Autumn Activity

The changing of the season means the changing of our activities too.  We recently ventured out to a local antique tractor show to see a "famous tractor." 

Strolling through all those handsome machines, Blossom1 was the girlie to spot the right one. 

Aside from our neighbor's 630, the Blossoms got a kick out of this tractor, redone in Muddy Girl camo.  We just couldn't envision Daddy driving this feminine machine though.  By the time all the girlies are driving and mowing grass, it might be a worthwhile investment, wouldn't you say?

What is more autumnal than apple cider?  We're always sure to grab a gallon because they press some tasty cider there! 

Strolling the grounds and checking out the steam engines never seems to get old to us.  

"Fair food," as I call it, is a yummy treat.  We sampled homemade ice cream and handmade pretzels.  Delectable delights, as we eyed up all the cool, locally owned machinery!

Of course, it isn't a tractor show without some tractor pulls.  That never seems to get old for the girlies.  Our favorite "puller" was a dad, walking beside his 11 yr old son, who was driving the tractor.  This mama yelled extra loud for that kid.

We didn't stay late enough to see the steam pulls this year.  The girlies acquiesced when it was time to leave, but it was definitely under protest.  

In the crisp fall air, we meandered around this double-decker London Transport bus.  

The girlies were delighted to explore it and I was equally delighted to photograph it and them.  

Crisp, leafy notes in the air and pumpkin butter fragrances in my house; autumn is here and I'm glad we're enjoying it together!

Dominique

My Red Flag

Lately, I've been paying special attention to keeping my spirit filled up.  I was delving into a sermon called “Unshakable,” shared by Beth Moore.  It took 7 full days to finish listening to it.  During those seven days of short fits and spurts of listening an old nemesis reared its head.  

Whilst listening to those blurbs of truth, the whining began.  The phone started ringing.  Someone needed a snack...urgently.  Someone did something to so-and-so.  After several pauses and restarts, I screeched in frustration, “I can’t even listen to a sermon!” 

Gulp. 

Red flag.

I’m twelve years into my motherhood journey and any sentence that begins with “I can’t even...” has become a red flag to me.  

Through the years of my motherhood journey, I found myself saying these things:

“I can’t even get a shower in privacy.” 

“I can’t even get time to exercise.” 

“I can’t even get enough sleep to think straight.” 

"I can't even finish a glass of water without someone washing their hands in it... or spilling it."

When I start a sentence with “I can’t even…” I now realize that I need an attitude adjustment.  That phrase tips me off; instantly alerting me that my focus is in the wrong place entirely.  

When I start a sentence with “I can’t even,” I’m pitying myself.  

When I say “I can’t even,” I’m resenting the “interruptions” my children are making or the effects they are having on my life.  

When I hear “I can’t even…” coming out of my mouth, I know I’ve forgotten that I am a servant.  

But, servants don't have rights.  

Being a Christian is living the life of a servant.  When the red flag of "I can't even..." starts popping up in my words, I'm waving the white flag of surrender afresh, letting go of my own rights in service to the Master.

A few snapshots from a hiking adventure with the Rugged Mountain Man

On Available

If I had a goal for life lately, you might say that it would be for me to be available.  

First day of school

I'm still occasionally picking up Recapturing the Joy of Motherhood by Bonnie Greiner.  Her words of wisdom help me shore up areas that need to be reinforced in my life. 

I'm ever mindful of the passing of time, the tick-tick-ticking of eternity.  Remembering that this world isn't it, helps me see what a big, big thing I do every day - walking with God, loving my husband and my children. 

I'm nurturing these Blossoms.  I'm fertilizing the soil of their hearts.  So much of that nurturing happens because I am here, because I am available. 

Old fashioned soda fountain fun with cousins

So, I ask myself, was I truly available to my children today?  Did I pause?  Did I truly interact in their conversation?  Did I take the time to read a book, answer a question or help with a solution? 

Was I available?

Library fun with my nephew

And, there's marriage.  To be a helpmate to my husband, I must be available.  Well do I know how easy it is to juggle everything randomly, oil the squeakiest wheel and let my quiet, contented and able husband take a back seat. 

But, am I thinking of his needs?  Am I putting down my own entertainments to make time for him? 

Am I available?  

How 'bout God?  At the end of the day, was I available to the Lord?  Did I let Him lead me?  Was I paying attention to His nudges?  Was I too busy to move forward with something He wanted me to do or pray? 

Was I available?  

A katydid!  Gotta love these delightful late summer music makers!

It seems to me, that the crux of being a servant, 

is really just being available. 

This is How We Co-op

With the autumn weather and the physical demands on me, gettin' ready for co-op on Wednesday mornings has made me work a little harder within the confines of my closet.  Anybody can hop on Amazon and order the missing pieces for an outfit.  Click.  Click. Magic...

but I challenge myself again and again to take the pieces I own 

and put them together with functional class.

I've heard in the fashion world that you ought to dress the body you have.  It makes sense.  Take care of what you have, treat it with respect and you will continue to make good decisions in regards to your healthy habits.  

If you feel and look frumpy, 
you'll continue to make frump-inducing decisions.  

From a Christian viewpoint, my body is the house that God lives in.  I aim to care for it well and dress it with modesty and excellence.

This convictions drives me as I dress every day, no matter who is or isn't coming over, whether I am or am not going out.

If the furthest I go is the school room and the kitchen, I go with a clear conscience, knowing my outfit is modest and excellent.  And when I venture further, I can think about what I need to accomplish and being a blessing to others, rather than worrying about what I have on.  

A truly functional, classy outfit, slides into the background.  

A truly functional, classy outfit lets me do what I have to do without worrying about what I have on.

I can focus on tending my Blossoms.  I can pay attention to co-op logistics.  I can tie knots with kids.  I can snap photos while they build shelters.  I can give a hug to a friend in need.  I can kneel in the grass with a friend's little one.  I can smile, laugh, be flexible, do head counts, haul gear and do all that "nothing" that is really something.

I can do all that with excellence and modesty.

Yes, I'm still mixing and matching the "same-old, same-old" pieces, but it's been a fun challenge to practice contentment both in my wardrobe and in my body.

Dominique

Outfit #1 - Co-op week #2

Outfit #2 - Hiking during my recent weekend getaway with the Rugged Mountain man

Outfit #3 - Co-op week #3

Outfit #4 - Piano lessons and errands today

Just Drag 'Em Out

Labor Day was a real treat this year.  The weather was quintessentially autumn, which is to say, it was glorious!  We spent a leisurely morning around the house as a family, tying up the loose ends that are ever present on a micro-farm inhabited by so many humans and critters.  Then, we loaded up our bicycles and journeyed to a local rail trail spot.

I get the question often how do we get the girls to do this stuff?

I usually turn to the Rugged Mountain Man and ask, "How do we get the girls to do this stuff?"  

Much of it has to do with our own interests.  The Rugged Mountain Man and I love the Great Outdoors.  It's our idea of a good time, a healthful time even.  Just like everything else in our parenting philosophy, we take our children along.  

This is just how our family is and this is how we are... together.

We try to keep our outdoor expedition to mostly age-appropriate lengths.  However, it's stuff we deem age appropriate, which I realize is a stretch from the typical American vision of what children can handle outside.  I was raised to be doing stuff outdoors, as was the Rugged Mountain Man.  That's how he became rugged!  

We've been doing this stuff with the girls since they were little.  The desire to be with us seems to spark their interest early on.  It keeps them going until their own interests kick in as a fierce motivating factor.  Meanwhile, we're thrilled that their endurance is growing.

It never hurts to motivate with a little bit of good food.  I'm always armed with water and good protein packed snacks, plus a little treat.  Also, we occasionally hit up an ice cream parlor after a particularly victorious family adventure.  A little ice cream goes a long way to motivate little legs, let me just say!

The Blossoms know that when we say we're doing a hike, we're doing a hike.  It's the same basic lesson we've been driving home from the very beginning.  Whether schoolwork, chores or hiking, it's all rooted in obedience. 

This obedience makes family life, all of family life including our family recreation time, 

much more pleasant.  

After all, unity is pleasant!  

Every hike and bike adventure isn't riddled with perfect attitudes, but usually anyone who may not be 100% on board eventually comes around.  It's hard not to when everyone else is having a good time.

I don't mean to offer overly optimistic advice for how to get kids outdoors; I've got enough on my plate wrangling our crew out the door!  Suffice it to say, I'm happy that all the foundations we've been laying for a while, are starting to pay off, making our family recreation times delightful.

Dominique

PS - While I pulled Blossom4 in a friend's bike trailer, we did 15 miles on Labor Day.