Well, she came back. Her help is so valuable. She really has a gift. Using only what I already had she made over my kitchen and dining room this time. Have a look at some of the before and after photos.
Before Kitchen:
After Kitchen:
Before Dining room:
After Dining Room:
While it is not perfect, and definitely not my dream kitchen/dining room- it does look a lot better and all just by rearranging and pulling out old decorations. Thanks Tante.
Taking a little time each day just to be present with the kids. No worrying about the next moment or thinking about the last. I am just being with them- available to them.
Getting outside helps me. Away from all the distractions indoors I feel like I can really listen to them. I can really answer them. I can really be wholehearted with them.
Being a real "thinker" this takes a conscious choice on my part. It is also not of my nature to do one thing at a time. I don't really enjoy just sitting around for very long (okay maybe every now and then). I have to tell myself, "okay don't go anywhere, stay on track, we are right here now." Oh my that sounds quacky. I suppose with practice it will get easier for me, but for now- I struggle a bit.
Our little nature walks have been wonderful opportunities for this time together. We have been going down by the river to explore. I try to not rush them along, but instead let them dawdle and wander. I don't bring a book, or a knitting project and only answer my cell phone if I am on call.
At first, my intention was that these devoted moments would benefit the children. That this time would be me giving and them taking. It turns out that this could not be further from the truth.
I have come to appreciate the way they see the world around them, the way the notice the tiniest intricacies in creation. (Look closely above and you'll see the ant trail that Hannah discovered.) Their thoughts are valuable and analytical. They make new discoveries and deep connections minute by minute.
They are little people with big hearts and very real emotions. They are my children and I their mother. I have cared for them. I have prayed for them. I have loved them...but now it seems I am really getting to know them. I am sure that this relationship building can be attributed to the fact that they are getting better at articulating themselves, and that we are less hurried with school being out. But mostly I think that it has everything to do with me just making a simple (or not so simple) choice to be present. It feels nice.
(so sick of technical issues with typepad. am I the only one losing posts? it is so slow now, and the photo spacing is horrible- no wrapping! UGH!)
My kids are playing at a friends house this afternoon (an unplanned surprise) and Laurel is in bed so I am just popping in for 2 seconds.
I just wanted to share our new successful morning routine with you. Now that we are out of school it seemed that our mornings were getting a little sloppy (literally- picture cereal bowls and pajamas on the bathroom floor, toothpaste all over the counters, etc.) I know that we are "on vacation" but things were getting carried away. So, I decided to make up a little routine that the girls could follow to help things run smoothly.
I know the clip-art is cheesy and all kinds of wrong (I am married to a graphic designer, clip art is pretty much against our religion :) but for the non-readers, it is really helpful. Each girl has her own sheet (they are all the same) posted in her room. There isn't any breakfast until all the steps have been completed. The girls have been doing such a great job following this...and with joy!
Then, they come to the kitchen and if breakfast is ready we sit and eat together, sharing what we read about in our bibles during our quiet time. If breakfast is not ready then the girls go to their chore jars.
Read about this fabulous system here. I had coffee with Kristen a few weeks ago and when she told me about this "chore jar" idea I was really excited to implement it at home. Laziness was really beginning to take root around here- I needed the girls to be more helpful. On the front of the jars I put pictures that would remind them what a blessing they were to me (after only 3 weeks our jars are showing some wear- they have been well loved.) On Sundays I leave their jars empty and instead put a $1 bill inside. This little system has worked so well for us and I am so thankful for wonderful ideas shared among friends!
Here's to cleaner windows, dusted tables, a well-fed kitty, and more time to play together!
