8lbs, 8oz. 21 inches long

welcome little one………

The weather was perfect.  Cool and fresh after yesterday’s rain.  I sat and nursed the baby while the kids brought me treasures and increasingly wet pant legs to be rolled up.

We were the only ones on the beach for a long while until an old man came, digging in various places between rocks.  He told us he has found a few thousand dollars worth of jewelery over the years.  He explained how the metals settle in patterned locations.

Sand and water, wind and warm sunlight refreshed us all.  We imagined St. Herman traveling between Kodiak and Spruce Island in his kayak, helping, teaching, advocating for, loving and being with the Aleut people.  We talked of the cold Alaskan winters and his hermitage hollowed out of the sod.

Climbing, jumping, gathering, digging, mixing, breathing deeply.  This may just become a yearly tradition on this feast.

And who knows, Basil’s charcoal “Chauvet Pont D’Arc cave drawings” may still be there next visit.  I’m sure it will be much sooner than next December.

A blessed Feast to all :)

Advent is waiting….preparing to receive Christ at His Nativity .  In our home we try to keep things simple yet meaningful while remembering that the celebration is coming.  It is a rich time and this year with the kids being a bit older, I’ve really been appreciating it.  Here are a few of the traditions we’ve begun:

Reading lots of  books from the library and favorites tucked away from last year.

Each week we light a candle remembering the things He brings the world…faith, hope, love, peace, mercy, joy, hoping to understand and experience each of these a little more.

The star calendar came with daily scripture readings pointing to Christ spanning from Creation to the Nativity.  And who doesn’t love putting felt on felt?

Never mind the three children on one chair stirring boiling pasta at the stove in the background as i take photos :)

Hoping your Advent has been blessed so far.

wishing you an d yours a day full of thankfulness!

love,

sara

twick or tweat

elmer’s glue and his angelic sidekick

basil aaronson…

and sadly emelia the pumpkin went unphotographed.  poor 4th child.

I highly recommend Riley’s Farm

ditched a gathering of mamas from church to drive around and drink hot cocoa. by myself.

feeling weird about feeling weird. my sister’s car was broken in to in our drive way. locking the doors more often.

holding an empty bag of tricks. how to occupy or include toddlers in school time. without moving screens.

watched a praying mantis chow two butterflies. he left the beautiful wings.

wondering about ceiling fan blades. wouldn’t moving for months keep them clean? wipe.

good night.

you

leave

with

warm

crisp

longed-for

loveliness

Darkness and quiet…and Aaron smoking his pipe.

I am Listening to

Crickets in the cooling night air.

I am wearing

Yellow pajamas.  The same butter-cream as my kitchen.  Mmm.  Butter.

I’m thankful for

Divine Liturgy tonight for the Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross…although difficult child-wise, beautiful.

The Public Library….go Ben Franklin.

Supportive and encouraging homeschooling families/mamas around us.

I am Reading

Not much this week….it’s a busy one thus far.

Toward Real Education

Karate lessons begin tomorrow.  Body control is a good thing to learn for a 7 yo boy :) Ki-yah!

Ancient China week….lots of books laying around.  And rice cakes.

Towards Rhythm and Beauty

Flannel sheets adorn the beds, although here they’re really unnecessary…it’s just a coziness factor.

Come to breakfast dressed and bed made.  Ma will serve you up a nice plate of something yummy.  The habit is yet to be formed but progress is steady — hunger is a motivator!

Aiming to walk slowly and intentionally.  Basking in today.  Avoiding the pit of the stomach feeling at the end of the day…”where did today go?  did I play with anyone?  laugh heartily?  give an unsolicited hug? close my eyes and breathe in?”

Around the House

Pumpkins have been sighted on mantles and shelves.  Leaves of autumnal hues have begun to find their way indoors!  Apple spice pecan bread wafts from the oven.  O Mid-September!  (Yes, the laundry piles still abound — a yummy smelling kitchen does not necessitate an immaculate house, phew!)

From the Kitchen

Darkness, an empty sink and a lonely half finished jigsaw puzzle on the counter.  It is sleeping.  Shh.

One of My Favorite Things

Morning cuddles, goodbye kisses, and “bayah dada” from Emelia to Aaron.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week

Karate begins, Nature study/hike Thursday, park day Friday with St Theophan. Maybe a mini date night with my man…?

Picture thought