A night of illness after a day of travelling from mountains to ocean,

but finally finding sleep (and a slightly calmer tummy) after lots of ick;

sick hubby out on the couch with the sick boy, kind inlaws cleaning up after sick boy;

seven healthy bodies, three recovering, and feeling grace blessed;

a long mid-day sleep;

a bright sunny day, perfect healing weather;

no one missing the beach visit while playing in the sand and flying on the swings;

Grandpa-caught salmon for dinner prepared by the fisherman himself;

Grandma tucking kids in bed while I rest;

sleeve knitting and early bed.

A new day bright rising, everyone feeling much improved;

local blueberries on hot porridge;

the luxury of an oil-scented bath uninterrupted;

plans for the beach after naptime;

a family of quails passing the front door;

five children happily playing with grandparents;

pizza on the boardwalk and a swim in the ocean.

A big trip today – back to the mainland with only the wee lass for my sweet cousin’s wedding;

the promise of a couple days with aunties, uncle, and cousins while Dan takes a course in the city,

and evenings exploring one of my most favourite places with two of my most favourite people.

…But now a brutal change of plans: my flu was not as gone as I thought and Mira somehow woke with a cold;

and this morning I’m remembering gratitude, albeit with difficulty, as I rail against my plans failing.

Gentle days, grace ripened, kindness felt…and patience stretched.

Oh, I’m still growing…with eyes wide open to grace.

::

What are grateful for this weekend?

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

A long weekend visit with my dad and brother;

a trip to see the dinosaurs;

budding geologists and avid collectors just like grandpa and great grandpa;

dinner by Dan waiting at our return;

another day of adventuring – picnic in the mountains;

macro lens, and wildflowers;

a family favourite walk through a retired coal mine;

passing snacks and knitting rows on the ride home;

take-out pizza blessing us with full stomachs and a clean kitchen;

sneaking out with five kids after dinner – four running to the park, one behind to grip my hand;

laughter, swing pushes, and surprising joy;

snuggles with a brand new darling, hugs for the new mama,

mother and daughter both full of promise and wonder;

a last supper followed by a day of goodbyes –

my brother back across the world,

my dad back across the country,

us reeling from a wonderfully full long weekend.

Family, exploration, miracle, and joy.

It was a blessed long weekend (and we took an extra day to enjoy it). 

::

May your day be touched by the wonders and miracles of life.

xoR

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

A baby in shades and a boy playing baby;

a day of cleaning rewarded with an evening (and $16 dinner for 8) at IKEA;

fabric for curtains and the rods we’d needed for hanging them;

six in bed before collapsing with puerperium and the Doctor;

a lazy day of hung laundry, stolen moments with book, dusting, and party prep;

a bag of apples from a neighbour’s tree;

a baby shower to celebrate the upcoming birth of a dear friend’s first child;

home again to tuck the last standing child in bed;

discovering they’d spent their evening cleaning the chaos, also known as the basement;

a good morning, high hopes of further basement cleaning replaced with a much slower and welcome speed;

more laundry hung, more stolen moments, a new recipe, and yard cleanup by little helpers;

friends joining us for dinner;

and a wise (and gentle) reminder from one of those friends that summer is short and children don’t stay young for long.

This weekend was busy work, slow pace, and cherished moments.

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::

I have things to say, words to write, but they all get jumbled up in me. I feel like my shoeslaces are tied together – I only get out a few words before I fall flat.

But flat feels like where I need to be. And it may sound backwards but in this place of stillness and dependance I’m learning about peace. I’m finding strength in the weakness. Soaring in the lowness.

Light is shining in the darkest parts of me. Brought to light, I’m recognizing some surprising suspects: jealousy, resentment, pride, shame. Things I’d rather not admit to. Things I didn’t know had snuck in under cover of dark. But exposed to the light, their days are numbered. Now I know their names, they will no longer draw life from me.

Grace is finding me. Rather I am finding it here. Right here. It’s never been anywhere but here.

And this grace knows no bounds. It’s leaping clear over the “NO TRESPASSING” and “KEEP OUT” signs in my heart. Rooting out those places of pain that I’ve protected so carefully. Protected but never suspected it wasn’t protecting but releasing that they needed.

As all this light and grace increases I feel new growth in me. No green leafy yet, but roots are beginning to shoot out. Something beautiful is growing.

I am not forgotten or abandoned.

I am chosen and destined.

I give thanks again and again.

And so it happens that joy grows.

Burger‘s out after chasing a few sales (ahhhhhmazing);

Dan’s softball tournament – one game played just a stone’s throw away;

a sign made to cheer on the ball players;

no one crying when it was forgotten at home;

many meals outside;

pie, pie, and then more pie with last week’s Saskatoon berries;

finding myself alone in the house with a sleeping babe;

choosing to “take it while I can get it” rather than using my time wisely – and napping;

ice cream eaten in bathing suits, plates licked clean;

hot days followed by deliciously cool nights;

only two sunburns to soothe;

ice cold herbal tea for all;

kids on foraging trips – returning from a neighbourhood walk heavy laden with beautiful (inedible) berries, crabapples, and sour green apples;

sweet times with even sweeter friends;

and  a weekend finished off with a few pages and a few rows.

Our weekend was relaxation, sunshine, and family.

::

Wishing you a beautiful start to the week!

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::