Ack, its been to long

I was really proud of myself for getting some good blog posts in during March. I am now feeling pretty disappointing as April comes to a close with 1 in the running.

But 1 is better then non. So lets not waste time :)

We greeted April with Easter! It was fast and fun! Eggs, gifts and smiles.

beautiful girl

A few things to note as April comes to a close....

- I'm tired of snow.
- there really is just 2 seasons in Canada. Winter and construction. This is very obvious to me as we maneuver the bus around to avoid long delays.
- ditching the winter coats makes leaving so much easier every time we leave the house!
- the children sleep better the more time they spend outside.
- I'm learning to savor anticipation. You know that feeling of anxiety u get, the excitement you get when something is going to happen, and you want it so bad you want it to happen now, but then its over and so it that feeling of anticipation. I hang onto the feeling now by not rushing the process. Or the other people involved. I sit back and watch. For as long as I can!
- the garden is calling me

We've started/joined a homeschool coop, and we are all luving it. Monday with coop and Thursday with ballet, are Klara's 2 favorite days of the week. Both leave me exhausted, but its a good exhausted, know how much goodness I am giving to these people growing and changing and learning.

I am blessed.

These 2 hang out a lot.

On the floor,

in the bed....lol!

By the way, they are watching Netflix on the ipad. Sam as that figured out better then me! He can find it favorite show (Fireman Sam?!?!) in 12 seconds flat!

And this, the brotherly luv, understanding they have....without words, since Sam hasn't chosen to speak yet...fills my heart with goodness :)

My post is coming to a close, as I can no longer keep my eyes open.

I long for May, warm weather, t-shirts, sandals and sundresses.

We got a new climber! I'll update with pictures on the weekend.

Sunrise

I'm so glad I saw the sunrise this morning! I have never seen such vibrant purple and pink in the sky. 

Doing

The wee ones painted the beautiful bird houses.

Bryan's been doing math, spelling, reading!

Mommy (with Pakas help) made a beautiful new table, and remodeled the kitchen. 

We've been busy!

Realization

The hardest realizations in life don't come to u soft and slow. They come rushing at u, and hit u like a ton of bricks. Knocking the wind of out u, rocking ur world, leaving u hurt, bruised, and shocked. Then u need to decide what to do, while u pick up the pieces.  

{this moment}

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{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.

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inspired by SouleMama

Fixing Footies

My Grace mentioned to me more then once that her toes were getting stuck in the holes of her footies while she slept and she woke up with hurting toes. I would nod, and we'd carry on with the day. A few days later she'd gently remind me.

Fast forward a few weeks, she gently puts them in my hands and says in her very big grown up voice "I'll give you over March break to get these fixed. Is that ok?"

I offered to do them that night!

After looking them over I realized they where worse then I thought. The material was shredded! No quick hand sew here.

I took pictures and text my mom. "What do I do? I want to fix the for her, she luvs them."

In all the upheaval of our lives right now, this was something I could do right.

She suggested zig zag but we decided they were beyond that. She suggested replacing the foot pad.

I picked soft green fabric I had and set to work.

She was so happy she didn't want to put them in the wash this morning.

The Value of Time

I've sat and watched this weekend. Watched them grow. Samuel played with his cousin Kurtis. They got apples out of the fridge and sat in the windowsill munching away.  Angelina, like a preteen, hung out with a friend. Bryan planned to play hockey with Zach and Daddy, and counted down days and hours till the time arrived, helped to pack up the luggage and happily headed to the rink with his 'team mates'. Grace and her cousin, laughed and giggled in their play, and helped clean up the kitchen after supper. Klara talked up a storm, shared stories, and had a lot of those "Remember that time.." moments as she reflected on life.

Today at church Samuel sat on my friends lap, and they shared some pie together. I stood mesmerized, as he tried to feed her and missed and she laughed, the kind of genuine laugh that makes your whole body shake. This set Samuel giggling, the kind of giggle that made his eyes squint and his body wiggling with joy. In that moment all I could think of was how short time was. How I take it for granted, and think I have all the time in the world, but these baby's of mine are growing up right before my eyes, and fast.

Grace carted cousin Kurtis around, on her hip, helping him eat, changing his diaper, and helping bath and dress him this morning. She is a little mommy. Growing into this role of helping and filling the gaps.

After church its s scramble for coats. Helping stuff arms in arm holes, zip zippers, and find the right hats and mitts. Someone always waits, while I help someone else, or someone will help the waiting one. Today as I finished with my own and turned to help a wee one, I saw two elderly ladies helping Samuel. They joked and teased each other about not doing it right, about Samuel not putting his arm in right, and finally both laughed when his fingers came through the sleeve. They both agree to leave the zipper to me!

I was struck again by this realization how short it is. This time. These days. How quick they grow, how much fun they are, and how much I'll miss this when they are grown.

Kurtis had his 1st sleep over. 

I'm honestly racked with guilt for the wasted time. Time trying to change things I can't. So busy trying to change things, I've neglected the things that mean the most. 

I feel a different kind of change. The stretching and nudging of the conscience telling me its time to move forward. Leave the past behind, hang on to the promise of peace, and joy, and the simple life of being. The wheels continue to be in motion, as spring brings the promise of new hope.