Life has been moving fast.

Youth football was a new experience for us and demanded much of our time this fall. But my son loved it.

Quitting caffeine in September was the best challenge I have ever done.

It slowed me down, made me calmer, and gave me control over my coffee consumption again.

Now we only buy decaf for home and I occasionally have 1 cup of caffeinated coffee. A much better balance.

I also began substitute teaching again which has been really rewarding, but busy.

And the temperatures are dropping.

Many people here begin complaining when the weather changes.

But in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here is what I am grateful for as the temps drop:

I am grateful for cold walks where I have to bundle up in all my gear.

For the way the cool air wakes me up.

I am grateful for making dinner in the warm oven on a cold, dark night.

For the crunch of fallen leaves under my feet.

I am grateful for the turkey-shaped cookies we decorated with my mom.

For more indoor space to play on cold days, and the sound of my son playing on the keyboard.

And I am grateful I finally found a moment to pick up my pen again.

-Brittany