March 17. 2011

sweet boy

Posted by Rachel Published in celebrations, family, kids, photography, thoughts

Happy Birthday, Sweet Liam!

Turning five is a big milestone. Babyhood remains only in memories and boyhood looms ahead. In some ways it seems hard to believe that this crazy, joyful, gentle child is only turning five but in the same thought hard to believe five years have passed since he entered this family. Such a spark, such adventure, such energy, laughter and, uh, lunacy this precious boy has brought into our life.

Gentleness is a trait I greatly admire and I love the measure I see of it in this beloved boy. His speed (and volume) are set a little higher than the rest of us but he’ll still slow down for a book, a snuggle or to care for a sibling. I have never heard an unkind word pass this boy’s lips. He is thoughtful and sweet. He will notice your new hair cut, new sweater or new recipe and compliment you on it with no realization that he is absolutely charming.

The kid practically has me swooning some days when he notices I brushed my hair!

He’s a treasure.

And a keeper.

And we all hope he stays this way forever.

Is that too much to ask?

9 comments

March 8. 2011

quiet times

Posted by Rachel Published in family, kids, out of doors

Yesterday Dan and my sister took the three older children for their first visit to the ski hill. They did very well and were very fortunate to have not one but two instructors to themselves for the 90 minute class. They are rather timid and generally cautious little people so these new experiences, while thrilling for them, can be rather anxious times for them. They persisted through tumbles, runaway skis (and skiers) and tow-rope frustrations, coming back to me full of the day’s excitement and ready to hit the slopes again.

While they were off adventuring I had a quiet afternoon with the two smallest jays. Simon had his nap while Sarah and I sat out on the deck in the cool, sunny air. She chattered, sang and involved me in one of her great imaginative games while I took pictures (mostly of her sweetness) and tackled a few minutes with my knitting.

We had a lovely visit together.

Enjoying this view.

And this view.

With so many people in this dear family these quiet times are treasured and while I was eagerly awaiting news from the ski hill, it was nice to dream, imagine and play with this sweet little gift.

8 comments

March 3. 2011

from snow to snow

Posted by Rachel Published in family, thoughts

The last few days have been rather preoccupied as we are preparing for our trip to the mountains for a week. There is so much to think about when we are packing up this big family with all our clothes and snow gear along with meals and snacks for the week.

I had a slight crises when I realized I wouldn’t have my kitchen while away so I’ve been busily baking bread, granola and buns for our week, cookies and lemon pound cake for treats, and dry mixing pancakes and cookies to make up with the staple ingredients we will have with us.

It will be a bit of a juggle to squeeze us in the van with all of our gear and food but it will be worth it plus buying our groceries in the mountain town we’re headed to would cost us a small fortune so we’re also saving money by planning ahead.

I’m hoping to keep the knitting needles clicking and audio books playing during our drive tomorrow. Thanks to all the great help I received with the short rows (thank you, sweet friends), I’m hoping the Fisherman’s Pullover can be my vacation sweater. I’m packing lots of needles, wool and knitting dreams – we’ll see how that goes for me.

Winter has been dragging on in this chilly city but I’m hoping we can make the most of what we’ve got by enjoying skiing, snowy walks and lots of snuggles over tea, stories and knitting. Every day brings us one day closer to spring! I’ll continue to blog while we’re away – I have a sweet post I’ve been saving and plan to take lots of snowy pictures to share during our stay.

How do you make the most of these lingering winter days?

6 comments

February 24. 2011

a day like today

Posted by Rachel Published in family, thoughts

I had another post planned but then today happened.

A cranky, getting nowhere, losing my cool kind of day. And I wasn’t the only one.

Meals were too hot, too cold or too “yucky” for consumption. School became a battle of the wills and a guilt-trip for mommy that at least two children were having their love of learning forever crushed. There has been a widespread infection of selective hearing and pass-the-blame-itis. A nap was considerably shortened by noisy siblings. Granola was spread like sand over the floor, clean laundry (at least it’s clean) was towering on my bed begging to be folded and there was an explosion of toys, dirty socks and mistreated books everywhere.

While I don’t want this to be a place of complaint, some days require a little extra room for grace, a touch more vulnerability, and the honesty that can be harder the share when things aren’t so great. This is a space where I choose to reflect on and remember the good, the peace, and the grace that is a part of this life that can be chaotic, noisy, messy and exhausting.