This Moment

{these moments} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Adventures

Before bed, I sat and played with Z.

Don't you love listening to your children play, and hearing what they say?  When we actually sit and play, giving our full presence.

We rolled the cars across the roads, and included as many people and fuzzes as we could in each one, sometimes stuffing them fuller than we thought they could be.

It's like that with children.  Always learning limits.

He told me which ones were Mama and Dad, and which ones were the brothers.

I love how he expresses his world through play.

Some of the cars flew.  Some were jets.  We had boats that drove.  A few spaceships.  Even a yellow submarine.

Nothing is impossible to him.

He painstakingly put each person into the driver seat.  Some people took him about a minute to get just right, but he just re-adjusted, and made it work.  Then he would drive them a few feet away, and put them in another car.  Repeating the process of making the person sit just right.  It wasn't work to him at all.  It's what he does.

"When you can do anything as though you work at nothing, you have the best days of your life."  Karen Maezen Miller  This was the biggest lesson yet.  

As we began to park them for the night the children said to the parents, "I'll never forget our adventures together.  Thanks.  That was fun."

I teared up and smiled.

Absorb that, Mama.

Soak it in.

While you can.

Happy Autumn

I am in love with Autumn.

It's just lovely, as the cool weather seeps in, we pull out our sweaters and prepare to cuddle up with ourselves and one another.

We still have warm days, but the mornings are magically cool.  Dew on the grass.  Blasts of cool air as I let Shadow out for her morning jaunt.  And every now and then a blanket of fog, like a dream, waiting to slowly burn off.

There is something magical about the transition, and change of seasons.  The communion with the natural world, and rituals of seasonal love.  It's a descent into darkness in order to lay low, release, and discover ourselves, and our shadows.

Autumn is a time to cozy up our dens, shed unnecessary things, and prepare for a mini-hibernation.

It's a time to slow down, and not forget to sit on the cushion as often as the boys allow.

We sow our seeds, tending to them carefully and lovingly, and patiently await the Winter Solstice, and return to light.

I love making warm, hearty meals, that fill the house with warmth, soothing, sometimes spicy aromas.  It's a blessing to make and set good healthy food on our table.

I love baking.  I love being the alchemist, and preparing and mixing the ingredients.  Such simple staples, put together with love, create such pleasure and fill us up with goodness and smiles.

Autumn is also time for celebration.  Mama and Daddy are Autumn Scorpio Children.  Z is our little Libra boy.  I am excited to prepare for birthday celebrations, and rituals, of us and other family members as well.

My gift to myself on my birthday is to set my intentions for the year, and reflect on how I have lived authentically and responsible for myself and others in my life.  If I'm not living honestly and happily, and reflecting back on my journey, what's the point?  There is always room for letting go, and opening up.

It's also the time for the Gratitude Celebration, Thanksgiving, which I love to celebrate with family and friends.  I love having dozens of people coming in and out all day and night, as we each share a bounty and hugs.  Apple pumpkin pie is my favorite!

Plus, there is always something to be grateful for.

I was blessed to win this lovely set at Athena, Sage Goddess' giveaway.  Thank you!  What a beautiful way to start our season, full of abundance and love.  

Photo credit, Athena, Sage Goddess

I love the sage bundle that I ordered from her and was blown away by her lovely scents -the oil and the bath salts.

I also ordered a special Autumn gift for myself from the lovely Stacy De La Rosa.  The story behind the necklace has been on my mind since a friend sent it to me a few years back, and it is one to always remember.  It was a nice surprise to discover it in her shop.

The boys woke up to this storybook, because we love fairies!  What's more fun than searching for fairies each day in the tiny house we built during Spring!?

Today we hosted a Welcome Fall art party and some of our favorite, loving, awesome mamas and their babes came over, and we shared tasty snacks, and watched the babes play in color for as long as their attention held.  When they were done, we explored the yard and playroom together, and chatted, as mamas always do. It's great having some like minded, loving, earthy mamas to share the world with.  

And soon, we will take a Fall camping trip.  I am giddy about this!  Exploring the woods with babes is magical in itself!

I love this season!

What makes Fall special for you?  

What are some of your favorite things to do and look forward to?

This Moment

{these moments} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

At Peace

Lately, I have been strangely at peace with the chaos around here and in my soul.

It's not that I don't get overwhelmed, or feel behind, or busy, but these days, it's as if I am finally happy with my place right here, right now.

I am learning how to find the balance in our family, for everyone and myself.  It's myself that's been the hardest.  With two young boys at home, they are always priority, but I'm learning how to fit myself in the picture, without putting others out or feeling guilt.  My rituals and intentions are a huge part of it.

This is huge to me.

I have no idea exactly what the future holds, but that's really okay.  Today is all that matters right now.

I am building connection, and community, on a whole new level, more than ever before, and it feels good.

I am a Mama, a homemaker, an artist, a gardener, and I love to write.  These are the only things I have ever felt a peace, to say that I am.  So I'm just going to come out and say it, and wherever it takes me, awesome.

A drawing

Some stitchin'

Lily love in the works

Tally ho!

This Moment

{these moments} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  Inspired by SouleMama.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

The Answer Game

I knew Z wouldn't be tired at bedtime.  We had spent the morning playing at the park.  He played with some new friends, and after our friend left, we hung out eating pink bubblegum and pistachio gelato and picked out a few groceries.  On the way home he fell asleep, next to his brother, and took a nice afternoon nap.

When the bedtime alarm went off, I gave him a few more minutes, and started the dishwasher.  Then we headed off to start bedtime.

I could tell by his energy that he wasn't going down easy.  I understood why.  Instead of being frustrated, I surrendered.  It's always better when I surrender.

We read stories from our old fairy book, and talked about how awesome it would be to find one in the fairy house we built.  We talked about how easily they are disguised in nature and we hope to see one some day.  We discussed how different they all were, and how fun it would be to fly with the birds and dragonflies.  We love fairies!

He told me one of his awesome imaginative stories, and then I thought I should just go to bed too.  I was tired, and 9:30 was approaching.  Why not go to bed at a descent time?  I ask myself this nearly every night.  I asked him to wait until I got ready for bed and I'd come right back.

I returned quickly and scooped him up and took him into our bed, next to Bodhi, who was soundly asleep.  We told a story, and just when we were getting ready to shut off the light, he asked, "Want to play the answer game?"   I knew it was another way to prolong going to sleep, but I was intrigued by this game.  The most special moments happen when you least expect it.  I also know what it feels like to not be super tired and be laying in bed with an active mind.  "Sure.  We can play it for a little while.  What's the answer game?"

Z said, "Okay.  Here's the answer game.  You give me all of your answers, and I will give you all of my answers."

I smiled in the dark.  "Well, do you want to ask me a question?"

"No.  Just give me all your answers.  You have more answers than me."

I laughed.  "Well, you're pretty smart and you have a lot of answers too!  Usually, when you ask a question, someone can give you an answer.  How about you ask me a question."

I thought, you really do have as many answers as me, about the important stuff.  All the rest will fall in place, when you're ready, sweet boy.

"Well, you have more answers than me.  Okay.  What's steam?"  We had been talking about steam lately.  It started when we put an ice cube in some hot soup a while back and he said it was smoking.  We've also been doing a lot of science experiments lately.

"Steam is water vapor.  When hot meets cold, the water steams, and rises like smoke.  It's like when we put a piece of ice in hot soup."

He listened, asked a few more questions about steam and smoke, then told me to ask one.

"What animal do you love?"

"Shadow.  She's my friend.  And P. Pat."

We each asked a few more questions, then he seemed happy and more relaxed.  We fell asleep shortly after.

He always amazes me.  I love his games and questions.  I love his imagination.  I love to know what he is thinking.  I love to listen to him.  I love to learn what meant something to him, and what he remembers.  I love that he is a sponge, and it reminds me to watch every single thing I do and say.  I love watching his mind and heart expand.  I love to see his eyes open.  I love to see creation stirring.  I love the beginner's mind in action.

I also think it's sweet and cute how he thinks I have so many answers and trusts me to know everything.  I will always answer his questions, or we find an answer.  It's such an amazing journey with children, learning and growing together.

I am eternally grateful for my little teachers.