The Perfect "Good Night"

We said goodbye to our friends at the door following our time of study together. Ed walked out with them to their car while I went quickly to check the kids who had tucked themselves into bed. 

A quiet voice at the bottom of the stairs brought me out of the bedroom. 

"Come outside. Put on your shoes and come outside."

Was there something wrong with our friends' car? Did they have one last thing to say before they left? What was up?

There only being one way to find out, shoes already being on, I went directly outside.

"Come. Stand here. Turn around. Now look."

I looked. And I gasped. 

There they were, suspended above our little white house, through the branches overhanging: Moon and Venus. So clear. So bright. So beautiful.

We roused the kids. No need to stay tucked in when the Lord was waiting with this perfect "Good Night". 

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And the added bonus? Just the excuse I needed to recite Langston Hughes' poem:

How thin and sharp is the moon tonight
How thin and sharp and ghostly white
Is the slim curved crook of the moon tonight.

Sadly, Mr. Hughes makes no reference to Venus. Ah, well. Maybe I'll have to write my own verse about her.

Canada Day with Mittens

Last week Lucas finished his Math book - early. And I had promised that if he managed to finish it by the end of June we'd get a couple of days off school. That's a big deal around here, as we don't take days off school very often, and we have been doing the 'school year round' thing the past couple of years.

Ending by the end of June had a bonus to us, since the following Monday - today - was Canada Day, and we were able to use that as an excuse to take an almost complete day off of everything and enjoy of the holiday. 

Ed did some tasks around the house - installing the fan in the woodstove, that kind of thing. The Farming Game hit the table (for the second day in a row), and we ate supper in the living room.

But the Lord was smiling on us especially today in giving us a beautiful clear sunny day which we took full advantage of. Despite the cold we packed into the car and drove the little distance to Punta del Chileno where we just passed time.

 

 For some reason the kids were really eager to climb the lookout tower first thing, saying "If we find some money, can we go for ice cream?"

And they found this! A peso! Somehow I think it was planted on a previous trip for just such a time as this!

 The boys stripped off their shoes and socks...

 And hit the sand hill with a freshly waxed board.

 

 They tried some jumps, both with...

 ...and without the board...

 ...while Emily, Ed, and I watched from the sidelines.

 The kids tried a pose they'd done a couple of years ago. They still look great!

And Emily practiced her photographic arts, too:

A much needed family day for all of us.

But I still can't get over wearing mittens on Canada Day. I think we'll save the ice cream reward for Christmas.

Lift Up Your Eyes

It was one of those days. A survival day. And in the early afternoon survival turned to joy. 

Perfect wind. Perfect sky. Perfect weather. 

I put everything else out of my mind and accepted the call to play. 

The boys flew that kite for close to an hour, keeping it up for stretches of 15 minutes at a time, playing with dives and recovery, switching off in flight, and enjoying the mechanics of the wind on the wings. And I just watched. And watched. Looked at their faces, the sky, the kite, the colours. There is so much beauty everywhere.

I need to lift my eyes more.

(These pictures aren't from that day. I didn't have the camera with me on that special afternoon, and I'm actually thankful for that. It let me engage and not just frame images. Dear Man took these photos a few days later when he, too, seized the moment.)

There isn't a girl on earth who I love more than this one.

 

This week she turned 17, and while there are some days that I worry that I've totally messed her up, there are other days when I see how the grace of God has worked in and through my imperfect mothering.

If you could see inside My Girl's heart you'd see

gentleness

compassion

perseverance

humility

desire to serve

independence

love immeasurable

 loyalty

tenacity

How could I not be pleased with those characteristics - parts of her Lord Jesus, reflected in her? My heart sings with thankfulness for all she is and all she is becoming.

I don't know what the future holds for her, but I know for sure that her Lord God is holding her firmly in His pocket. There's no better place for her to be!

History Comes to Life

Months of studying the early Renaissance has brought us to Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarotti. Sometimes I wonder if we'll ever finish. But then we have days like Thursday and Friday of this week, when my children's enthusiasm for the subject matter spills over, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Reading about all the sculptures and art led to this:

Why do I so often let the opportunity for times like this pass by? I'm thankful that this time I didn't.

One Thousand Gifts - 1079 - 1129

This exercise, this sacrifice of thanks, this daily offering back to Him what He has given so abundantly to me. Would you give thanks? With  me? (And if you get far enough, you'll even find photos this time!)

Three hard Eucharisteos:

   1079. Not having someone to cry out to - it pushes me to You...eventually.

   1080.Having my weaknesses right in my face to see every moment - it shows me my need for Your strength.

   1081. Loneliness - makes me value fellowship, community, moments.

1082. The Respect Dare.

1083. Oh, those sad, sad eyes.

Gifts behind a door:

   1084. No more loose Lego on the floor. (for now, anyway).

   1085. Outdoors, a big world, people to interact with.

1086. Gift time - unexpectedly available for other things.

1087. Tight squeezes.

1088. Regret over selfish words and actions.

1089. Hydro off.

1090. Hydro back on.

1091. Family games at the table.

1092. Cookie cutter sandwiches and homemade iced mochas brought to our room for lunch.

1093. Long conversations.

1094. Girls at La Roca.

1095. Boy on the end of the bed.

1096. Books shared by all.

1097. Shopping for a treat.

1098. Math on the stairs.

 

1099. Verses remembered.

1100. Delicious meal prepared by my Dear Man.

1101. Returning energy.

1102. Full day; peace-full day.

1103. Putting on patience and compassion and meekness.

1104. Giggles where there haven't been any.

1105. My (not-)full length mirror.

1106. Consistency and slow progress.

1107. Thunder, heavy house-shaking thunder that drives children to our bed.

1108. "Tina".

1109. Thanks.

1110. Drawer handles.

1111. A new shutterbug.

1112. Making a list together: passed 100 today!

1113. Friendships.

1114. Night sky.

1115. Help with the schedule.

1116. Mistakes that show I'm trying more things.

1117. Nothing is impossible for God.

Three white gifts:

   1118. Sheets: fresh and clean off the line.

   1119. A new notebook's pages inviting words.

   1120. Cabinet and drawer fronts in place.

Three things changed:

   1121. Fresh Start corner.

   1122. Visual reminders to pray.

   1123. My attitude toward a loved one.

1124. Whitened fingers.

1125. Calculations.

1126. Redirected thoughts.

1127. Resources from NA that meet needs here.

1128. So many people helping me sort out Sensory Processing Disorder.

1129. Hug-wrapped tears.

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Counting

Safely tucked away in January. If you have the desire to catch up with me, I welcome you to read on:

1030. Sleeping through the storm.

1031. Reminders to focus.

1032. Rabbit sheltered dry.

Three things blue:

  1033. Little man engulfed in my jacket checking on Cinnamon.

  1034. My favourite pen, almost out of ink...holding on!

  1035. Blue sky after grey.

1036. Return of loved ones.

1037. 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18: The glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror.

1038. Transformation into this same glory.

1039. Encouragement: 2 Corinthians 4:1 "Therefore since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart."

1040. A ride to the medical office for tetanus shot.

Three things found:

   1041. Clearer perspective.

   1042. My nephew's face reflected in my son's: some terrific genetic hide-and-seek going on!

   1043. Time uninterrupted to review a first assignment before submission.

1044. Pinecones to work as firestarters next winter: 2 bags full!

1045. Celebration of a 2-year old regenerated heart: Brown-Eyed Boy's heart birthday today!

1046. Your presence in the pain my friends are suffering.

1047. Longing.

Gifts before 9, before noon, and after dark:

   1048. 2 kg lost.

   1049. Oral narrations spilling from Little Man.

   1050. Info on Sensory Processing Disorder, unrequested, but much needed, in my inbox.

1051. Tears with My Girl. Tears for My Girl.

1052. Time with just one child.

1053. Time to write a long overdue letter.

1054. Progress with Club Bilingue preparation.

1055. Some concerns I carry were expressed.

1056. Re-matches!

1057. Fresh peaches, apples, plums - waiting to be eaten, waiting to be transformed into crisp.

1058. For immersion in Your Word.

Good moments:

   1059. Brothers playing Sorry before lunch.

   1060. Scrambling to set the noon-meal on the patio table in order to not have to end the game early.

   1061. Planning a scavenger hunt complete with map.

   1062. One scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

Three gifts that might have never been:

   1063. My sons, in the years-long aftermath of post-partum depression, these boys, these treasures, these gifts we thought we'd never have.

   1064. A conversation long-awaited.

   1065. An interruption-conversation. It wasn't on my to-do list for today, but it brought out two hearts closer.

1066. Epic movie enjoyed as a family. Who knew history could be so fun? (Actually, WE did, but funny, I've never posted about it!)

1067. Every moment with the Ones I Love, even though I don't always like those moments at the time. 

1068. Two hours of letter writing.

1069. Family day away.

1070. "Someone has a birthday soon." "Who?" (This question from the one who's been counting down for more than 90 days!)

Three gifts from my friends:

   1071. God revealing His abundant love through them.

   1072. Hope in pain.

   1073. Staying connected despite distance of time and space.

1074. Sea glass that isn't.

1075. Breathing test that appears normal.

1076. Dreams of birthdays to come.

1077. Lavish love.

1078. Abundant blessing.

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