{this moment}

{this moment} - 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.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - 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.- Soule Mama

{this moment}

{this moment} - 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.- Soule Mama

 

Ten Good Things...

This idea came from SouleMama today.


And though I don't have pictures... I do have words... and a desire to do this with as crazy as my life has become these last few months.

That being written...  my ten good things at the moment are...
- grace - where and when I least expected it.
- a kiss from a 2.5 year old
- watching my eldest twirl in a sundress
- realizing that I'm not alone
- the embrace of my husband
- giggles - mine and theirs
- pink tutus
- snuggling with my eldest
- a good book
- clean sheets

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. ~ Amanda Soule

Moments and hopes

My favorite barn

Wow. Hard to believe I've been away for a month. But I couldn't help it. So much has been happening, and there hasn't been much time for me to gathering my thoughts and write them down. In August we traveled and spent a week with dear friends, and celebrated a very special birthday of my youngest, who is now 2. We also started up with schooling again, gradually adding in more and more each week. We're still not quite where we want to be, but that's okay, because we are taking our time.

Gathering Eggs

We've got some new activities in our lives this fall, making for a very full and hopefully fun autumn. And I'm sure, that winter will be here before I know it. So, if postings are slim, it's because we're living a full life for a while.

I'm hoping that it will include more visits to the barn, and more moments to gather eggs.

But most of all, I'm hoping to find more of these moments:

Serene Moment

Moments of quiet, where I can watch the fog outside and feel the autumnal chill in the air, and sip on hot tea, and maybe, just maybe find some time to read, crochet, and paint. Yeah, I need more of these right now.

Summer on its Way

Yesterday, we picked daisies growing in the grass outback. We opened the windows and let the outside in. The fresh air cleared the staleness from the house.

I love the change in light throughout the year. Especially when in winter I want to hole up and embrace the darkness and curl up in soft blankets. In summer, I love the longer days of light. And how I wake earlier with the light. The yearly rhythm brings me joy.

Today, my youngest made her way out to me, where I sat clearing out my computer. I held her in my arms, planting kisses upon her sleepy head.

There are some changes in the air... some changes that I need to make and that will be better for our family. I can "see" them, through the fog... and part of me admits to being a bit scared to make them. It's time to make them though.

Isn't it just the most glorious day?

These were the words my eldest greeted me with this morning. Every day, she announces that it's the most wonderful, or the best day. Today, she announced, was a glorious day.

And do you know what? At the end of the day, she says the same thing.

Now, we do have moments when she claims "this is not a good moment". And, I think we had a "this is the worst day ever!" once or twice, but by bed time? It had been a wonderful day.

This child is such a complete gift in my life. She enriches it in so many ways, and she is such a great teacher.

Just think about it - what if each day really could be glorious, or the best day ever?

A day of perfect moments...

The day started with some quiet morning exercise and getting ahead on work.

Catching the kiddos reading side-by-side on the couch.

We spent a good hour or two outside on the swing - reading, playing animals, and making the swing into a huge tent.

After lunch we headed into town to spend time with a friend.

Discovering the power of a hug, pure love, holding a hand, and whispering the words, "I love you."

Being told that bringing your children for a visit was "Simply marvelous" and that the visit was truly "lovely" and basking in that person's gratitude as a result.

Being fully, totally, breathtakingly aware of the power of friendship and the simple gift of a stone with a few powerful words written on it.

Holding on to precious moments enough to make them blessed and sacred memories... then having to let go.

A spontaneous outdoor picnic with bouncing and giggling kids.

Witnessing the compassion and depths that each of my young children contain. Still amazes me.

Feeling gratitude for the simple gifts of books to my child.

Tenderly carrying two sleeping luvs into the house.

Coming home to a hug and kiss from the hubby.

Holding my family close... and remembering.

Today I treasured...

Seeing a friend that is dear to my heart after a long absence.

Remembering and committing to memory a hug including all of the senses, especially touch. Feeling the soft hair and skin. Hearing myself whisper, "I love you." and feeling it from the depths of my soul. Wishing I'd gotten more hugs in, and treasuring the two I did get in.

Watching two faces light up with joy, especially since the bodies weren't feeling so well.

Hearing laughter of children.

Watching a child explore the texture of the floor.

Feeling the love in the room, as though each person's heart was open and receptive to the love.

Creating a memory that I will treasure forever.

Moments 17

I don't think that words are really needed for this:

Moments 16

A weekend of good friends, hand picked flowers, good food, and celebration.

Enjoying the bird songs in the early morning hours. Watching the sun come out, and lighten the sky. Hearing my baby call for her mama, and feeling the embrace of my eldest after she wakes.

Listening to the gentle symphony of crickets, who will increase as autumn approaches.

Moments 15 and then some...

It's been an amazing week...

Time spent with Mom. Watching her enjoy all of her grandchildren together. Snuggling baby, teaching Pook about her garden, going on a radish hunt. Her smile, her radiance, her exhaustion at the end of a 13 hour day.

Seeing my aunts and uncles. Introducing them to baby, trying to catch up on one another lives. Basking in the love, the vision, their presence. Bliss.

Watching my father enjoy his family. Feeling his hugs, watching his amazement as he takes in his grandchildren who frolic and play with one another, while the baby watches. Praying for his health.

Disappointment over not being able to meet with everyone. Followed by the excitement of possibilities of future adventures to make this happen.

Reconnecting with friends - old and new. Watching our children play together and laugh.

Being welcomed into open arms at the beach house. Feeling the tears well up with joy at
being embraced by old friends.

Boardwalk fries, pizza, watching Pook's new aunties take her on the ferris wheel and take her in as their own. Feeling the sand between my toes, and tearing up at the sound of the waves coming in to shore to kiss my toes.

Watching Pook and her newest friend encourage one another from playing together, crafting together, swimming together, and enjoying the ocean waves together. My heart hurting as she tells us how she misses him, and how she wants to go back to the beach some day.

Hugging people multiple times to keep the love and store up for the future, when I'm so far away.

And finally, basking in my heart overflowing with joy, gratitude and love, cherishing the memories and looking forward to future adventures.

Moments 14

Waking up at 4 a.m., looking around in the darkness, snuggling close to a warm body, and drifting in and out of dreams.

Pulling myself from bed to greet a babe reaching for me with a big smile.

Humming to myself while in the kitchen, feeding the babe. "I love you. I am nurturing you," I whisper as she eats. Holding her close; breathing her in.

Tucking sweet babe back in to enjoy a workout alone, in morning's stillness. (When's the last time that ever happened?) Feeling my blood pump, pushing my body to move, kick, and jump.

Waking sweet husband, setting up things so that he too can get in a quick workout before work.

Helping him gather breakfast and his things as he rushes out the door. Knowing that he's relishing that it's Friday.

Going through the daily-ness of today. Taking things step by step. Watching my eldest put peanut butter on her morning toast. Later, hearing her ask me, yes, ask and get upset that I cleaned the other toilet last night.

Watching eldest figure out math, whilst her sister softly and tenderly succumbs to sleep.

Focusing on what is in front of me, instead of worrying about what I "should" be getting done for tomorrow.

Moments 13

Feeling overwhelmed with life's to do lists and the amount of work I'm plodding through today. Taking a moment to breathe in sleeping baby and hold her close. Feeling the tender cheek of Pook.

The realization that I need to pull back and focus on what is in front of me to get through these next few months. Sadness over miscomunication in a friendship.

Gratitude at a friend reaffirming that she loves me anyway, even though she thinks it's weird I have moments of hibernation, where I need to pull back from the world.

Surrounded by good friends for four days, and making a new one. Just the healing my heart needed.

Basking in this moment of silence, before returning to work and the baby wakes.

Moments 12

Watching the Pook support Pookii in her exploration of how to roll around and move about.

A rare, tender and most precious moment of quiet.

Cuddling up on the couch under the afghan my grandmother crocheted and gave to me as a wedding gift.

Watching Pookii discover her hands, her ability to roll and move, her excitement.

Tending a sore heart with healing music and the hugs of children.

Being aware of life's cycles and rhythms, and finding peace in them.

Moments 11

Laying in bed at 3 am - Baby on one side and Pook on the other. Listening to their breaths amidst the quite morning hours. Finding myself feeling more centered, more peaceful than I've been in a long time.

Hearing the baby call and "sing". Hugs from Pook. Enjoying the conversation of a wise friend or two.

The realization of just how complete my life really is, and just how amazing and incredible some people are.

Moments 10

Sitting outside on a blanket, feeling the warm sun, breathing in the fresh air, and sketching moss. Pook was so excited she got to use her new magnifying glass that she bought. We spent about 30-45 minutes sketching moss, followed by sketching each other, and enjoying the weather. A perfect day.

Later on, we welcomed new friends into our home with fresh cut flowers and dinner. Unfortunately, I got to feeling ill by the end of the evening... and in the process missed out on more conversation I wanted to have. :( The good news is, that I think/hope we'll get to do it again. Especially as our daughters really seemed to bond. What fun!

Moments 9

That feeling of being a bit "off". The urge to climb back in bed and sleep, even after that smiling face at 4:30 am. Being aware of those "shoulds" that pop around in one's head (I should exercise. I should eat fruit. I should not be so grumpy...). Pook taking her time getting dressed for the day, eating, starting and doing her work, and whinning. A screechy baby voicing herself.

In an instant, silence. Pook working on math. Baby's discovered a toy. Mommy is typing with her chai latte in front of her, and very grateful for Oregon chai latte packets!

And then, the noise starts again. Only this time, I'm smiling. For this is life, my life. The precious moments, and those that are uncomfortable. It's all okay. When things don't go as planned, it simply means there are more possibilities.

Today, I am open and recept to all good things.

Moments 8

Early morning smiles. Waking to a powdering of snow, and still being able to enjoy winter's wonders without yearning for spring's arrival.

Watching, taking it all in - baby's feeding, baby fighting sleep, and finally baby succumbing to sleep, knowing that Mommy is right there.

Hearing my eldest awake, as she comes in to climb on my lap while I work. It's that precious time of her and me.

Feeling my heart burst as she lets me holding her, take her in, kiss her cheeks, and bask in this moment. Especially after reading a blog post about a mother watching her daughter prepare to go to the theater with her friends, witnesses her daughter growing into a young lady. A gentle reminder to me, that I need to bask, take it in, and make the most of this time with my girls.