bits of sunshine

dorothy wanted to teach the almost extinct art of quilting . . .

so, according to a parenting book from 1979, she started a class of her own.

i recently sorted through all the books on my bookshelf.  i donated a HUGE box to the library, i have a pile to use for some art collages this winter, i ahem, burned a few that were very dog-eared or that i did not care to even pass on, i put a pile of parenting books in my bathroom to read through, and i reshelved the books i really wanted to keep.

i started reading through the parenting books, starting with one that used to be my mom's, entitled Mom, Take Time.  it is VERY dated, so much of it is quite humorous.  the line i used as the title of this post made me laugh and laugh.  i guess we who enjoy quilting are in the process of resurecting something, here, girls.  :)  and i'm so glad!

cousins

double cousins to be exact.

won't this picture be priceless when they are 16, 18 and 20?  and when they are 48, 50 and 52?  can you imagine what they'll look like?  i'm trying.  :)

they sure are quite the bunch!

revisiting that list

i did it!  all of it!

well, that's not true.

maddie made the gingersnaps.  all by herself.  she even doubled the recipe.  i helped her with one measurement.  and they turned out awesome!

ben and i didn't get to bed too late . . .

and we got up early, early on friday morning and drove to duluth to see friends.

then on to grand marais and up the gunflint trail to spend the evening and saturday with family. 

good times.  truly good.

sunday we drove home.  man that's a long drive.  but we were home by 2:30, and we unloaded the car and played outside and enjoyed the afternoon and evening.  a good start to a new week.

i hope your new week is starting well, too, my friends.

love,  ~e

today . . .

i am going to

• make gingersnaps
• make pumpkin bread
• do about 3 loads of laundry
• keep my fire going all day
• take lots of pictures
• trim isaac's hair
• pack four small bags
• pick up the house
• laugh with my kiddos
• bring my husband coffee
• get to bed early

sounds like a big list, doesn't it?  but i have two very awesome helpers who live here with me.  :)

i've missed being here again, friends. 

more soon, i hope.

love,  ~e

said, but not spoken

you hug me tight,
hold my hand tight.
we sit side by side,
knowing we've done the right thing;
seeing the joy on one face across the table,
the slight discomfort on the other.
our two wonderful kiddos, one at each end,
witnesses to forgiveness offered across a table.
this night is good,
full of mercy and grace.

8 + 7 = 15 . . . sometimes another word for love is "no"

sunday morning
2:30 am 
4 girls  
ages 18, 18, 15, 14 
out driving

i don't know why  

drove out onto a highway  
t-boned by another car 
4 friends in that car, too
3 girls and a guy 
ages 24, 26, 27 and 31 

the 15 year-old died  
one 18 year-old and the 31 year-old are in critical condition 

what's there to be out for at 2:30 in the morning?
especially for a 14 year-old and a 15 year-old 
Why OH Why weren't they tucked up in bed 
with the covers up to their pretty little chins
why oH WHY 

15 
8 + 7 = 15 

you know what i'm thinking
my 8 year-old with a pretty little chin 
i hug her extra tight
and drop a kiss as i pull the covers up to that pretty little chin 
stay home with me, little girl,
stay  

and when you are older and you do go,
make good choices while you are away, 
call me,  
just to say hello  
so i know how you are
or if it gets too late 
or if you are worried
call me

i will come get you 
always 
any time 
i will come for you  
i want 8 + 7 x 7 for you 
i want sunshine for you
i want for you to be mama   
i want you to know tucking the covers up
close to your own little girl with a pretty little chin

and maybe i'll just say  
no  
gently, firmly

stay

oh, mamas 
i'd so much rather be the mama who said
no
than the mama who screams
NOOOOOO
when it's too late 

and i can think of more than one no
that i am grateful for 

sometimes
another word for love
is firmly, gently

no

i am tired . . .

. . . but i can make it through the next two weeks.  then it will all change.  in a good, good way.  no less than eleven crazy circumstance/situations will be over, wrapped up, done, fixed, finished.  i'll be able to have a routine.  a two-week schedule with a repeat.  breakfast and coffee with ben in the morning.  school with my kiddos.  lunch at noon.  afternoons of reading or projects or outdoor play or movie watching.  suppers planned and prepared.  bedtime.  oh, bedtime.  at night.  with my family.  two afternoons a week we'll have two small friends here.  two small friends who take naps.  every other weekend i'll work my overnights.  that's it.  i get to be myself again.   i'm looking forward to this, my friends.  looking forward with great anticipation. 

but, don't worry, i won't forget to enjoy the now.  like right now.  i'm going to shut this computer and sleep for 5 hours.  and every moment with ben and maddie and isaac in the next two crazy weeks.  i'm going to enjoy those, too. 

more later.

love, ~e