Scope For The Imagination

Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about?

It just makes me feel glad to be alive--

it's such an interesting world.

It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it?

There'd be no scope for the imagination then, would there?

-- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Spring in January?

We are confused here.  Did we skip winter and head straight into spring?  My calendar says January, but it feels more like mid-March outside.  I think the high for today was near 70 degrees.  It was a bit windy (always), but the sun was out and jackets were shed.  We couldn't resist being outside today.  Lucas and I played at a playground near my gym this morning, then when the girls got home from school this afternoon, we rode our bikes to our neighborhood park for more fun in the sun.  The girls instantly went into "imaginative play mode" by pretending they were pirates on a ship.  I kept hearing them say things like, "Drop the anchor!" and "Ahoy!"  This drama was unfolding while Lucas spent his time doing the following things:

 Climbing

 Running 

(Hannah was pretending to be an injured pirate by the way)

And watching

Tomorrow we plan to spend more time outside before a cold front moves in mid-week bringing us back to the reality of January.  Perhaps we'll make it through winter without a major ice storm this year?  Knock on wood? 

A Putting Up And A Taking Down

Today as I (finally) took down the ornaments from our Christmas tree, I was reminded of this passage from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 (if you know The Byrds version, sing along!).

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be born and a time to die

A time to plant and a time to uproot,

A time to kill and a time to heal,

A time to tear down and a time to build,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

A time to search and a time to give up,

A time to keep and a time to throw away,

A time to tear and a time to mend,

A time to be silent and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate,

A time for war and a time for peace.

Now how in the world did a pile of Christmas ornaments remind me of this passage, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.  As I looked at this pile of colorful ornaments, I had the thought,  Didn't I just do this? Didn't I just put these away? A whole year has gone by? Really?!  And it hit me just how much of our years follow a certain rhythm.  You could say..."There is a time to put up Christmas decorations and a time to take them down.  Followed by a time for a groundhog to see his shadow and a time for him to proclaim spring is coming early.  A time to enjoy spring break and a time to return back to school.  A time for swimming in the summer sun and a time for for wearing jackets.  A time for a Thanksgiving meal and a time to regret eating so much.  Then it's time for the Christmas decorations again!"  

I like that our years have a certain predictability to them.  There is comfort in the familiar and traditional things of our lives.  But then I also love that each year throws in enough surprises and curve balls to keep us on our toes.  I don't know how looking at a pile of ornaments inspired such deep thoughts today, but for some reason it did.  I'm excited for both the comfortable rhythms and the surprises God has in store for our family this year!

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Flowers, Just Because

When Mike and I met back in the fall of 1996, one of the first things I noticed and immediately loved about him was his thoughtful nature.  He is one of those guys that makes homemade cards and puts a lot of effort and creativity into gifts that he gives.  I remember the first flowers her ever gave me.  At the time I was a sophomore in college and living in a small basement room in one of the girls' dorms.  Mike was a junior, also living on campus in the one men's dorm.  He called me in my room one night to say he was in the lobby of my dorm.  I headed upstairs excited to see him.  And there he was holding a simple arrangement of red and yellow carnations in a vintage 7up bottle.  We were poor college students, so carnations fit the budget, but they were bright and cheerful, and would instantly brighten up my dorm room.  Mike also knew that I had a small collection of old soda bottles (they were something I always looked at when we went to antique stores).  He picked it out knowing that I would appreciate this "vase" more than a traditional vase. I loved it.  I remember I went down to my dorm room later and had my roommate take a picture of me holding my first flowers.

Tonight as Mike came in the door from a long day of work, he had in his hands three bouquets of flowers.  One for Hannah.  One for Leah.  And one for me. He said they were "just because".  Today isn't our anniversary or a birthday or any special reason to celebrate.  It's just an average Wednesday.  But somehow he always manages to take something ordinary and turn it into something special.

My flowers

Hannah and Leah's bright bouquets together in one vase

Need To Be Held

This is a picture of Hannah when we stopped for lunch in New York City almost two weeks ago.  I posted it the day I took it, but I'm posting it again because I love it.  I love the sweet, yet somewhat grown-up expression on her face.  I love the way the light falls across her face, and I love the city in the background.  I imagine her as a young college student stopping by for a quick by to eat with some of her friends. I have so many hopes and dreams for my little girl. She is thoughtful, careful and precise.  She loves to draw, write, read and create.  In a crowd, she is quiet and reserved, but she smiles easily and loves to join in on a game or competition.  In some ways, she is wise beyond her years, and I forget that she is only seven.

But then there are days like yesterday.  Let's just say that her attitude was less than stellar.  She was whining, bossy with her sister, and emotionally breaking down at every little turn in our day.  It was clear by late afternoon that she needed some time alone in her room to calm down.  She tearfully stormed off and flopped down on her bed sobbing.  I gave her a good ten minutes by herself, then took a deep breath and went in to have a little heart to heart with my fragile girl.  By then she was ready to listen, and we ended up having a good conversation.  She apologized for her attitude and I said I forgave her and kissed her little forehead.  Then she hit me with this...."Mom, can you just hold me for awhile?  Sometimes kids just need their moms to hold them."  

Be still my heart.  Yes, sweetheart, I will hold you.  I will always hold you.

And so she crawled in my lap, wrapped her arms around me and put her head on my chest.  And there we sat.  The late afternoon sun was shining through the blinds in the window; the only sound was the tick of the clock on the wall of her room.  I could feel her breathing.  After a few minutes, she was ready to move on, and our evening went along smoothly.  Sometimes we just need our moms to hold us.

I sure love that little girl.

I'm Saying The Word "Resolution"

I know, I know....the word "resolutions" is controversial at this time of year.  Do we call them  resolutions?  Goals?  Aspirations?  Dreams?  Whatever you want to call them, I think they are important.  It's important to have something to work toward, to strive to attain.  I always go into making this list with a lot of grace.  I will probably not meet all of these resolutions/goals.  And I'm okay with that.  In general, I don't beat myself up for things.  And looking over last year's resolution post, I am happy to say that I achieved quite a few of them (yay!), while others completely by the wayside.  No biggie.  Let's keep on keeping on this year and see where that leads. Sounds good to me!

So, in no particular order, here are twelve of my resolutions for 2012:

1. Continue to maintain a consistent time in God's Word
2. Get in bed earlier
3. Read more
4. Continue to work on cookbook/writing project
5. Not worry about what other people think about me
6. Have monthly date nights with Mike
7. Add variety to date nights-- i.e. go to plays, try new restaurants, check out a museum, see a concert etc.
8. Continue to exercise twice weekly (three would be a bonus!)
9. Write hand written notes to others (stealing this one from Jacquelyn because I love it!)
10. Incorporate healthier meals into our weekly meal plan
11. Begin reading the Little House on the Prairie book series with Hannah and Leah
12. Meet monthly for lunch with my mentor

In addition, I am happy to say that I plan to continue to blog daily this year, with one exception.  Sunday.  I plan on taking Sundays off for this year to really try to take one thing (however small) off my plate that day.  Also, Mike is working on a new blog header for me, so look for that soon.  I've been using the good old free templates from Blogger for almost four years now.  It's time for a more updated look, I do believe.  Looking forward to that!

More importantly, I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU as I begin a new year.  Last year was so full of ups and downs for me.  It truly was the most difficult year of my life thus far.  So thank you to all my readers who faithfully encouraged and prayed for me last year. I am incredibly humbled and grateful for each of you.  It has been very therapeutic to write, and I appreciate you coming with me on my journey.  Love to you all!

OK, 2012....bring it on!!!!

Happy New Year

"Be always at war with your vices, 

at peace with your neighbors,

and let each New Year find you a better person."

-- Benjamin Franklin

Cheers to a wonderful 2012!