This Past Week or So

Dear friends,

So glad you've stuck around here lately.

Last week was quite the busy week, as it led up to a Fine Arts competition.  Blossom1 and Blossom2 have been practicing piano, singing, cajón, skits, drama and the like for the big day.  Per 2020, we didn't even know if the competition would actually happen. We got the green light in January and there have been practices, rehearsals, jam sessions and run-throughs leading up to it.  As a mom, it has been so rewarding to watch them grow in the gifts God has given them.  

The way you learn to use your gifts is to use your gifts!  

Is it easy and comfortable?  Not usually!  Learning to stretch, to listen to criticism, to adjust and to change are all parts of the process of using your gifts for the Lord.  Anything worthwhile takes work, for sure!  And, listening to and learning from those who have more experience than you is wise and humbling.

We came home from the competition and chilled out on our couches watching a couple of gymnastics meets on ESPN and eating some chocolate chip cookie dough I whipped up for the occasion.  It was our way of celebrating the culmination of a whole lot of hard work!  

On Sunday afternoon, we decided that some fresh air and good family time was in order, so we trekked over to the Lakeside trail and did a little bit of lake ice exploring.  The Rugged Mountain Man was trying out his new crampons (ice spikes) and trekking poles.  He declared them awesome!  Actually, I think his words for his crampons were something like "beasts!" Slowly, but surely, we're accumulating gear that suits our little adventures.

This week has been a bit quieter.  We needed the time to reorient and care for the demands of home and family.  When those extra busy seasons stretch too long, they take their toll on the peace of our family.  I find we need less on the schedule to be kinder and calmer.  As Pollyanna says, "We need time to just be." 

One of the Blossoms has a character issue that we've been working on.  It's taking extra prayer and patience.  These are the things that can get swept under the rug if we're crazy busy.  I don't ever want to lose sight of the girls' character formation.  It's something near and dear to our hearts.  That I'm actively here and I'm attentive to their forming character and every day struggles is a message I want our Blossoms to clearly hear in every day of their upbringing.

The end of the school year is in the offing and I want to finish strong.  We did a writing day a few weeks ago and I think we'll be doing one this Friday.  

Keep the faith, friends!  We'll keep on, keeping on over here,

Dominique