Busy Season

Our neighbors like to joke that we should market our house as an airbnb due to the fact that we are never home. And honestly...it is not a bad idea. Every time they comment on how busy we are, I just smile and agree. Yes, we are busy. But I always add that we are busy with all good things.

I used to love to be busy and prided myself on being so. Filling the calendar anytime I saw a sliver of freedom. Covid put a stop to that, and I was left with an open calendar and idleness. Really, it was a sweet time for our family, but inevitablly (and thankfully) life returned to its busy self again. But it feels different than before. I know what margin in my life feels like. I know when we need a break. But I also am more grateful for the things in our life that make us busy. Our family, our friends, our talents, our hobbies, our jobs. Thinking of my busy-ness as a blessing has changed my mindset and my heartset. It has allowed me to still feel margin, to be able to catch my breath, even in our busiest of seasons. Because we are busy with all good things. 

It goes without saying that our September has been busy. Jansen Wedding Season officially began with the marriage of our nephew Mitch and his new wife Margo. My kiddos live for a family wedding. You can find us all (well give Douglas some time to warm up) out on the dance floor busting a move. The wedding was in St. Louis, so the kids were even more excited to get to stay in a hotel with cousins. Me and my "garden party" (the theme I decided we would dress in) had the best time celebrating the newlyweds!

Auggie boy has kept us busy this month with Fall Baseball every weekend. His league is now kid-pitch which is a whole new ballgame. The boys have really grown in their skills and confidence this month, and that very much rings true for Auggie. He had some great innings pitching, scored lots of runs and slid into lots of bases. We are already looking forward to summer ball-it will keep us busy. I need to give a special shout out to Emery for chasing after her brothers and to Nana for always bringing the snacks- you guys are the real MVPs!

Nothing in the world is busier than a mom trying to find a time to hang out with her equally as busy mom friends. It is a proven fact. But sometimes the stars align and you get a day in Champaign with two of your dearest friends. We brunched (because brunch with friends is the best), tried to ride e-bikes (next time), I got my ear double-pierced (yolo), we drank wine (again because wine with friends is the best) and we talked. We could just talk, without all the other stuff, and it would be the best day. These girls (and all the other girls God has blessed me with) are just the best. Everyone get out your calendars; its time to pencil in our next friend day. 

School has been in full swing for my big three. Emery is in her music era this year keeping us busy with piano lessons, voice lessons and practicing the French horn (a girl after her mother's own heart!). During the week the girl is all study and no play. The weekend on the other hand-she is usually booked with sleepovers and facetimes. Auggie hates to get up in the morning and hates to sit down to do homework in the evening, but the middle, his day at school, is his sweet spot. He knows everyone (which reminds me of my brother Austin) and thinks he knows everything (which also reminds me of Austin). 3rd grade is tough, but he is rising to the occasion! And Bennett is loving all things kindergarten. Mostly he loves finding feathers with his buddy Max on their after-school walk (he has quite the collection), the school food and getting to be big like Em and Aug.

(I know this isn't a picture of school, but this is a picture of Bennett with his pride and joy--the Turkey feather Grandpa Jim gave him to add to his feature collection.)

We ended September the same way we started it, a Jansen Family Wedding! This wedding was unlike anything we had ever experinced; it was the beautiful combining of two families and cultures. In the morning we attended Tara and Ray's Catholic wedding ceremony and in the afternoon we took part in Ray's Baraat (an Indian Groom's parade...camel and all!) and their Hindu ceremony. Emery and I changed into traditional lehengas and dupattas for the Baraat and Hindu Ceremony-they were absolutely beautiful and such a fun experience to share together. In a Hindu ceremony the bride's maternal uncle walks her up the isle. Tara is blessed with many uncles, but Uncle Doug was the one that got this honor! From the ceremony, to the venue, to the food, to the loved ones we got to share it with, it was a spectacular day from start to finish. 

These pictures capture just some of our busy-ness, our good things, our blessings this month.

If you are like us, October looks to be even busier. Feel the margin, take the breath, and let this busy season be the best. Because we are busy with all good things.