Story time

 Laying on mama made pillows, warm in mama made pajamas and snuggled up under woolen blankets for storytime.  I hope these memories of her childhood will put a smile on her face years from now like it does mine.  

Just what I needed

Many thanks for all your words of encouragement, friends. Today my wonderful husband decided to take the kids out of the house so I could rest (and he even brought me back Starbucks!).  I didn't exactly rest. Nearly everyone has fresh line dried sheets on their beds now and I vacuumed up more dog hair than it seems two dogs could shed.  I did read a wee bit and walked for a couple miles with my podcast.  A little quiet was good for me. I got delightful pictures of my kids on their adventure. They sent me pictures of that which they know I love.  Shagbark hickory and their nature discoveries.  My husband kept messaging me that they never stop talking. (I KNOW!) Thankful for this sweet family of mine. 

Thoughts

 

Lately my self talk has been flat out terrible.  For some reason, I look around my home and see all the things I meant to do and haven't. The messes I ought to clean up but are still there. The piles I should clear but haven't. The to do list I wanted to finish, but remains incomplete.  Life gets in the way. Kids get in the way. I get in my own way. 

Going to try to turn my thoughts around starting now. 

Five things I actually do: 

1) Wake up, split wood, start a fire and tend animals.  Everyday. 

2) Read to my kids and myself. Everyday. 

3) Make real food for my family. Everyday.

4) Do small mundane tasks (laundry, dishes, etc.). Everyday.

5) I try my hardest to serve others in some way. Everyday.

I think the glass is half full perspective is much better for my brain.  

Thankful for my family who see the good in me even when I feel like I'm not measuring up. 

Today may your brain focus on what you do and not what you haven't. 

Spring thaw

It is the season of no coats, mud, laundry, mud, clothes on the line and more mud.

 

Afternoon reading

 I often give my kids a homemade Popsicle and send them off to find a reading spot in the afternoon.  Real life today, I followed them and snapped a pic.

Adrian chose his room with all his collections.  He's so not a minimalist, but knows where everything is. Usually things are pretty tidy, although uncharacteristic of him, his dresser isn't all shut today.

And Audra chose her room.  Her room that was completely clean two days prior (sigh). Such a free spirit. She knows where nothing is, doesn't have a worry in the world. Plop her in the middle of wherever, she could care less about the surroundings.

And Anna-Kate chose her throne, naturally.

My predictable one, my free spirit and my queen all reading the afternoon away.  Guess who also found a spot to sneak a chapter in too? 10 blissful minutes before someone needed me. I'll take what I can get!.

Change of scenery

 

Today we had a case of the Mondays.

My grandmother always said, "A change of scenery is as good as a rest."  

I have turned into my grandmother and say that all the time too. 

Thankful we have a lovely change of scenery in town. 

Thankful we got to enjoy with new friends.

Thankful it really did provide the reset we so desperately needed.  

Tuesday, we are ready for you!

Sundays/First day of spring

 I realize the only two pictures I took today were at the bookends of the day. So here are the bookends and everything in between and beyond.

Started with sleeping in and had a fire blazing in the woodcookstove.
10 eggs, which I promptly made into apple cinnamon puff pancakes. 

Church. 

Barefoot kids wore the dogs out while I made lunch. 

Archery for the big kids while mom, dad and Anna-Kate took a long walk. 
Whole family kept me company as I (finally) finished pruning the orchard. 
Picture below: kids were making a tent out of sticks (using chicken bags for the ties) with the freight train in the background.

Haircuts and showers/baths for the kids AND one of the dogs (who rolled in something disgusting).
Shepherds pie and Dr. Quinn.
Snuggled together for books before bed.

I'd call today, our first day of spring, a 10/10.  I will forever love seasons and the change of pace they bring.  Happy Spring!