in gratitude

Following suit from http://soulemama.com/

And taking this {this moment} to be grateful.

Today I am taking this moment to be grateful for my son...yesterday he cut his chin open after falling from his scooter...yesterday we made a first trip to the emergency room. Yesterday he was incredibly brave, incredibly strong. Yesterday we were helped by the most kind and caring emergency staff of doctors and nurses. Who took time with us, who treated him with respect and patience. Yesterday I was incredibly grateful it wasn't a worse accident and he only got 2 stitches. 

I was most grateful for the strength my son showed.

What an amazing boy.

 

It's a Thankful Day

It's Thanksgiving today...7:30am here...and also hubbie's birthday. Today we'll meet up with his sister and sweet baby girl for a bit of play before we come home to cook our meal, have a few presents for him and some pie and send him off to bed early as he still has to work tonight. It is bittersweet as our son especially talks about it only being 'us' for the day and for our meal and asks about other family, talking about how he misses his grandpa so much. This is the first year without husbands father, their grandpa. We also think of their aunt, hubbie's sister who also passed this year and their family out of state who celebrates the day without her for the first time as well. We remind our children and remind ourselves that there is much to be thankful for, even if we feel sad or miss loved ones for a moment through the day. Both children tell me this morning they wish we could have gone to see their other grandparents. They seem to miss them so much more since their other grandpa went to heaven. We say we can call them on the phone today, we talk about our super fun week trip that was only a few weeks ago...everyone smiles and laughs- it was a great trip. And we all are thankful and look forward to the next trip in a few months that we'll spend with them again.

Since coming home we started each night at prayers saying something we were thankful for...the kids went through their whole list of animals, and every member of the family, some friends, activities like ballet and gymnastics and 4H, our home, our big yard and road trips.

Yes, our family has much to be thankful for.

Yesterday, we spent the morning while husband slept and snuck away to the park to work on birthday cards and have some play time before lunch and chores. The evening brought family fun, a fire in the fireplace and staying up late for two movies. The kids loved 'Planes' and 'RIPD". 

Life is beautiful and we are thankful for every moment of it.

20 Errands & Park Play

Somewhat taking the week off from schooling, Monday's are usually deemed our errand day in the afternoon. This particular one we had a few extra things to do with Thanksgiving being Thursday and also hubbie's birthday. So we set out earlier, grocery shopping, library, gift shopping, lunch and took a long break right in the middle to run, play, climb, slide, enjoy the water, get muddy flip flops, laugh a lot and just have FUN.

The fun break made errand day more bearable! Even normal days have extraordinary moments I want to savor!

Welcoming more babies!

Not chicks this time...baby guinea pigs. We welcomed 4 little miracles into the world last night. Momma is doing great and babies are running around and thriving. The kids could not be more excited, checking on them every thirty minutes or so in the eve last night then this morning already. It's amazing these little lives come out, fully ready to go- fur, eyes open, a few minutes after birth running around the cage.

Instant Love.

Our Son..Chick(en) crazy

8 years old, a love for many things but especially his animals. His quiet words, gentle touch and utmost care makes my heart smile. Asking for some pictures with his two new babies I was happy to take a few snapshots. Telling me he's like a dad and they are his 'job', his responsibility. Carefully he looked them over, determining one looked very healthy then determining the other had a messy bottom..so he proceeded to clean the chick up, a little cloth and some warm water and back into the cage they both went. A little while later in the day he happily reported as I washed dishes, that the temperature looked good, everyone was sleeping and they had plenty of water and food. Beaming, smiling. You did good I told him, your babies are lucky to have you. More smiling.

Chicken love.

{this moment}

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Linking to Soule Mama 

Inspiration & Excitement take over!

There was a 'plan' for school work this morning. We always have structured set aside time every morning to do our studies...but this mornings talk about a plan of history and math quickly turned into seashell identification and cleaning, cavy studying, playing and cuddling of cavies then looking up 'Pirates of the Caribbean' songs on you tube on the TV- while spending several hours attempting to learn all the songs on the piano. I love planning but I love more when inspiration and excitement takes over and guides us in other directions. The kids lead this morning and I followed.

Love both the kids passion for piano. It's one of my loves as well!

Savoring the Sea

Plans to head home on Thursday didn't pan out...Friday it was and what a great decision it turned out to be. Another day at the beach, a trip to the tide pools, much enjoyed lunch with family then a movie evening with grandparents.

We savored the beach, the ocean air, the sea waves into the tide pools. Too many years have passed without an adventure day to the tide pools. Sea slugs, hermit crabs, sea anemones and much more. Both kids agree'd we could have spent the entire day just exploring these small pools of wonder and life.

 Tucking away the memory of the salty sea air until our next visit! Ahhh