Halloween - Making Memories

That's what its about right? Being together, laughing, teasing, maybe some tears, hugs to make it better, and at the end of the night tucking happy, tired ones into bed. The memories - wee ones running through the wet leaves from one door to another. Laughing and calling for mom and dad and baby to keep up. We'll talk about it years from now, that night Daddy had to run Klara home to pee.

We added a few new Halloween things to our list of fun this year.

We went to fright night at a friends school.....

.....the kids had fun making cookies and playing games.

By far my favorite this year was visiting a nursing home all dressed up just to wave and say hi.

The smiles on those faces.....brought tears to this pregnant lady's eyes.

Yes is was a memory I will treasure for years and years to come.

So it comes to an end. The night they have been looking forward to for months. Costumes will get packed away, and candy slowly eaten over the next few weeks. It all seemed a bit of a hassle, and I'm mostly glad its over. But at the same time I'm happy the memories were made, expectations met, and for them the desire for next year grows a bit.

Happy Halloween!!

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by SouleMama

Afternoons to Days

It happened unexpectedly. They asked Goran to work days for 'a bit'. One can hardly argue at a newish job so we said yes. We threw away our afternoon shift routine that I had worked so hard to maintain...only to find that the day time routine just happened. Suddenly, less yelling, shouting, rushing, fighting, and stressing. Its amazing. These days we live right now.

The routine falls into place. The wee ones seem to sigh with relief as we get up together, begin the day and work together to the joyful time when Daddy comes home. Daddy comes home to a house smelling of lovely foods, happy kids, and happy well rested wife. Everyone is winning.

I live for this. These days of peace, when it all things flows together. I sigh knowing afternoons will rear its ugly head (yes) again.  I am a bit embarrassed to admit as Goran and I talked one day,  I cried, as I let go of all the stress of months and months of afternoons, and he listened and we talked more about how to make is better next time and plans we can put into motion. It was so good, to feel listened too, heard, and not have to rush through a conversation because, well kids need help, or lunch needs to made, or work is waiting.

So we enjoy these days right now. 

Stopping to watch as the world turn to red and orange and gold.

The luv and bond grow between 2.

Watch them grow,

 learn,

and discover, completely unhindered.

Beautiful days that require nothing but observing, and keeping them safe. Enjoying the smiles and time of youth, and all that the wee ones bring to my life.

Saying I'm blessed and knowing it is one thing. I do know it. I'm blessed in so many millions of ways. But when life is a struggle, days and routines not merging well, its hard to feel it.

Today I feel it. I feel the blessing wash over me, and I am so thankful for this break, this blessing in itself.

Blessing await as wee ones and I prepare for a morning of raking leaves. This will be fun!!

Blessing to you for the day a hand. May there be many you see, know, and feel!

Klara and Milk

Klara was preparing for a bath in toddler hood fashion, running around naked last night. She stopped at one point looking at her nipples and said,

"Milk?"

"Do you have milk?" I asked.

"No!" she laughed. Then pointed at me. "Milk?" Very clearly a question.

"No," I sad, a bit wishfully. "I don't have milk. But when the baby comes Momma will have milk again," I explained to her.

She started laughing. "Me?"

"Do you want milk when the baby comes?" I asked, surprised she remembered.

"YES!" She shouted, laughing at the same time.

"OK," I agreed. "When the baby comes she will share milk with you."

She was laughing and happy and my heart melted.

"Baby come. Me milk!" she declared.

Today she points to the right breast and says, "Baby!" then the left and says, " Me!"

{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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by SouleMama 

Thanksgiving, Me and the Wee Ones

As this holiday approached, we talked, and crafted and planned. I would not chose to spend Thanksgiving with out hubby/daddy, but with little choice in the matter, I decided to make is special for the ones here.

I wanted to teach them, so although we missed daddy, they learned something, and had fun this weekend.  So we watched a  quick movie about the 1st Thanksgiving. It talked a about the first pilgrims who traveled across the ocean, cold and hungry, only to arrive to a new land that was cold and snow covered. It talked about how the Indians were friendly and shared their food, and knowledge, and by the following Autumn the pilgrims were ready for winter with food stored away.

I was thinking of all the things I have. While I sat there among my babes. I was never hungry, and I didn't have to worry about my children going hungry, or about simply keep them warm and sheltered.

When the movie ended I tried to spark a bit of a conversation with these said babes, and I got "Mom, why are you crying?"

I tried to explain that I was happy. Happy for the wonderful things I had. Grateful that I didn't have to worry about things, and that I wasn't crying because I was sad, more because I was happy. I think I got, "Mom, you don't need to cry!"

So we moved on to listed about what they were thankful for, and baking for dinner.

Dinner was sweet, with grape juice in glasses, and frozen corn from Nana's garden.

After dinner it was after 8 so we wrapped it up with stories in pjs and tuck ins.

It was peaceful and quiet, and I had time to be grateful for all I have. Not only my wee ones, but family and friends near and far, and freedom, and shelter, and all that is good.

As I come to the end, I hear that Daddy is home with cries from the smallest one.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Things That Make Me Smile

Another week wized by as we celebrated birthdays and Thanksgiving, and tried to stick to some routine. Throughout it all I reminded myself to take a picture when I see something I don't want to forget. Something I want to remind the children of some day.

Apple Picking

Sweet Wee Ones

watching tv and sewing like momma

completely unprompted followed by, "Me!"

A Saturday Night - this has just happened, 2xs in a row, and I'm hoping becomes routine. We work together, cooking, stirring, helping, laughing and talking. And in the end we sit down together to eat supper. Its really lovely  <3 p="p">

Growing

i believe he has almost doubled in size since he came to us.

And just because :

just a little something to add some bling, remind me im special <3 br="br">

Its been a good week filled with moments of all kinds. I have stopped often to think about all I have and all I'm thankful for. Today I've turned facebook off, and took sometime to teach about the pilgrims, and the Mayflower, and the 1st winter they spent here. We've talked about what we are thankful, and how maybe sometimes we need to stop complaining and think about the things we are thankful for instead.

Me and wee ones are cooking and baking and getting ready for dinner tonight, just us. I'll post tomorrow.

Happy Sunday.