A Happy Thought

A Happy Thought

The world is so full

of a number of things, 

I'm sure we should all

be happy as kings.

-Robert Louis Stevenson from "A Child's Garden of Verses"

I have taken a bit of a respite from this place. Honestly, not for any reason in particular! I have just been so busy and alternatively our lives have been changing so much. We have been trying to figure out a new family rhythm. 

With Deirdre now in school, our days look different. Now with my return to work soon, as well as having a temporary job on the weekends, it has been a bit up and down. However, we still have been making the most of it and figuring out all of these changes together. Us four, we're a little team to be sure. It has amazed me how well they all have been doing through this. It is a blessing for sure. All of them are growing in news ways. And it has reminded me of what an honor and privilege it is to be their mother. 

Mostly, I find myself filled with divine gratitude. Gratitude for having my children in my life. Gratitude for my family, who has loved us so well through this. Gratitude for my friends, whom are also my family and who I get to raise my children alongside with. Gratitude for my education, which at times I have taken for granted. And gratitude for Waldorf, because that lynchpin in our lives has helped keep me steady- and my mothering steady- which in turn has helped me love my children well. It almost seems like a buffer of sorts, a sense of stability in my home. I can't quite name it. But it is there. 

I also continue to be in awe of the beauty that surrounds us. Maybe I appreciate it more now or maybe I see it more clearly, but I feel like someone has turned up the saturation in my eyes. Life is just brighter. 

My children have not been the only ones who have been growing. I have too. For once, in a long time, I have had time for myself. I have been doing things for just me. Beautiful yet simple things. And that feels good. My soul feels refreshed and I have a renewed sense of purpose, that I thought I died to a long time ago. It feels good to be alive again in that way. Which all brings me back to gratitude for the people the universe has conspired to put in my life and help me rekindle that. 

So I will leave you all now with a bit of 'catch up' for what we've been up to. We've celebrated 2 birthdays, MANY festivals, taken trips, and had lots of beach and crafting fun. Enjoy my sweet friends. And I will be back soon. 

Brynna is getting so so big! She loves to play at the Yorktown battlefields. 

Secret Places

Jonas turned 4! 

Brynna turned 2! 

Worm trap made by Jonas. 

Yorktown Pirate Day

Easter Eggs :) 

The start of  our garden! 

Yorktown Beach! 

Our trip to Richmond to visit Link and her family as well as the VMFA

Shrove Tuesday

Imbolc pots! 

Green for Spring! 

Day trip to Surry to their Farm Museum. 

One of our last days homeschooling. 

PS: Linking up for the lovely Nicole at Frontier Dreams for KCCO! 

Love and Light,

Family Time :: Holding onto Both the Good and the Bad

Sometimes, some days, are just beautiful. 

They might have though beginnings, they might be heavy days. But they're still beautiful. 

A moment here, a smile there, a gift in between those times helps center me. 

It helps to slow me down. 

It allows me to recenter myself on the long narrative of my life and what I am doing here, versus being caught up in the little heavy moments-which are fleeting at best. 

Not to escape the hard parts of my life, rather to hold them in both hands and acknowledge the good with the bad. 

This blog, this place, these photos helps me to hold onto the good. 

They allow to me to come to this place during the bad and see both when I need it the most. 

I've had a few tough bouts this week and last. Going to the beach with the kids and Craig helped me to recenter.

So as I look back on those moments and share them here with you, I felt led to write about what goes thorough my head when I look at them versus what we did at the beach. 

It was a lovely time. A bright spot in that day. 

And I thank the Lord for sending me that gift in the midst of darkness. 

Blessings,

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