Abundance

 

 

  

We ate our first strawberry today. And by "we" I mean, "I". And it was delicious! Today is Mother's Day. And it's May. A month when our kids' schedules are crazy - even according to them. I'm feeling spread a little thin and like I'd like my world to be a little smaller. And our family is in the season where our children's worlds are only getting bigger - and that is exactly right. So I am wishing for the blessing of a little balance and giving thanks always for the abundance in our days. Happy May! xo

Wonderful!

 

 

 

Our trip was wayyyyyy too short for how many hours we spent in the car, but we are relaxed and renewed and happy to be home. Mission accomplished! xo

Following the signs...

The week before Spring Break, St. Louis had it's four thousandth day like this one (or at least it felt that way)....

...overcast, grey, cold. I asked our big kids to get online and see what the shortest drive would be for us to just touch the ocean. Their answer? The coast of Georgia, or the coast of Louisiana. We have never been to either.

Kyle's principal recommended this book:

In the first paragraph of the introduction, the author explains how his family has been going to Tybee Island, Georgia for four generations. I got the book for some pointers on chores, honestly, but hmmmm...maybe the first paragraph is what I really needed to read. I started emailing places about last minute bookings for four nights only. Should we do this?

I was a bit on the fence, but then my house started sending me signs...

 Can't see it? Yes, it's cluttered and that is telling in its own way, but look a little closer...

Um...that is what appeared when I suggested to my 13-year-old that he put a reminder sign on the third floor because he always leaves the lights on. Ok then, I see how this is going to be...

We are a family that needs to disconnect so we can reconnect. David got the week off. The kennel had room for the dogs. I called my neighbor and told her we were leaving town for five days. "That is so great!" she said. "Getting away always makes you so happy to be back at home!"

Let's hope so. Tybee Island, here we come! xo

books, books, books

Delivering more upcycled journals to Maven today. My favorite is, by far, Jane Withers and the Swamp Monster. The mild mannered cover is misleading, because the inside cover art (I didn't add this, this is exactly how the book was published) is brilliant in my opinion. Have a great day! xo

Finally!

I have not been completely forthcoming in my blog space here. I've been posting less and less because I am back at work - 25 hours a week. And boy-oh-boy am I humbled by it all. I've been working for about five months and I still have not found a rhythm to getting laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping and fun (not in that order) tended to in a way that is healthy and good. And don't get me started on how I've neglected my creative pursuits. 

 

Anyways, the stars aligned today in a twisted way - schools were closed for an ice storm that only just arrived and I have two kids who are sick - one of whom is nine today. More on him tomorrow! But because of our beautiful stuck-at-home status, I'm finally getting around to making Kyle a freezer paper stenciled t-shirt. I have some funny ideas to help him with his spelling - and then on the back I'm going to stencil, "Just another great day at New City School". Hope he likes it.

Our valentine show was slow but lovely. Always fun. I tried to make heart garland - it's all over the internet and seemed like it would be easy and fun to make. Um. Not fun. No fun at all.  A lot of work and now I'm thinking the hearts will stay up for a very long time because I don't know how to store them without tangling the thread. Kyle loves his.

 Hope you are warm, and thankful and happy...wherever you are! xo

A Little Valentine Show

Locals - if you are looking for a little hand-made shopping this weekend, please stop by:

Carla Mash-Duncan's 

Valentines Boutique

jewelry, Valentines decor, paper art, hand knits, wooden bowls and more!

6170 McPherson

(Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood)

St. Louis, 63112

Friday, February 8th

4 to 7 p.m

Saturday, February 9th

11 to 4 p.m.

We'd love to see you! xo

in which Joey turns 13

Joey is 13. Awesome.

I want to tell you about Joey's great grandpa - his name was Arthur Joseph. Joey's name is Joseph Arthur. He is named after his great grandpa, one of my husband's favorite people of his whole life. When we had Joey and told Grandma and Grandpa E. his name, David's grandma commented, "Do you know, David's grandpa is named Arthur Joseph..." as if their shared names were a total coincidence. They were humble, and kind and generous and always put family first. I also think David got his amazing ability to combine tough love and gentleness in his parenting from observing his grandpa.

So Joey - my wish for your 13th birthday is that, as you enter your teen years and the whirlwind they may be, you will embrace and seek these wonderful characteristics that inspired your name - humility, kindness, generosity and family.

You are enormously loved. And btw, your birthday consisted of eggs benedict for breaky, lots of junk food, and pulled pork with lots more junk food while we watched the Superbowl. Junk food was only interrupted to go see Les Mis, the movie. And in case you stumble upon this blog years from now, you loved the movie. And the day. xo