sister visit

my sister was here, this weekend, for a little visit.

and it was just wonderful.

we did some nature (and cemetery) exploring. each of us stopping on the path to say, "do you see that? so beautiful"

stopped for coffee and pastries on a beautiful saturday.

we both embarked on the crazy journey of home schooling this year. and, while we've both really enjoyed our years with our kids, we were ready to dive into some books, research, and figure out what on earth we want to do for next year. so we spread out our bag of books onto our cafe table at the always-lovely Flat Rock Bakery and dug in.

where there were no interruptions other than our own questions and conversation. it was... necessary.

i love my sisters. so much. and i, of course, cried again as she left me standing at my car at the airport. i love the easy laughter and honesty between us. it's always there. but always there and ready when she's here.

a little sad and a lot thankful tonight. remembering what a gift it is to have family that i miss. truly miss. a gift.

bri's chalk-art for kate.

fail

yesterday was... not great. when dinner time arrived i was about ready to write an all-caps, bright red, "FAIL" across the entire day.

i was frustrated by too many things. my children were tired and whining. i worked hard on a new recipe for dinner, and as i called children from outside, the kitchen was filling with the smell of our meal- a special cross between urine and some kind of farm animal. i did away with the sauce, sat down at the table to eat, cut open the sausages and they were raw inside.

i crossed my arms over my chest, actually shed a couple of tears, and seriously pouted.

jason swooped in to my rescue. it was Dan's day anyway, so he said we should all pack up, go get cheap pizza and ice cream. perfect.

so i got up from the table. rallied.

and that's when jason saw the silly putty that had been mashed into the back of my brand new skirt from some mysterious place i'd sat earlier.

here's to new starts. new days. new mercies.

march 20

there has been a lot of cuteness going on around here.

a lot. a lot.

in the midst of busy, and sometimes crazy, we've been trying to land on some peace. with a little sweetness thrown in.

we've been around the table. doing the things you do around the table.

it has been lovely. and i'm doing my best to head for more.

today find me a bit introspective. it has been 9 years since our friend Dan went to hang out with Jesus forever and ever. he died on his 33rd birthday. and that's today. 9 years adds up to awhile. we miss him. i wish he knew my kids. he'd really like them. and i wish he could see how God has grown and changed jason and i. the good that he saw God beginning in us is still going. still working. i wish we could talk about it.

but the hole that he left is getting smaller. there really isn't a spot in my life where he is 'missing.' and that makes me a little sad too. that he's been gone for that long and my life and has filled in a little bit.

we'll do our best to remember today. the good gifts. the friendship of a good man. who we miss.

and the good right in front of us. His constant hand of good.

transferring hobbies

my sweet daughter is like me in many ways. and she is also full of mystery of which i cannot find the source. it's hard, even with a wee 3 year old, to not place my hobbies/loves/likes/desires all over her. to not smother her with the things i like. to leave no room for her to find her own way. i try to leave space. i do.

we were recently invited to a birthday party for a friend of kate's. and she wanted to make a gift.

oh joy. and we had such fun. she chose the fabrics and threads. not always my choices. but our little crown turned out very sweet. (do i have a picture of it? of course not. that would be far too convenient)

i loved every minute of her lap-sitting sewing. what a delight. i long to embrace each activity she asks me to join her in. every single one. and i can hope for our hobby-loves to coincide in the years to come. i can hope.

life is good

i was making dinner the other night. it was a beautiful night and the kitchen window was open. there sat my boy. on the steps of the deck. waiting for his dad to come home from work, so he could practice swinging his bat. his giant, faded-white-by-the-sun, red-handled baseball bat. his little whiffle ball sat at his feet.

now, i know i've talked about these guys before. they are a unique little brand of tightness. and jason is not a perfect dad. but, sometimes he blows me away.

i saw him pull in the driveway after working all day. it was dinner time and he must have been hungry. but he immediately put down the piles of things he was carrying from the car. and picked up the whiffle ball. and i teared up.

and i had to stop. take the camera outside. and remember.

that this life is good. full of good.

ramble

have been a little quiet lately. haven't really had much to say. i've been trying to tackle the every-day projects with a bit more determination. instead of starting a new quilt, no. i'm going to fold that basket of laundry that has been sitting there for 3 days.

we've been enjoying the sun. opening the curtains and watching the front-yard tree flower. so exciting to watch its progress.

i've found myself longing for some calm consistency. especially when it comes to time with my Father. had an evening venture recently and spoke out-loud prayer on the way. it was so seriously good for my soul. He's so good to talk to. i need more.

forgive the ramblings, friends. i'll try to be back soon.

(this year's spring wreath. with the flower from last year.)