My girls working

Annika was helping Eliot make letters out of glue and paper pieces. Eliot is only 3 but she can spell and write her name.

My Magic World

This book was a great find. It reads well and even feels good in your hands. The illustrations are soft and flow with the words well. I have added it to my night time reading list for the kids.

5 kids and my morning





  

We had a nice day today. We headed to Cahaba Lily Park first to play on the playground and run off some steam. I took a basket to collect anything interesting. We found all kinds of rocks sticks and sprigs of evergreens. Annika even found a treasured glove. (See previous post.) We had to stop by the bank to cash a check and I saw some mistletoe in a low tree beside the bank. I made a bit of a fool of myself to collect some but it was worth it. The kids myself included had never seen real mistletoe up close.  We then headed to the dollar store. Everyone found something to their liking. We then spent the afternoon cleaning house and playing. The big girls spent some time polishing some rocks they found at the park. Evan and Eliot found some craft sticks and made "train tracks". Baby Ben was wiped out and took a really long nap. It was a great day.

Treasure

On Solstice morning Annika received a glove set but it was missing a black glove. Well, today at Cahaba Lily Park she found a black glove to match her single one. Now that is finding a treasure.

A gift and a request

Sara (the little weird sister I never had) knows me so well. She found a perfect basket at a thrift store last night for me. She also saved the scraps from a project at home that I asked for. I will give those to Lyn to work on the wreath she is making. Look closely though... She also found a snowflake candle holder and some Halloween candles. Best of all she brought me some ivy to use at home for some projects and charms. The basket is going to be used for firewood. We are just piling it up next to the fireplace. Thank you Sara.

A day for Lyn

We started the day at Linn Park and worked our way to the art museum.

Lyn said this was her favorite piece.

A ring ......

A co-worker had a ring that she could not wear any more and she was nice enough to give it to me. I don't wear much jewelry but it matches my outfit today. Thanks Martha....

Evergreens

Lyn and I came across some juniper in a common area today (we never take plants from private property). Lyn had a bit of a hard time breaking a piece off but we got a nice piece with berries. We also passed by a couple of rosemary bushes and we grabbed a sprig. As anyone who knows me rosemary is my favorite scent. These evergreens filled my car with wonderful aromas on the way home. I emptied my blessing bowl of older evergreens and added my new sprigs of juniper and rosemary as well as some fresh pine. The older sprigs were added to our nightly fire.  

Winter air

Ah, to breathe the cool winter air and marvel at being alive.

Snow in Alabama

It is Christmas day and we watched the rain turn to snow and cover the ground. I heard from the older generation that we haven't had a white Christmas in the Birmingham, Alabama area since the 1920s. It was a nice surprise.

A gift

Lyn enjoyed a family get together today and she received an art kit. So fitting since that is her passion right now.

A wonderful winter surprise

The girls spent the morning cleaning. Lyn was cleaning out so little used cabinets and found two candles tucked in the back. The house we live in used to be owned by my grandparents. These candles and candle holders must have belonged to my Ma. This means so much to me. If you look close you can see an evergreen tree and a moon on the holder. We placed them on the family altar and they will spread warmth and remind me of my grandparents.

Lyn has become such an artist

Lyn has been experimenting with all different forms of art. She has tried painting with oils and watercolors. She has sculpted with clay. She has explored working with charcoals. I am so proud of her.

Oh it smells so good....

A friend of mine just ordered a Scentsy warmer.  I wish it used candles. But the scents are so strong and worth it.  I may have to break down and get one for myself.

So thankful

Danny has taught me so much. I remember when he was Ben's age. He was a very difficult baby. Nothing like Ben. Danny did not sleep very much. Ben takes his naps regularly and sleeps OK at night. Danny did not interact much socially when he was 11 months old. Ben will imitate sounds and facial expressions. Ben just started playing peek-a-boo. Danny did not start to use words to communicate till he was over 5 years old. Danny is Autistic. Ben is typically developing. All of my children have different strengths and weaknesses and I celebrate them all.

The light WILL return...

The Winter Solstice has come again. The kids received some simple gifts this morning and a white candle was lit. The days will become longer but I am ready for some actual cold weather. It has snowed a little recently but I really want to see a blanket of white on the ground. Everyone is enjoying our nightly fire. Lyn has arranged a nice seasonal basket and everyone has fun collecting for the fire. Check out the side bar for some new pictures....

10 years ago....

Ten years ago it was a really cold day. There was ice on the roads. No one in their right mind would venture out. Well, about 9pm the night before December 21st, 2010 I was 9 months pregnant with my 3rd child and I just knew labor was starting. I went to bed and tried to get some rest. In the wee hours of the morning I was up and pacing. My partner at the time was trying to help and when I knew things were getting close around dawn we headed to the hospital that was close to 30 miles away. We made it through the ice. I was 9 centimeters dilated by the time I was checked. I asked for an epidural (I should have just held off). I am fine with the labor part. It is the pushing part that I am a little anxious about experiencing. I got my epidural for pushing. I pushed a few times. The doctor was a bit impatient and used a vacuum extractor and there was Connor. At the time he was my biggest baby weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces. (Evan has him beat by half an ounce.) Connor has a special place in my heart. He is so good with his younger siblings. Evan just adores him. Thank you Connor for coming into my life and into my heart.

Look what I found...

Candles, spirals, what more could a mother ask for?

Collecting for our fire

We went for a walk yesterday and collected more small fuel for our nightly fire.

Look at Ben

One handed.....

That boy is growing so fast.

Look at Ben

My big boy is pulling up and holding on with one hand.

The Earth gives....

Yesterday we celebrated all the good things that the earth provides for us. We went for a walk and collected pine cones, pine and cedar branches, red and blue berries (not sure of the species of tree), and twigs. We sat in a circle and described wheat we found. I showed the kids how to bruise the leaves so that their smell is released more. We then pulled out the jute twine and Evan, Annika, and Lyn all made small ornaments, talismans, garnish, decorations. I am not really sure what they actually are. Annika hung hers from her bed post. Evan hung his from a window blind hook and Lyn added hers to the family altar. The left over cedar and pine went in the fire and added such a nice smell and atmospher to teh home.