I am so ready for fall.

After feeling that little bit of nip in the air Tuesday, it made me realize just how much I love Autumn.

When the leaves change, the afternoons grow dark and it’s actually cool enough to wear jeans to the football game on Friday – you know – that really is my favorite time of the year.

According to the calendar, there are only 105 days left in the year, which equates to 45 days left to buy your child a Halloween costume, 72 days to plan Thanksgiving dinner and 100 days to buy the perfect Christmas gift.

Shocking to realize how fast this year has gone by too, isn’t it?

It seems like not too long ago we were having an election in February, hunting Easter eggs and celebrating the first day of spring before almost roasting to death in the summer sun.

Oh wait, I think we might still be doing that.

One of the things that I like so much about the fall is feeling of family it brings. The last three months of the year are packed with nothing but occasions to celebrate with your loved ones and friends.

At my house, Halloween is always a favorite. I mean – how neat is it that it’s the norm to let three little girls strike out in public in feather boas and leotards and not get stared out?

Now that’s not to say that I’m going to get off easy at Halloween with boas and leotards for all three of my girls. It would be an act of the good Lord almighty above to see that happen. It’ll take 14 trips to Wal-Mart and maybe an online shopping expedition to see that project to fruition, but I’m sure that’s another column unto itself. You are giving me far too much credit if you think I’ve already accomplished that project. I still have 45 days left remember?

And then we have Thanksgiving, which is my all time utmost favoritest holiday, as my baby girl says.

There is something to be said about a holiday that lets you sit around the dining room table looking at the people you love most in the world and enjoying some good ol’ home cooking. ‘Cause I tell you folks, there is nothing I love to eat in the world more than a slice of ham, some cornbread dressing and chicken and dumplings. When you mix those dumplings with that dressing, hmmm….makes me hungry thinking about it.

Outside of Thanksgiving, Christmas would have to be next favorite holiday, and it’s not about the receiving for me. It’s about the giving.

I love being able to watch my children’s faces as they count the pile of presents under tree (equal distribution being a key factor at Christmas, too). I love the expressions on their faces as the wrapping paper comes off and the bows fly. But the best part is the “thank you” that comes out of their mouths after it’s all said and done.

And while there are only 100 days left until that special holiday, we all need to be reminded we don’t know how long we have in this world, and each of us need to be reminded that if it’s fall, spring or summer or March 12, June 22 or Dec. 25, we need to thank the Lord for giving us each day on this earth.