Monthly Archives: November 2012

Thanksgiving

This past weekend we were able to spend time with Marshall’s brother and his wife at their new home in the mountains.
With the exception of some crazy sleeping arrangements, the weekend was perfect.
(With 4 small kids, sleeping away from home is always the hardest part for any of our travels.)

I am thankful for family – my little(big) family and our extended family.

The weather was not too hot and not too cold.
The leaves were past their peak, but still pretty.
We climbed rocks and splashed in puddles.
We had a campfire and played shadow games.

I am thankful for nature and how it makes me feel connected to my Creator and the universe.

Our drive back home went faster than I thought it would.
(Probably because I slept most of the way.)

I am thankful for technology that allows us to travel, movies that allow us some peace in the car,
And Marshall, who never complains about driving.

We made it back just in time to go to my favorite church service of the year.
Once a year our small town has all of the churches together for one service.
We sing and blend our worship styles, feeling the Spirit wrap around us and pull us closer.
I can’t stop myself from singing (in my head):
“Jesus love the little children.
All the children of the world.
Every color, every race –
We’re all covered by God’s grace.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

I am thankful that we are free to worship our own way,
And that we can celebrate our differences while holding fast to our own traditions.

On our drive home from church, we see Christmas lights up.
The oldest asks “Why does it seem like everyone is forgetting Thanksgiving?”
And I have no reply.

I am thankful for children who understand the importance of giving thanks,
Who teach me daily what it means to really love and be grateful.

What are you thankful for?

And SNAP the job’s a game*

I love that moment when this:

Becomes this:

*If you aren’t singing “A Spoonful of Sugar” right now, I’m not sure if we can still be friends.

Spinning

There is so much goodness, so many rich, full moments that I can’t keep up.
Life swirls around beautifully and I settle happily into the blur.

The woosh of our days drowns out the static of the world with static of its own.
And wrap myself in the warmth of knowing that I am here in this moment, taking it all in.

Life is spinning quickly, with plans to spin faster and faster.
But now, unlike so many times before, I’m doing more than just barely hanging on.

Want to know more about how to make photographs like these? Click here to see my post on the One2One Network blog.

 

Screamy Baby/Smiley Baby

For days, weeks even, she’s been screamy.
Like intolerably screamy.
Like I-can’t-take-this-anymore screamy.
And I know she’s been getting teeth and I know that hurts.
But gah! I was going nuts!

And then, today, she wakes up full of pure happy.
She laughed and smiled, and smiled and laughed.
She cuddled up next to me and squealed with delight when I kissed her cheek.
She clapped when Lydia read the pigeon book aloud.
And she beamed when she used the potty for the very first time.

Gosh, I sure do love her.
(Even when she’s screamy.)

Monday, Monday

It was a beautiful – but long – weekend and we are having difficulty finding our stride again.
There are whines and tears and eyes being rubbed, and we all need naps.
I snap at little things and let big things slide simply because they don’t seem worth it.

No food in the house and no energy to go to the store.
Mount Laundry seems insurmountable.
The dog whimpers and whines, and my heart rate inches upward.

I don’t like being on edge, but I’ve been toeing the line all day.
I hide in the car to get two minutes of silence.
Listening to my breaths, I try to be grateful that these are my problems.
(For they could be much worse.)
But still I sulk.
And pity myself.
And cry a little.

Oh, Monday…
I give.
You win.
(Now show some mercy, would ya?)

 

Branching Out