Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A moment in time...

My eight year old daughter came to me to ask if she could have the last "French bagel". I said, yes, she could have the last English Muffin. So cute!

The best part is that she shared the last English Muffin with her little sister without me asking her to. Just because her little sister wanted some. Cute and sweet!

Friday, July 25, 2008

A Question

Does anyones else hesitate to wash off the "wall art" by the hand of their youngest child? Every time I scrub it off, I wonder if that is the last one, and if having one little remnant of all the crayon I have scrubbed off walls wouldn't be an appreciated souvenir of "the good old days".

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Thank you, God!!

We are having the most beautiful weather right now. I actually needed a blanket last night to sleep! In late July!

Now, I am sitting at my desk, a strong cup of coffee at my side, a biscotti waiting for me, and the most delicious breeze blowing through my windows, carrying with it the aroma of freshly cut grass and the invigorating song of a wren.

I have so many ideas of fun to do with this luscious day. A hike? The zoo? A picnic? a bike ride? I only have 3 children here today (the others are off with their dad having fun), so whatever we do will be easier than usual.

I love a day full of possibilities!

Why do I forget that EVERY day is full of possibilities?

Thank you, dear Lord for this beautiful day, this insight into the time You give me to use each day, and the tender care You take to shower us with beauty. Just the sky would be enough today! But wait, there's more! The trees, the scent, the sounds, the warmth. Thank you!

Monday, July 21, 2008

The July Phase of my Life




While out strolling through my garden recently, I made a connection between the feeling I had looking at the status of my flowers, and those I get looking at the status of my mothering.

In the early spring, I planted, weeded, mulched, envisioned the future, and set the garden in motion for my eventual hopes. It looked so small, so delicate and vulnerable. Every day I would tend to my garden, watering, weeding, pruning, picking off bugs, and encouraging my plants to thrive and produce.

As I walk through the garden now, it is huge, blossoms abound, but so does a bit of chaos. Weeds that I missed are huge, and a constant distraction to me. The mulch I placed is hard to even see, as the plants have gotten rather unruly, and are encroaching on each others' space. From a distance, my garden looks terrific, but up close I can see all the areas that need me constantly, and all the potential it still has to be better. My vegetables have lots of blossoms, but not much produce at this time. I must still wait a bit to see if my efforts are going to pay off to a good yield.

And so it is with my children. When the were small, and I had so much more control over their environment, everything was well in hand, and ready for growth to occur. Their needs were constant, and simple, and aimed at the future.

Just like with my garden, I struggled and still do, to enjoy the process, rather that just keeping my eye on the future.

Just like with my garden, I am aware of the fact that a few weeds got past me, and need rooting out.

Just like with my garden, the boundaries that were so neatly placed early in my children's lives are getting fuzzy, and there is more pruning, discipling, and re-ordering needed to achieve the ultimate goal.

My children are in their "middle years", so I have yet to learn if my parenting philosophies will produce good fruit. It's looking promising, but I have to be patient and keep at it, hoping for the best outcome.

It was during one morning spent with my garden that I decided that I am in the "July Phase" of my life. It can be discouraging, daunting, and tiring. Did I make the right decisions? Did I pay enough attention to this area, at the detriment of that one? Am I up to the task of making it all right, and will it really ever be "done"?

But when I step back, my garden is lovely. And so is my family. Making peace with constancy of the demands with the pleasure that is offered on a daily basis is my job now. Overcoming the discouragement and hanging on to hope is my job now. And keeping at it, that is my job always!

Monday, July 14, 2008

Is it really the middle of July?

I have finally updates at St. Paraskeva's place, with two sets of photos, early and late June. Where I have been:



Finally enjoying my chaise lounge, patio and a good book.


Looking up at these:


And over at these.

And another child had a birthday, as previously mentioned, my eldest is now 15 years old. And this week my "middle child" turns 10. Whew! No more birthdays for a few months (except mine, and that's another story). The years truly do fly by!

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Today from Henri Nouwen

The Wounded Healer

Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not "How can we hide our wounds?" so we don't have to be embarrassed, but "How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?" When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers.

Jesus is God's wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed. Jesus' suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.
Henri Nouwen

(visit here for more)

Monday, July 07, 2008

Delightful moment of the day...


...drying off my four year old daughter after her bath tonight. She told me I forgot to dry off the inside of her belly button, so I did, and her giggle was so delicious, I had to do it again.

Friday, July 04, 2008

I am ALONE!!

I am all alone in my house, for the first time in, oh, three years or so. I am giddy with the possibilities. I am swirling from laundry, to sorting papers, to cleaning my desk, to changing my sheets to finding my favorite songs on iTunes and blasting the music as loud as I can, since NO ONE IS HERE TO COMPLAIN!!

So as not to waste this precious time, I am not going to stay here long, but I will say that if I get done early enough to get back here, I will be finally updating St. Paraskeva. I am taking July off from the weekly workshop, and may then, have time to catch up with myself.

My garden needs water and taming, and is also whispering to me today. So is my icon, of The Samaritan Woman at the Well. And I only have 4 hours or so to see what I can do.

Tomorrow my eldest turns 15 years old. All he wants is a homemade cake, and a quiet day. Think our life is hectic much, when the 15 year old begs for quiet?

Anyway, I'm off to revel in the solitude. Toodles!!