Mothers Make the World Go 'Round

Just wanted to say a big Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there. I include mommies whose babies/children are not with them today for whatever reason. I include all those ladies who have made the loving choice to be a mommy to a little one, even if for 5 minutes. Those 5 minutes, those little hugs, those encouraging words.....they all made a difference.

I am glad my mom is close enough that I can see her and talk to her regularly. Even so, life gets busy and I find myself forgetting to call or forgetting to check on her. So sorry, mom. Even though that's part of the regular cycle of life after kids grow up, I know moms everywhere are still thinking about their babies, no matter how old they are. Well, mom...you're babies are here. We are still thinking about you, probably more than you think. We are sorry we haven't been more appreciative or thoughtful, but there is a love between mommies and babies that can never be erased and forgotten, even if words are not spoken.

I am blessed this year. My babies have all made me several homemade cards and pictures. My littlest came up to me yesterday while we were at Jazz in the Park, gave me a hug and a kiss and said, "I love you Mom. Tomorrow is your day. Happy Anniversary." He's only 5 (for a few more weeks). His words were so sweet to me. I know he was saying Happy Mother's Day. My daughters have been whispering about secrets all week. They both gave me pictures and poems that made me cry, as it should be.

Only one week of school left until summer break. Our first year after homeschooling has been quite an adventure. My babies all loved school, just as I knew they would. I have gotten so many compliments from teachers about how well the transition went, and how much that reflects on me as a mother and a teacher. That has been one of my biggest blessings and sources of encouragement this year. I know that God placed each of my children with just the right teachers for them. I have loved seeing the joy my kids had at school each day. Last year at this time I was fighting hard to let go of homeschooling. I didn't want to do it. I knew, however, that the time was right for my family. I think that being a mom is a lifelong process of learning how to bond and love and how to let go.

I love you, Mom. I am so glad God chose you to be my one and only Mom. I hope my children feel the same way!

Kitty in a Box

Kitty thinks she's hiding in that box, but I see her.

Tiny Treasures

After the first crocuses of spring, my next favorite spring milestone is when the hostas pop up through the soil. I could have a whole yard full. The last picture is a peek at my messy little windowsill above my kitchen sink. The girls and I went for a walk and we picked white and purple violets, dandelions, and fleabane. The little green vase is one I had when I was a little girl. I have no idea where I got it. I found the little gold and blue ones at a yard sale. It works out perfectly for three children who like to pick little flowers. When the sun shines through the pretty glass, it makes even my messy little windowsill pretty.

Fire-Red Infinity Scarf

Pictures just don't do justice to this beautiful yarn. I got it from my friend. A few years ago she got some sheep so she could learn to spin wool. This wool is so soft. It is hand-spun and hand-dyed by my friend. The color is a beautiful vibrant fire red with orange highlights.

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by.  Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

you can see it here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/128454762/fire-red-mobius-scarf-crocheted-wool

Beauty and Pain

Today was a glorious day and also a hard day. There were 2 little boys who got lost in the woods last night. They were gone all night and it was very emotional. There was lots of searching and lots of praying. Thank God they were found safe and sound. This morning, however, before I knew they were found, I was still praying. I was outside, looking at my flowers in the rain, wondering how cold and wet that little 5 year old and 7 year old were. I saw the beauty in the flowers and in the moss, but I also felt pain wondering if they were okay. My little boy is 5. I can't imagine him lost or alone overnight in the woods. I am glad he is safe. I am glad those other boys are safe. The simple beauty of the small flowers and greenery in my yard shows my thankfulness.....

Like a foolish dreamer, trying to build a highway to the sky

All my hopes would come tumbling down, and I never knew just why

Until today, when you pulled away the clouds that hung like curtains on my eyes

Well I've been blind all these wasted years and I thought I was so wise

But then you took me by surprise

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed

Until your love broke through

I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me

Until your love broke through

All my life I've been searching for that crazy missing part

And with one touch, you just rolled away the stone that held my heart

And now I see that the answer was as easy, as just asking you in

And I am so sure I could never doubt your gentle touch again

It's like the power of the wind

Like waking up from the longest dream, how real it seemed

Until your love broke through

I've been lost in a fantasy, that blinded me

Until your love, until your love, broke through

Lyrics from "Your Love Broke Through" by Keith Green

Listen the song here:

Your Love Broke Through on YouTube

What I've Been Working on Lately

Spring Flowers 2013

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. " 

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."

Amelia Earhart

"Spring is the time of plans and projects."

Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Spring Basket

I was fooling around with cotton yarn this week, and ended up making this blue and white basket. I crocheted it with two strands together to make it thick. I will be keeping this one for myself, and it will probably end up being used to put dishcloths in for craft fair tables. I think it looks much prettier stuffed full of colorful dishcloths and hotpads :)

8 Year Anniversary

This week on February 12 marks the 8th year since I have started this blog, this online journal. It is mostly filled with carefully cropped trick photography and quick notes to myself and my family so I won't forget when things happened. I share things that bring me joy, things I want to share with others. I am so tickled today at the progress of blogging and how everyone puts so much effort into their little make believe world. Most of the time, I could care less whether anyone is really reading here, because it's not for them. It's for me. I am so happy with my little online home here, and I am happy for anyone to visit. My goals are to have an open place where people can feel love and acceptance and laugh and cry, too. I love that it is my blog, so I don't have to defend myself or make excuses for my silliness or words. I can make it as plain or frilly as I want. I can post as little or as much as I want, and if you don't like it, you don't have to read it. That's the beauty of it. Go away if you want, or stay as long as you want. Fair warning, though....there's lots of hot tea and snuggling with kids and books here. There's lots of kitties and flowers and yarn and crafting here.

The good news is that there are no expectations. Come as you are, and be who you are. That's my gift to you. A little place of refuge. Hopefully a place to smile and laugh and give and get hugs. A place to see ellipses...........too many of them......in all the wrong places. And sometimes fragmented sentences. From someone who knows better.

I just have to say....you're the best, and I love you. I am glad you are here. Thanks for stopping by and come again.

 go here if you want to start at the beginning......
Mama's Kittens