Friday, June 24, 2011

This Moment: 6/24/11

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.  Following the suggestion of SouleMama at http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

My Teachers

There is a special place in heaven for my parents. 

Today, my mother is caring for her parents in their home. She isn't visiting. She is there. She is up every night helping my grandfather with breathing treatments, bathroom visits, listening to him tell stories in his dreams. She is there in the day to help the daytime caregiver, to take them to appointments, to call the doctor to adjust medications, to talk with the Hospice nurses. But mostly, she is there. She is the familiar in this frightening time for them. She is the pat on the back, the hundredth hug a day for my grandmother, the constant connection to the happier past for them both.

Today, my father sits at the hospital with his mother who fell in the middle of the night. Even in my mother's absence...even while he has traveled almost daily for work...has washed clothes, called the doctor, picked up things she needs, checked in with her caregivers, and taken her for walks in the sunshine.  But mostly, he is there. He is the familiar in this frightening time for her. He is the pat on the hand, the hug, the constant connection to the happier past for her.

Mom and Dad are living in different states, sleeping in different beds, generously giving up this time together, their own comfort, and their own plans to be where they are needed for a little while. And they serve their parents with joy and love and thankfulness. I believe that true goodness comes from the heart...the love in one's heart. I see that in both of them and their sacrifices.

There will come a day when these chores will no longer be necessary. Life is that way. This burden will be lifted from my parents. It will be a sad day, but I know in my heart that neither will have regrets. They will have these few precious days to hold in their hearts. I hope that, when the opportunity comes for me to care for a loved one, that I will recognize the gift as they have.

I love you guys.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day


Happy Father's Day to a great dad, a loving husband, a true friend, and a really good human being. 
This family is better when you are here with us. We love you, Todd.


Saturday, June 4, 2011

June 4, 2011

Our morning was spent at my nephew's last t-ball game.
Way to go Coby!!


Headed to visit my grandparents until Thursday. Probably no wi-fi available, so see you again then.
Have a great week. Namaste.
The Combo Platter - Em-burrito, Beans, Rice, and Mama JalapeƱo - missing our favorite Tamale!

Friday, June 3, 2011

June 3, 2011

Forget the backpacks for tonight...


We are beginning to settle into a slower pace.
Leisurely lessons this morning.


Wandering around...finding our place here again.


Besides...who needs a backpack full of stuff  when our hearts are full of cousin love?

Have a great weekend! Namaste...WLYD

This Moment: 6/3/11


{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.  Following the suggestion of SouleMama at http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Reeves' Backpack

Reeves' backpack is next in our series Summer in a Backpack. This should be interesting considering he wanted to bring his sport coat to the woods for the summer.

In my Summer Backpack I would bring...

  • A box of macaroni and cheese
  • Clothes
  • Apples 
  • Popsicles
  • A toothbrush and toothbrush
  • A sleeping bag
  • A way bigger backpack with my family and a bed
  • A mumbo jumbo whoopie cushion

by Reeves

Summer 2011 @ the Farm: Day 2
Brice slept all night in his new bunk bed!
Finished the rope ladder
Began a new spelling program with the big kids
Began studying Lewis and Clark
New brakes on the van
Printer exploded - no History review quiz today (Kids say,"Yeah!")
Played trains, dinosaurs, and diggers with Brice
Catherine and Shawn and kids picked up the van and delivered it...stayed for dinner
Made homemade tortillas, black beans, pineapple, and s'mores
Kids played in the creek
Embree is giving Brice a shower now
Looking forward to beginning The Wonderful Wizard of Oz books with the kids tonight.

Love you Daddy!
J, E, R & B

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Summer in a Backpack

Today was the first full day of our 10 weeks in NC this summer. Yesterday we spent the entire day travelling through Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and, finally, North Carolina. The car was packed full of all the things we'll need for our stay.

I have often wondered if we could sell most everything and move into an RV and travel. It's a little fantasy of mine. I don't think my honey believes I could do it. I am a pack rat. But, I am always relieved when we get to the farm and there is just so much less stuff than at home. It's smaller and less cluttered, which makes for an easy tidy up each day with everything in its place when we hit the pillow each night.

Headed into town this morning to stock the cupboards, the brakes started protesting against their long journey yesterday...overloaded with stuff and passengers...long down-hill jaunts in WV. When I dropped it to be serviced tonight, I began wondering what we'd do without this big old van to carry a summer's worth of books and wine and shorts and art supplies. What if we each just had a backpack?

What would each of us take in our single bag? I think my list would include...

  • My kindle, loaded with fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, word games, and a subscription to The New Yorker.
  • My iPod, for music, podcasts, email, pics of my family
  • A sketchbook and colored pens
  • My camera
  • 2 skirts, 1 pr. shorts, 2 tank tops, 1 cardigan (and unmentionables, of course)
  • My Chaco sandals
  • A hair band
  • Lip balm
  • A sun hat
Of course, this is for summer...not for school, or teaching, or directing. But, I think I could live without most everything if I had too. What about you? Share your list in the comments!


Update: Summer 2011 @ the Farm
Day 1 - June 1, 2011

  • The kids made and destroyed about 100 water balloons.
  • Aunt Billy's "Cow Seeds" have sprouted into a lima bean plant - go figure!
  • The kids started their summer schedule of no screen time until after dinner. It went better than expected. It's 10pm now and no one's screen-timing it but me. Embree is practicing guitar, Reeves is still making water balloons, Brice is polishing off a bag of carrots.
  • Bought and assembled bunk beds for the kids' room (Thanks for the help Dad!).
  • Mom finally got to go to her own bed after 10+days away from home. 
  • Began installation of the new rope ladder for the fort - will finish tomorrow after the battery on the drill recharges.
  • Brice spent a couple of hours drawing and painting on his new easel.
  • Inspected the raised bed garden we planted over Easter break. Relatively weed free. Cucumbers and squash came up beautifully from seed. Tomato plants survived being planted before May 1. Tiny basil plants peeping through the soil.
  • Dropped car to have brakes serviced (Thanks for the ride home Sis!). 




Have a great one! Love you Daddy!
J, E, R, B, & V