In the Valley of the Sun we’re still in the triple digits. Um. Triple digits. It’s October. It’s not right. Right?

But … it’s where we live and it is home and we do love it here. And have the best Winters ever. And as for this “Fall” weather? It is what it is. This is the desert. “Fall” just comes way later than the rest of the world. Besides — the forecast tells me we might actually be below 90 degrees for high temps next week. Time to bust out the sweatshirts on those chilly mornings in the 60s.

Enough about the weather. I just want to give a little shout-out to my absolute favorite month of the year. October means more than cooling temperatures, although I do find that to be awesomely refreshing. It is also when David & I each turn a year older. I have loads of wonderfully fun October memories in my life. It also happens to be a year ago – October 2009 – that we were launching our new business and working like mad to create the original edition of Project Life.

By the way, I’ll just say it again and again — THANK YOU dear readers. Thank you for being a part of all of this. Thank you for being part of the Project Life movement. Thank you for stopping by the blog. I know many of you have even made it a daily routine and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your interest and your loyalty and your comments and your sharing.

So where was I? Ahhh yes … October. As we see the change in seasons and as we anticipate the upcoming holiday season, I do hope that we can all make an effort to simplify the upcoming holidays in our own families and not do too much, not spend too much.

Moms: As for that holiday with all the candy (I get sick thinking about all. that. candy.) … you may find yourself attempting a little photo shoot of your dressed-up goblins and princesses.

(The scene in our garage 4 years ago.)

If it goes a little something like this picture, don’t get uptight. Take a step back. Take a deep breath. Have a laugh. Have a moment where you feel gratitude for the blessing that is your life, your family. And keep snapping. Because the “perfect” pictures aren’t the ones you’ll treasure in 5, 10, 20 years.

Capture real life. Embrace your real life. And do what you can to record it.