enjoy the ones that we've kept up over the years. And today, we engaged one of my favorites: our annual trip to Pastorino's Pumpkin Farm in Half Moon Bay.

Since Isaac had work at 4 PM, we left the house at 9:45 to insure he'd be back in time for his shift. The drive was largely uneventful and normal, which means we listened to music (including the Taylor Swift oldie "You Belong With Me," which Logan memorably declared was Lambie's song way back when) and made good time until we didn't. (The traffic after you cross the San Mateo Bridge moves until it doesn't on weekends during the busy Fall season along the coast.)

We pulled into the always-dusty parking lot, parked, and made our way to the entrance, where I posed for THE annual photo with the kiddos. I probably recall this detail every year so you'll have to forgive the repetition, but we've taken the same image from the same vantage point every year since I was heavily pregnant with Abby back in 2004. To say that I treasure and adore this particular series of photos would be an understatement. It is such an amazing gift to watch Abby and Isaac and Brady and even Logan grow through the years. Even as I write that I simultaneously acknowledge that the year that Logan suddenly disappeared from the image still gnaws at my heart... but the fact that he was EVER in the series is a gift I was never worthy of receiving in the first place.

Melancholic reflections aside, following the Taking Of The Annual Pic, we trooped inside the patch, where we milled about for a few minutes getting our bearings. (The precise arrangement of the gourds and various curiosities offered changes from year to year.) Adam was first to select a small pumpkin for Logan. And then Isaac and Brady followed suit by choosing their own much larger pumpkins and heaving them into the wheelbarrow we'd secured. More pictures were taken -- Adam with the boys, the boys together, all of us together (courtesy of a kind stranger) -- and then we headed to the very long checkout line.

And then after we paid and made our way to the exit, I stole a fond look over my shoulder at the parents (who look younger and younger every year) and small children enjoying their day at the pumpkin farm. It was bittersweet to realize that they were us 15, 18, 20 years ago. It was a rather stark reminder that time really, truly does fly. And that it's important to treasure the moments that God gives us. 

So for all of that --for the time with my people, for special traditions, for the memories, and for the reminder to savor the moments-- I am grateful.