Lord, That I May See

My dear Turtle,  You are TEN years old today. You are so tall now, almost reaching my shoulder!  As I kissed your tawny head this morning, I marveled  . . .    You were the one that made me a mother.  You were the one in who's dark eyes, Daddy and I first saw our love made into a person.  You have been breaking us in as parents as in every new stage we try to learn how this works!  You are such a strong guide.  You have curiosity and desire to learn.  You have honesty and respect.  You have determination and are a hard worker.  I am  so proud of your maturity, you levelheadedness, your insights and ideas, your courage and kindness, your dependability and your wisdom.   Every day you are showing forth beautiful and strong new growth that humbles and blesses me.  I am grateful to be your mother, to be able to hug your strong body on this your 10th birthday, and to be privileged to ...

One of my 2016 resolutions is to read more books!   Here are some that I have been enjoying this winter. 1. This book is haunting.  The writing places you right in the story and the 11-year-old narrator and his family are instantly someone whom you love.  The final chapters blew me away! 2. This is one that I am still reading.  It is one to be savored prayerfully. I knew that I needed to read this book when I opened it, and within the first few pages I had tears in my eyes.  The authors invite you to dare to ask the question of God, "Dad, do you love me?"  It talks about the pain that we suffer from the loss of our Father and the journey we must all take to rediscover His heart that loves us so much.  3. This is definitely a children's book. I began it as a "quick skim" to see if I would let Turtle and/or Rosebud read it, since I had heard how tragically it begins.  But now I am reading it fully for my own pleasure ...

 Last month, Sparky learned how to write the first letter in his name.  He was so proud and so were the rest of us.  Since then, he has written the letter "m" on and with every medium available -- crayon, pencil, watercolor, chalk.  He loves to make his own letter. The other day I came upon this: I guess he's moving on to markers and walls!

I do all the budget managing for our family.  Sometimes, especially when money is tight, or non-existent, it feels like such a hard burden to struggle under.  My head hurts and my heart becomes heavy trying to squeeze in heating oil costs and dentist costs, soccer registration fees and prorated car taxes, credit card bills and hospital bills . . . The other day, as I was wearily sifting through bills, trying to think how to allocate our funds in the best possible way, and thinking it couldn't be done, I opened my checkbook to pay the hospital bill and this is what I saw: As I wrote the check to "Mary Immaculate," it softly came into my heart that Mary was indeed there with me.  Even in the stress of bills, household managing and unexpected expenses, she, like a good mother, is always there to help me with my work.  And I get to see her name every month, as the hospital bills come, so that I will be reminded that even the problem of money is one that I can la...

Some of the best parts of our 18 inch snowstorm:  #1.   Building an igloo . . . or as the littler ones called it, an eegloo. #2. The way the snow covered every surface of the house #3. The fact that our circle didn't get plowed until the 5th day.  We all got to stay home together with no place to go, and it was wonderful. #4. Going sledding with the girls behind the elementary school #5. Staying inside, drinking hot chocolate, watching football and playing games. Visit Ashley at the Big White Farmhouse for more Five Favorites!

#1. Coloring.  Lots of coloring.  I love to do it with them too. #2. Turtle's Egyptian Pyramid.  I love to see her creativity and focus -- some of her strengths! #3. Eating peanut butter out of the jar, with a dollop of raw honey on top.  #4. Audiobooks D. has been gone/working/sleeping/playing hockey many of the recent evenings.  I love having an audiobook to keep me company.  I sweep, wash dishes, fold laundry and collect tax information, all while reading a book!   Last year, some of the audiobooks I enjoyed were The Moonstone and The Woman in White , by Wilkie Collins, and  All the Light We Cannot See , by Anthony Doerr. This year, my first one is Prodigal Summer , by Barbara Kingsolver #5. This book I am reading to the girls is such a blessing. To me, at least, if not to them!  The stories are simply and beautifully told.  The author doesn't dwell on gory or scandalous details. ...

October 2015 I am taking a quiet afternoon to attempt to reflect on 2015, using The Art of Simple's 20 questions .  Time for reflection is so hard-won that I feel sometimes that I have forgotten how to do it . . .  reflect, that is!  But I think that this exercise will be time well spent.  (If anyone is interested, the last time I did this on my blog was in January 2009 !) 1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? My husband's company hired a business consultant.   This may not seem like something that should be in this category, but this consultant's advice and guidance as well D's hard work and commitment to changing and growing in his business and  personal life has only just begun to bless our family.  I have seen the light come back into D's eyes, a burden of worry and fear of failure slip from him.  He is happier, more confident, and prouder of his work than ever before.  He is more present and more ...