Occupied

On Christmas day, I found all of us, busy with something that needed our attention.  I got a glimpse of our future and I think I like it.

Alone and focused, but very together.

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.

Summering: At Home

We had a glorious vacation. But we've been home for a month now and we are reveling in summer on the plains. It's taken a bit of time to settle into summer-- but we have. Here is a little visual list of what we've been up to!

This little man turned 6. "Mom, take a picture of my eyeball!"
He loves wearing my glasses.

His presents all wrapped and ready for him.

Bike riding in the evenings.

Playing in the sprinklers.

Fourth of July face painting.

Truman watching fireworks.

Visiting the Farmers' Market.

Swimming Lessons

Sparklers! Truman's first time!

Jumping off the dock.

Weeeee!

Riding their bikes to John and Bonnie's House!

Truman took all his cowboy gear with him!

Birthday baseball game.

Eric's birthday.

Yarn Along: Have Patience

Yesterday while getting dressed, Isabel was in the bathroom singing "Have patience, have patience" and I had forgotten we used to sing that song all the time. It has been on repeat in my head ever since.  Especially in regards to knitting.

A few years ago when my nephew came to visit from California he begged me to teach him how to knit. We sat down and I tried to explain how to hold your needle, how to cast on, how to make knit stitches. He did ok, but it was hard to explain in terms he'd understand. I don't think either of us had much patience.

So last year, I gave him a knitting book, needles and yarn for Christmas. Hoping that it would spark some creative exploring on his own. And it did, he had gotten pretty far on a project... but he abandoned it and forgot how to start again.

One night while the rest of the family watched TV, we sat a ways back in the room. And again, we worked together on knitting. He caught on quickly and since I started him out on size 15 needles, the project grew quickly. And he spent much of the end of the trip knitting!

It felt so beautiful to pass on one of my great loves to him.  In a patient and enjoyable way!

photo

Last week I finished the book, The Pillars of the Earth. So. Good. It took me 41 hours to listen to, so I'm not sure I'm ready for the sequel (or another audio book... to be perfectly honest). It followed a web of connected people for most of their adult life, completely interesting and a bit of a Medieval soap opera. But well crafted and well worth the time.

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.

From Our Family to Yours

Snow on Snow, Snow on Snow

Today, the snow is falling softly and steadily. And I woke up and crept into the kitchen to make coffee and I found two little boys in the dark watching Robots. So beautiful to have cousins, aunts and uncles, Grandma and Grandpa here.

The way the flakes fell quietly, it reminded me of a walk we took long ago. My little lovies have grown so much since this day.

There's a flurry of snow related clothing: so many pairs of snow pants, boots, hats and gloves. Grandmommy and Papa got us sleds for Christmas. And we've enjoyed using them indoors as much as out! While inside they've been sled beds, boats and sleighs. Ethel, our new puppy said a polite, "no thank you" to starring role as Rudolf, even after the small boy handed her the pull rope and yelled "MUSH!"-- she's got to draw the line somewhere.

Merry Christmas season to you and yours. Wishing you soft, quiet snow, warm sled beds and cousins to snuggle with.

Advent: In Expectation

For most of the Advent season, our family rhythm revolved around our little table. We sat down in the morning and lit candles at breakfast, ushering in the warm light to soften the dark night. At dinner, the same, we light the candles, we practiced gratitude together, we laughed about our days. We spent time eating at home, cherishing this holiday time.

Advent is a time for expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas, of Christ coming to earth. This year we did a few things to help us wait expectantly and practice mindfulness and awareness as a family. We 'counted down' with small gifts and family traditions.

I just give them little things each day. Our says things like: drive look at Christmas lights, bake cookies, watch a Christmas movie or read a Christmas book. Some envelopes have chocolate Santas, some have hot cocoa packets or candy canes.

The others have little activities, decorate foam ornaments or a little wreath.

Some have just activities/crafts like new watercolors, pipe cleaners and pom-poms and googlie eyes. For St. Nicolas day (Dec. 6) the got their shoes filled with a sparkly necklaces and two chocolate gold coins.

And some are silly... last night they got stick on mustaches!

On the 25th, they open an ornament with the nativity on it and our says "He's arrived! Read Luke 2."

To help our hearts prepare, we took a few moments at dinner to read from a small book my mom sent us and we practiced the United Thank Offering. Also we light a candle on every night and do an advent reading from a book my mom sent us. After dinner we read together in the candle light and we pass around a bowl of change and as you thank something you are thankful for, you give a coin to our thank offering box. So simple, but really life changing. Through out the day, I hear my kids say, "I'll have to remember to say that at Thank You time." {Sigh}, we all need practice at Thank Yous, I need it daily, some times minutely!

Eric and I read this little book together.  Everyday it asks a beautiful contemplative question to sit with. I suggest it even if you don't do the advent or 12 days of Christmas calendar!

On Being Six

One night this week, during homework time, we had 4+2 on our math flash cards and the answer made Izzo cry.

She said, "I'm so excited to turn seven, but I'm so sad to leave 6. 6 was such a good year."
So we snuggled before bedtime and talked about all the things that being 6 brought.


She's learned how to ride a bike, tie her shoes, jump off the dock, read chapter books, take the bus, have great conversations(which she's always done, but in such an understanding way now) and how to be a good sister.

She said she wanted to spend her last few days 'being very 6.' I don't know what that means, exactly. But I think she's right on.

On Friday, this little lady turns seven. And I wonder, how did she get this big? This wise? This thoughtful?

Giving Thanks

I wrote another post but, I realized that I have written it almost every year!... (2009, 2010, 2011). But this is such a special week and time of remembrance for our little family.

We've made a lot of huge life changes in November. And for the past few years, we've looked back with grateful hearts at where we've been. And we've said prayers for where we are going.

So as you sit at your Thanksgiving table, in such sweet abundance. For food, for family, for life, health and (hopefully) peace. Let's give thanks together to the one who gifted it all in the first place. Asking that He "Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty" of the world.

Twenty Nine Years

Twenty nine years ago today we left our comfortable womb to join the world.

I'm so glad you were born Missy. And today I'm wishing you gluten free yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

You are my very best!

Loves, ME

*Photo taken by Emily Sweet

Little Face...

I have a tiny friend who loves to get her picture taken. And since I love to take pictures, we've made a little friendship.

Her mama and I spent a Saturday morning chasing the light through the house moving this little lady from one sunny spot into another. And drinking coffee.

See, so many things I love. Friends. Pictures. Coffee. It's so good.

And then look at that face. Oh and toes... EEeeek. I love babies.

What's In Store for the Weekend

This weekend, I am really looking forward to relaxing with our little family and to some celebrating this weekend.

These are the things I'm planning on (in no particular order):
Snow! (mmmm... is this coming???)
Hot Chocolate
Some snowshoeing? (see #1)
Celebrating new babies and soon-to-be babies
Dinner with Friends
Jalapeno poppers for the Big Game
Folding an amazing amount of laundry (YAY ERIC!)
Making Valentines Decorations (to replace the Christmas Decorations that are STILL UP... o boy)
Lattes
Meal Planning
Baking Bread
Painting some small paintings
Clean out the car
Reading Isabel's library books
Sew a little something
Knit a bit on my project

*2-6-12 Note: I think I did good on my list. But there is still more to go. I wish we would have gotten snow!

Project Life: January 2012

I love the idea of project life, but doing something daily or weekly seems a little too much for me. Plus, I LOVE the supplies. Well designed and systematic. And I know I'd go a bit crazy on them. In an effort to memory keep in a sustainable way (and save a bit of money)-- I thought I'd do one 12x12 page a month and share it with you here. So I can keep a record what joys we've had, perhaps at the end of the year I'll print them all and make a scrapbook.  O my, did I just say that?!

make believe: The kids went on a "date" pretending to be Eric and I. Isabel wore 'more jewelry than mom usually does' and Truman told her that their date was important, "makes us better mommies and daddies."

weekend visit: The four of us traveled up to visit Kerry and her beautiful family. There was lots of love, conversation good food and coffee. Next time, perhaps, Truman will sleep. That will make it waaaay more fun!

date in omaha: Eric and I took 24 hours to ourselves. He surprised me with a night away, a new outfit and my nails done. Then dinner at our favorite restaurant. I think this is where Truman heard the speech about dates making us better mommies and daddies. It's so true you know.

on a walk: In the first week of January, we took a walk to visit Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa John. It was very cold so Isabel decided to wear everything she could fit on her body. She loves layering you know. It makes Truman's wardrobe of hat, gloves, coat, scarf seem so... simple.

snow play: Eric and Isabel made their first snowman together. Truman and I stayed warm and baked chocolate applesauce muffins. Then we made faces as they threw snowballs at us.

ready for bed: One night we cut Isabel's hair before bedtime. This photo of Truman clowning around (:

garden planning: Sketchbook Saturday Morning a few weeks ago, Isabel decided to plan the garden for next year. So she drew everything she would like us to grow. We're going to have to think about bananas and plums. I'm not sure we'll be able to have a exotic orchard in the back yard.

grand arrival: My bestest friend had a beautiful girl. And they sent us their Christmas video. What a treat. Oh I cried when I saw that new little bundle. Truman kept kissing the ipad screen. I can't wait to see her in March!

adventure: We were on our way to Sketchbook Saturday Morning looking for patches of snow to stop in. And half melted puddles to jump in. What a good combo for a 4 year old adventurer.

sketchbooks: We love our Sketchbook Saturday Morning. A few hours of relaxation, coffee, books, coloring, knitting.


This template is from Rebecca Cooper, a month in photos. I've made a few edits to it.

Love is like Avocados

My husband, Eric went on a business trip that kept him from us from Thursday until the wee hours of this glorious Tuesday morning. And what little treat did he bring for me? Flowers? No, so much better.

Avocados and a lime. We often say in the dead of winter while eating eggs and spinach, chicken tacos, salad... "You know what would make this SOOOO much better?" The answer is always, avocado.

So tonight on my chicken taco, I'm having avocados. Avocados with love.

And I think about our life together. How we've grown. We are no longer two starry-eyed kids eating omelettes with avocados and planning our life together.

We are starry-eyed adults, living our life together. We have the two kids, the dog and cozy little life we dreamed of all of those years ago. 

I was so glad to have him home. Just him.  The house was set right when he walked through that back door. Lucy dog, sighed in relief (jumping and wagging her tail).

Truman woke up right away when he heard Daddy come home. Truman's little heart rested soundly, as he breathed little-man-breaths next his Daddy sneaking in between us in early-morning hours.

Our Truth: Home is when all of us are under the same roof.

I think...

(shhhhh... don't say this tooo loud) I think we're healthy. And I know that we are in need of a holiday.
I'm so glad that one is on the horizon. And since we won't be traveling this year (sad but true), we're going to do a few things together.

The kids want to make cookies, build a snow man (will we have snow?!?) and I want to go on a hike. Truman always puts on his very best for walks and hikes. I should find myself a walking cape and some hiking goggles. Or a tutu (see below).

What will you be up to for the holidays? More importantly, do you have a walking/hiking costume?

Weekending: Aflame with Glory

I heard this poem this morning, on On Being. And it set my heart to singing.

Thanksgiving Day Prayer
by Walter Rauschenbusch (1861–1918)
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Have I ever told you the importance of Thanksgiving week in our little family. O wait. Maybe I have. So many life events that invite retrospective glances, but to have them all in a few day span every year, helps us mark time-- to come to this week with as much hope and expectation as we do New Years day, or the beginning of a new school year.

We started this week of so well... the group we eat Sunday lunch with came over to our house for Sunday dinner. And we had a holiday meal-- A Friend Thanksgiving. Ahh. I hesitate to say to much and perhaps my memories won't be as clear, beautiful. It was a beautiful evening.

So this week, be extra thankful. Let your memories serve you well. Give kisses and hugs, say your I love you's. Because being thankful isn't about the perfect turkey it's about all the common things that are aflame with Glory-- the people you see (or don't see) often that make the world go round.

May your heart be wide open to all this beauty this week.

What are you thankful for?

The Big Day: Truman

What a few weeks it has been. We're finally settling into September. And now that I have Truman's first day of school photos unlocked from my camera, I will share them with you. It's hard to be proactive about downloading/uploading photos without at computer!

Truman was so excited for school, the two weeks that he had to wait and walking Isabel to school every morning was agony. "But when do I get to go to school!?" He would ask.

Finally, last week he got his chance!

 

And he wore his 'traveling' backpack-- which is now too small for a big boy with bigger toys. So he got to take his tiny Cars pack to school.  And we all know how much he loves Cars!

He ran into school, put his backpack away and started with his day. He ran in so quick we didn't get a Mother/Son, Father/Son photo. Oh, well.

Now we have two little people, who can't get enough of school! I'm proud!