Grateful

My kids vie for prayer privileges around here.  Even Buddy says "[Buddy] tuwn!!" when it comes time for family prayer or blessing the food at mealtimes.  And each one seems to attempt to outdo the other in gratitude.  It will start off normal enough "We thank Thee for our family and our home...", but soon it becomes "and we thank Thee for our table...and our microwave...and our dishwasher...and our mixer...and the green cups..."  I will invariably peek up to see a little face thoughtfully looking around the kitchen for other small appliances to be grateful for.  Or another time "We thank Thee for our home, and our backyard...and our garden...trees...and cars...and telephone poles (I caught that kid completely turned around in his chair, chin resting on hand and craning his neck to see around the backyard).

I suppose that it's better than the times that I hear "And please bless us that we can be reverent during prayer.  And stop picking up books right now, and stop poking our brother during prayer.  And bless that we can keep our hands folded while I'm trying to pray." 

Sometimes it's very thoughtfully specific.  At bedtime I hear, "Please bless that I won't see monsters in my closet, or hear spooky sounds, or remember the ninja turtle book that I read today, and that there's no one under my bed or behind my dresser and that I won't think about Darth Vader."

About the same time we had Sweetie our neighbors got a puppy.  A few weeks ago they decided to give the puppy to someone else, much to the sorrow of the whole neighborhood and my children.  Since then, Buddy in every single prayer prays for Abby.  Even though he can't speak very well, he always says "Abby new home" ("bless Abby to be happy in her new home"), and it makes me smile every time. 

And I'm thankful for the kids that make me laugh every day.  Mostly every day.  Okay, every day.

(Some of) The Best Advice I Ever Got

Like most anyone who's ever gone, I loved EFY (Especially for Youth).  All four years.  And while the weeks of teams, classes, dances, activities, and awkward teenage flirting are just a fun blur, one thing stands clear that I'll never forget.  It was some advice that the speaker said would change our lives.  Three words:

Be. Here. Now.

I was a little confused.  It seemed like a cliche that fit nicely in between "Learn from the past" and "Keep your eye on the future".  Or maybe in a category with "Wherever you go, there you are." 

It wasn't until later, as I grew up, and now as I sit on my wise eagle's perch of early 30's ;)  that I see what it meant, and the wisdom in it.  It means precisely that-- to be here, in this moment, right now.  Instead of wishing your life away to a far and distant time that will be easier or more comfortable or less busy, to dance in it right now.  To love the moments of your life for what they are.  To joy in what you are learning and how you are growing right now, even when it's painful (okay, and if not joy, at least recognition).  To occasionally unplug, and ignore the phone and texts, and really be in your life and home.  Get something out of each moment of your life!  For me, it's taking time to really be interested in the latest recyclables invention that my son has come up with, or to enjoy reading the digger book for the 7th time in a row to my little guy, to ask more questions about how one plays horses during recess, or just to sit and stare in to the face of a baby that is like Christmas morning, dessert, and sunshine rolled into one.  For me, it means to take time to see through the messes, and be glad I have the kids to make them.  To smile at the dryer full of black socks and white shirts, and just be glad that my sweet husband tried to help.  To soak up the few hours of sun, and the rest of the time be glad that the plants are getting watered with no help from me. 

J has always said that I have a blessing-curse of getting lost in the moment.  Because, while, yes, I deal with some scatterbrainedness and punctuality issues--it's usually worth it.  I love being able to enjoy a moment with no thought of before or after.

Be here now.  I guess it's about pausing in the hubbub of life to really connect with the things and people around you, and enjoying the things that really matter.

Wreath Storage

I had a problem: a pile of wreaths in my office needed a home where they wouldn't get too beat up.

My solution:  in that same office was a wall with nothing on it.

And the wreath wall was born.

I used a level, and spaced the nails out about 21 inches.  I also had an extra (homeless) window, so I nailed hanging brackets on the back and hung a wreath on it using a big loop of jewelry hemp.  That way, I don't have to nail anything into the front of the window frame and I don't have to worry about different wreath sizes being centered.

As far as storage options go, I like it better than a Rubbermaid tote.

Not sure what else to say about about my preschooler...

Bedtime stories, anyone?

Pint-sized Fairy Tale

The Princess and the Frog

 

Once upon a time, there was a lovely little princess whose mother adored her and loved taking hundreds of photos of her, but that is not really part of the story.

The princess loved to play and sing and laugh, and squeal occasionally.  And she'd look in her magic mirror.  And it would tell her that she was still the Sweetest in All the Land.

  And she'd feel happy about that.

So she'd gaze into the sunset...

...until she got tired at her 7:00 bedtime.

She loved to wave to the crowds, and they loved to tickle her and feed her rice cereal.

And she was always a lady

...and well groomed.

But she had to make sure that no one was following her.  Stranger--danger, you know.

She had a ball that she loved to play with.  Mostly because it was pink and smelled like strawberries.

But one day, she wasn't watching and...

it rolled away.  'Oh no!', cried the Princess.

She was heartbroken.  And then she heard a voice.  It was a frog and he said that he could rescue her ball, but she had to kiss him.

"Oh, dear," she thought.  "That is rather gross."

They settled on a firm handshake instead.

Suddenly, the frog turned into...Obi Wan Kenobi!!

"My hero!" exclaimed the Princess.

And they lived happily, albeit seriously, ever after.

Awake

Yum, can you feel it?  The world is waking up  It's almost gardening season.  I can't wait.  This year, I'll battle the bunnies and slugs, and I will grow.  Flowers, veggies, lavender, basil, rosemary, and other assorted herbs.  Because it's just that fun.

Yesterday as the littles and I were leaving to pick up Girlie from school, I stepped out into the sunshine.  It was so wonderful, I couldn't help but sing out opera-style "The SUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNN!!!" for the whole world to hear.  We picked up Girlie, and when we got home, she hopped out of the van into the sunshine...and sang out opera-style "The SUUUUUUUUUNNN!"  Truly my daughter. :)  Priceless.

Look at these stinkin' cute garden markers I found at Target's dollar spot.

And I even treated myself to new gardening gloves.  A tiny bit clownish, you think?

I'm ready for the sweet smell of hyacinths.  That reminds me of the other day...

"Hi, M.  How's it going?"

"Hi, Chris (salesguy for our subdivision, across the street)."

What are you doing?

Oh, um, counting to see how many hyacinths survived the bunnies.

What?

Hyacinths...flowers.  A bunch got eaten by the bunnies.

You're counting what?  Flowers?

Yeah, bulbs I planted in the fall.  They're sprouting, but a bunch got eaten.

I don't get it.  You're counting flowers?

Yep.

Okay, well, have a good day.

You too, Chris.

That was a difficult conversation...

And packets of seeds of all the deliciousness I plan to grow.

Like peas.

Right here.

My tulips that are starting to show their faces around these parts.

And primroses that I couldn't resist at the store.  They wanted to come home with me.

They promised to be good.

So far, so good.

Girls' Room Makeover

Remember?  This is what my girls' room used to look like.

Now, (only) eight months after my baby has arrived (and after a lot of projects and work), it looks like this:

Sweetie's side.

The rug was $20, Target.  It somehow went perfectly with the quilt tops I made from Moda's 'Hunky Dory' line of fabric.

Okay, let's be honest, the quilts aren't done.  Just the tops.  But I didn't want to wait another eight months to take pictures.

I can't put a bedskirt on the crib, because there is a vent underneath it.  So I settled for decorating with a little tulle.  It made the metal frame just a little more girly.  I found the sheet in Target clearance for $5.

Do you love this fabric??

Found this gem of a lampshade in my favorite shop in all of Kansas, Posh.  It is not J's favorite shop.

I made this picture out of matching quilt fabric.  The background is French book pages.  I loved it so much I made some more.

This mirrored hook I found at an antique shop.

The holdbacks were from a different antique shop.  Also not J's favorite shop.

The curtains were from Ikea.

Alas, our old crib was part of the recall.  Darn it, I had to pick a new one.

My friend knew my fabric and made me this garland to match.  What could be cuter than French dresses?

Love. it.

Girlie's side.

I already told you about the lamp and nightstand redo.

Found the chest at the end of the bed at a garage sale for $10.

Wouldn't you love to sleep here?