While last week was filled with flowing rhythm, this week was anything but! I felt so challenged...by living with diabetes, by my children's energy levels, by my distinct lack of patience...Ahhh, it's been a tough one and of course, late at night lying in bed, I go over the countless ways I could have handled things better. I know you know what I mean. I really needed just ten minutes to myself to gather, to center, to regroup. Josh is away on long long days, we don't see him at all until bedtime, and I have really felt the burn-out this week.
I must add, though, that this is exactly where I want to be...at home, with my family. I just struggle sometimes understanding how in the heck a western world's nuclear family is suposed to thrive, let alone survive?!
So this week, I have been experimenting with different ways to gain a few moments to myself amidst the bustle of living with three small people, with only myself to lean on. It's a balancing act, this motherhood gig, I tell you!
However, the best way to center myself is to review the week in photos, and to see the happiness that was indeed there, shining right before my very eyes!

These three little ones are my joy! I plunked the oldest in the snow, and the others gleefully demanded the same. The snow is soft and heavy ~ Spring Snow. I'm certain there will be colder days ahead, but the rink is finished and we are onto sledding and snowshoeing. And yes, these are specatator sports...

We also did our new monthly visit to the library ~ how did I ever manage before the blessed library became a part of our life? Forrest is so anxious to dive in, he hadn't even undressed completely before he was immersed in his new stash of books.


Youngest boy loves his books, too! All the older people in the household model to this wee one just how wonderful books are, and he doesn't ever want to miss out on a thing.
I am also trying to incorporate a new quiet rest hour after lunch...again! I could see how tired the older two were getting from late nights waiting for Papa to come home, yet they are too old to nap. So I purchased some inexpensive CD players for their bedrooms and while I lay down with Huckley, Forrest and Sunshine sit on their beds, reading, drawing, or making puzzles while listening to a story or soft music on tape. Right now, James Herriot's collection is a favourite.

I have never "plugged" them into anything before, but it is sitting well for me. After a short while alone, I went and sat beside Sunshine while she lay quiet, basking in the warm winter sunshine streaming in her window. It was so lovely to snuggle and cuddle my sweet girl for half an hour, alone. I think this is going to be a helpful activity to give me some much needed quiet time...and the children, too.

We have also been spending some quiet afternoons by the fire playing these cooperative boardgames. Do any of you know about these games? They are really very simple, ranging in skill levels but many games can be played with 3 year olds. Our favourite right now is Snowstorm and we all work together to clear the roads so we can get our errands down about town. Good times!
And then, there has been handwork...lots of embroidery and (finger)knitting...a true joy for me to see my own children delight in handwork.


While it was a hard week for mama (and inevitably everyone feels that, right?), I look back and see that there was a lot of goodness, too. It is so helpful for me to savour these little ordinary moments, at the very least they are a reminder that there certainly is some beauty radiating out of these three sweet souls I am honoured to call my children. What wonderful teachers they are for me...I am truly blessed!
Have a lovely weekend, friends, filled with beauty, goodness and Light.