The first thing I thought this morning when I woke up was, “Wow, is it cold!”
At night we have clear skies, full moon, chilly air. The bright sun in the morning to heat the earth, all reminds me that fall is coming.
The colors outside are more intense. Several of the children have slight colds. A couple of trees are showing signs of putting on their fall colors. . . . .
Caleb woke up shivering and I had a contented-mama feeling as I pulled a warm sweatshirt out of his dresser and slipped it on over his head. And he gives such appreciative big hugs and big kisses.
The first thing he said to me this morning, “I need to go poo-poo’s” . . . made me smile. ‘Cause I’m a mom.
I also smiled when he said, “I’m thirsty” ~ when I served him his juice, what noise he made! All the slurps, sighs, smacks, and gulps, nonstop, to the end of the glass. Then, “uh-oh” when he reached bottom and handed it back.
Also, “I need Thomas” he whispered. “Go get him then”. “You carry me.” “No, I’m not carrying you upstairs, you go get Thomas yourself.” “Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy. . . put him on bookcase!!!” Oh. He couldn’t reach. Okay then, up we go to his bedroom. Smiles, delight. We have Thomas.
~Just my morning, so far~
I’m wearing my thick warm robe with a pair of Rich’s socks on my feet. My hot coffee is especially nice on this chilly morning.
The ponds are steaming like big bowls of hot soup, and the sun is bright. It’s going to be a beautiful day.
(David is up now, bothering Caleb. Caleb just called my way, in that certain sing-song tattle-tale way, “Mommy! He’s making me mad!”)
David has such an interest in our new “family members”. Yes, we have collected, so far, a total of seven monarch caterpillars. The children found two here at home, and last night in the field by their music building, we found five more in various sizes. I put them all in a glass jar and it sits on the table. The jar sits and the children sit to observe.
Yesterday I went out and worked in my itty bitty veggie patch. There are quite a few weeds and I didn’t even end up planting the whole patch, but my two itty bitty rows of beans actually produced more than I expected. We munched them raw yesterday and I still have enough for tonight’s dinner. I know this is laughable to some of you freezers and canners, but it’s something to me! I think, maybe, my gardens will grow, as my children grow. Because, then they can help. Or take it over. *smile*
Zinnias are so hardy, dependable, solid. . . . .lovable because they aren’t dainty and perishable. . .although those kinds of flowers are special, too.
Today is Wednesday and I am trying to spread out my housecleaning through to the weekend for our expected houseguests. My parents are coming on Saturday morning to spend half the day with us, and then my friend Christie is stopping by with her husband and four children, on their way home from Canada. They plan to spend the night and leave Sunday morning.
The fun never stops! Neither does the mess. I content myself with small amounts of beauty in the home, mixed in with the toys, papers, clutter, piles of laundry, dirty kitchen floors, books, and seemingly endless work to do.
A bowl of apples, a few cinnamon sticks, and a candle, all sitting in an evergreen fiesta presentation bowl. The bowl is sitting on a beige crocheted doily, with bright red trim.
There now, something pretty to look at.
Ethan just woke up and has sleepy eyes. The first thing he said to me was, “Mom, one of the caterpillars is hanging upside down.”
Rich left for work with love, too, and I stood and waved him down the road. “I wish you didn’t have to go” said my heart, as I waved with a smile.
All this to say, I love my life, I love my family. . . . .I want to glorify God as I serve them today. The time spent, meals prepared, cleaning together, laughter shared, hugs, music, tears to dry, prayers offered, candles to light, nature to enjoy, all of it. . . . . . . .the small irritations of the day are nothing compared to these.
This following quote encouraged me this morning, encouraged me to be really sure I am looking into my children’s eyes as they talk to me and share their little stories, encouraged me to take the time to slow down and show them all that mama truly and sincerely cares for them:
“Before you can teach children, you must get the silver key of kindness to unlock their hearts and so secure their attention. It is of no avail to attempt teaching those who do not love you. So, try and make them love you, and then they will learn anything from you.” ~Spurgeon
Love. The most important ingredient in mothering, and every part of life.
Good to be Home 
Great post! Keep us updated on the Monarchs. I have great memories of raising thireen of those pretty creatures last summer.
What a great quote, thanks for sharing that.
Love, love, love that quote! Thanks for sharing that with us….I think I’ll put it on a posty-note and stick it to my refrigerator so I’ll be able to see it and remember it throughout the day!
Our monarch butterflies just “hatched”….we had them in a cage on top of the fridge. š It was REALLY COOL!!! I’m going to post pics soon.
Sounds like a very nice morning! Our mornings aren’t cold- yet. Today is supposed to be 90 degrees.
Cool about the caterpillars. Love the pictures! This cool weather is definitely lovely!
Oh, green beens are my favorite vegetable!! I love them steamed — not mushy!! I was out taking pictures this morning and the cool air was so refreshing! Have a great day!
Hi.
I love the mist…so beautiful….we have been having cool mornings and evenings here too, a sign to me that fall is coming. Love those caterpillars! I love monarchs. We have purchased painted lady butterfly caterpillars to raise, but I’d love to find some monarchs…I’ll have to keep my eyes open for some. We had about the same amount of green beans…but it’s fun. Next year I need like triple the garden space lol! Pretty zinnias…I’ve been buying those and sunflowers every week at the farmers’ market. I love the abundance of fresh, not-too-expensive flowers this time of year! Have a beautiful day.
That last quote is so true! I loved hearing about your morning and your plans for the day. I hope you have an excellent wednesday. Jeremy is going to put a coat of sealer on our metal roof and I am going to be priming our porch and scraping away at flaky paint in hopes that later today we can prime that and then paint it tomorrow! We’re also looking at getting a woodstove/fireplace put in. We went to a shop in Oxford yesterday and we just have to think about where we’ll put it and which type we want to do! Love you! Elisha
“last days of summer!!!” shh… shh.. don’t say it!! summer might hear you and get scared off too soon! š but between you and me (and i’m whispering here) i can feel fall in the air too! though i’m always somewhat in denial when that happens… have had unusually mild days here. warmed up this week which i was glad for – i always wait to start school until september (as long as possible) so we can drain every ounce of summer left! š š :)loved hearing of your morning – sounds cozy! don’t you love those moments before a sleeping house wakes up… great times of reflection.wishing a beautiful day there friend~
I enjoyed reading a glimpse into your life! You’re right…..there is so much to be thankful for that the irritations can’t compare. That’s the kind of mindset I want to be in today!
What a lovely post, Shan! When I walked outside yesterday, I thought, it smells like fall. I already have a few leaves on my lawn. I can also tell fall is coming, because it is getting dark earlier. Great quote! Enjoy your company. My inlaws are coming tomorrw, and my mom is flying up next weekend! Oh, and before my mom leaves, we have friends coming- Karl is going moose hunting with Ryan, and Jenna and the kids will stay with us. Fun times!
I find that quote to be true and convicitng at the same time!
As cozy as your description was of the steamy pond and the sweater I cringed because I am not ready for the fall we still have a vacation to the beach coming up and I am praying for hot hot hot weather!! LOL!
I am super proud of you and your veggy garden, it is an accomplishment!!! All of our beans we eaten by rabbits, sigh…
What a great shot of the pond with steam rising — it’s still hot here during the days, but cools off nicely for comfortable late evenings and early mornings! And I love the warm fall colors in the rest of this post. Hmm — zinnias — I hadn’t thought of them for my garden — how pretty.
Love the quote. Its raining here so it indeed does feel like fall.
I got off work this morning and I read your post and thought AHhhh, how refreshing!! I love the crisp air and that certain “smell” that fall brings. I pictured you enjoying your warm coffee in the delightful morning.
I like your bowl of apples and cinnamon sticks….simply elegant.
What a lovely morning you have had… such a beatiful description you gave It just made my heart warm and cozy.
Isn’t it dear how little ones slurp up juice? lol. It’s great. I remember doing it when I was little – that juice just never seemed to get into my tummy fast enough!
What a great morning! Lorelei has taken to carrying a choo choo, too. (Did you see my last blog?) I think of Caleb every time I see her with it. :)Those beans look great. My zucchini and squash are doing great, tomatoes not so much… but I’m just happy to have something.Have a great time with your parents.
What a great quote by Spurgeon. I love hearing about your day!
Sounds like a wonderful morning! That is good that you got some things out of your garden:) I didn’t even plant one this year. I hope you have a great day!
Yes, fall is just around the corner. I am doing the dreaded yet welcomed job of switching the closets to fall clothes (and leaving some summer clothes of course). I am ready and not ready at the same time…
beautiful ! I can’t imagine fall being right around the corner .. we might feel some days in the 80’s maybe in OCt. or Nov. . . the pictures hold such beauty – thanks for sharing !
I like what you said about being content with small amounts of beauty amidst clutter and mess at times – that is true peace (vs. perfectionism!) you have, and it is so beautiful. I want to be more like that!Yes, we’ve had some cool mornings here and T mentioned just the other day that fall is in the air. I can’t wait!
Well, dear sister in the Lord, you have done it again! Touched my heart and brightened my day! I also needed to be reminded to LOVE my children! Please pray for me as I continue in my quest to be kind and patient with my very assertive 16 year old daughter who chooses to reject the bits of maternal wisdom that God gives me now and then. Our family of 4 lives in a little run-down 1100 sq. ft. house and this space is suffocating me when my girl is being difficult. I truly wish I could be away from here because it is exhausting to always be on guard. I am so thankful for you and the beauty that you remind me of when i read your post and see the fantastic pictures. The orange zinnia is perfect! hugs, Gail
You have such beautiful pictures…and a great post! Beautiful quote! Loved it…and a great reminder!
beautiful pictures! i love your little pig cursor as well =] haha