nearly unbelieveable

I find it all nearly unbelievable as I sit here beside my sprawled and sleeping girl.

I find it nearly unbelievable that just one hour ago 14 beautiful young married couples were chatting, eating, reading, and laughing in my living room.

I find it nearly unbelievable (and sad!) that there are no children in the bedrooms tonight and that their sweet heads are resting on grandpa’s cool murphy bed instead.

I find it nearly unbelievable that nine years ago I was cuddled in a cabin with my own new husband, eating cranberry juice snowcones and popcorn.

I find it nearly unbelievable that God is so good and life is adorned with such richness. Nearly, but not completely unbelievable.

bluecanopy daybook

Outside my window ~ Rain and wind, dark and gray.  Perfect for hot cocoa and laundry.

I am thinking ~ about the pile of books sprawled about from this morning’s blanket fort.

I am thankful for… weekends with my wonderful husband.  Walks, coffee Liturgy and a simple lovely wedding attended.  The memories make Monday easier.

I am wearing… latte colored yoga pants, a comfy-cute black shirt, bunned hair, silver dangly earrings and barefeet (yes even on a rainy day).

I am remembering… to be thankful and prayerful rather than grumble amidst all of the undone things and piles.

I am going… nowhere today.  tomorrow is our busy day with Basil’s music and Juliana’s dance after that.

I am currently reading… the daily excerpts in the Prologue and the latest issue of Sunset.

I am hoping… to have a smooth afternoon.

On my mind… Haiti.  I saw photos for the first time yesterday and they touched my heart in a way radio reports hadn’t.  Lord have Mercy.

Noticing that… If I take time to carefully do what I NEED to get done, the moments and those little ones around me seem more peaceful.  The atmosphere is changed from hurried and frazzled to careful and calm.

Pondering these words… “Women shall be saved in childbearing (1 Timothy 2:15). “  Heavy.

From the kitchen… Muffin Monday.  Yes it’s true.  Monday mornings bring muffin yumminess.  Today was a banana muffin monday.

Around the house… Laundry day, sorting and thinning out piles of bits and bobs that I have become skilled at ignoring, yikes!

One of my favorite things~ the excitement of the children when the rest time timer beeps.  Usually they all come pattering down the hall cheerily announcing “rest time’s over!”.  Then time for a snack and story…and I’m usually ready for them after my chores and quiet.

A photo to share~ Basil and Tom, one of our two rats

overheard

Basil:  Juliana, when you’re bigger you should put a bumper sicker on your car that says ‘I just wanna draw’.”

yes this is an old photo…nevermind the pilgrims in he background!

my rough and tumble cuddlers

…teaching me patience, scrubbing techniques and humor.

daybook for today

 

Outside my window:

A streetlight flickers from the street behind us and strong winds are wildly swinging the hammock on the patio.

I am listening to::

Music playing as the credits for About a Boy roll.  I was half watching it while chatting with Aaron and then doing some planning and list-making.

I am wearing ::

A light purple long sleeved cotton shirt and batik jammy pants.  Sounds funkier than it looks, really.  A ponytail and bare feet.

I am thankful for::

My sister who turned 27 today.  I am so glad I have a sister…she is so much a part of where I’ve come from and who I am….and she lives with us :)

I’m also thankful for this beautiful and warm shelter.  The amazingly strong wind is making me feel quite in need of shelter at the moment.

I am pondering ::

“Purify your soul, O son of man, remove from yourself the thought of memories outside of nature; hang the veil of chastity and humility before your impulses. By means of these you will be able to find Him who is within you.”
– St. Isaac the Syrian

I am reading ::

Nothing a the moment…I’ve been working on Emma off and on but I’m in a slump.  I’ve been reading heaps aloud to the kids….we’re generally following this reading schedule for “year 1″. It’s fun but a little intense.

From the kitchen::

All I have to say is: I love my dishwasher.

I’m thinking::

That it is so sweet to hear Basil say “I love you” to his next-door neighbor friend when it’s time for his friend to leave.  Thankfully his friend, although older, is sweet and smiles every time.

I am creating ::

Nativity/Advent books with the kids.  Juliana’s God-mama gave us a set of Jesse Tree ornaments.  We have been following the daily readings and our tree has become so alive with the brilliant yet earthy tapestry of the history God has woven.

Towards rhythm and beauty::

I’m trying to maintain the pattern of prayer throughout our day and deliberate times of stopping to interact with eye contact.  I never thought I’d have to remind myself but, alas, I do.

Around the House::

I’ve crossed off some of the advent cleaning/organizing tasks I’m hoping to accomplish but I’m far from the goal.

On Keeping Home::

4:00 cleanup and they daily sweeping of floors seems to be helping.  But oh the laundry.  Any good tips?  Know any laundry fairies?

One of my favorite things::

Hearing Aaron’s keys jingle against the front door as he opens in in the evenings.

Emelia Update::

She is waving, giving kisses and dancing.  She likes the tinwhistle…mama’s girl :)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

Music class and library in the morning tomorrow.  Grocery shopping then baking and cooking on Wednesday.  To the Plew’s on Thanksgiving and my Mom’s on Friday.  Hooray!

A  Picture Thought I’m Sharing::

My spunky monkey bookworm, Juliana…I love this girl.  She’s one of a kind.

gratitude

Gratitude is such a nice word, don’t you think?

Today we painted “gratitude rocks” with our home school group in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday…I really love having a whole day to celebrate thankfulness.  What a wonderful thing, that foe of discontentment…gratitude.  Glory to God, the Giver of all Good things!  Things like…

….among millions of others :)

homemade joke

Basil the lego boy had a joke for me:

This joke has been removed by its creator’s request…he wants to tell you in person :)

Ha ha…making our sick day a little brighter.

bobbing along

Trying to say afloat in this sweet journey.  I couldn’t have chosen better orders.  See how lovely the deck hands are?  You should see the captain ;)

keeping awake

We are still here.  Life is still churning and I have come to miss blogging.  I miss the documentation of life and the slant of light it offers to my days.  I miss the way it makes me cherish moments as capturable and to see them as lovely and real as they are.

So, here we are again.   Blogging.  See you real soon.

Our Emelia Louise Marie was born on March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation (she’s that cute little squishy thing Basil is holding).

Silverado Canyon

So we’ve found our new stomping grounds.