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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Tree of Life and Wine


Tonight was another date night- since it is the only day off my husband has fully had in 14 days. So instead of going on our normal coffee and movie date, we went to Norfolk. In Norfolk there is this awesome indie film theater called the Naro. It has been around since the 1920s and they have saved it and restored the theater back to its 20s glory.  


So on a whim we went to see the film "Tree of Life". I loved the movie, it was touching, beautiful, gripping, and makes you relive parts of your childhood while watching the film. If you're a believer it takes you through the existential quandaries we as believers experience when we suffer a deep loss. When we question God's goodness- or if he is even there. 


So I loved it. Craig not so much. He thought it was pretentious! Que sera, sera! 


So now I have had my glass of wine, and Craig is giving me "that look". So I will bid you adieu with promises of crafty goodness and updates tomorrow! 




Daily Verse or Quote: 
 Job 38 4-7 

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.

Who marked off its dimensions? 
Surely you know!    
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— 
while the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?



Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Weekending: Kimono

The PJs


This weekend has been filled with busyness, love, sun, and joy. Friday I got to have some great sewing time with my mother-in-law, whom helped me make my way through the Oliver and S storytime kimono pajamas! The pattern was easy once I had someone help me through it and translate the lingo for me. The pattern had us do the sleeves a new way- which now I really like since they're much easier than the previous ways I had done them. Once I am done with my other projects (Red Ridinghood cape, log cabin quilt, quilt bindings) I will make some more for the kids. 

Saturday was a glorious day at the beach with my mother and the kids. Everyone got along and the kids loved the ocean. Plus I have been craving the ocean- literally. The ocean was such a staple of my childhood and teen years. Most of my happy memories involve the ocean in one way or another. And being able to share that love and connection with my kids is subliminal. 


So.... we went back today! Deirdre spent the weekend with Grandma Cindy and so instead of having my mom drop her off at our house, Jonas and I went down to the beach with them and then home (Craig was working a double). Again is was another great day and I even got to take Deirdre body boarding! 


Sunday was also a great day! I had my first log cabin quilting class at Bella Fabrics in Carollton! Ah I am so in love with the log cabin design, I am so excited to get cracking! 


So needless to say I am full, tired, and excited for this week. How was your weekend? 



My favorite thrift find


So excited for her Huffalump PJs

Friday, June 24, 2011

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual created by Amanda Blake Soule. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week (or month- and sometimes for me whats on your mind at the end of 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.
Have a lovely weekend!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Wine and Date Night

Cocoon baby at the Living Museum

Finally, despite being called in for two hours on his only day off in 11 days, we had family time. Sweet, pure, blissful family time. Not rushed nor unappreciated. The day was not prefect, the kids were not on their best behavior, and neither were we! But that is not what we consider a perfect day, just being together and being ourselves unfettered by worry, now that's perfect

Today we were all a family. We were fully present and involved. We all connected. And it was worth the eleven day wait. 

To complete the day we also had a sitter come after bedtime so that we could have our 'special' date night. So now I miss bid you adieu, my husband is giving me that look :) 

Ah I love that one oh so much.

No verse or quote tonight.... just sweet photos from our day :) Why don't you share you're own in our comments! 

Butterfly exhibit at the Living Museum. We decided to get our own caterpillars in conjunction with this new exhibit as part of our summer home preschool. 





Loving Dada- Jonas missed him so! Two peas those two are! 

Deirdre told me that the gnomes left these for her as a gift for our compost!



Please Petunia I want a hug! I am your Mommy, not my Mommy! 


A few more years I think Jonas! 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

::right now::

Right now, I am... (a tradition birthed by SouleMama aka Amanda Blake Soule)


:: trusting in the Lord about my husband's work and job security. God has always provided for us exactly what we have needed and I need to not doubt that now. 
:: feeling a little helpless to help ease his stress. He works so hard for us and I have no control over how his day at work is. Not to mention I have been feeling a little sick... heat exhaustion probably! 
:: doing a lot of fun stuff with the kids to keep their minds off the fact that they have seen their father for only about 10 hours in the past ten days. 
:: beginning to pack up our home and transplant it in our new home in the next four weeks. Ah the excitement,  sadness, and memories all wrapped up in one this brings. 
:: sewing the finishing touches on Craig's suede apron and beginning pajamas! 
:: knitting (still) the Tomten jacket. Oy! I will not be defeated! 
:: missing my husband. He truly is my other half. Daily life with out him is just not as bright.
:: knowing that this is only a season in life. A quick fleeting season. Nothing more. 
:: wondering what fun things the kids and I can do tomorrow! I think water play of some sort is in order with Omi! 
:: eating much better now that I have a monthly meal plan, huge step forward there!
:: giggling at home since all my animals literally think I am their mother. And how they, like my kids, fight for unnecessarily my attention. 
:: loving my children and all of their new personality quirks. Walks by the fountain are so much fun with them! 
:: continuing to transition my home into a better rhythm amid this moving/working chaos. Good-bye chintzy plastic toys. Ah and yet it is so hard to let go when they cost so so much. Am I depriving my kids...? Stay strong, stay strong! 
:: appreciating the people in my life who help me out and pray for us. (Thanks MK, Chris, and our HG)
:: thanking the Lord for is all. The good and the bad. I am blessed and content. I am at peace. 
:: wishing you a blessed week and peace. 




Jonas had his 15 month check up today and he was a champ!



Daily Quote or Verse: 
Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Midsummer's Eve...

...and & El Dia de San Juan 

Petunia loves to cuddle and lay her head on my shoulder when I pick her up! 

Today was another hot and glorious day! I like to have a little celebration on Midsummer's Eve-or Summer Solstice- to celebrate with the kids the longest day of the year. Craig also worked a double today, so having extra special fun helps keep the focus off of "where is Dada"! In the morning we played outside and finished a rainbow ring knitting craft. Then before lunch we made a nice batch of blueberry ice cream with fresh blueberries from our garden. I am sad to say I had planned to take photos of all of this but I could not find my camera until later in the day- thank you Mr. Sticky-fingers Jonas! 


Then at nap time I dropped the kids off to nap at my mother-in-laws house so that I could meet with my dear friend Chris for a bible study. (I promise to write more about Chris one day since she is a huge part of my life and my walk with the Lord).  Afterwards my kind in-laws invited us to stay for a tasty dinner and "a how to make a button-hole tutorial"! 


I also had planned to take the kids out to catch fireflies and to have some nighttime fun, but to my surprise both kids fell asleep on the way home and remained asleep. I brought them in and got them into bed all by 6:45. Wow! They didn't even wake up when I put their PJs on! So no extra fun tonight! Just a nice relaxing night for Mama with some yummy tea! 


But my blog does not end here! It was four years ago today that I first visited Spain. I was four months pregnant with Deirdre. I had, before I knew I was pregnant, planned to complete my cultural exchange in Morocco, to do independent research in Europe, and then study abroad in Ireland for a year. Blessedly I got to do the first two parts, but came home before study abroad in late August. (I did however make it to Ireland and Belgium the next summer for more research!) 


Santiago de Compostella
After spending a month in Morocco, Spain was a daunting change. It was the first part of my trip alone backpacking. Thankfully I spoke, and still can speak, Spanish very well. When I got to northern Spain, Galicia to be exact, I was in for quite I surprise. 


I went to Spain and various parts of France to study their folklore, and more specifically their Celticity through their folkloric depictions of women. In ancient times Celts moved through Europe settling in different places. While today there are only six recognized Celtic nations, I argue that Galicia should also be one due to its folkloric similarities to other Celtic nations. I also asserted that a nation should not be defined as being Celtic based solely on it speaking a true Celtic language alone and that a nation's mores and folkways, as depicted through their folklore, was a better litmus test to Celticity.... ANYWAY :) 



On the beach in Tarifa before I got to Galicia- how I love the Med.


I arrived in Galicia on El Dia de San Juan. It is an old pagan festival celebrated near the Summer Solstice. In celebration Galicians make bonfires in the streets to ward off evil spirits and meigas. During the day the women go into the countryside and gather various herbs. Then they hang the herbs over their doorways and in their houses, shaking them all throughout the house first and sprinkling them with water. So here I am trying to prove that Galicia is a Celtic nation and I arrive on the day of of their biggest pagan festival, that everyone including Catholics celebrate. Not ot mention they were also playing their national instrument, the bagpipe! Needless to say I had a blast. That day was one of the many highlights of my trip and I will never forget it. So on the 24th, I think I will have a bonfire and drink some Queimada to reminisce. 

(For a more apprehensive explanation visit the Wikipedia page which is really good at summing it all up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer%27s_day#Spain)

So enjoy the photos of Spain and me in the garden with my baby goose Petunia after the kids were asleep. I wish you all  a blessed Summer Solstice-Midsummer's Eve-& El Dia de San Juan! 


Torre de Hércules

Galicia wants to be an independent nation

Coast of Galicia- La Coruna

Celtic megaliths in Galicia 



Come on tomatoes! 

Squash 

Petunia 

Verbena 

BLUEBERRIES


Rainbow knit project, all done by Deirdre! 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Sandy Bottom and Picnic Dinners

True to its name! 

Tonight, after a day of rain showers, we decided to picnic at the Sandy Bottom Nature Park. (Yes that truly is what the park's name is, so I though the above photo was appropriate!) Craig is working a double today and tomorrow, so I thought it would be nice to get away from the house and all of the "missing daddy" sadness. The kids haven't seen her father in over 24 hours, so the bewilderment is justified. Plus when we eat outside, I have less clean up and it is very relaxing for me, given the stress of Craig being at work so much. 

So off we happily went! I love this park. It is just so beautiful. The air was cool and there was a breeze, so the bugs were not bad at all. I have given up trying to keep my kids clean when we're outside too, so I just let them roll around in the mud, sand, and water. They obviously had a blast doing it too and Mama did not have to run after them like a crazy woman trying to keep them away from all the 'dirt'. A win-win! 

Tonight I am hoping to finish up a few sewing projects that I have not had the energy to do the past few days. 

Bonne Nuit and I will see you tomorrow! 

So proud that she climbed up by herself

Beauty 

Hmmm, what to do now that Ma-ma put me down?

Oh I know, lets dance! 

Whoopie, freedom! 

The green gum drop

Bliss

The Sandy Bottom Lake

Pensive

Drawing 

Love

"We can do it Baby Jonas, lets move the canoe!" -and just look at how happy Jonas is to be playing with his sister! 


Daily Quote or Verse: 

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. - William Shakespeare