I love fall. It is my absolute favorite time of the year. Growing up in Houston, TX, I couldn’t wait for the first brisk winds to break the sweltering heat of summer. When I lived in Tennessee and North Alabama, I loved seeing the leaves change slowly along with the downshift of pace as the days grew shorter. Now, back in Texas again, I do miss the beautifully painted tree lines, but I am reminded of them in other ways. I think that I have loved the fall season mostly because it’s the prelude to Christmas. Over time, my heart has combined the two seasons into one long celebration. I love how setting out fall decorations and planning for the upcoming holidays sets the atmosphere of my home and all of our hearts toward gratitude. We are reminded to be thankful during this season. Having a mindset of thankfulness places our hearts in an open posture to receive the miracle of Christmas.

Thanksgiving precedes the miracle.

Yet, this treasured time of the year, where our days get shorter and history shows slower rhythms, my calendar is jam packed. We are busier than ever and it won’t stop until after the New Year. We are doing good things, fulfilling and necessary things, but our time is committed. Over the years, I have developed some ways to celebrate the seasons in the middle of a chaotic schedule. I have a deep desire to NOT miss the season. If we have done good and necessary and fulfilling things and arrive at the celebration without having experienced the journey leading up to it, we have missed it. I want to celebrate the moments and treasure the experiences along the way.

As a mom of young ones and teenagers, I want to pave the way for my children to celebrate the season as it’s happening. I have created a TOGETHERNESS ACTIVITY TRACKER to help my family and perhaps yours as well to make sure that we are CELEBRATING FALL. This is a printable that can be placed somewhere visible in your home as a reminder of moments that you can share together to connect intentionally. These activities are suggestions and might look different to each person. These are great family time ideas, or could be surprises to look forward to for little ones. Date nights and friend dates are also ways that this tracker can be used. Built in excuses to spend time with your teenagers or grandkids, all with the goal of making memories together.

Maybe you’ve already done all of your decorating, so use that activity to shop for a friend or neighbor. If you don’t make pie, go out for pie and coffee instead. If s’mores are too messy for you, try a s’mores dip or cheesecake. Let these suggestions inspire you to do activities with those in your life that you love and want to spend time with. This tool is a guide to help you celebrate the moments and have experiences that are life giving as the fall season progresses. We can ALL take time to make a thankful list. When we count our blessings and set our minds to thankfulness, we open our hearts for what is coming - the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas time.

-amanda