Sunflowers

I didn't get to go anywhere for my artist's date so I took a quiet moment while the kids napped and sat on my back deck.

I am surrounded by beauty that most people take for granted. I am blessed to live out in the country where I feel I truly belong. I grew up a city girl but country life is the life for me. It's quiet for the most part. We do have the occasional tri-axle truck that rumbles by polluting the air with its thick black diesel exhaust but for the most part it's quiet, calm, and peaceful.

I do admire the way the Amish and Mennonite live, so simple and plain. They don't rely on technology as we do. I admit I have attempted to live as simply as I could but it didn't last very long. My soul is not plain and it never has been. I enjoy color, music, and technology. I play video games, I dance, and sing just because I want to. I play in the rain, jump in mud puddles with my kids, and yes, I have even showered in a huge down pour.

I am not plain by any means, I am colorful and full of zest for life. Just like the sunflowers I see right in front of me. Bright vibrant yellows, oranges, and even a hint of red. Blooms wide open like a smiling face, smiling like they secrets they don't want to tell.

Standing almost nine feet tall, I am in awe of their size. I planted them as tiny seeds from last years flowers. I've watched them grow. It's taken some time but the outcome gives me such joy every time I look out my kitchen windows. God's glory surrounds us, in the tiny hummingbirds that flit by my feeders, the couples of cardinals that sit in my apple trees, to the wild white and purple flowers that border our property. Even in watching my children catch lightning bugs before dark or seeing those bright smiling sunflowers in the morning.

I am surrounded by life, by peace, by beauty, and the knowledge that I am blessed to have this gift called my life.

The Green Frog

                                                                                     

                                                                The Green Frog

We love going to the park at the Woodcock Dam. Its right below a beautiful butterfly garden and few hiking trails. I chose to sit on the bench in the shade. A few kids were playing close by, their parents watching their every move. I let the kids loose to play. There were four different slides, monkey bars, a little bridge, and a pair of bouncy spring type animals to ride on.

Abby chose the yellow duck. It was the bigger of the two. I’m guessing she felt safer but she still rocked very daintily. Ronnie settled for the green frog, rocking back and forth on the giant spring beneath his feet. I watched as he stood up and stretched his arms out, eyes closed, with a huge grin on his slightly freckled face.

They interacted with the other children, but you could see the awkwardness in their body language. Still trying to figure out how to maneuver in social situations, especially with kids you didn’t know. But, they managed to start a game of tag, and then the boys started to toss a football around.

I watched the other parents, another mother in particular, who caught my eye. She seemed to emanate pure anxiety about her kids playing with other people’s children. I knew how she was feeling because I used to be like her. But, I’ve come to realize that you can’t be in control all of the time. You have to let kids be kids, because it’s all a learning experience for them.

Honestly, I was waiting for her to call her kids over and leave but after a few minutes went by and she realized that my children, let alone the other kids there, posed no threat to hers, she seemed to become a bit more relaxed…but not too much.

As I watched my kids play, I couldn’t help but think about when they were little babies, toddlers getting into everything. Now seeming so grown up, and doing so many things by themselves.

I wonder where the time goes. My precious babies aren’t babies anymore but there was something about that moment where Ronnie stood up on that green frog with such an innocent, care free spirit that put a smile on my face and in my heart.

I am a Writer!!

                                                 
What career should you actually have?

That was the name if the quiz I took online that my friend Kristine had shared in a post. Naturally, my curiosity got the best of me and I proceeded to answer the different questions that were listed. Whether something was fixed in the quiz or if it was totally random, I do know one thing...I was very happy with my results. It said that I was a writer, creative, a maker. Anyone who knows me would agree, especially the women in the writing group. They have seen me write, read my work, and told me I am a writer despite all my insecurities about my ability to be one.

In any case, I took it as a sign that I should write. I already had my laptop out. I was feeling motivated to write something, I just didn't know what. But, now I'm certain....I am a writer. I need to embrace that, whether it be in my journal, my blog, or a letter to a friend. To have so much confidence after taking a quiz online....my friend Kristine couldn't have said it better, "It's in a quiz, on the internet, so it must be true."

So, I'll say it one more time, loud and proud, "I AM A WRITER!!"

Cherished Family Time

 

Family time is very important to me. My husband works second shift and as long as there is no overtime we are lucky to get him on the weekends. I'm with the kids all week, running from wrestling practice to Girl Scouts, play dates, keeping up with the housework, laundry, and the dishes. I sometimes feel that I can't breathe.

But, then I take a look at this picture and I glance at my family in the flesh and realize that all that running around and other stuff is just stuff. It's sacrifice, it's what you do when you have a family. You are going to be stressed out and feel overwhelmed but what would life be without those things. The ones you share your home with are what make it all worthwhile.   

The look in your children's eyes when they see your face after being at school all day, running towards you, arms outstretched and a big hug to follow, " I missed you, Mom!" Or when you've made a favorite meal and they show you their gratitude with a kiss on the cheek, and maybe a little bit of food on your shoulder because they didn't wipe their mouth and hands well enough. Or even a simple game of Monopoly on Tuesday night. You're sure you're going to win because you're the adult, and you get schooled in math by your eight year old son while your six year old daughter laughs because she won the jackpot by landing on Free Parking.

These are just a few of the little things that make all the stress and sacrifice worth while. That's why my husband and I cherish the time we do get with our kids, just the four of us. Whether its just a lazy day at home or bowling on a Saturday night, as long as we are together, that's all that matters. We are truly blessed in our lives and I am so thankful....God is good.