A Christmas Carol

On the way back home from a quiz match at the beginning of November, I hit a massive deer a half mile from home.  The darn thing had the nerve to get up and walk away, despite the $5500 of damage he did to my van.  Regrettably, I got neither RACK nor MEAT out of the arrangement.

Thankfully, I've been driving a nice rental since then while the body shop does its magical thing.  

We were scheduled to attend A Christmas Carol last night and I just really wanted to go altogether, in ONE vehicle.  It's so much more fun that way.  I prayed that my van would be done in time.  It's been a month and a half, after all.

Friday was a busy day of school, groceries, errands and more.  We needed to head out between 5:30 and 5:45 pm and we were all doing our part to make it happen.  The getting out the door, somewhat organized chaos was in full swing.  Festive, sparkly outfits were being donned.  Christmas earrings were being carefully chosen.  I was dressed and supper was in the oven, when the phone rang at 4:30 pm. 

My van was done!!!

The Rugged Mountain Man is not a rush around type of person.  He had just walked in the door from his tiring workday and long commute, so he tried to convince me to pick up the van in the morning.  I was trying to have a good attitude because I doubt I'd feel like jumping in the car again.

But, honey, I prayed.

We made it to the body shop in time and back to the house and were walking out the door to all climb into the van at 5:35 pm.  Thank You, Lord!  

We chatted all the way there, joking and laughing together.  

A Christmas Carol was a fantastic festive night together!  Friends performed exquisitely in a charming, Victorian era church that satisfied my love of architecture.  There was an Emma-esque dance scene that had me gripping the wooden pew to stay in my seat rather than spontaneously joining the gaiety.  I savored the details of all the costuming.  The capes and hats and laces!

I'd never focused much on Ebenezer's loss of his sister.  I liked that this aspect factored into how he became so Scroogey.  

Dickens' timeless story of a true change of heart is a Christmas mainstay for us. 

Twas an evening of festivities and fellowship with good friends!

A Story of Wendy and Megan in the Kitchen

The tea kettle bubbled away on the stove as I stood choosing my tea bag in the church kitchen, alongside two of my fellow mama friends.  Words about our week and school and Christmas and just life floated about the little room where we always start Ladies Bible Study.  

Out of the blue, Wendy dug through her bags and handed Megan a mason jar of sourdough starter.  Megan excitedly unscrewed the lid and took a sniff of all that yeasty goodness.  I wanted to take a good whiff too, but I restrained that juvenile urge.  Nobody wants my nose in their starter.

Wendy explained, "I'm so sorry that took so long.  This is my true confession."  She went on to say that she realized that Megan has a little boy who has a peanut allergy. In Wendy's house, the measuring cups are used to scoop peanut butter as well.  So, instead of just dipping out a sourdough starter, she freshly sterilized the measuring cups and started fresh with the starter.  The process took longer but was safer for Megan's family.  Megan expressed her gratitude and the conversation swiftly moved to other topics, as only mom conversations can.

I have thought often of this conversation over the past several days.  Wendy's a busy mom and yet, I, as just an onlooker making my tea, was so touched at the care Wendy showed for Megan's little man.

That she took that time.  

That she paid attention to that little niggling thought that made her think it was important.  

That she felt compassion for Megan's boy and acted practically as a result.  

I've been tearing up each time I mull over that conversation.  It was just such a picture of the Body of Christ loving each other in real and tangible ways and it's challenging me.  It made me want to love others in the way that Wendy did.  It's one small way that I feel urged onward to loving others more truly.

Gazing at Joy in these Moments

The girls and I took some time to wind down last night.  We just chilled and colored.  Christmas bookmarks and Christmas coloring pages were so relaxing!  We got a kick out of the gnome bookmarks!

Binney is excited for Christmas!  The Blossoms were delighted to pick out her Christmas presents last night.

I enjoyed pulling together the girls' Christmas program costumes.  The chicken costume isn't pictured.  It took some time to finish even these quick versions.  The Blossoms were happy, so I'm happy.  Besides, I don't get very much time to be creative, so this was a fun reprieve.  I still had to push aside all the other stuff I had to do that was swirling around in my head.  It's making those choices to enjoy the moment that go a long way.  Now, when I look at their costumes, I smile and think about the fun they're going to have up on stage together.  

The Little Blossoms got to attend a Santa's Workshop, where they made all sorts of fun crafts.  

Pretty sure that crafting might be their love language.  

We got Christmasy and spent the day crafting and embracing the season with friends surrounding us.

It was such a fun day!

It's not often that these two girlies squeeze onto the same chair anymore, but it made me happy to see them enjoying something Christmasy together.  

Sometimes we find joy when we take the time to see it in all the everyday moments around us.  This is a busy life and I'm determined to hold on to the intangible good.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Silent Night

Best mom moment lately ~

I was inside, upset, frustrated, even tearful.

Softly, through the window, I heard strains of Silent Night as the Blossoms walked down from morning chores together.  The harmonies were rising into the air and sweetly wafted into my ears.  

It isn't always this beautiful.  There is sometimes bickering as they tend our animals, but I cherish these melodious moments deeply.

That Cuteness Overload

Micro-farmin' is hard work and we do admit to growing weary at times.  

You can give it your best shot and have things still go very wrong.

Feed prices go up. and up.  and up.

Animals still need all the same care when you're busy.

But sometimes, you just gotta soak up the cuteness.  

I have been very affectionately calling this black and white bun-bun, "Spot."  In a house of fancy names full of literary connations and deep meanings, the Blossoms are revolting.  I just can't help it!  I helped "Spot" get fed by his mama when he was only a few days old.  He had a rough start, but he's making great strides now.  

What These Days Sound Like

If you stopped by, this is what you'd probably hear:

~ Repetitive vocal warmups at any time of day.

~ Chapters of the Bible being recited in a Blossom2's signature high speed style.

~ "Get back to work!"

~ Tracks from the Christmas program being played.

~ Pages turning.

~ High speed piano melodies.

~ Alphabetical reciting of the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel.

~ Hurried steps up the stairs.

~ Nonsensical poems being invented on the spur of the moment.

~ Whirring bathroom vents.

~ "Can I get a snack?"  

~ The tea kettle heating up for the fifteenth time.

~ Little whines from Binney because we aren't currently focused on her.

~ Long silence in the bathroom, followed quickly by, "Are you reading in there???"

~ Vibrating buzzing text message alerts.

~ Strains of Christmas melodies, traditional and new.

~ Sisters counting out timing for younger sisters.

~ Jingling bells that herald, "The cat's on the wrong side of the door again."

~ Mindless whistling.

~ Crowing roosters.

~ Grinding pencil sharpener motors.

~ Screeching 1970s desk chair.

~ Oven timers announcing that the dog treats are done.

~ Thump! The cat king has jumped down from his current throne.

~ "When is it lunch time?"

~ Doors opening and closing.

~ Wit, zingers, and roasts.

~ Stove timers reminding us that our fifteenth cup of tea has finished steeping.

~ Clicking of the computer mouse.

~ Tapping of the computer keys, formulating assignments.

~ The crunch of gravel announcing the latest piano student's arrival.

~ "What's for supper?"

~ Crunching and ripping of Binney's toy deconstructions.

~ Laughing.  At each other.  At ourselves.  At absurdity.  Laughing.

~ Soft voices reading Tolkien's Father Christmas Letters.

~ "Five minutes til we head out, girls!"

~ Tom's kingly purring.

~ Binney's barking announcements that a leaf has tumbled across the yard (again.)

~ Bubbling and sizzling supper on the stove top.

~ "Time for supper!"

Someday when it is always quiet here, I'll read this, remembering with a smile the joy of each day together.

Work in the Woods

It was just a temperate autumn day in which we all ventured to the home of an old friend to get wood.  While no one enjoys hard physical labor, it is satisfying to know that each log means warmth, a fact I do remind the Little Blossoms of when they start whining.

Plus, hard labor does make you feel like a beast when you're finished!

I found myself scrambling to grab my phone for pictures.  

This morning in the woods was sweet for me. 

Maybe it was the camaraderie between us.  

Maybe it was conquering a large task.  

Maybe it was the teamwork.

Maybe I was remembering all the investment thus far and all the character training we've soldiered through to get here.  Maybe it was that.  (And there is so much more to go.)  

Maybe it was the entertainment, silly jokes, and laughter when I slipped on the ramp, fell off the trailer and rolled across the ground.  

"That was kinda impressive, Mom!"

"I'm glad you were the only people that saw that."

Whatever it was, it was sweet.

Not my Own

We had the first snow this week.  It was beautiful!  I was a bit surprised that it panned out as actual white stuff.  So many weather events seem more like clickbait than anything.  I try not to get wrapped up in the panic.  I'll admit though, as the Hollow became wintry white, I threw a fist in the air and declared, "WE MUST MAKE CHRISTMAS COOKIES."  

Blossom2 obliged me and whipped up a batch of gingerbread that didn't last 8 hours.

Watching the little Blossoms gleefully ski in the wintry quiet with Binney frolicking nearby was a sweet moment on a hard day.

When I say hard, I actually mean challenging.  

So many friends and family members are going through very real trials.  I don't mean to compare my days with the burdens they find themselves under.  The trials around me, that ripple into our lives, give me good perspective on the challenging days.  

I have certainly done my part in making our days more challenging ~ when my patience has worn oh-so-thin and I cease suffering long in the conclusion that my children no longer ought to be trying me in this way.

And the snowball effect continues.  

"Lean not on your own understanding."  

In challenging moments that seem to become insurmountably challenging days, whose understanding will direct my next step or influence my next word or inspire my perseverance for the days ahead?  

Not my own. Inarguably not my own.

Dusk and Dawn

I thought you might enjoy a collection of dusk and dawn photos from life over the past few months.

Blossom1 has certainly sipped the joy from each unique moment.

From truck pulls to fundraisers,

To pedal pulls

and new friendships...

These days are full.

So very full.

And I'm thankful for each moment.  

Is each moment easy?  

No, but someday, I'll miss this.

Something About This Fall

Something about this fall has me pausing to worship more often.

I'm so thankful for the gorgeous colors everywhere.  Even near the trees that have completely shed their autumn splendor, there are low-lying bushes in crimson glory and creeping vines of fiery rust.  

Pause and worship.  

When we see the small miracles that often go ignored.

When we notice glorious artwork by the amazing Artist.  

When the Spirit nudges us and we're plunging ahead to the next task.

Pause and worship,

for He is worthy.

The Blossoms found this leaf in the barnyard during chores the other day.

 

If I Could

If I could have tea with you today,

I'd ask if you've been reading anything good lately.

I'm always looking for a good book recommendation.  I just finished book #2 in Richard Paul Evans' Mistletoe series.  They are stirring holiday stories of people overcoming hard, real-life circumstances to find hope again.  Because of the beautiful, yet believable settings and holiday details, I find myself hungry for stuffing, pecan pie, and dinner rolls.  They are cozy books, each with a strong and inspiring moral that gives me food for thought for days afterward.

I'd say, soldier on, dear friend!

We do not often know, during our everyday faithfulness, that what we are doing is eternally paying off.  We must have faith!  We must believe that God is using us, through His mighty grace.  This very thought rescues us from despair.  We follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We obey.  We accept His working in our hearts.  We apologize.  We repent.  We listen to His nudges.  We try again.  His grace is so much more than enough.  And, He is working.  Truly, He is working.  We must soldier on, armed with that Truth.  

I'd hug you.  

When no one notices your sacrifices, when no one sees how hard you're working, and when you are just plain tired, I'm thankful that you are in my life.  There's just something about a hug.

I'd inquire if you are enjoying autumn.

Have you been noticing the fiery reds, the luscious yellows, and the leaves flitting through the air?  Pumpkins and cornstalks are everywhere!  I know it's so easy to miss out on embracing the seasons.  When we choose to smile at the days ahead, seeds of joy can blossom into something beautiful in our days.  Trust me, God often does this work in my heart.

Thanks, dear friend!  And, if you ever want to have tea, let me know.  

Pics from our recent anniversary getaway - climbing Conklin's Gully, NY

Sowing

"Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Galatians 6:8 NIV

The million small things I do every day are how I sow.  

I envision myself kneeling in the dirt of a garden that is far from Pinterest-worthy, with the Blossoms around me, hoeing the soil into rows and painstakingly planting seeds.  The knees of my jeans are dirty and I'm a bit weary.  I'm mulling over what's for supper, a phone call I need to remember to make, and where we need to be later.  And I'm trying to be cheerful amidst the questions, "How many more rows?"  "What else are we planting?"  "Can we be done soon?"

But I'm sowing seeds.

The million small things I do in a day resemble this.  Making supper.  Soldiering through math with Blossom4.  Helping Blossom3 tweak her writing assignment.  Listening.  Sharing.   Folding clothes... again.  Answering nicely when I don't feel like it.  

It isn't pretty.  It isn't glamorous.  It's often hard, but I'm sowing the seeds.  

And I'm sowing them to please the Spirit.  

I can't let the little things become little.  

The big vision of sowing those little things to please the Spirit 

is what gives every moment so much meaning.  

Pause and Look Up

What a beautiful day we had last week!  It was a day of rainbows!  

We saw four in one day and I was fairly certain there were at least two more that I missed!  

To me, rainbows are miracles in the midst of ordinary life.  They help me to pause and look up.  I find myself stopping and pondering God's goodness in the middle of a busy day.  

This is your friendly reminder, just like the rainbow, to stop and ponder His goodness.