moments from the week

My Friend From Across The River had a wise reminder for me the other day, that shaped my whole week.  She had read that the soul life of a mama will so clearly impact the emotional being of her child that if she is tired, her child may have dark circles under his eyes and be sleepy.  Indeed, I see this in my own three little ones.  Earlier this week had such challenges, both internally and externally from our family unit, and it was weighing so heavily on my heart.  After talking to My Friend From Across The River, I made such an effort to be more peaceful within myself, more steady and calm...and you know what?  There was such harmony in our home ~ between the children and myself!  I felt the heaviness lift up and a lightness graced the whole atmosphere of our home, filling us up.  I really hope to hold onto this reminder, and not have to reinvent the proverbial wheel again and again.

And now, on with our week...

Little Huckley is growing up so fast...I find my heart is full of the bittersweet wonder of the youngest baby becoming a little child.  He is so intent on helping and imitating the older people around him, in a quiet, self-assured way.  While he hardly speaks clear words, he says so much with his grunts and with his gestures.  Gratefully, he is also very into cuddling his mama and giving her the great big bear hugs that are only from the Huckley boy.

We made a few ventures out to the greenhouse to check on our greens that were sown last week ~ nada.  After hauling a few buckets of icy water for them, I watched the children busily "gardening" the only bed not planted in the greenhouse.  One brought shovelled snow in from outside, one hunted for worms, and one dug and dug "to the bottom", only to learn there is no bottom to these beds.  He laughed to think he might dig until someone in China popped their head up from the hole to tell him to please put the dirt back, it's cold up here.  Then he added, "No, that's silly...they don't speak our language in China." 

A long, involved game of "pirates".  Unfortunately, the littlest one would not stand still long enough for the pirate portrait!  It is so fun to watch these two create fantasy games together...they are spending more and more time together this way, often up in one of their bedrooms, which has turned into a castle or a ship or a gnome's cottage.  I hope they remember these moments, when they were each other's best friends and playmates.  It certainly is a mama's dream come true to see her children get along so well.

Today, Forrest and Sunshine gathered all the crystals and pictures of crystals they could find in our home and commenced to "study crystals".  Oh, ok.  I'm not sure what inspired this, but there was such a proud determination to the activity that made me quietly smile.  They spent a long while drawing crystals and copying what they saw into their drawing books.  Forrest is using a magnifying glass he found somewhere to see it more clearly. 

After yet another big snowfall earlier in the week, I heard the door open and close while I was in the kitchen.  When I went to investigate, I discovered a snow fairy romping gleefully in the garden!  My, wasn't mama surprised that the snow fairy decided such little clothing was necessary and socks were not an option with her sandals.  I bit my lip and asked to take her photo.  Apparently, snow fairies are immune to catching colds with so little clothing on ~ thank goodness.

Indeed, when this mama tries a little harder to remember what childhood ought to feel like, the whole family breathes a little easier.  And life just seems so much more fun!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend with your little fun-makers!

Comments

[Elisa]

Good reminder. I find myself getting frustrated when for the hundredth time I find my little one with the sink sloshing with water as he "washes" his hands, and it's only 10 am. It's hard to remember when they start to seem so grown up, and you think they ought to know better, that they are not, and they don't. I have to step back, take a breathe and let him be just a wee little guy just learning, exploring and loving life. Thanks again for the timely reminder.

[Katie]

Oh my, I just had to tell you that your post was so inspiring and refreshing to read this morning. After a long week at the office, it was wonderful to receive such a reminder of the important things in life. You are an amazing, strong mama who is providing such a beautiful atmosphere for your littles to grow and flourish in. I am not yet a mother, but soon, I aspire to emulate one such as wonderful as you. Thanks so much for sharing and for the renewal of spirit. All my best to your beautiful little family!

[Melanie]

Jules, just the words I needed to hear. Thank you dear friend! Much love to you, Melly

[renee ~ heirloom seasons]

Such good words my dear friend. Wishing you another peaceful ahead. So much love to you all, Renee XOXO

[lori]

oh jules, you are a wise mama. i love all your photos, your babies *sigh*, snow! your loving home life.
it can be hard to keep the light shining in your heart for all the family all the time. i hope that when you can, that's beautiful, but when you can't, that's beautiful too. i think one of the best things we can show our children is our vulnerable side too. and then how we go forward, in love.
oh my gosh you have beautiful babies.
xxx lori