{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
I was working on dinner and just had to stop to record this precious moment between my oldest son and youngest son.
(The ending is abrupt because my phone ran out of storage.)
I took Grace to get her finger x-rayed and while I was there I continued reading my book, Kristin Lavransdatter. I got to the part when the black plague struck and I took out my phone to look up “black plague” and read all about it, never saying a word to Grace about what I was researching.
HOURS LATER, we were home and I was cleaning the sink in the kitchen as Grace was reading in the recliner. All of a sudden she piped up and commented on the book SHE was reading, “Oh. How sad. Her friend just died. Of the black plague.” I stopped what I was doing and stared at her. “Did you know I was researching the black plague today?” She laughed and said no. She was telepathic. (she said) We laughed that we were both reading books that contained information about black death. Of all things!
Her finger is fractured. Sprained and fractured. She feels much better knowing exactly what condition her finger is in. It’s all wrapped up in a splint. The doctor said it is such small injury that it will heal on it’s own.
I finished my 1108 (approximately) page book and I feel lost. I’ll tell you more about it in another post.
Grace and I took Seth and Sarah on a walk in the woods this morning and I picked a tiny bouquet of sweet white violets. They were tiny and beautiful, if I had time I would try to paint them. I cooed over them in the forest, they were growing in a community together, and thanked God for small blessings like violets.
When I put Seth and Sarah to bed for naps I left and went to get my hair done. A color and cut.
Grace and Ethan just left for youth group.
David is folding an origami boomerang.
I want to post pictures from Saturday, when my Mom and Dad were here.
That morning, while we were waiting for them to arrive, we went to the ball field for Caleb’s game. Rich and Jacob were throwing a football back and forth, they like to throw it hard and fast at each other and Grace jumped in to intercept. She jammed her finger and almost passed out. We settled her down with her head in my lap while her Dad left to get food and drink for her. Although I was sad she was hurt, it was a sweet time to baby my teenager. As I stated earlier, it turns out the finger was fractured. We are tired of the finger now. It’s been the main attraction in Grace’s life for too many days. 🙂
A picture of the girls after Grace started perking up: Oh dear, I’m noticing that Sarah Joy was in bare feet again, Nicole.
Jacob:
Caleb looked smart out there in the field. Later on, I received a text from his coach asking me if it was okay to put Caleb’s name in the little local paper for being a good hitter. 🙂
I began feeling anxious that mom and dad would get to the house before we got home but praise the Lord we got there with 10 minutes to spare. They brought Christmas presents because would you believe we haven’t gotten together with the family since Thanksgiving? I was spoiled with new fiestaware and an adorable Vera Bradley apron.
I was mainly feeling spoiled just because THEY WERE THERE.
Mom painted Grace’s fingernails red and then I did Mom’s toes out on the porch.
Dad and Rich talked in the kitchen. The curtain you see was given to me by Joanna.
Ethan is the blur. I’m feeling terrible right now because I didn’t get a good picture of them (J and E) with their beloved grandparents.
The new apron is hanging of a cabinet knob on the bottom left edge of the picture:
Then, Dad and Ethan played guitar together. I love this picture.
Dear Dad.
When I was in Jekyll with my parents this spring I admired my Mom’s Vera Bradley bag. I kept my eyes open and as soon as I saw one I liked just as much, I bought it…..this was the first time they got together (our purses)…mine is the one in the back. Isn’t it funny that they are so alike, yet different, just like Mother and Daughter?
Mom and I amused ourselves by going outside with the children…..Sarah never wanted Mom to stop swinging her.
Dear Mom:
With her little Sarah friend. (frameworthy)
And, with the Caleb, too. (another beautiful photo) I love seeing LOVE.
Back inside, Dad got a dose of Charlie and Lola, as Sarah relaxed in his arms. I guess the sun was in his eyes by the window. 🙂
At 6 we had to leave to get to the High School for Grace’s play. Jacob, Ethan and David went with the grandparents while Rich and I went to get Grace’s flowers from the store.
I sat in the auditorium with my parents on one side of me.
And Rich (not pictured) and the kids on the other side of me.
Seth and Sarah, of course, were pretty much ON ME the entire time. (slight exaggeration but true).
I don’t really like the lighting in this picture and also it was one of those moments where I felt cute but when I saw the photo I was like “oh, so that’s how it is”. (not cute)
But it’s the only one of Rich and I with Grace, so it’s a keeper!
A cool cloud. Thank you, God.
This was all on Saturday! It was a full and glorious day!
PS, here is some good advice for you moms out there: don’t buy toys. just give them scotch tape and bandaids and the freedom to use them liberally.
My daughter Grace is a Freshman in High School and has fallen in love with singing, dancing, and acting in Drama. She is currently (as I type) at the cast party for Drama’s production Singing in the Rain….the last performance was this afternoon. Rich and I went last night to see it with my parents, and Jacob, Ethan, David, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah. Grace’s friends Ethan and Erinn also came (we filled up a row).
Grace didn’t have any speaking parts but she was in several dance numbers and Mom and I greatly admired her in the many beautiful dresses she got to wear.
In black:
In black sequins, clutching the arm of a gent;
Red dress, long gloves, and fancy white hat;
Black dress with swirly white stripes:
Red sequins (she’s on the far right) in the song and dance number “What’s Wrong with me?” sung by Lina Lamont.
(looking at camera)
And, blue with white dots;
a black pony tail holder around her wrist and a bright happy smile on her pretty face;
They did such a good job, we loved the performance. It was very entertaining and we felt proud of Grace and her friends. They’ve been practicing long hard hours for so many months. Grace especially struggled with tap dance, but she finally learned the steps. Well done, Grace!
Here she is after the show, with her Grandpa, Grandma, and little sister.
And flowers from her Dad.
*******
Oh, and by the way she did all this after seriously jamming her ring finger playing catch with her brothers a few hours beforehand….it caused her to almost pass out at the ball field, she lost her vision and was so weak she had to lay with her head on my lap while her Dad went to get food and drink (she had also skipped breakfast). Someone at drama had to cut the ring off her finger and today her poor finger is black and blue and swollen almost twice the size as her other one. She’s a trooper. xoxoxo
A friday ritual….a single photo…..no words…..capturing a moment of the week….
“Oh give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.”
Robert Frost
He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. Joel 2:23
It is the first morning of May 2014. Little Sarah went with me to the chicken coop wearing her pink water boots. Oh, we had a lovely time. There were plenty of clear, cold puddles for us to walk through, and a roaring stream to visit, too.
Grace had a dentist appointment at 10am. Our family dentist is right in town so these times are nice. I like to take the opportunity to spend quality time with whatever child has an appointment (last week it was Jacob). Grace has been working overtime in her High School musical, “Singing in the Rain”, the rehearsals are each afternoon until 8pm and opening night is tomorrow. I haven’t seen much of her lately because when she gets home she has to do homework and get to bed and sleep. We had a lovely visit today, she talked and talked to me after her appointment was over. She didn’t want to go right back to school so we went to the thrift store and then to the diner for lunch. I love looking at her pretty face and hair as she talks and laughs. She’s such a good girl, so level headed and secure in herself. She loves school and her *people* (the word she herself uses). I am just so proud of her and who she is becoming.
Meanwhile, Seth and Sarah were a terrible twosome and when I came home after dropping their big sister off I had to sit down and give them a little lecture. I can’t tolerate nonsense while shopping. I was at Rite Aid with them while Grace was getting her teeth cleaned and they would not stay with me and would not stop touching every interesting thing they saw. After about five minutes, I put them both in a cart and it still didn’t help, they were full of it. Oh well, it’s all part of the training we must do as mothers, but it does get old after a while. They seem to think going to Rite Aid is right up there with Six Flags. I plan on “practicing” with them here at home by taking their hands and walking around as I go on and on about Proper Shopping Behavior. They will love it, I’m sure.
It rained lightly all morning long, but it has stopped for the moment, the sky is pure white with clouds. The road is starting to dry. I wonder if the boys will have their little league games this evening?
It’s a laundry day and things are humming. I do love the smell of clean clothes.
I finally remembered to buy matches and I have some pretty candles lit in the kitchen.
For the moment it is quiet and peaceful, a nice beginning to this new month.
Happy May!
What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet,
Long live the weeds and the wildness yet.
~Gerard Manley Hopkins
*****
Lavender-Lemon Shortbread
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender
1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
3 tablespoons sugar
In a medium bowl, and using an electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon extract until creamy.
In a separate medium bowl, sift together flour and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until combined. Fold in lavender and lemon zest.
Shape dough into a ball or disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Using a 2 inch cutter, cut cookies, re-rolling remaining dough only once. Place cookies on prepared sheet, and evenly sprinkle each with granulated sugar.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges of cookies are slightly browned. Cool on pan 1 minute; transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 36 cookies.
Recipe source: Victoria magazine, April/May 2008
Caleb, Seth, Ethan, and David were inspired by the Duck boys.
Seth was so cute on a Sunday morning that I asked to take his picture; he struck a pose.
Oh Grace! Why do you want to read that??? (sister of five brothers)
David caught a bullfrog out of the pond.
Seth had a tick on him; I was able to pull it off but it was a sobering reminder of the problem we have around here with ticks. If they are in your area, be diligent in keeping them off your pets and children (and self). But don’t let them keep you out of the woods!
With my littlest love.
Sarah thought the artificial flowers in the dentist office were real, she smelled them and said they smelled “like chocolate”.
Something got this catfish out of our pond and killed it. Rich and Ethan stocked them a couple years ago so we are sad about it.
At the end of the day I used to hold babies in my arms, now I have no babies. However, I do have cats and a handsome husband ready to snuggle.
Boys on couch. Ethan and Jacob have been sleeping in the living room every night, they think it’s cozier than their own bedroom.
Ethan ready for church on Sunday morning.
Billy cat
I finally put pictures in the locket Hannah gave me for my birthday.
We went to the diner for breakfast yesterday.
We had no milk in the house and the boys had dentist appointments anyway. So we ate and then went to the dentist. It was fun.
Sarah and I had a little walk around the ponds together yesterday afternoon; my darling chatterbox. I picked her up several times for a squeeze.
Chickens in the forest sunshine.
I saw this Carl Larsson painting this weekend and immediately wanted to repot my plants into unifying terra-cotta planters.
So satisfying!
Sometimes my heart hurts because life is so beautiful and short. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time. I never want these days to end and yet I know they must someday. Whenever I feel this way (overwhelmed) I think of how grateful I am to have Jesus….and I am not without comfort for the days to come.
“Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:25a
It’s funny how the thoughts go back back back to childhood … today was opening day for little league (after church) and I couldn’t help but think so much about my own younger brothers and all the years of watching them play at the fields. Our sons Jacob and Ethan are too old for little league, today we concentrated on David and Caleb….Jake and E weren’t even with us. SO WEIRD. They are growing up and away, little by little. Yes, the older boys stayed after church for the fellowship lunch, and then Wally was going to go over some Javelin tips with Jacob again. Jacob throws for school, and with Wally’s help he beat his own personal record on Friday at the meet.
It’s quite chilly outside today so after several hours I asked my husband if he would drive me, Grace, and the little ones back home. I am currently and happily under a blanket with my feet on a warmed up corn bag with Seth at the end of the couch. Grace is on pinterest next to me and continuously laughing at someone’s “funny” board. Sarah Joy is sitting next to her, watching a movie. (“Once Upon a Forest”) Billy Cat is stretched out so softly next to my legs and Sherlock is curled in a ball by Sarah. We all have our pajamas on already.
I was on pinterest and somehow got to thinking about Trailing Arbutus. Do you know that lovely wild flower? I remember my Grandmother liking it, and it grew in the woods near our home when I was a child. It grows close to the ground, but getting down into the forest leaves to smell it is worth it. It smells wonderful, better than apple blossoms even. I haven’t seen the flower in years and years. There were pictures of it on pinterest so I pinned one and then thought about Yellow Violets. As a child, I remember finding them just one time. I had walked deeply into the woods on Grandpa’s property and was thrilled to discover a bunch of yellow violets…at that time I had not known there was such a flower. I picked one and added it to my bouquet. On the way back home I stopped and showed it to Grandma and she smiled. She knew exactly where I had been. It is a nice memory for me, I felt that we shared a secret delight together. I learned a lot about the flowers and things from my mother, who in turn had learned them from her Mama. And now, when I go for walks I cannot help but point things out and tell my own children about them. Beauty from God.
We spent time outside on Friday. It was a beautiful day. I found the children up on the hill behind the house exploring, and then Sammy jumped up on the fence from the neighbor’s side. She was exploring, too. Isn’t she pretty against the bluest of blue skies?
Daffodils are in bloom and the fuzzy buzzy bumble bees love them.
I am amused by the lengths a bee will go in order to collect pollen.
When we walk by the edge of the smaller pond, hundreds of bullfrog tadpoles ripple away, out of the shallow water. Going up closer to investigate will scare the last brave ones from the edge. Once they swim into the deeper water, it’s funny to stay and watch them go up to the surface to breath. There are SO MANY, if they all develop into full grown frogs I am afraid we will have a Biblical proportion of them (like a plague). Parker the dog enjoys the challenge of catching one in his front teeth. He does not let the tadpole touch his lips at all, just the teeth.
He detests bullfrog tadpoles.
After he brings one back into the grass and lays it gently down, he gags in deep hisses.
He can’t resist the urge to pick it up again with quivering lips and dainty teeth.
He plays with it a minute, rolls on it, and then goes back to get another.
No, he can’t bring himself to do it twice. Once is enough.
Tadpoles are cold and slimy, and they disgust him.
We look at wild flowers next.
Sarah likes to ask me if she can pick one. I say “yes”.
Seth goes across the monkey bars and I ask him if he can go all the way. He has to work, and I marvel at the bodies of young children, so light and mobile and strong.
I tried to help him once but he panted, “I want to do it by myself!”
He made it across and was proud of himself.
After throwing tiny pinecones into the long pond and watching the fish grab them and pop them back out of their mouths, we headed to the stream.
A hen came over to see what was up. So very nosey! What a busy-body!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next day, Saturday, it rained and rained all day. The boy’s Little League Opening day was cancelled.
It was today instead. We went to church, came home to quickly change, and then headed to the park.
It was a big to-do with “thank you’s”, dedication of benches (in memory of those who passed away over the last year), trophies, a presentation of the banner for last year’s winners, etc, etc, National Anthem sung, players name’s announced (including our Davy’s) and then….finally….the first games of the season.
Caleb
David. Please keep me in your thoughts as I try to keep these pants white all season.
Sarah had a ring pop.
The movie is over, it is time for me to serve a little something for dinner. It will be an early bedtime for Seth and Sarah tonight.
Have a blessed evening, my friends.
You are loved.
{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.
Dedicated to inventors, crafters, and 11 year old boys
***
David, 11 years old, has been extra productive lately.
During this year’s spring cleaning itch, I completely organized all my sewing stuff into plastic containers with labels and everything.
DAVID is taking advantage of these newly organized things more than I am at this point.
If he has an idea, he follows through until it is a completed project.
(I need to learn this virtue.)
With his two little brothers stuck like glue to his side, he made a basketball hoop for the basement.
It is put into place with about seven tacks and also includes yarn, cardboard, and tape.
They were thrilled to tell me that it works great.
I didn’t see it until days later when I was downstairs collecting laundry and it stopped me in my tracks.
I got right up close to see the details, laughing with delight.
He even broke the heads off the longer tacks, for extra security. This thing isn’t going anywhere.
****
I found him rummaging in my sewing stuff again about a week later, needing velcro.
“How do you put this stuff on, can I use glue?”
“You need to sew it so it’s strong enough to pull apart.”
“Okay.”
I left him to it, wondering what was coming next.
With a plastic cap, staples, elastic, velcro, paperclip, tape, and legos, you too can make a spiderweb shooter!
****
Yes, he is very fascinated with spiders now, thanks to watching the Spiderman movie.
He came off the bus yesterday with a big piece of yellow construction paper.
He had drawn a spider stencil on it of his own design.
He went downstairs, emptied Christmas stuff out of a long box, and tacked the paper to the bottom of the box.
Then, he took my seam ripper and lightly traced over and over each line, to cut each section (we don’t have an x acto knife).
When he was done, he had a stencil of his very own making.
Next, he came to me and asked if he could use his new Easter shirt to paint his stencil on.
I, of course, said “yes”. There really was no other answer.
He ran off again to work and the next thing I knew, he was coming upstairs with his creation.
He wore it to school today.
***
When I was driving him to practice yesterday I was complimenting him on his inventions and creations and I asked him, “What will you be making next?”
He shook his head. All my compliments had made him feel amazing. “You’ll find out in the news.”
**Happy Resurrection Sunday**
Easter morning. The family all got up and started getting ready for church and then Seth threw up.
I had a blessed day caring for my small son, but I did miss the church services….beautiful Easter morning, I love it and what it means to my soul.
Ethan and Jacob were feeling “off” as well, but they got dressed and went along to church with Rich and the other siblings.
Since I didn’t have to get myself prettied up, I had a few extra minutes to spend on the girls. I curled Sarah’s hair up (like a flip)…but since her hair is so straight it didn’t last long. Isn’t she a darling in her pink and gray dress? I’ve always loved the look of those two colors together and I was so pleased when I found this pretty dress for her.
Grace wore an ankle length black skirt and simple gray sweater, with my cross necklace. I curled her hair a little, too, for soft waves.
I feel sad when I look at this picture because Seth was so deflated and ill…..but I still think he’s a beautiful little boy and I love this picture of Caleb and Seth, they are good brothers to each other. They fight over legos but have the best times together playing and jumping on the trampoline.
This was the best we could do for a group picture.
Ethan and Jacob both threw up during church.
While they were gone at church with their Dad, Seth was sick about 10 times. He was so comforted by me patting his back over the toilet and I would look away and wait until he was done (he was a very violent and thorough throw-upper), wipe off his face, and tuck him back onto the couch. It was a beautiful day and at one point he said, “Maybe the air would feel me better”, which translated means: “I need to go outside.” So, I spread a thick blanket on the grass and we went outside, where he promptly fell asleep under his blanket (I was worried he would get burned so I put the blanket over his head).
(Hours later, after everyone was home and it was late afternoon, Seth again got up off the couch with his blanket without a word and proceeded outside to sleep. So dear.)
While Seth slept I went into the forest to work on the Easter nests. I gave each child 7 eggs with candy inside, a chocolate bunny, a big glitter egg with candy, easter goldfish crackers, and a little gift just for them. David and Ethan got fishing stuff, Jake and Grace received art supplies, Sarah a “my little pony”, Seth a Spiderman ball, and Caleb legos.
On my way to the house, I stopped by the chicken coop and gave the hens some colored paper grass for their nesting box. 🙂
I have to say……by yesterday he was all better and was twice as mischievous and busy as usual….Rich and I both thought that maybe he was making up for the day of sleeping on Sunday. I’m thankful it was just a 24 hour bug. Jacob and Ethan went to school on Monday but didn’t eat. After a good night’s sleep they are feeling much better this morning.
Easter dinner was delicious but the boys were sad because they couldn’t eat with us. Ethan missed the mashed potatoes and Jacob missed trying the lamb. Yesterday evening I fried up some leftover mashed potato patties in butter for them and their tummies appreciated it (comfort food).
I set the table with pretty tablecloths (I even had the time to iron them, and I hate ironing), our easter egg tree, and pastel fiestaware. We had roast lamb, apple crisp, salad, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Rich loved the meal and ate a lot of lamb. It was the first time I made it and we liked it.
This poor daffodil has been frozen several times since it first grew. Still pretty, even with a few rough edges.
The first violet of spring; February’s birth flower, for THIA, and all my February sisters. 🙂
They are growing along the pathway to our side steps.
Good to be Home 