{this moment}

A Friday ritual. inspired by Soulemama

A single photo  – capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Thankful on Thursday

So much to be thankful for this week. Goran has had the week off. I was worried. I didn't know how it would go. But, its gone so so well. We have gone on day trips, and stayed home. We have worked together to make outings fun, and children co-operate and gotten work around the house done.

Goran is outside cooking up burgers for supper. I can here the kids in the back yard calling to each other, and Angelina talking to her Tutu. I am nursing the baby to sleep, and reflecting on the good. The good that we have, that we have made, and that we are. We're not perfect, but we are us, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Its easy to think of and write a list a mile long today. But for the sake of time, and being together, I'm keeping it short and simple.

We went to the zoo with friends today. It was a great trip. There was lots to see, animals to pet, a show to watch, and  feathers to buy.....But it wasn't the zoo that made the day. It was the kids happiness, watching new friendships evolve, being supported by my husband in so so so many ways, and reconnecting and confirming existing friendships. It was packing lunch, (sandwiches, water, cookies, oh! something healthy...carrots and cucumber...) filling the cooler, and making sure I had diapers and the beloved camera. Eating that lunch under the shade of a tree with those friends, sharing and laughing and helping one another pour drinks, pass the carrots, and sharing homemade cookies.  Driving home at the end of the day, listening to the kids laugh about the bird that said hello, and the goats that ate the paper bag. That is what its all about.

And now, without further ado: 

I'm thankful for

1. him. All he is in my life, all he brings, and all we have together.

2. a trip to the zoo that has allowed new friendship to be planted, and other friendships to bloom....

when we've been together in the past, they are like 2 ships passing through. today it just clicked.

2 amazing women in my life and a photo capturing a moment in time I will cherish forever (thanx Goran)

amazing crew!!

3. for quiet afternoons to get the creative juices flowing.

 

 

 

a sunbonnet in the making

As I sit down to finish this post, supper has been eaten, kids have rode around the block with momma, been tucked into bed, and hubby has cleaned up the dishes. The house is quiet, and breaths of sleep.

One more thing to be thankful for.

What are you thankful for this week?

Monday Memories, August 1, 2011

It was a busy day. Goran is off for the week so we have planned some day trips, and some days at home relaxing. But today was a busy one. We were off to local pioneer village for an ice cream festival. We rushed around like crazy to get out of the house with enough water to keep cool, replace a car seat, buckle up the kids, lock the doors and off we went. We went through the village and it was hot hot hot! (I don't know how those people did it dressed from head to toe in the costumes!) We closed the place with ice cream cones, and settled into the cool van for the ride home.

After a busy day like that kids are tired. Home, super, dishes, bath, and walk/bike ride. Whew. I make sure fans are on, and windows open. I kiss sweaty heads, and lay light sheets on their resting bodies. Eyes flutter, and chests rise and fall in rhythm. I hear little girls giggling....Peeking into darkened bedrooms I see sleeping tiny people, tuckered out, and peaceful.

Memories for the week. Our biggest I think was Grace riding her bike. Its been a big thing. Well over a month ago we took of the training wheels, and practice, practice, practice. Bribing. Yes, I promise her the playmobil pool she was eyeing, if she would just....

Saturday, she is balancing her bike, guiding with her feet.

"I think we should go and buy the pool today," says the little girl.

"All you have to do is put the feet on the peddles and go sweetie," momma says back.

"Ok, are u watching?"

And she goes. Feet on the peddles and biking down the street.

Go Babe' go!!!

My garden gave up a bit more this week :)

'the harvest' my hubby called it

And the kids on the train with Pappa today.

he wants to drive a train some day....

And after visiting the village, Angelina would now like a old fashion sun bonnet. I guess I'll be doing some sewing this week!!

{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. -Soulemama

Thankful on Thursday

Going to try to keep up with Thankful on Thursdays. Figured we are all tired by the end of the week, and could use a reminder how good life is. It could be a list, it could be one thing. Today I have a list.

Today I'm thankful for

1. surprise visits that brings joy all around.

 angelina's gr1 teacher. a complete surprise. one of her favorite people.

seeing her so happy gave me a lump in my throat, i had to stop taking pictures and turn away to wipe my eyes

2. a day at Nana and Pakas for my little ones to run and play and swim. And a bucket full of fresh veggies.

the biggest zucchini i have ever seen

3.  the promise of fresh-smelling, line-dried sheets to crawl into.

its is 9pm. they are still drying. i am addicted to crawling into krisp, clean, line dried sheets now

4. new shoes brought with luv from far away that has someone thinking about walking.

she can take them off too

5. hope for what I thought was a lost cause.

yes, this is from my home garden

What are you thankful for today?

Waves of Change

The waves of change are coming in.

 Its been slow and steady. A wave comes in, moving the sand and driftwood, leaving a new and different picture. It looks almost the same, but its not. I feel it. Different patterns in the sand. I am trying to hold back the waves....but how silly is that? So I try to keep the sand from moving. That seems just as silly, and I'm loosing that battle as the sand slides through my fingers each time a wave comes crashing in. The familiar is getting washed away as quick as foot prints in the sand. Leaving a new and fresh path to walk on.

He who attempts to resist the wave is swept away, but he who bends before it abides.~ Author Unknown

 Do you have any great wave quotes to help me through this changing time?

Monday Memories - July 25 2011

A quick post to document our pretty good weekend. I wasn't expecting it to be very good, and was disappointed  when plans got changed a bit. In the long run, I'm glad they did as we spent a great weekend together as a family, working together, listening and helping. And we had great fun!

bee beard

my dad helping a volunteer put on her beard

the winner of the competition

my mom in the fashion show - it was like a thousand degrees that day! She was a great sport!

take 3: 'grace look up so momma can get a picture of everyone.' who was I kidding?

i luv this happy baby!

bbq with friends

all sitting so nice at the table

but one asked to sit on the grass....monkey see monkey do!

twirling

I think this might be my favorite from the week. My beautiful girl!