Hi everyone,

I feel like I need a formal introduction because I know I have been really terrible about blogging for the past few months.  It seems as though when I get emotional I have two reactions: words flow right out of me like a fire hose (and sometimes lack a filter), or I just freeze up and can't find the words to say anything.  The past few months have been the latter, I have felt quiet and introspective.  Like my thoughts were mine only, not really ready to share anything.

But as summer turns into fall I feel like it is time to emerge from my cocoon.  I always consider fall a season of renewal.  A new school year for children with freshly sharpened pencils, new folders and bright new clothing.  A renewed sense of energy as the heat and humidity cool into the warm glow of autumn.  And of course, the most important thing of all, pumpkin spice is back!  I'm excited about the next few months; we have plans to see family, celebrate holidays, and then come December we are moving out to California.  Back to the coastline where I know both my husband and I feel most at home.  Even if it is the wild wild west as opposed to the east coast we are accustomed to.

The past two weekends we have experienced the clash of the seasons very vividly.  Last weekend we drove out to Lawrence, Kansas to experience one of the quintessential heartland crops: the sunflower.  It was a late peak this year due to the (mercifully) mild summer.  When we found out we were coming to Kansas in the fall of 2012 a few stereotypes immediately popped into my head: tornadoes, The Wizard of Oz, and sunflower fields.  We (thankfully) haven't seen any tornadoes this year, we did see "Oz" when the new movie came to the theatre here and enjoyed Union Station glowing green as Emerald City, and I am so happy that we actually were able to see and enjoy the sunflowers.