All is Calm, All is Bright

Every year, we choose a guiding theme for the upcoming year, usually I take the theme from a Christmas carol and use it on our Christmas card, but I try to keep it in the forefront of my mind as we live out our daily lives. 

For 2013, I chose All is Calm and All is Bright. 

It seemed fitting, because who doesn't want to be calm, quiet and full of light? 

Unbeknownst to me our guiding theme became my mantra as we passed through some of the darkest times of our family life and marriage. And claim those words as glorious truth through some of the most adventurous and beautiful times in our family life and marriage. 

I read recently though I can't remember where, that adversity gives birth to hope. Without struggling through adversity, you can be left with an unshakeable hopelessness. And though, I don't know about unshakeable hopelessness, I do know that our hard fought adversity has indeed given birth to hope. And more than that we are now thriving. 

We've learned a lot. Basically, practice radical honesty, ask for help when you need it, take a step back and seek out the good and the beautiful in life. Even if it seems like nothing is beautiful. Be on the watch for it, it will find you. 

And this all sounds trite and hocus-pocus, but looking back on this year, I wouldn't trade any ounce of it, because of the place we're in now.

And remarkably, as we enter 2014. We're entering it Calm & Bright.

So we chose for this years theme, Repeat the Sounding Joy.

Because, we could all use a joyful year to recuperate. (Hows that for honesty!?)

This Moment: On the Street Where You Live

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. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Joining Soulemama

Yarn Along: Litany

We were snuggled in on the couch reading before bath time and Isabel read the cover of my book and asked, "What is a Litany?" I said, "usually short prayers where the priest will pray and we will respond. It's a practice of prayer, but in a structured way."

And then I begun thinking about Keeping House -- and the truth that it brought to light. Meeting basic needs of a community is spiritual practice.  I know that warm food, warm clothes, clean sheets make us feel safe and whole.

Last night, I had all three kids (my two plus our beloved Olivia!) in the snow. The snow was so wet, they came and changed some article of clothing, pants, gloves, hats, just to run outside again for more. When they came inside for dinner, their cheeks were rosy, their hearts were full and they were hungry. We lit candles, added a few more chairs, shared dinner together. And I realized, keeping house is much more than folding laundry or changing beds, but it is those things. It's a heart cracked wide open to the people we love and the community we live with.

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This picture is the beginning of another pickles plain vest, it's off the needles, gotten a few wooden buttons and has been given to a sweet little man. It's knit in Plymouth Yarn- 553 Coffee Beans, colorway Gray 9389.

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

November Gratitude

November 1: For parents who come visit. And who are content in the excitement of sewing costumes, Halloween Parties and Trick or Treating. And who are content in the quiet: drinking coffee around our table, reading magazines, helping with homework, walking in the leaves and snuggling while watching movies. We are blessed.

November 2: For a few moments to sit on the porch in an old quilt. For the little pajama clad man who came and sat with me. "Share your warmth, Mama." By all means, Mr.

And for amazing friends, who encourage dress up, family togetherness and laughter!

November 3: For our glorious church and potlucks. Yellow leaves and fall sunsets.

November 4: For God's grace, practiced forgiveness, vulnerability, hard work, long roads and strong friendships.

November 5: For warm clothes, soft places to land, arm chairs, phone calls, letter writing. Things that make this world seem not so harsh.

Weekending: Quiet Spaces

Last night, on a little drive into the country, Truman said, "We need to have our family meeting. Let's have it now!" We have a quick family meeting on Sunday nights, usually around the table after supper. And the kids are quick to remind me if I forget because they love recounting their week together. Having it in the car, sounded just as good as at the table so we went over our basic outline.

We have a quick conversation that starts with the same questions/items:
1. What were the good things that happened this week?
2. What were some challenges this week?
3. What is something we could work on together this week?
4. Calendar time-- we talk through everything coming up on our calendar and try to make a game plan for the week ahead.

As we answered the questions we realized there were so many good things. Not too many challenges. But I paused when Truman answered number three this week.

T: "We could work on quiet."

Me: How? I asked.

T: "Um, you know when we are all together but the house is quiet."

Oh. I love that idea.

So tonight, when we had to read some books for the school's, Fall into Reading Challenge... we took a stack of books and all cuddled in 'the big bed.' It was flurry of quilts, flannel sheets, stuffed animals and different level reading books. But we settled into quiet. And it felt just right. And we stayed there for almost an hour. I read a book too.

They had other ideas for quiet too... Isabel said, "Mom, maybe on Tuesday we can read books, listen to music, drink hot cocoa and light a smelly candle. I love smelly candles." Did this lady plop down from heaven or what?!

I am actively looking, for a few quiet spaces this week. What are ways you infuse your life with a bit of 'pause?'

Finding Fall: Homework Time

We escaped the kitchen table, our normal homework spot for the fresh still-green grass, a few blankets and some sweet autumn air.

Isabel practiced her 1st reading for Mass on Friday. She's so excited to be able to be apart of the service.

Truman had to read and digest his Social Studies lesson for homework tonight. Social Studies is Dad's territory. Eric loved reading and reviewing for tests with Isabel, so we're continuing the tradition this year too.

We are so blessed with some quiet nights and evenings outside.


*If you care to, join me for two weeks of Finding Fall.  

Creating Memories: Late Summer

 

Yesterday, I surprised the kids and took off the afternoon. We've been having early-outs from school due to high heat. They got off the bus, cheeks flushed and a little lethargic. Until they realized that I had icy lemonade, chocolate cupcakes and a cool house for them to come home to!

We pretended we had a summer day off and we packed our day with tons of fun things. The afternoon felt lazy and productive, all in the same breath.

And when I looked back on everything we did yesterday, I am amazed. It was a really great day at home.

-We read a few chapters of James and the Giant Peach while we ate our cupcakes and drank lemonade.

-Truman did his homework while Isabel played with dolls.

-Truman made an awesome Lego, car/airplane as a surprise for Eric.

-We set up a waterless swimming pool for the sheep and Molly. (So our stuffed friends would not 'feel left out' when we played outside.)

-We sat in the kiddie pool and washed all the outdoor furniture, the front door, the side of the house. I drank lemonade, dunked my feet in the pool and I read a few pages of this book.

-We picked up Dad early so he could join our summer fun!

-We played water balloons.

-Eric and I snuck off to the coffee shop for a few minutes while our neighbor watched the kids play outside.

-I made tacos for dinner while the boys made more Lego sculptures. And Izzo took a bath.

-Dinner together was fun and relaxing, we love spending time together!

-Truman took a bath and Izzo did homework.

-We had silent reading time.

-The kids did a few Cosmic Kids Yoga videos.

-They played spies and 'helped' while I finished some 'pick up, put away' in the playroom.

-Dad got home from a meeting and we made paper monsters.

-They got to bed early and read James and the Giant Peach with Eric. 

It was such a glorious day, I wanted a little record to keep in my mind forever.

What did you do yesterday?

Daily Seeing: July

Outside: It's been a bit cooler. Tonight it's raining, I'm sitting near an open window listening to the wind and the raindrops. We've been setting up our water color painting outside lately in the afternoons. Isabel gave the sheep an art lesson.

Inside: We had a completely lazy Saturday morning, watching movies, playing legos, setting up doll houses and making/fixing things with the glue gun.

Listening: We all love different pandora stations, but we stop and dance for this song:



Learning: To practice happiness, joyful togetherness and deep listening. Everyday.

Wearing: This dress, on repeat all summer. I got it quite a few years ago and it is still a weekly wear. So comfy too!

Thinking: How quickly this summer is moving along.

Reading: Truman, Toy Story 2. Isabel, The Velveteen Rabbit (again). Me, Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life. Eric, Young Men and Fire.

Praying:

Suscipe St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.

What have you been up to? What beauty are you seeing in your daily life?

Weekending: Always Winter?

Well, it's still winter here, it feels like it will never end.

We finally finished reading, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And I think I know what all those characters felt like always winter.

I know we've loved these months... but today, right now it feels like spring is a far off dream that is just out of grasp. We've even loved the snow-- the quiet it brings to our home and the way that it makes the days seem a bit slower, the sounds of the world dampened by a thick blanket. But right now, we are itching for green gardens, dark deep earth and the unmistakeable sweet smell of growth.

I resolve to be patient, I will practice my resolve... It will be here soon.

This weekend, we had a beautiful mix of old friends and new. Dinners, birthday parties, pre-snow trail jaunts (hand knits, capes, sunglasses, neon), gymnastics, church... slowly one thing fades into the other and we magically arrive at Sunday evening. Where we sit comfortably book and journal in hand, Harry Potter 4 in the DVD player and with a cup of coffee (which I will regret while wide eyed at 2 am, I’m sure).

But, if I can just wonder in amazement at these two faces for a moment. They were babes just yesterday, weren't they? They were all limbs, coos and cries, milk faced and sleepy? And now. Now, they are intensely their own.

I love... time to be together

The kids and I have been creating in 3D. Homemade play-dough, puppets, modeling clay! I love the time we sit around the table and take time for the creative process.

Joining Kerry for I love.

weekending

This weekend was so beautiful.

Early on Saturday morning, I heard Eric wake up with the dogs. Help the kids find something to do and then he started a gourmet breakfast and did dishes. I can't help but love him so much.

A few of our favorite friends stopped by for lattes, homemade biscuits and pear sauce. Then walked we all down the alley and found more friends upstairs at the Old Factory Coffee Shop. Conversations, laughter and the best coffee in Iowa.

In the evening, after bible study and prayer group-- we played Four on the Couch. Best. Game. Ever. I haven't laughed that hard in years.

Eric made our old gas grill into a charcoal smoker. He used some dry applewood boughs to cold smoke a pork butt. Then he slow roasted it overnight. We had the most delicious pulled pork for our potluck at church today and the super bowl party attended.

Now I'm sitting knitting a simple scarf for Truman (blue please! soft! not fancy!). Bulky yarn on large needles means it's going fast!

I'm thinking about next week, menu planning and declaring a family week. All of our evenings focusing on each other. Good food, good sleep, lots of reading, playing together and getting outside.

How was your weekend? What does your week look like?

I'm joining the habit of being for weekending and Kerry for I love.
And Gratitude Sunday.

For Today

the lumineers album. every. single. song. on. this. album.

lattes. we've been making them almost everyday. and when we don't make them ourselves. we visit Erin and she makes them for us. so spoiled.

the weather. negative temperatures makes all of us want to be home and in the big bed reading books. i love being home.

wool socks. mom got me these beauties for my stocking. loving my growing smartwool collection and my tootsies are toasty.

simple mittens. i am almost done with mitten no. 2. this video really helped with the thumb gore.

girl scout cookies. they are tasty and i do not have to coordinate the sale this year. this is a win win. carmel delites now come stress free. (on sale from today to march 17th... wink wink)

husband. he came home with teacher appreciation chocolate bars + an extra for me. truman wrapped it up along with my favorite-daily-used pen. "i knew you would love the pen. since i KNOW you love that pen." nice thought, Truman! even if he did have to borrow it from me-- to wrap it up and give it back.

this book. this documentary. this show (so dramatic!). this video.

What makes your week happy? What things are you loving?

Yarn Along: Wild and Simple

This week while I was at the Library looking for Adventure books for Truman I stumbled upon Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (for ME to read!). This book has been making it's rounds in the blogging world and in Yarn Along for quite a few months (here, here, here). And Gretchen Rubin interviewed her about happiness, here.

I finished the book this evening... I loved the imagery of the trail, the scenery, her determination and the fact that she was a woman who took on the wilderness and came out to tell about it. And the idea that hard work and natural landscapes can -in fact- save you from yourself and offer prospective. 

I did kind of feel like I was flashing back to my childhood a bit, our parents believed in exposing us to State and National Parks and we spent a good chunk of time every summer careening through forests and setting up tents. Most of the stops on the map we had camped at, walked through or drove by. I was so sad that she had to bypass Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows and a greater portion of the Sierra Nevada's, I would have loved to hear a story with those touchstone places as a backdrop.

I was not disappointed by the book. It is not the book for everyone, but I liked it just fine once it finished.

On the yarn front, I just cast on for these simple mittens. I've decided that I need a pair of mittens in some sort of beautiful yarn that I got from my friend Hannah. And these mittens just might be the simple quick project I need to bring me out of the knitting rut I've been in for quite some time.


As always, I'm joining along with Ginny for Yarn Along.

Out of Chaos A Sanctuary

When we got home tonight, let's just say things were a bit off kilter.

We left work later than usual. Eric had to rush to a chiropractor appointment.

Truman was in a funky mood. Isabel was in a weepy mood.

I was in a just fine mood until I got cried at and hollered at. And the dog got mud on my favorite dress.

The chicken didn't thaw for dinner.

Then, the kitchen table broke, again. Which is not the table's fault. It's so beloved. And it's been so loved for so long. Sometimes the screws fall out of the particle board. Then we find a new spot and screw the legs of the table back in. And it's good as new, waiting to be loved again.

Then the dog bellered while she was in her kennel for breaking the table.

Then when she was out, she nipped at a shoeless foot and got put back in.

And finally we were sitting around the table eating dinner. Breathing together, telling each other about our days. We embraced the good parts and embraced some heart breaking parts. And then we gave kisses and smiles. The world is righted around a beloved table with beloved people.

Ohhh, this was better.

Izzo and I took a quick walk to the library. Hand in hand, heart in heart.

We came home to the boys on the big bed, starting reading time.

We took over the little couch in our room and had our own reading time. Isabel read to me out loud, I read along side her and then when we were ready, they padded off to bed warm and safe.

This night needed to be pushed through. Warm nourishing food, a quiet walk, some quiet books, star gazing and hundred year old quilts. As if the things we know can pull us back deeply into our rhythm, into the beating heart of our beautiful little home.

Live Into

My goals this year seem simple. But after 8 months of feeling crummy, I am making large strides towards feeling better. And I hoping to continue to make my health a serious priority in the coming year. Being well not just in my body but in my soul and in the souls of my little family as well. I want to encourage us to stop everyday and be thankful for all that we been given.

Over the next year, I hope to live into each piece of the motto above. Learning how to live well, create well, love well. Will you join me?

You can do this in your own way. And share in the comments. I'm planning on doing good work in our little family in 2013, what goals do you have for this new year?

All is Calm, All is Bright

It's New Years day and the family started their journey home. I am sitting in a quiet kitchen with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee while the kids are at their own activities. I've already vacuumed the living room and I'm about to start a load of sheets. Folding up the blankets was a quiet reminder of the people who only a few hours ago, filled up this space with laughter. The house is markedly quieter--a bit empitier.

This trip was so lovely, I was amazed at how well the kids played together. They spent their afternoons crafting, playing in the snow and piling in the tent (set up in the playroom!) to watch movies together.

I was blessed by lots of crafting time with my sister in laws.

My heart was fulfilled by watercolor painting with the nephews and nieces and teaching my oldest nephew to knit. Pots of tea, carafes of coffee, jelly belly beans, homemade tamales, holiday meals... all of it shared with so much love.

This year our theme is going to be "All is Calm, All is Bright." I think we are already off to a great start.