curly girl

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To say that the little girls adore their big sisters would be an understatement.  The feeling is quite mutual. When we moved we got two 'girl rooms' and each big girl decided to take a baby girl, though very often all four of them end up huddled up into one of the rooms watching silly You Tube videos and talking til they can barely stay awake.  But oh those babies love every minute and oh those big girls love it even more. They are like real life dolls who giggle and shower them with appreciative kisses in return for all that attention.  

There is a lot of nail polishing and hair do-ing that goes on upstairs, particularly when little girls get frustrated or tired.  They very often will scoop one up as distraction and after they sit quietly for brushing and rolling or lotioning and painting of tiny fingers the upset is smoothed away and forgotten. Then there is a lot of "Go show Mom!"  

This was one of those days. Tess, beside herself, because Moira transformed her into their current favorite thing – Irish dancer. 

 

 
 


(original photos courtesy of Moira)  

While I sometimes remind the big girls that our babies are not aspiring to become Toddlers in Tiaras mostly I say nothing.  It really isn't about the 'before' and 'after'.  It is about the 'during'.  It is a show of that warm glow of devotion between both the bitty girl and her beloved big sister, in a happy place in life where there is no sibling rivalry but only the certainty of the bond between them. 

7 Quick Takes

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7_quick_takes_sm 

 


1. 

Random. [ran-duhm]  Per Brendan (to Tess while preparing for a Mario Kart race) it's "like you don't get to pick.  It just happens in that order."  Who said Wii isn't educational? ; ) Seems like a good place to start seven random takes. 

2.

We watched Letters to God this week though I had no idea what it was about beforehand.  I am a sucker for Christian movies, even if they are cheesey in parts. This one had extra cheese I admit. But the kids were all sniffling when it ended.  Later Kieran caught me in the hall and pointed to his chest saying, "So my heart is here."  "Yes" I said, quickly moving on to finish bedtime chores.  "Then where is my soul?" Umm, hold the phone, back up into the hallway. I told him what I knew.  That it was attached to our bodies now and it leaves when you die. He was satisfied with that but I am still sobered to think that he was considering the profound right as I was considering the pj's and toothbrushes. Martha, Martha….

3. 

On a lighter note, I ordered a copy of the new Turkey Feathers embroidery book. I am so anxious to get my hands on it. Now that we are in a house which is so much lower maintenance I am pulling out all my unfinished stitching projects and planning new ones. Feels so good to have something in my hands again. 

4.

I read this lovely post at Angel Wings and Apron Strings and printed it for my Home Keeper binder. Her most recent post is also convicting:

"It seems to me that we need to take special care to show our girls how much we love being a homemaker"

I take for granted that my love for my vocation 'shows' but I have been taking care to stop and listen to my tone of voice and my under the breath comments and realize that my actions do not always line up with my intention but often more with my fatigue level.  Not good.  Working on that. 

5. 

I found these retro tumblers and pitcher at the thrift store and literally had one teen child stand there and hold them while I went to the ATM after realizing I hadn't replaced the checks in my wallet. It was worth it. My Gram had a set of these and my fear of Altzheimer's was not as strong as my longing to go down memory lane. They make everything stay ice cold and  give me inexplicable cravings for Kool Aid. 



 

6.

Looking at getting this magazine. Think of that, a periodical with pretty pictures of simple everyday things, focusing on relationships. Sounds like my favorite blogs, but on paper, which means I can slip it into my purse. 

7.

Freebie from Becky Higgins here. Enjoy. 



Liebfrauenkirche Trier

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Trier boasts a stunning 13th century gothic cathedral called the Church of Our Dear Lady or Liebfrauenkirche. The church was constructed next to and over an older Romanesque structure so it is an odd juxtaposition.  Probably my favorite stop in Trier, although the hordes of people scurrying in and out of every nook and cranny detracted some from the sanctity of the place. 

 

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There are several ornate crypts within and outside of the cathedral. 


 

 


 

 
  

  

kicking it off

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Brendan is having a fine soccer season.  He is easy to spot.  He is the one dancing in the field between plays. He couldn't be having more fun if he tried. 

The season opened with a bang. They held a massive multi-sport opening day ceremony complete with parade. Each team participated. 

 

 Here's B marching by:

 

In all, he has a decent grasp of the game:


 


 But this may have been my favorite moment so far:

 

The very sweetest part of the day was when he tugged earnestly at my shirt hem going, "Mom!  Mom! Mom!"  "Yes?" I said.  "I am so happy!" he squealed.   

I am too, Buddy. 

    

 

metaphor

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So we walk and I think and we walk some more and it's good for my head.  Very good.  We stop and we stop, as is the way when walking with very small people,  and it's good for noticing. Good for remembering. We pass the burdock, now mostly withered and angry sharp. How many have I pulled off socks and manes and tails and dogs? How many times have we been surprised by a piercing stab? A menace in the field they are. Useless. 


 

But  I look closer. 


 

And then I know better. 

There is always a blossom hidden in the thorn. 

Simple Woman’s Daybook (in pictures)

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Outside my window...sun coming up, partly cloudy. The crows are swooping across the valley. The cows have been moved to another pasture and sheep are now grazing behind us. 



 


I am thinking…embracing the cross. There's an old adage that pain is inevitable (as are trials)  but misery is optional. It is easy to get oneself worked into a state over what are really very normal (if difficult, or even painful) parts of life. It doesn't deny that pain to choose joy anyway. It just affirms the scriptural certainty that all things are working together for good. All things. I make a conscious effort to be careful which voices I am tuning in to and try to seek out those which encourage you to smile, to press on, to embrace what is. (On that note you might enjoy this post by Sherry)

I am thankful for...a blank canvas

From the kitchen…M and M cookies courtesy of Alannah who found time to bless her family in between jobs this week. Yes, she is gainfully (part-time)employed now babysitting and working as a mother's helper. 



 

I am wearing…black yoga pants, black/tan/white vee neck tee and tan sweater.

I am creating… a new schoolroom. Cabinets are together, this week we finish unpacking. 

I am reading…My Life in France by Julia Child.  Loving it. 

I am hoping...to get to St Peter am Perlach as soon as we can. I somehow had no idea it was right here. God is good. 

I am hearing…Kieran and Tess looking through the costume book for ideas.

Around the house… I need to move china around since the new arrivals need a home. 



 

One of my favorite things…walking in the woods. 

A few plans for the rest of the week… to finish the basement, run Alannah to her babysitting jobs, and taxi people to practices and games while dh is in DC.  We have finished 4weeks of school. (insert:the crowd sends up a cheer!) and this week we are taking a break to work hard on the house. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…


Kieran, Aidan and I on the trail this weekend 

Happy Weekend!

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Saw this awesome quote yesterday:

‘Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you ought to set up a life you don’t need to escape from.’ – Seth Godin

Very good policy. In the end, we are not simply making a living, we are making a life. Make it a good one friends. We don't get another shot at this.  

A quick glimpse at a bit of our real-life-as-vacation kind of weekend:





   Sorry – only had the iphone again, but the bright delft and Italian pottery was so cheerful I had to show you.