this moment

Joining SouleMama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

these kids

These kids.

THESE KIDS!

Hubby and I often look at them and wonder how in the world we ended up here.

Yet.

And yet.

The way they live their lives constantly reminds me of how I want to live mine.

Joyfully.

Smart.

Exhuberantly.

Wearing polka dots and plaid and tie dye all together.

And a cape for good measure.

These kids.

They make me crazy.  But watching them, and really seeing, is what best brings me back to sane.

These kids.

Their rites of passage - like a lost tooth - remind me of how I must honor this time in their lives.

That tooth.  That specific one lost.  I'm missing it.  I loved it, and how my son looked with it.  So his loosing it also reminds me of this never-slowing passage of time.

These kids.

When left to their own devices find fun in running up and down and up and down and up and down the sidewalk.  They feed ants with potato chips.  They make messes (and mountains of dirty laundry.)

They play outside in their pajamas.

And bare feet.

With chipped pink toe-nail polish.

These kids.

They remind me to be more spontaneous.  More creative.  More silly.  More spunky.

These kids.

I've had experiences that when looking at them, I get an actual glimpse of them as their older selves.  It is always jarring to catch that moment and recognize that it is rushing towards me.

These kids reveal to me the very worst in myself.  And the very best I work to become.

Their faces melt my heart.  Humble me.  Disarm me.  Remind me that it is I who must be their worthiest role model, their most ardent advocate, their unconditionally compassionate parent.

Recognizing the sacred in their faces reminds me of this divine work of motherhood I've gotten into.

Loud, messy, and difficult.  But full of happiness, laughter, and life.

Plaid skirt, stripey tights, flowered boots are a bonus.

this moment

Joining SouleMama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

weekending {or falling in love}

Mary Poppins is in my head because I keep thinking practically perfect in every way.  I can't get it out of my head, sort of like when you are falling in love and can't stop thinking about the person.  Well that was a recent weekend of mine, practically perfect.  And if you follow me on Twitter (@bcomingclaudine) you likely realize that I have fallen in love with The Flea.

I spent the Saturday of that practically perfect weekend with one of my dearest friends wandering that cool, urban market.  The sun was shining, live music wafted on the warm breeze, at every turn there was something interesting, or cool, or quirky, or simply lovely to discover.

We browsed vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, delightful decor, interesting books.

The food stations and trucks were offering local, homemade, fresh.  How can you decide between mini fresh-made donuts and creamery ice cream?  Hint: you can't, you try both.

That delightful blue typewriter had a SOLD tag early in the day.  Had some lucky buyer not been there first, it would have come home with  me for a mere $45.

I did find a couple treasures.  This delightful re-purposed spoon that has been stamped.  I love how it reminds me to "bloom where you are planted."  And the vintage sorting toy.  The wood pieces are long gone, but I loved the sweet cards on the side.  I may use it for art supplies, but for now, it is part of my spring display that includes a print from the lovely Phoebe Wahl.

Perhaps the best treasure was carving a day out for myself, with a "Wonder" woman (did you notice her jacket) who knows me, affirms me, and makes stories and laughter come so easily.  Made sweeter by The Flea.

Falling in love, indeed. 

this moment

Joining SouleMama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!