I get stuck throughout the day. In bed. On a chair. She will be sitting on my knees and she’ll start to smile and I will start kissing her cheeks and she will chuckle and I will chuckle and she’ll look at me and I will look at her and then I will not want [...]
Today we made a point to take a morning walk. We didn’t have to wear mittens. It was Helen sleeping in the sun and fresh air and myself reading on a bench and Reed stomping along the river. We could linger. It reminded me of warmer days when we live outdoors. We water the garden, [...]
Yes,
the floor is full of toys and there are dishes to wash (floors to wash, clothes to wash…), but the sun is falling on my chair. That warm, winter sun. And there is tea and the quiet of two children sleeping. I am going to sit in that sun and sit in it well.
And also,
This [...]
Helen is three months old, today. I feel like I have known her a very long time. And I suppose I have. She is the same girl I have known all along: decided, patient, happy, all brightness. There is a word I am missing, a word I have been looking for all of these three [...]
1. Bright girl.
2. Wild boy.
3. Wonderful man.
4. Good autumn.
5. Grace for self.
6. Prosperity of kindness.
7. Enough.
8. Family to miss.
9. Family to enjoy.
10. Words to read.
11. Wholesomeness.
12. Able hands.
13. Strong legs.
14. The coming winter.
15. Opportunity.
16. A bit of rest.
17. A bit of music.
I can’t quite place what, but something about this year has been very good [...]
Today is Halloween, but I forgot to take pictures. It was dark and I was holding an infant and fixing Reed’s costume every five minutes. I had to hold him down while he whined to draw on his mustache. But it was worth it. He took to trick-or-treating. I did, too. I like being out [...]
1. It is what may be one of the last warm days until spring. I took the rosemary in, moved the lavender, and wear sandals. We will be outside as much as we can. We will not wear jackets. We will not be eating soup.
2. In an effort to reduce waste, I made my own [...]
Brooke said:
…every birth somehow gives you something you need for that particular child. i wonder what you’ve just been given?
I knew the answer then but wasn’t sure enough to say it out loud. But as I have gotten to know her, I have grown more and more certain. Helen’s birth taught me to trust her.
We [...]
The first month was like this:
Week one was precious, quiet and clean. It was summer, then. All the windows were open. Week two we got sick and tried to figure things out. Week three Adam went back to work and we tried to figure things out. Week four we knew each other and knew our [...]
In case you were wondering
after three weeks
I still have no idea what I am doing
not one bit
but at the end of the day
the children are fed
reasonably well rested
and with at least a little fresh air in their lungs
most of the dishes are done
I have read books
and on a really good day
I might even be showered [...]