Spring Lately

I'll try my hardest not to bombard you with any more snow pictures, even though I've got more to share in my embarrassingly vast picture gallery.  The change from winter to spring is such a refreshing transition.  I endeavor to enjoy winter and embrace the days and the weather as they come.  It helps me to smile at the days ahead, like a virtuous woman ought.  Every day is an attitude choice for me.  Then, when winter finally gives way to spring and the every day tasks start to change, I smile some more... at the springy days ahead.  

Recently, Blossom3 brought down the house with her rousing rendition of "In Her" by Shel Silverstein.

"In her long mink coat

And her buckskin pants

And her lizard skin boots

With the rattlesnake bands

And her beaver hat

With the raccoon tails

We heard her shoutin’…

SAVE THE WHALES!!!"

For her first poetry performance in the Kid Poets' Society's Jack & Shel Show, 

she probably stole the show.  

Sorry, Jack.  

Better luck next time, Shel.  

Blossom1 and Blossom2 continue to improve in their poetry and theatrics.  It's exciting to see those "shy" girlies blossom into independence as they're ready.  They wowed us with their gestures, smiles, confidence, and humor.  

For once, we actually colored eggs on the warmest spring day prior to Easter.  It's kinda like chili night at our house.  If I cook chili, it will, inevitably, be unseasonably warm outside.  Every time. Correspondingly, if we have eggs to color, it will be unseasonably chilly.  

Not this year; we colored them on an 85 degree day!  

Winning!!!

For once.

Hey, I'll take it, even if it means I ran to Walmart on said morning to buy 2 dozen white eggs because brown eggs are very uncooperative at Easter time.

I'm not sure why people buy their children toys.  This A-frame that formerly belonged to my swing is their favorite spring time toy.  Seriously.  ALL of them play on it constantly.  

It has fostered no end of interesting climbing configurations and inventive activities.  It makes me smile, because it reminds me of my simple childhood, a delightful time that included a whole lot of cartwheels, the above wooden balance beam, dirt, a rope swing, a pine tree and a clubhouse.  

Good times, my friend, good times!

The spring mornings here have been lovely.  

Whether I'm helping the Rugged Mountain Man get out the door or having some quiet time, I'm enjoying the green hills, against blue mountains, and a morning sky.  These are the fresh starts that every mama needs in her day. 

Speaking of fresh starts, there's no better time of year for a fresh start, than Easter.  

Blossom2 and Blossom3 put this Resurrection garden together yesterday.  

"First, go fill this with dirt."

"Ok, make a cross with those sticks."

"Can you find some moss?"  

Off they went on their little finding excursions.  

It's so meaningful to see a stone over a little "tomb."  Christmas always reminds me of God's great love in sending His Son to Earth for us, but Easter reminds me of sacrifice, a sacrifice that was done for me.  Like Blossom3 explained to Blossom4 this morning, "Jesus did that, because if He didn't, we would have to."

Looking at the burden He carried on the cross and how He overcame death, I marvel again at so great a salvation, friend.  Bunnies, eggs, and chocolate don't touch my heart, but the cross does every time.

May the cross and His resurrection be real and personal to you right now,

Dominique

Normal...ish

Things have been pretty normal around here lately.  Well, maybe I should say that things have been normal FOR US lately.

On Wednesday, one girlie noticed a bird in the wood stove.  When she opened the door to capture it, it flew out and took refuge inside the basement ceiling.  Great, just great.  We decided to let it creep out on it own, since the broom handles being knocked on the ceiling were not doing the trick.  Later that night, Blossom4 was getting her jammies on.  She came flying out of her bedroom, half-dressed and shouting, "Dere's a BUHD in our room.  It's behind the door and I tink it's a GWACKLE!!!"  Much to the poor starling's chagrin, it was corralled by four screaming and giggling Blossoms armed with several towels and then released on the front porch.  It promptly circled and flew back inside the open door.  Clearly our company is quite enticing.  Blossom1 promptly captured it again in the laundry room and this time was able to permanently release it.  #allcreatureswannabeapethere

Blossom1 and Blossom2 met one of their 4-H goals.  After a clinic with an older 4-Her a few years ago on rabbit tattooing and help from Daddy more recently, they have now begun to tattoo their own rabbits.  Things don't always go smoothly, as you're dealing with permanent ink, a sharp tattoo pen and animals who really do not want a tattoo in their ears.  Now Blossom1 has a new and permanent "freckle" on her arm.  Since they'd already taken many precautions, we used it as a life lesson.  "Always, always, ALWAYS remember that when you make a decision, it can have consequences for the rest of your life.  Make good decisions.  When you look at this, remember consequences."  #4Hproblems  #noMommydoesnotwantyoutotattooMOMonherear

For whatever reason, the Blossoms were discussing red hair vs. blond hair this morning.  Blossom3 was loudly and adamantly demonstrating an aversion to red hair, much to Blossom1 and Blossom2's annoyance.  "That's not very nice, Blossom3," they chided her.  I told her she'd better watch out or God would give her a red-haired husband.  Blossom4 sat on the couch, brushing her dolly's hair and mumbled disgustedly, "Ugh, I don't like red-haired husbands."  #??????????

Blossom2 wrote her spelling words on the board arrayed in an angel costume and makeshift veil, because she could.  #characterswelcome

After our Sci-Fri experiment, Blossom4 explained that magnets only pick up metal and not her, because she is a person, not metal.  She explained that the magnet couldn't pick up the pennies or the buttons for the same reason.  She was able to narrate to me that magnets work in water and through air.  I was so excited to realize that even our 3 yr old gleans from family science experiment time.  #homeschoolbaby

Well, friends, it looks like it's going to be a normal weekend here.  I've got a trip to the green house planned.  There will be some yummy family favorite chip dip to chow down on tonight.  There's a family party tomorrow and the Rugged Mountain Man is celebrating that statewide holiday known as Opening Day of Trout Season for Children.  It's gonna be a smashing weekend!  For now, I'm off to make ten plus gallons of sweet tea.  No biggie that I've never made it before; it can't be that hard, right?  

Farewell!

Dominique

We Don't Go Anywhere Fast

I parade my crew through the checkout line, glancing at the frazzled cashier.  

"Oh, no worries.  I don't go anywhere fast," I assure her.  The cashier heaves a sigh of relief, even though the store is jam-packed with shoppers and the line is long behind me and mine.  

It's a secret I learned many moons ago.  This mama is WAY NICER when she isn't in a hurry.  I don't like roughly wrangling children into car seats, hurriedly grabbing wipes to remove lunch remains from someone's face or sumo-wrestling a kiddo onto the potty so we can fly out the door with a coat dangling from one arm and a boot dropping on the stairs on the way down.  

On any day we're leaving the homestead, I actually allot 15 full minutes for "loading."  Loading is my term for the process of everyone taking potty breaks, finding and putting on shoes, putting on their coats, carrying all of our stuff to the van, strapping in and getting situated in the van.  By the time I sprint back up the steps to get something I've forgotten or to double-check that both dogs are inside, it really does take about 15 minutes to "load."  Hence, the 15 minutes loading allotment.  My mind calculates travel time PLUS the loading allotment when I'm planning our day.  

All of you that don't naturally roll this way are laughing at me right now.  I laugh too because of how easily a five minute process turns into a fifteen minute ordeal, or more.  However, I gotta say, I really like not yelling every time we leave the house.  The peace level in our household vastly increased 10+ years ago when I realized that we don't go anywhere fast.  

(a rare photo of the Rugged Mountain Man doing what he does best ~ being rugged.)

Expect it. 

Plan for it.  

Accept it.

The funny thing I noticed recently is that when something surprising comes up and we really do have to hustle, hustle, hustle, I have 100% cooperation from my crew.  

They know, "This hustle is real.  It's serious and our team needs to MOVE."  I'm so thankful for that and I'm careful to tell them so.  I thank my Blossoms often for their cooperation getting out the door.  We are all on the same team and this kind of thing is household unity in action.  

I wanted to encourage mamas of littles today.  Yes, it does get easier eventually.  Someday they will be able to strap themselves into their carseats.  You won't have to take a diaper bag and oodles of gear to go somewhere.  Until those days and even during those days, adopt the mindset, "We don't go anywhere fast."  It will be easier for you to have a gentle touch and a softer voice.  They'll remember your kind manner all of their days, because that's love in action.

Dominique

PS - I hope you enjoyed a few snapshots from the Blizzard of 2017, when no one went anywhere fast.  Snowstorms are one of God's ways of slowing things down.  

Spring, Scarves and Secret Sisters

I'm resting up these days after being on the road for more than I was not on the road over the past weekend.  I recounted some bright spots with you the other day and there is one more I wanted to share.

I returned from Wisconsin to find a pretty gift bag waiting for me on the schoolroom table.  It was a gift from my secret sister at church.  She's been blessing me with encouraging words, prayer, Dr. Pepper, which came in handy on our Wisconsin trip, and, this time, SCARVES.

Be still, my beating heart.  

I love scarves, especially these springy ones.

In an effort to share something a little light-hearted with you today, I put the girlies to bed last night and designed some fun spring outfits, starring my new scarves.  The first outfit is, predictably, constructed of basics, staples and thrifted finds, but hey, what's wrong with that?!

Scarf: Gift!  Thank you, secret sister!

Vest: Thrift Store find

Shirt: Old Navy, snagged for five bucks!

Jeans: Hmmmmm, I think I bought them new with a gift card. 

Earrings: The girlies made me something like these.  Mama benefits from their creativity!

Shoes: Gift!  Thank you, dear mother-in-law for keeping me stylin' in these Keds.

Bag: Thrift Store find

Scarf on Bag: Old as the hills

Nail Wraps & Polish: Thanks to my friend, Elizabeth, my nails are actually sporting this 

Jamberry "Jamicure."  So boho, so chic!

The second outfit highlights a color I don't wear often.  In fact, I wear it so rarely that I once threw on some pink shorts for a family bike ride and it resulted in a chuckle!  My husband kept seeing the pink in his peripheral vision and repeatedly thought a stranger needed to pass him on the trail.  He shook his head each time he discovered it was only me!  Pink or not ~ this outfit is a terrific transitional outfit!

Grey Denim Jacket: Garage sale find

Pink tee: Old Navy, only five bucks!

Scarf: Thank you again, secret sister!

Jeans: I think I bought them new with a gift card. 

Earrings: Purchased similar earrings from Kohl's with a gift card.

Purse: Gift

Scarf on Purse: Nabbed from Grandma's estate

Sandals: Thrift Store find!

Jamberry products: Purely hypothetical, but oh, so springy!

Maybe you'll feel inspired to shop your closet and pull together something fresh today.  It only takes a minute or two to keep on being well put together!

Happy spring, friends!

Dominique

Bright Spots

I returned yesterday afternoon from a whirlwind trip to Wisconsin.  My aunt passed away unexpectedly early last week and Blossom4 and I traveled there for the funeral.  She had been the secretary at the local Catholic school for 29 years.  She was an icon in her community, a person known for her laugh, kind words and going the extra mile.

Periodically today, I walked through my house, thinking of my cousins and my uncle, wondering how they are faring today, praying that as they ponder why, the Lord will comfort.  I don't pretend to have all the answers, but in my own time of grief and sadness, I've taken some time to list bright spots in a weekend of sadness and sorrow.

I'm truly grateful for family I enjoy traveling with.  I rode to WI with my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews.  I returned with my parents.  Both trips were thoroughly enjoyable, characterized by hours of good conversations, laughter and quality time.  On the trip out there, I was stationed between Blossom4 and my little nephew.  While I'm super grateful to my brother-in-law for driving the entire time, straight through, I thought that I got the good end of the deal.  I got to play with the little ones for hours!  I'm not being cheesy when I say how nice it is to be able to just play with the Littles.  Usually, laundry is calling to me, dishes are leering at me and my to-do list is taunting me.  Not so on a road trip!  We sang silly songs, much to my sister's chagrin, read books, played and giggled. Being with children is a blessing!  And, I even snagged a few snuggle sessions with my teeny-tiny, but chubby cheeked baby nephew.  Divine!!!  Somewhere in there, I guess all that playing and lending a hand with the Littles helped things to go a little smoother, so it blessed me that I could be a blessing to my sister's little family.

I'll also mention that it was really special to have some one-on-one time with Blossom4 all weekend long.  Sure, we were shuttled from event to event and she had to be quiet and be still a lot, but we squeezed in all manner of secret smiles, snuggly kisses and whispered conversations.  I treasure that.

It was really nice to catch up with my extended family this past weekend.  Handing out hugs, a word of sympathy or a hand on their shoulders, we might not have said a whole lot that seemed really deep, but I like what my dad said.

"Sometimes the best way to be a witness, is to just be there."  

It's basic and it's simple, but it says a lot.  I'm so thankful that I could at least be there.

I'm grateful I got to stay with my grandma at her house.  This made the trip easier and less expensive, but added another special element to it.  I'm already treasuring that time we had together this weekend.  We were laughing because she said, "Boy, the girls sure love to dress Western!"  When I agreed, we chuckled together because we know they get it honestly, she does and I do too!

Another surprise blessing was the "quiet room" at the church where services were held.  It was a glassed in room with a speaker, stocked with toys and books.  I could've kissed the person that installed it in the church there!  This meant that I didn't have to sweat Blossom4 and my nephews being perfectly quiet and still.  We certainly didn't have a repeat of Blossom4's antics at my other grandma's funeral last year, where she reprogrammed my Kindle, set an alarm and overrode my Do Not Disturb settings, during the quietest part of the funeral!  The quiet room was a huge relief.  After Blossom4 being cooped up for basically a day and a half from travelling and funeral stuff, I was pretty sure we were gonna get through the funeral on faith... and a lot of bribery with gum.  (Laugh here; don't judge.  I was sporting a heavy bag of entertainment activities, two Kindles and loads of snacks.  Ain't nothin' can prepare you for keeping a 3 yr old quiet and/or still for a DAY and a HALF!)

Sitting through the funeral and chatting with the folks around me, I was reminded that your everyday life, your ordinary holiness, touches others in a million small ways every day.  They took a show of hands for everyone who had ever gotten a band-aid from "Mrs. T."  My jaw dropped.  We tend to discount those things, to label them insignificant and inferior, but they are small services to the Master.  I felt challenged to be "Jesus" in countless tiny things every day, that some day I will see the results in Eternity.  My aunt's life spoke this lesson to me.  The ripple effect of what she did as a wife, mom and insignificant looking part of the school was a beautiful tribute to how everyday life can be big.  That's what I'm trying to remember when I'm feeling sad about her being gone.

Another small bright spot were the stops at Starbucks.  I rarely get to indulge in that little luxury so when the opportunities arose to down my favorite Chai Tea Lattes, I savored them!  And Starbucks is like God; it doesn't change.  It's the same, no matter what part of the country you're in.  There is something a teeny bit comforting about that.

My little family (hounds included) was happy to see me too.  I hugged and looked them in the eyes and relished looking into their eyes.  This life is a vapor; I'm reminded that it's temporary.  Where your heart is, there your treasure will be.  Those truths resound as true as ever, calling my heart closer to them.

I'm glad God made a way for me to make the trip to WI, but I'm so glad to be back in the Hollow.

I'll be praying for my cousins and uncle in the days ahead.  Thanks for letting me share the bright spots,

Dominique