5...4...3...2...1...

I haven't been here because...

it's the end of countdown week

They're leaving in a matter of days, the truck will be loaded on Monday

My house has been kissed by the pitter-patter of extra little feet

and

the laughter of extra little mouths

while momma and daddy pack up

their lives

to start a new one

My heart is bursting with

excitement for their journey

and

unshead tears for my journey

I'll be back when I can

fancy girl

saturday morning tea

graciously presiding over the table

in high style

wearing a Barbie couture gown

plastique perles

and

a marabou trimmed headband

serving Earl Grey and petite fours

and 

pondering the mysteries of invisible food and plastic tea sets

Wordless Wednesday {recess}

Just now...

I sent Alec down to the corner alone

to meet my friend

so he could play with her boys

I watched him as he shuffled through the snow, 

a dark shape with arms and legs,

slowly turning grey in the swirling white

Every house he passed, he turned to look at me

for reassurance

Before he left, he told me that he was scared

I told him that he'd be fine

it was no big deal

he'd be able to see me the whole way

and

I'd be able to see him

Halfway down the block, he turned and ran back to me, 

his arms windmilling frantically

as he tried to propel himself faster down the untraveled sidewalk

When he got close enough to hear me I told him to 

turn around 

We looked together and saw my friend at the end of the sidewalk,

a blurry shadow in the tunnel of white,

waving both arms

"Run to her, sweetie!"

I said.

"RUN to her, she's waiting for you!"

A moment's hesitation

and

then he went

I stood still 

watching him blur into grey again

as he ran

Just before he got to the end, another shadowy figure emerged with a snow shovel

I could feel Alec's heart beating faster and his adrenaline pumping

as he made a choice

Split second

He looked at me again

and kept on running

toward the corner

"Call to him!"

I whispered to my friend

"Give him boldness!"

my heart whispered to Jesus

I did not feel sad when he and my friend turned to wave to me as they left

No longing for a little boy

no longing for big eyes turned up to mine in childish wonder

no longing for a tiny hand to hold

I rejoiced in the breaking of bonds

and

rejoiced in the strength we both found

Go shave your legs, it will make you feel better!

I just did, and used banana body cream afterward.

Then I tried to winterize my brand new, very lovely, very bright, lemon-y yellow top from here

with the addition of an orange tank top, an orange and yellow scarf and a grey cardigan.

It looked stupid.

But I felt better because I had smooth legs under my ugly clothes, and smelled like bananas and coconut.

Tonight is date night, finally!

Celebrating Valentine's day early never hurts, right?

(and it never hurts to shave and smell like dessert before date night, either!)

My Valentine is totally awesome!

Yesterday, he managed to talk me down from a panic attack, and organize and subdue the children in a matter of minutes, OVER the PHONE from his office!

He then told me that he agreed that I needed a day off (a true day off never happens in mom-land, but the thought is really nice!) and told me that I was free as a bird all day tomorrow.

I love you honey!

Thanks for being my backbone when mine's a wet noodle

for being my brown paper bag when I can't breathe

and for loving me when I'm extremely unlovable.

Happy {early} Valentine's Day to the love of my life!

Royalty

Ava joined me in the bathroom this morning, as I was getting ready for the day.  To entertain her, I sang "So This is Love" from the ballroom scene in Cinderella.

Ava:"And after they danced, Cinderella ran away from the prince and never came back!"

Me: "But he found her, right? He found her because he loved her, right?"

Ava: (with stars in her eyes) "Yeah..."

Me: "Did you know that Jesus finds us if WE run away from Him? Because we're His princesses and He loves us, too."

Ava: *big grin*  "I wanna play hide and seek with Jesus!"

I didn't try to explain to her three year old cuteness that that notion would never work...

Nothin' much...

We had a VERY busy week scheduled

We had 

basketball

tap class

choir rehersal

Awana

mom's group

another mom's group

home group

date night

basketball game

birthday party

all scheduled

and

{so far}

all canceled!

So...thank you, Snow, for giving me 

a week of quiet

a week of playing

a week of NO schedule (except my own)

a week of snowball fights

wet mittens 

and

hot chocolate

a week of reading books to the kids till I'm thirsty

and a week of

beauty in my back yard

but Snow, please don't stay too much longer...

I'm ready for some warm sunshine

and

no hats

Handmade pt.10

This adorable hat and mittens were salvaged out of a favorite sweater that was beyond repair.

Sadly, it wasn't our favorite sweater, but we took pictures before we gave it to it's rightful owner!

Hmmm, maybe I could offer a "salvage your sweater" service?

What do you all think?

{sugar} Calorie-free!

I have a somewhat unhealthy addiction to scarves

In someone's opinion, I probably have too many

I have found 5 Gap scarves at the Goodwill store

Today I had a bad day

My special time of the month, sick kids, bad weather, no motivation

Today I had a good friend

who

acknowledges my scarf-lust

loves the Goodwill store like I do

and

was in the right place at the right time!

Two more Gap scarves

99 cents each.


Way better than chocolate!

Wordless Wednesday