I loved this night.
Last night was one of those spontaneous amazingly wonderful soak-it-all-up nights and I wanted to make sure to document it for review on one of the less stellar nights ::
The weather was perfect: fresh, awakening breezes; light rain on and off; cool, but still plenty warm. We were hoping to sow some ground cover or at least prepare the ground, but decided to enjoy the weather instead of fight the rain.
Read More»26-50.
sippy cup in the windowsill
him playing the violin
when nursing hurts but love overcomes
how happy it makes her to join me in ordinary tasks
the teller took 20% off our bill
Bonding over Pickles
Caught these two eating fermented pickles.
Had to capture it.
Their relationship is really blooming as she gets older. It’s special and theirs.
I’m honored to witness it.
Morgan (loves to) Reid
INTP Said What??!
Yesterday, while discussing spiritual gifts and personality types (ESFJs tend to be gifted with hospitality) – I was explaining to Nate some of my concerns including having people over with a husband who’s an introvert and likes to feel free in his home. And then I heard:
*sigh* “I wish we had table we could have people over for meals.”
My breath caught, my eyes pricked with tears (not kidding), and I had to ask for clarification, “Nate, what? You would?”
“Yeah, I would.”
D:
I’ve prayed for God to keep us in harmony with each other and in line with His will so this felt like that was happening. All I had to do was pray and share my heart with Nate — I mean, it’s been 4 years, but so? I’m glad to be here now 🙂
MLTR
Groggy Perfection
Woke up today after experiencing Nurse-ageddon, a shell of a human being. Autumn was either on the boob or stirring for it. Bahhhhhh.
Nate watches her most mornings for a couple hours so I can sleep (6-8, usually).
I emerged from my room starving (forgot to eat dinner the night before) and “ugh”ed to myself seeing that the kitchen was a mess and remembering we needed to buy groceries. Grappling in a frenzied fashion for the gluten-free cereal I gave a groggy half-smile to Nate whom I heard singing to our music-loving Autumn but the song didn’t register.
Poured cereal, clank-clink-clank. Poured milk, swoosh. Took a bite, crunch-crunch-crunch.
Personhood was returning.
I looked up to see Nate smiling at me signing Brad Paisley,
Everyday that passes
I only love her more
Yeah, she’s the one
That I’d lay down my own life for
Aww! *Heart-bursts*
I hearded little palms hitting the floor behind me, making their way closer. After finding my leg she stood, arms wrapped around smiling and talking, looking up at me.
As the grouchiness wore off and the concerns of the day subsided a but to the realization of how blessed I am it didn’t matter as much that I feel so unproductive and wonder if I’ll ever sleep again.
This snapshot isn’t exactly the what I pictured. But you never really know until you’re in the thick of it, right? Just how you’ll feel when it surrounds you.
I’ll take it.
It’s real and hard and beautiful and that is so much better than perfect.
Morgan (loves to) Reid
You Can’t have Nice Things – Part I
Has anyone ever told you that “you can’t have nice things”? A joking way of calling someone a klutz?
This post isn’t about me thinking I can’t have nice things, but my struggle with wondering if I *shouldn’t* . . .
I recently bought some flowers to put in a vase on our counter top.
I never do that.
It’s more than me “trying to be frugal,” (which I am, but) it’s mostly because I can’t shake guilt from the thoughts that roll around in my head: how can I spend money on something that’s already dying when kids are going without food, mothers working in the inner-city couldn’t afford them, and families in refugee camps don’t even have a counter to put flowers on?
Just like in my post about comfort vs. hardship – I’m still struggling. Still looking for answers and seeking balance.
I’m starting to think that maybe I should just give up and move on. Ok, so I won’t have happy, pretty things (even if they’re thoughtful, responsible buys) but then I won’t have to worry about if I’m in the wrong or not.
No harm, no foul, right?
Expect, . . . I know how these things make my heart sing. Flowers in vases, yummy lit candles, the sound of water . . . it’s how God made me. How do I enjoy these things while making sure I don’t step outside of His boundaries: over-indulging myself, ignoring my neighbor?I love Spiritual Mom-Giants like authors Sally Clarkson, Elizabeth Foss, and Ann Voskamp. They’re words compel me to know and enjoy my God, and love and serve my family. A common theme in their writing is the importance placed on beautifying our homes; turning them into places of refuge where God’s presence can be felt and His love of beauty displayed.
As I read, my heart nods in agreement, but my head is screaming: “But the money! From hardwood floors to decorations and furnishings: How can you spend money on yourself like that (without feeling heaps of guilt)?! Even if you’re buying from the Dollar Store, and making the crafts yourself – money is still being spent! How are they so at peace with it?”
Hear me out: I don’t doubt that they work hard, save, reach out in missions, make responsible choices, “go without” and exercise self-control. But that’s the problem. Even when all the above apply to us, I still feel like it somehow must be wrong.
And I’m not just talkin’ material possessions. . .While walking on a hike, I breathe in, raise my arms, face the sunshine, thank God and . . . think about how kids in the inner city don’t have access to nature like this (and how it might not be safe for them to go out even if they did). They are stuck in concrete boxes.
While reading Autumn a book, I relish having her close; & wonder if she’ll enjoy this for years to come, and find a love of reading because of these times . . . and think about all the kids whose parents just don’t care, or are too strapped at the end of the day to read to them.
Or while making Nate hot chocolate; driving in my car with the windows down, listening to FM Static, etc, etc. — The list goes on and on and it’s mind-numbing.
Then I consider the numerous Scriptures that tell of God giving His children things specifically for their enjoyment. He takes pleasure in it and is gloried.
So I’m digging in and changing my perspective. More to come in Part II.
1-25.
the mat at our front door
her tiny snores
his insights in Scripture
being so tired
clean, open spaces
a nutrition dirtied blender
getting lost on our walk
Texas sun
impromptu ice cream run
stretching out in the bed, all to myself
being smushed between the two of them
successful wrap carry
loud construction during nap
watching her examine grass
realizing I had it wrong
pool closed, day two
Hubby’s optimism
demands on my time
words of women far wiser
sunlight through the window
frozen pizza
people waiting for a response
time
friends sharing kind words
her sweaty little head