Stop and pick the roses

This past week was a whirlwind. Emdee was working late every night, which mant it was just us girls for dinner, play and bedtime. The weather was wonderful, warm, sunny and full of fall color. We spent each evening playing outside and soaking up the last of the weather - having heard at each weather report that Sandy was bringing high winds, cold temps and maybe even our first snow.
This past week I was reminded again just how much the girls have taught me. To slow down, to soak in the blessings of each day...and as we headed in for baths on Thursday, the sky blazing orange and pink, Sweetpea asked me to wait a minute longer.
She headed toward the flower garden with nearly all the flowers dead and removed for the season, and came back with a bouquet. "Now we can enjoy these a little longer, mommy."
So as the rains came, and the wind and the cold, we have these sweet flowers as one lst reminder of a fabulous season. Now if someone could just tell me how to hang on to this moment, these girls, this age, just a little longer...

Visit Panera in October and support the American Cancer Society of Southwest Ohio

Panera Bread kicks off the 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign with “Pink Ribbon Bagel
Day” on Monday, October 1 to support the American Cancer Society of Southwest Ohio and
breast cancer research as part of a month-long campaign. Panera Bread will donate 100
percent of proceeds from its signature Pink Ribbon Bagel sold on Oct. 1 to the American Cancer
Society as part of the company’s commitment to the Cincinnati community. For the remainder of October, Panera Bread will donate ten cents of the proceeds from each Pink Ribbon Bagel sold.

The Pink Ribbon Bagel is baked fresh each morning in the shape of the iconic pink ribbon,
featuring cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar. The
bagel was developed by Sue Stees in 2001 to help support breast cancer research. Stees is
a breast cancer survivor and one of Panera Bread’s first franchisees. To find out if a Panera
Bread near you is participating, visit http://www.panera-ohio.com.