I love
tea in the morning & tea in the evening
I love
my kitchen
I love
having 2 daughters
I love
that I was home for 13 years
I love
being a teacher
I love
decorating my home
I love
correcting papers
I love
tidying up each night
I love
when the laundry is on schedule
I love
when I'm home for the evening
I love
my mudroom
I love
my classroom
I love
planning
I love
reading picture books to my 4th graders every day
I love
reading to Abigail in bed each night
I love
falling asleep after doing the 'work' God has for me in that day
I love
our little yellow bird and his beautiful cage
I love
how I've transformed my classroom in a 'natural classroom' that is calming, quiet, and filled with life
I love
our Hitchcock dining table
I love
kids pjs on my girls and tucking them in at night
I tell my girls all the time... "you have 'have it all'... just not all at the same time"
Stay home? Absolutely. There is no wavering in my conviction to raise my babies - me - no one else to do those days - all 13 years of them
Go back to the classroom? Absolutely. There is no wavering in my conviction that I did the right thing to step out in faith and the new (old, but new again) calling God had in my life.
Timing? Well, it's not our timing, but His. I fought Him the whole first year back. I questioned, cried, wondered, stressed. And then I rested. I rested in His timing, not mine. And I can see now, clearly, fully, His hand in mine as I do what I do each day. Knowing that I need to give to those 22 4th graders my love, my teaching, my heart.
Some days I'm so exhausted I can't see straight. But most days I only feel exhilarated walking in His path for my life.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
A Few Bits of Valentines Day
After our schools and doing all that love there we were all so happy to come home!
Not too many pictures and it sure was simple but lovely...
The day started bright and early with heart french toast of course!
And in the afternoon there were sweet cards...
And some simple - they are growing up gifts.
Happiest face ever
for this donuts pan
And then we went out for Habachi!
The very best part of Valentine's Day this year after an exhausting week was curling up in bed at 9:00- we all went to sleep early with happiness knowing we'd have the next 4 days home...
Not too many pictures and it sure was simple but lovely...
The day started bright and early with heart french toast of course!
And in the afternoon there were sweet cards...
And some simple - they are growing up gifts.
Happiest face ever
for this donuts pan
And then we went out for Habachi!
The very best part of Valentine's Day this year after an exhausting week was curling up in bed at 9:00- we all went to sleep early with happiness knowing we'd have the next 4 days home...
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Little Things I Love Around the House
We all had Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off from school -- so so so nice! Besides the dentist appointments and other things that were scheduled there was lots of time for nesting -- something that fills my heart and anchors me.
Since I took these pictures actually, so much has already changed. We even painted the dining room this weekend! And I love it!
But here are some things around the house (before this weekend) that made me smile.
Lace hearts above the kitchen sink made me smile.
The tea table does too.
I don't think they could have made this tin prettier.
I split up my beautiful books and scattered them here and there.
My kitchen always makes me smile.
Oh and this pie save -- found it for $2 oh my word do I love it!!! Can't wait to bake a pie and bring it on the 4th of July!
Gosh... thinking about collecting them - I think I need a cherry one too!
A little love in the baking center.
These are packed away now but I love having them out every year.
Baptism portrait hanging, china in the cabinet, tea not too far away --
Vintage table cloths -- I can never have too many of them. Although I use them every single day on our kitchen table, yes I do... I am dreaming of sunny summer weather with puffy clouds, and a them outside blowing in the wind.
This is one of my favorites. Wouldn't it be pretty for a wedding or baby shower outside? None of those in my near future (thank goodness - for now) but this mama can dream...
Little 'finds' like these -- I use the little pitcher each morning when Anna has breakfast to hold her oat milk. Mornings are so much more sweet with a little pitcher of milk.
Just a few little things around that I love.
Off to a very short week of school ...
Since I took these pictures actually, so much has already changed. We even painted the dining room this weekend! And I love it!
But here are some things around the house (before this weekend) that made me smile.
Lace hearts above the kitchen sink made me smile.
The tea table does too.
I don't think they could have made this tin prettier.
I split up my beautiful books and scattered them here and there.
My kitchen always makes me smile.
Oh and this pie save -- found it for $2 oh my word do I love it!!! Can't wait to bake a pie and bring it on the 4th of July!
Gosh... thinking about collecting them - I think I need a cherry one too!
A little love in the baking center.
These are packed away now but I love having them out every year.
Baptism portrait hanging, china in the cabinet, tea not too far away --
Vintage table cloths -- I can never have too many of them. Although I use them every single day on our kitchen table, yes I do... I am dreaming of sunny summer weather with puffy clouds, and a them outside blowing in the wind.
This is one of my favorites. Wouldn't it be pretty for a wedding or baby shower outside? None of those in my near future (thank goodness - for now) but this mama can dream...
Little 'finds' like these -- I use the little pitcher each morning when Anna has breakfast to hold her oat milk. Mornings are so much more sweet with a little pitcher of milk.
Just a few little things around that I love.
Off to a very short week of school ...
Sunday, February 16, 2020
A Big Announcement
... because I can't find a better title than that...
I need to start back in September 2008.
Anna was in Kindergarten. And I signed her up for Suzuki viola lessons.
We couldn't really afford it - and I wasn't sure of the commitment.
But something in me told me it was the right thing to do.
All those years ago - I'm so glad I did.
Next year is Anna's senior year of high school. And so this was her last chance to try out for one certain orchestra.
It was a chance in a million. Okay, maybe not a million but they were accepting only 2 violists.
Nothing could go wrong. Not one note. It had to be flawless.
When we arrived at the school Anna waited in a practice room while I waited in the hallway.
And then she was escorted into the room with camera recording every note, judges - just Anna and her viola.
I held my breath for what felt like 10 minutes. I stood with my ear to the door and heard that song she'd played and practiced over and over for months.
But would it be different this time? She'd tried out before.
This year Anna took a musician professional course, online for months. It was for professional musicians that were auditioning for orchestras across the country. Taught by two musicians and a auditioning psychologist. She worked so hard in this course - the only 16 year old in a group for adult musicians. She had to constantly record her playing, upload it, listen to them critique it, and work harder.
And so when she walked through that door, I couldn't breath. We wanted this so much for her.
This orchestra that she was trying out for is quite something. They travel to Europe to play. They are in the top orchestras in the country. And Anna has never wanted something more.
And
she
got
in.
She is still singing and dancing around the house. We are all still in shock.
She got in!
I need to start back in September 2008.
Anna was in Kindergarten. And I signed her up for Suzuki viola lessons.
We couldn't really afford it - and I wasn't sure of the commitment.
But something in me told me it was the right thing to do.
All those years ago - I'm so glad I did.
Next year is Anna's senior year of high school. And so this was her last chance to try out for one certain orchestra.
It was a chance in a million. Okay, maybe not a million but they were accepting only 2 violists.
Nothing could go wrong. Not one note. It had to be flawless.
When we arrived at the school Anna waited in a practice room while I waited in the hallway.
And then she was escorted into the room with camera recording every note, judges - just Anna and her viola.
I held my breath for what felt like 10 minutes. I stood with my ear to the door and heard that song she'd played and practiced over and over for months.
But would it be different this time? She'd tried out before.
This year Anna took a musician professional course, online for months. It was for professional musicians that were auditioning for orchestras across the country. Taught by two musicians and a auditioning psychologist. She worked so hard in this course - the only 16 year old in a group for adult musicians. She had to constantly record her playing, upload it, listen to them critique it, and work harder.
And so when she walked through that door, I couldn't breath. We wanted this so much for her.
This orchestra that she was trying out for is quite something. They travel to Europe to play. They are in the top orchestras in the country. And Anna has never wanted something more.
And
she
got
in.
She is still singing and dancing around the house. We are all still in shock.
She got in!
Friday, February 14, 2020
Pink
I love February - because I love pink - always have - always will.
I recently went through my photos and pulled out anything that had a bit of pink in it and this is what I came up with... a whole lotta love for that favorite color of mine...
pink in a vintage table cloth
teacups are especially pretty when there are pink flowers - a pink cafe curtain on my kitchen windowsill
vintage canister above the baking center and bits of pink in vintage tablecloths
pink on a cookook,
even a pink bathrobe
a really pink viola case
pink in the roses of a halloween costume and pink on her cheeks
pink in a pumpkin patch
a little pink cake stand
I want to live inside this adorable pink cookbook
a pink sunhat in Vancouver, Canada
the way the wind caught my pink dress
pink on my husband
a pink raincoat in Alaska
a fun pink drink aboard a cruise
pink when she turned twelve
pink on a bunting
Anna's pink Bible - open 💕
a pink bowl on the summer porch
these pink blooms are only once a year - pink peonies
pink in the sky in my backyard
pink candles
pink hanging in the birthday tree
someone is about to have a birthday - pink balloons
Anna's sixteenth with pink candles
sixteen pink ribbons tickle her face as she wakes up to sixteen
the way the late afternoon sunshine hits the cherry blooms tree
pink blooms on a teapot
pink jellybeans
my heart swooned when we found this vintage table with pink flowers for the screened in porch
a pink ballerina
pink coats
pink on her sheets and pink cheeks
another pink drink
pink all dressed up
pink on my girls
a pink sunset on the cruise to Canada
you can't see it but this pink vintage dress at a wedding we went to
can't think of a prettier setting for turning fifteen among all of these pink roses
the pink linen bow
pink in the snow
pink boots
just an average day with a pink cardigan
one of her very favorite pieces of clothing ever in her life - this pink sweatshirt
pink linen on Easter
pink straws and a vintage pink book
pink among silly faces
pink pompoms
pink survivor
blurry - but pink on a last day of school
there's that dress - oh this pink vintage
another pink cardigan
pink in Rode Island
her pink windbreaker, dress, and backpack
pink sheets and the happiest face - I love that face
never realized, but her Bible is pink too
pink on a card
years ago - a pink Valentine box
pink in the snow
pink toes
the pink roses, pink blanket we still have and those pink newborn lips
pink joy because my arms and heart are full - finally full
pink slippers
matching pink
pink tulips in DC
a pink nap
pink on the beach in Maine
a different year, but still pink in the pumpkin patch - she loved those boots
pink pearls - real
pink on Mother's Day years ago - and oh those shoes!
for her birthday invitation - so pink
pink swirls in the lollipop
matching pink in Disney World - one of my all time favorite pics I ever took on any Disney trip
pink baby doll things all over my kitchen floor made me happy
twirling pink
There are a whole lot more in pink recorded in photos on my computer - but a girls gotta stop somewhere.
Pink -- I've always loved it, always will... happy Valentines Day!
I recently went through my photos and pulled out anything that had a bit of pink in it and this is what I came up with... a whole lotta love for that favorite color of mine...
pink in a vintage table cloth
teacups are especially pretty when there are pink flowers - a pink cafe curtain on my kitchen windowsill
vintage canister above the baking center and bits of pink in vintage tablecloths
pink on a cookook,
even a pink bathrobe
a really pink viola case
pink in the roses of a halloween costume and pink on her cheeks
pink in a pumpkin patch
a little pink cake stand
I want to live inside this adorable pink cookbook
a pink sunhat in Vancouver, Canada
the way the wind caught my pink dress
pink on my husband
a pink raincoat in Alaska
a fun pink drink aboard a cruise
pink when she turned twelve
pink on a bunting
Anna's pink Bible - open 💕
a pink bowl on the summer porch
these pink blooms are only once a year - pink peonies
pink in the sky in my backyard
pink candles
pink hanging in the birthday tree
someone is about to have a birthday - pink balloons
Anna's sixteenth with pink candles
sixteen pink ribbons tickle her face as she wakes up to sixteen
the way the late afternoon sunshine hits the cherry blooms tree
pink blooms on a teapot
pink jellybeans
my heart swooned when we found this vintage table with pink flowers for the screened in porch
a pink ballerina
pink coats
pink on her sheets and pink cheeks
another pink drink
pink all dressed up
pink on my girls
a pink sunset on the cruise to Canada
you can't see it but this pink vintage dress at a wedding we went to
can't think of a prettier setting for turning fifteen among all of these pink roses
the pink linen bow
pink in the snow
pink boots
just an average day with a pink cardigan
one of her very favorite pieces of clothing ever in her life - this pink sweatshirt
pink linen on Easter
pink straws and a vintage pink book
pink among silly faces
pink pompoms
pink survivor
blurry - but pink on a last day of school
there's that dress - oh this pink vintage
another pink cardigan
pink in Rode Island
her pink windbreaker, dress, and backpack
pink sheets and the happiest face - I love that face
never realized, but her Bible is pink too
pink on a card
years ago - a pink Valentine box
pink in the snow
pink toes
the pink roses, pink blanket we still have and those pink newborn lips
pink joy because my arms and heart are full - finally full
pink slippers
matching pink
pink tulips in DC
a pink nap
pink on the beach in Maine
a different year, but still pink in the pumpkin patch - she loved those boots
pink pearls - real
pink on Mother's Day years ago - and oh those shoes!
for her birthday invitation - so pink
pink swirls in the lollipop
matching pink in Disney World - one of my all time favorite pics I ever took on any Disney trip
pink baby doll things all over my kitchen floor made me happy
twirling pink
There are a whole lot more in pink recorded in photos on my computer - but a girls gotta stop somewhere.
Pink -- I've always loved it, always will... happy Valentines Day!
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