just like that

Spring arrived.

The breezes have warmed just enough to let me know that it is likely safe to pack away the hats and gloves this time.  Not like last month, when I packed them away, and had to unpack them again several days later.

Sun graced the first soccer games of the season allowing us to daydream of the shirtsleeve weather arriving.

The daffodils and tulips are winding down their days of beauty.  Freshly cut grass brilliantly declaring its intention of now taking on the color of the day.

The kids have splurged their carefully counted coins on water toys.  Soaking wet clothes and boots have been followed by necessary warm baths.

Pal is big enough for the wagon.  And his sister's sun hat.  Maybe his own is in order.  I'd like to sew one.  But I'm off to the playground, so it will have to wait a bit longer.

puzzling

I've been listening to the birds.  It's as if they arrived back in town this week, chirping earnestly and early.  At 4:00 AM in fact, when I find myself reluctantly awake.  Thinking.  Praying.  Dreaming.

They keep me company, their cheep cheep and coos whispering to me of the goodness waiting outside, around the corner, soon. 

There was quite a bit of rain mid-week.  I could practically see the grass greening before me.  We've already become used to the out-of-doors, shifting our days to playgrounds and sunscreen and sidewalk chalk, only to be sent back inside by the heavy spring rains.

So I performed a trick that many a Mama has up her sleeve.  I dug out toys that had been stored away, thus making them new.

And the day was spent puzzling.  For all ages.  Puzzles put together and taken apart a dozen times.  Puzzle races.  Completed puzzles lined up in a parade of progress.  Learning to make the border and then filling in the middle.  Puzzle pieces expertly spread underfoot by Pal.

A good, grey, slow, drizzly, puzzly day.

We've since turned back to sun, thankfully.  The grass more confidently green.  Kids more confidently puzzlers.  The puzzles put back in their storage bin.  Mama satisfied.

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!

on earth day

:: I had my first sips of coffee before three of the kids were up this morning.  Oh a rare treat.

:: The kids set up a Free Water stand for Earth Day.  How sweet is that?

:: Munchkin had the idea to actually deliver water to people out in the neighborhood.  Thus, the mobile Free Water stand.

:: The people we delivered water to were delighted, if not a bit surprised.

:: House projects.

:: Oh glorious sun.

:: And budding trees.  We are happy you've finally come.

:: The always-fun pastime of jumping off of the front steps.

:: Finding comfort in the reminder of these words.  I'll spare you the nitty gritty of our house hunt, but will share with you that we are having to be really, really patient for the house we really, really want.

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.

lately

A larger than life version of Fruit Ninja.  Oh the wonders of the mall.  Not shown in the picture are the hordes of pre-teens hanging out.

Yes he is typing.  No, I can barely keep up with him.

Free Cone Day at Ben and Jerry's.  Those are balloons, not ice cream.  We ate the ice cream, waiting for the balloons.  It took me days to realize that Munchkin thought you only got the CONE on Free Cone Day.  He was quite concerned about what we would do for ice cream.

A peek of spring color, coming oh. so. slowly. to our world.

She makes friends wherever she goes.  Always.  Even with dolls at the kids furniture store.

Today I received a message from a dear friend reminding me "Don't leap in front of grace."

It is a quote from Sr. Helen Prejean.  Sr. Helen rocks.  My friend sent the quote in response to an update I had e-mailed about our house hunt.  As happens our journey in finding a house is like that experienced by many others.  A time of great anticipation and anxiety.  Hope and disappointment.  A roller coaster that is more nauseating than thrilling. 

Thursday evening we found out our offer on a house was bested by an offer from someone else.  Hours of disappointment followed the news.  Until the next morning when we entered a house that we really love.  So the waiting has begun again.

How perfectly timed was this quote from my friend.  And in my year of grace, no less.  So, best as I can I am living in the moment, and letting grace take her lovely time.

{daddy's} 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."

Photo credit:  Daddy, while on travels for work

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

Wishing you a weekend full of exuberant goodness!

shoring

Who knew that an extreme close up could make the bottom of your cast iron tub look somewhat antiquey and interesting.

After all it is an antique, almost a century old.  Seems that if a cast iron tub has been in place for nearly one hundred years, eventually it will need some reinforcing.

So last week was spent shoring up of that ol' tub.  And the no-longer-sturdy front steps.  And the light fixtures in the stairwell that haven't worked for over a decade.  A decade!  It took less than an hour and $65 to the electrician.  Again, who knew?

We've been shoring up quite a bit.  Projects certainly, but also our emotions.  The emotions that rollick and roll as you take a huge humongous leap of faith.

A leap to a new house, in a new neighborhood, in a new community.  All the while keeping our current house to rent out to others.  Talk about a leap.

For easily 18 months we've been daydreaming about a move to a slightly bigger house with a much bigger yard.  Driving streets, becoming familiar with neighborhoods, weighing the pros and cons of each and every city within reason.  Spending hours upon hours scouring realty websites.  (Oh if I had a dime for every minute spent looking at houses on-line, we could afford a mansion!)

All of this dreaming is coming true.  In just the past couple weeks what we have been praying for has been falling into place, little by little.  And the emotions rise and fall and tremble at the edge of what is possible.  What might be.  What will be.

I've been shoring up my strength.  Preparing to say goodbye to good friends, and gracefully relinquishing commitments to PTA.  Realizing how much I love our teeny tiny house, even as I know we have quite outgrown it.  After 12 years it is exactly the way I like it.  Looking around town at special places that will be missed in our everyday.

Not to mention the roller coaster of house offers and waiting and rejections and waiting and counter offers and waiting.  And the clock is ticking, the very nice renters we found are moving in soon.

So most importantly, I've been shoring up my breath.  Knowing that this transition is going to take moment after moment of calm, I've been breathing slowly and deeply.  For myself,  for my children.  Though we aren't moving very far away, the change is quite real for these littles who have only known this teeny tiny house as home. 

So let this leap be not so scary, but exhilarating and inspiring and interesting too.

this moment {finally}

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 exuberant goodness!

one year ago

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