I'M BACK. First day of school that is.

In just two days it will be August. And that, where has the time gone, means it is “back to school.” I remember how it was when all my girls were home and the sound of a quieter house sounded so good. Now my house is quiet, especially since I don’t do day care anymore, there are days (just days) when I would love a bit of that “noise”. I came across this today in my morning readings in my quiet house. Enjoy.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

To all the moms who are furiously juggling a multi-colored Excel document of appointments, camps, vacations, work schedules, BBQs, parties and other obligations, who feel like summer has become busier than the school year, and dream of walking into to see the “Back to School” displays which will officially start the countdown until the first day of school… this prayer is for you:

May you have clarity of thought and a morsel of sanity today. May you know that His grace is enough. For every season, every tantrum, every question, every failure. It is enough. Always.

May you know that you are wildly loved by your Father, just as you are. Not because of what you accomplished today, or didn't. Or how you feel about God at this moment, or whether you complained, or spent time reading your bible, or messed up in the worst way, or celebrated a victory. He adores you, just because. 

And with of this knowledge, may you feel empowered to love your children the same way. The way God asks you to, the way your kids deserve, and the way you want to.

May you feel equipped to tackle every challenge, every situation, and every day with courage and joy even if you have to "start over" 10 times by 9 a.m.                                                  

May excitement fill your heart every morning for all that the day can be. Your children are your treasure, and this day is a gift-- may you fully embrace it all. 

May you lay your head down at night with a heart that is bursting and memories too plentiful to count. May you know unspeakable joy at the end of the day.

May you recognize that though these days are so (so, so, so, so) long, the years are short. They are a breath. And as you exhale yours in the darkness of the night, may your cup overflow with thanksgiving. May your dreams be sweet and your sleep be restful. 

Sleep well, Momma, knowing that the work you are doing is good, and your Father is smiling on you. 

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/

Enjoy these last days of summer.

Rose

Middle of June! Already?

Doesn’t time fly? Doesn’t seem like it should be almost the middle of June. The weather is still wacky Average high is 82 and we have had temps in the upper 90’s with high dew points. The weather makes it feel more like the middle of July and August. Definitely not normal. Sure makes a person wonder what July and August will be like.

Easter was a quiet gathering this year. Weather was cold and dreary and just seemed to set the mood. Or maybe because of our wild Christmas party, it just seemed quiet.

So far this has been a quiet year for us. No weddings, no high school graduations, one college grad but since he is going on to graduate school and he was taking a family vacation the day after graduation, no party. Sounds like that could all change for next year. Our granddaughter and grandson are expecting their first child in January. That will make two great grans for us. We will have our youngest granddaughter graduating high school in May and a strong possibility of a wedding or two that summer.

For now we are just enjoying the quiet visits with family and trying to stay cool.

Take care,

Rose

Food for thought.

Came across this today on Facebook and I think it is a good read for any of us that deal with little ones. The author is Unknown but they "hit the nail right on the head" as the old saying goes. Definitely makes a person stop and think.

 “I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.”

From the diary of a 2-year-old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad.I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”

This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”

I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”

I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”

This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “Here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

-Author unknown

Good morning, everyone.

Today is the third of February. Time continues to fly by. Our winter, so far, as just been a roller coaster ride. Super cold weeks, above average weeks and average days here and there. And we have had all three in one week. But the best part, at this point, not much snow. So if you can handle the cold, you can get out and about. And it helps knowing it soon will be spring. I for one can’t wait. I long for “sit on the deck” days watching the world go by. But for now, we sit in front of the fireplace chatting about if we should plant green beans this year or if we should try a different spot for the tomatoes. I am trying to decide if want to plant some knockout roses and if so, where. I got a gift card to Earl May for my birthday and some cash, so I am having fun planning spring planting time. I think I have spring fever or cabin fever. Or both.

The holidays were different for us this year. Daughter number 1, who normally hosts the family Christmas along with her husband, had back surgery two days before the party. She had been dealing with a disc issue for a few months. The Doctor insisted on her trying therapy, shots, meds with no results, and finally the Wednesday before party time, the Doctor decided to do surgery the next morning.

So daughter number 3, who lives in the same area, stepped up and hosted the party. Her home is smaller but it all worked out fine. We also had our first Christmas with a little one in on the fun. Great granddaughter Lucy, 3 monts. She did super and was so good. You know a smaller house with 32 people can get rather loud at times. But it didn’t seem to bother her. We didn’t have a gift exchange this year. We passed the hat for donations and instead we had a tournament of red cup stack. The winner got to choose the charity for the donation. A local charity was chosen as the recipient. There was lots of food to eat throughout the day, with pizza (7 large) for supper. And the daughter who had the back surgery, was able to come for a part of the fun.  

We started this year off with all of the daughters, except one, making it home to help celebrate my birthday. It was so fun to listen to them tell about growing up in this small town and reminiscing.

Next gathering will be Easter.

Hope spring is here by then. Stay warm until then.

Rose