I am an overthinker. I can shut myself in at times and stew over ideas and thoughts until it seems that there are more thoughts than me. Now that being said, I am not impaired, I just need to distract myself and get out and do things from time to time to release that focus. Today I have found my focus, Alhamdulillah!! (All Praise to God)

I went on a hike today with my kids. By myself. I knew it was a day that would either have me inside finishing some knitting projects with the baby while my older (more mobile) children played outside in the crisp, golden October day. Instead, I decided to go out and do something with my kids-take a hike. Not knowing many hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains other than the one I had known about, I decided to go on that anyway. So, I got everyone dressed and packed the diaper bag. Got my hubby to turn on the alarms so that he could be at work on time.

It was only a twenty five minute drive, but man, what a view!! We are litterally miles from God's Creation, which brings a peace to me simply from the view. But to be out there, in Allah's creation, smelling the smells, hearing every single thing, from the rocks and the trees to the tiny ants and the white and black wooly worms on the rock, brings such a dramatic solution of peace to my heart, to bring me back into focus of what really matters.

I took four kids, ranging from ages 10, 9, 4, and 19 months on an uphill hike. The entire way is uphill. I knew that it was not likely we would reach the summit this go round. We have hiked more and more since May, but they have all been "baby" trails accustomed to take a stroller. But, we made it more than half way there, and didn't have a stroller, just a sling, and at the bottom, two very tired arms. We stopped, we looked at nature, and spotted a white wooly worm on a mission. We talked to lots of doggies and other people. I am convinced that just as in life, sometimes we have to know when to say when, and know that we'll be back as long as God Wills it, Insha'Allah. When we are ready, we'll face that summit.