this moment

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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!

this moment {confidence}

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!

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!

this moment {worn out}

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!

two years, where does the time go

This boy.

This boy.

This boy.

I love him so.  Achingly.  He's into everything.  Persistent, independent, self-assured.  He figures it out, helps out, goes after exactly what he desires.  Climbs on my lap and lifts my shirt when he wants breastmilk, climbs into the fridge when he wants yogurt.  Not so much a boy of words, but a boy of action.

This morning I spilled some coffee on my pajama pants.  He climbed on a stool, got several napkins, came back to me and patted at the wet spot on the fabric.

While he did so he placed his other hand on my forearm.  So gently.

This boy.

I've been thinking about his entrance into the world two years ago.  The anticipation we felt.  The news.  The amazement that followed.  The nickname chosen. (For the record we've called him Squirmy since day one, and still do.  Apt.  See picture above.) 

As I watched his hand on my arm this morning, I felt so deeply that this is my boy.  No longer my baby, but my boy.

Happy Birthday Squirmy.  We are so glad you are here.

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

this moment {squirmy}

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

this moment {just like the big kids}

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

{fall} weekending

Fall.  Fall. Fall.  It's all about fall, and discovering this season in a new way in our new home.

Morning walks in the woods, coffee in hand.

Afternoon walks in the woods, wet with rain.

Evening walks in the woods, spotting deer.  Always deer.  (And for the first time wild turkeys!)

A first family clam bake.  A first for our family, not the First Family, cool as that would be.

Organizing the garage.  Hooray!  (And please don't tell my 22 year old self that my 42 year old self gets excited about organizing the garage.)

A bit of laundry.  Always laundry.

Laundry and deer.

And then there is gladsome.  It is soon.  12 days soon.  So details are being attended to here and there, every chance I get.  The women attending are in for a very, very special weekend.  And it is a comfortable knowledge that gladsome is becoming part of my very own fall landscape.


{Weekending with the wonderful Amanda.}

this moment

We are planting our peace pole this weekend.  You can be part of this special occasion by leaving your message of peace here to be planted with the pole.

 ~~

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of peace!

this moment {and last chance to win...}

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

Today is the last day to comment on this post for the chance to receive special mail!

this moment {sharing}

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

green

It became green over the weekend.

Full-fledged, trees bursting with color, as green as the day is long, green.  I've spent my time looking around in amazement.  Charmed that today looks so different from a week ago.  That the windows are open and I can hear the neighborhood.  That even with the tell-tale signs of pollen - truly a complete dusting every morning - that the air feels fresh.

I realize spring comes every year, that I've experienced this particular transition of season 42 times.  But the green, this green, is simply stunning to my senses this time around. 

Though my senses are heightened these days.  With anticipation for a new home.  With end-of-the-school-year rituals and celebrations.  With knowledge that much work lies ahead (though nothing could rival my nesting list our moving list has already been started.)  With understanding of bittersweet goodbyes to people and places that will come all too soon.

I received this text from Honey last Friday.

We are a bit further along in knowing exactly to where we will be moving, though there are still several big pieces to fall into place before we actually have keys in hand.  But into place they will fall.  I know.

Meanwhile I will look at the green around me, seeing it as perhaps Pal does.  Fully.

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

this moment {pink sidewalk chalk, thanks to sister}

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!

Wishing you a weekend full of grace and goodness!

default

I'm finding that when I take need time for myself my default has become getting out for a hike.  No matter the weather, this is what I increasingly am drawn to do.

I am not quite sure how I've gotten here.  But I have.  It's been a couple of years in the making.  Choosing to be outside instead of in.  Breathing fresh air as I can.  Returning to the busyness of home better for having hiked.

I am grateful each time I strap on my $30-Craigslist-baby-carrier-find with Pal snug inside.  I am grateful each time I lace up my Keene hiking boots.  I am grateful each time Honey nudges me out the door -- him often recognizing my need before I do.

I don't usually take my camera with me.  I let my time be just that.  Time to be.  Though I find that more often than not I simply can't let the entire beauty of the moment escape some photos on my phone.

Just last night, even with money burning a hole in my pocket for an ice cream sundae, I chose an outing in the drizzly twilight.  Soon after I got the "all clear" text from Honey that the big kids were asleep and I could return to a quiet house.

Grateful indeed.

one year ago

 We welcomed you into this world and today our lives are all the better...