The Day the Leaves Changed and I Finally Noticed

The Day the Leaves Changed and I Finally Noticed | Family Photographer in Kansas City

It was a Tuesday. Just a regular, chaotic Tuesday.

The kind where your coffee gets cold before you can take the first sip. Where you say "hurry up" more times than you mean to. Where the house is noisy, the socks are mismatched, and everything feels like too much. But something happened that morning. Something so small and subtle, I might have missed it—if I hadn't paused.

I had just wrangled the kids into a rhythm for the day. Our homeschool morning had started late, my youngest was digging through the crayon bin instead of coloring with it, and I was one moment away from turning on a show and giving up. Instead, I stepped outside with my lukewarm coffee for a breath of air—and noticed everything looked different.

The Quiet Shift of the Season

The leaves had changed.

Here in Kansas City, there is a slow slide into autumn we usually start to notice in early to mid October, but it wasn't gradual that day. It felt like the whole world had transformed overnight. Trees that were a solid, sleepy green the day before were suddenly drenched in golds and rusts, like they had dressed up in their fiery finest, just for the occasion. The sky was that perfect soft blue that only shows up in October, and the air smelled like dry leaves and the faint promise of something warm baking somewhere.

I just stood there, basking in the sunlight streaming through crimson leaves overhead. It was the first time in what felt like weeks that I had truly seen what was around me. Not the to-do list or the crumbs on the floor or the half-finished spelling lesson—but the beauty. The shift. The moment.

And all I could think was: How long has it looked like this, and why didn't I notice sooner?

When Fall Becomes a Wake-Up Call

Seasons change quietly. They don't bang pots and pans or flash warning lights. They whisper. They tilt the sun a little lower in the sky. They cool the mornings slowly. They tuck clues into corners—until one day, everything is different, and you wonder how you missed the transition.

Life is like that, too.

It's easy to get caught in the noise. Easy to rush from task to task, believing we'll slow down after things settle. But things don't settle. Not really. The pace just shifts, and the moments keep moving. Our kids keep growing. The trees keep turning. And if we're not paying attention, we miss it.

That morning, the trees caught me mid-hurry and invited me to pause and stay awhile. So I did.

What My Children Taught Me About Wonder

Later that day, I bundled my three little ones into jackets and told them we were going on an adventure. Nothing big, just a walk around the block. We didn't bring anything fancy. No wagon. No camera. Just our eyes, our hands, and a small paper bag to collect leaves.

My girl squealed with joy every time she spotted a new color. She stomped in the leaves just to hear the sound. She twirled under a golden rain of sycamore leaves like she was starring in her very own autumn ballet. My oldest remarked on every tree, commenting on the color, or the shape, or the gentle sway of branches dancing in the autumn breeze. My youngest crashed around, roaring and kicking up leaves like the dinosaur he knew he was born to be. They enjoyed every moment to the fullest.

And I followed their lead.

We didn't talk about science, learning objectives, or what we were supposed to do that day. We just wandered. We noticed. We wondered. We gave thanks to God for His incredible artwork. And we made a memory I'll never forget.

Simple Ways to Savor Fall With Your Family

If you've been feeling the tug to slow down, consider this your invitation. Here are a few gentle, easy ways to savor fall before it slips away:

Take a Leaf Walk

Visit your favorite park or hiking trail and let your kids collect their favorite leaves. Bonus idea: press them in wax paper or use them for rubbings later.

Start a Fall Favorites Journal

At dinner each week, ask everyone to share their favorite fall moment. Write it down in a little notebook or keep it in your Notes app. It's a simple way to treasure the season.

Visit a Local Fall Hotspot

If you're near Kansas City, make time for a visit to Weston Red Barn Farm, grab cider donuts at Louisburg Cider Mill, or catch a golden hour session at Burr Oak Woods. The backdrop is breathtaking—and the memories are even better. For more ideas, visit my full blog post on can't miss Kansas City fall activities here.

Plan a Backyard Campfire

You don't need a full camping setup. My kids are happy with just a few marshmallows, cozy blankets, and time to sit under the stars together. Add a story or a song, and you've got a new tradition.

What You'll Remember (and What You Won't)

I don't remember what we had for dinner that Tuesday. I don't remember how many lessons we finished or whether the laundry ever got folded.

But I remember the color of those trees. I remember my daughter's laugh. I remember the way the air felt on my face and the way everything inside me slowed down.

That's what this season gives us if we're willing to notice it: moments that matter.

And maybe—just maybe—that's the kind of memory you want to hold onto.

Let's Capture This Season Together

If you're craving a slower, more intentional fall, one filled with warmth, wonder, and connection, let's get your fall photo session on my calendar.

Whether it's a full family session at sunset or a short and sweet mini with the trees ablaze behind you, I'll help you freeze time just for a little while.

Because one day, your child will be grown. And you'll want to remember what their laugh sounded like when they chased falling leaves.

Contact me today, or schedule right through the links in the menu at the top of this page.

(Or reach out directly if you want to talk through ideas!)

What About You?

What does fall look like for your family this year?

Tell me in the comments: What's one small way you're choosing to slow down and savor the season?

I'd love to hear your story. 🍁

XO,

Merry

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