Archive for November, 2010

Beneath the Cedars

Last Friday I wrote two posts after a very reflective evening out in the snow. The one I posted is LINKED RIGHT HERE and I decided to hold off posting this one. Since I am sick and not up to writing I’m posting it today.

I went looking for the apple tree behind the towering cedars. Whether put there intentionally or by accident, we have two apple trees (that are very happy and healthy) crammed in between our row of towering cedars and the fence. The trees looked so inviting, pasted with snow. As I pushed through the cedars I spotted a sitting branch. The ‘v’ shaped branch on my apple tree will be a perfect perch… but I thought better of it that night, considering my age and all. I also thought cumbered by my puffy winter clothing I might not be agile enough to make it up.

On a whim I peeked down under the cedars and found a tunnel. Images of ‘the old road’ (part of my parents farm yard) flashed in my mind, trees all along both sides so weighted down by the heavy snow that they had bowed, creating perfect tunnels all the way down the road on either side. It was a child’s paradise and we must have crawled about the bent limbs for hours that day. No one was about so I crawled on my hands and knees to the tunnel I had spotted behind the cedars.

I sat alone with everything concealed, other then my feet perhaps. Can you imagine the snow covered cedars, their greenery not quite reaching the ground thus my winter boots sticking out from below? Despite my boots, I felt the grand pleasure that comes with finding a ‘SECRET PLACE’… Don’t we all desire out own secret place, or at the bare minimum an oasis we can retreat to on our own? Though I walk in him always I felt like this was a physical place where I could get away from the din of family life and meet with Jesus there. Here’s hoping for more time to climb beneath the cedars!

TTFN

‘The Couch Hustle’ a Mommy Dance

(The sweet view from my sick bed/couch.)

Just got out of bed an hour ago, around 11:30. Correction, got off the couch an hour ago. I am sick. Feeling awful. All I wanted to do was sleep today.

Up at six in spite of my cold. Got the dog walked, big kids to the school bus and the husband off to work; then raced back to the couch, turning all the lights off in the house on the way so I could crash. An hour later the little ones started to emerge from their beds and so the ‘couch hustle’ began.

The ‘couch hustle’ is a mommy dance I am very familiar with. It is a sick day dance that goes something like this… I jump up (groggily) and hand each little one a banana and a piece of honey toast I had made ahead and put under a bowl to keep warm then I hit the couch again. When Baby boy gets stuck on his chair I jump up again, solve it and return to the couch. When Little Woman can’t reach the crayons and is screaming about it I jump up again, solve it and once again return to the couch. This song and dance went on all morning.

I know it sounds like a hectic way to nap but if you are a mommy you take what you can get. I really feel so much better for it already. Getting in mini naps all morning is a small victory, even if I am never truly asleep… if you are a mom you probably know what that means… Now DON’T ask what my house looks like, I am on a sick day!

TTFN

Beneath the Cedars

I went looking for the apple tree behind the towering cedars. Whether put there intentionally or by accident, we have two apple trees (that are very happy and healthy) crammed in between our row of towering cedars and the fence. The trees looked so inviting, pasted with snow. As I pushed through the cedars I spotted a sitting branch. The ‘v’ shaped branch on my apple tree will be a perfect perch… but I thought better of it that night, considering my age and all. I also thought cumbered by my puffy winter clothing I might not be agile enough to make it up.

On a whim I peeked down under the cedars and found a tunnel. Images of ‘the old road’ (part of my parents farm yard) flashed in my mind, trees all along both sides so weighted down by the heavy snow that they had bowed, creating perfect tunnels all the way down the road on either side. It was a child’s paradise and we must have crawled about the bent limbs for hours that day. No one was about so I crawled on my hands and knees to the tunnel I had spotted behind the cedars.

I sat alone with everything concealed, other then my feet perhaps. Can you imagine the snow covered cedars, their greenery not quite reaching the ground thus my winter boots sticking out from below? Despite my boots, I felt the grand pleasure that comes with finding a ‘SECRET PLACE’… Don’t we all desire out own secret place, or at the bare minimum an oasis we can retreat to on our own? Though I walk in him always I felt like this was a physical place where I could get away from the din of family life and meet with Jesus there. Here’s hoping for more time to climb beneath the cedars!

TTFN

Delicious Winter

Winter easily haunts me with my past.

Sentimental feelings can be soothing, lovely and warm; and also fill your chest with that heavy lump, becoming painful like the sting of tears welling up only to be fought down.

I sat in a familiar way last night, deep in a snow bank. I stared in a familiar way at the winter sky. I felt a familiar feeling, a feeling of wanting to stay there in the still cold winter night, alone , and yet beginning to get cold already… knowing I would be forced to go in as chill sets in… Past winters flooded back as I partook of this childhood habit. I always enjoyed embracing the hug of winter, that friendly and also eerie stifling silence and stillness of the snow and cold. Being out in a winter night makes your thoughts pound in your head.

It was easy for me to see why someone could get caught up in wanting to go back. I was in a moment very familiar to my youthful self and I wanted to feel more of a connection with that girl I was, to the point of perhaps desiring a replay of my youth. But, I am not a child anymore, I know I can’t go back. It is natural to wish for a return to simpler times but I also know the truth is it wouldn’t be healthy for us to go back. Growing is not easy but it is what is best for us.

May I remain childlike at heart and grow.

So I hope to sit in another snowbank soon, stare at the sky and remember that little northern girl. The girl who found it delicious to sit alone in the snow and listen to the stillness of winter

TTFN

I Have A Parrot

(Helping himself to a snack.)

Mom – ‘Riddick down. Silly dog’
BABY BOY – ‘Silly dog?’
Mom – ‘Yup. Come with me Quade.’
BABY BOY – ‘Come with me?’
Mom – ‘Yup, I want to change your diaper.’
BABY BOY – ‘Change diaper?’
Mom – ‘He he he, yup. Are you my parrot?’
BABY BOY – ‘Carrot?… No, I want banana!’

TTFN

THE BIKE SONG by Mark Ronson

Heard a song today that reminded me of my husband, he is one hardcore bicyclist and even does it all winter here on the prairies. The video was great for this song so click on this link RIGHT HERE and enjoy. The part about bike theft should specifically impress my husband as it is a real big deal for all bicyclists and it would be a dream to have it solved as it is in the video. Hope you enjoy this little indie groups song, I sure did.TTFN

Babysitting on a Snowed in Day!

Winter is Getting to Him

Riddick seems to be really disgusted with our prairie winter… enough that I think my dog might be depressed. He is napping more then ever, eating to comfort himself and not willing to go out anymore. He looks like I have shamed him beyond repair when we put his coat and mukluks on but if we don’t he sits down right after leaving the house and just gives up. Going outside is no longer his favorite thing to do and we don’t worry so much about him trying to sneak out of the house when ever the door is open… he actually has to be pushed out the door for his walks now. Perhaps he needs more vitamin ‘d’… that is what everyone keeps telling me I need when I start to get the winter blues.

TTFN

I Call That Adorable

I generally really appreciate new steps toward independence in the lives of my children. It is nice to not be needed for everything. However, I found I was a little nervous when I discovered my two year old was already turning DVDs on for himself! It has happened about three times now so it is no accident that he goes down stairs and in a matter of minutes one of his favorite movies is on for him. Seems to be no big deal to him. He places himself comfortable on the couch and today he even fell asleep after putting on his favorite show (CARS). He appeared to only have put DVDs in the VCR once as he taught himself this clever skill, so not much harm done. Awe he is so clever, I call that adorable.

TTFN

My Lady In Gray

Wanted to thank the little lady in gray but the crowd and time got in my way. She was an older woman, aged with beauty, exuding grace and full of Christ. Stood before us, and with each word spoken in confidence, she shared the wisdom she had been grown into. I was captivated from the start by this wise elder lady of God. She was so kind and relaxed in her own skin. As she shared her tale of the Eagle, and her own life woven in, she commanded respect with the gentles of spirit. Her voice only broke from its strong rhythm when she spoke of living the last 12 years without he lover, her husband. She lifted all of our hearts up with her story.

Thank you dear lady in gray for breaking my clueless streak. I have been hearing the truth but not getting it. I have been listening to the lies and not rejecting it. Walking around feeling cold and brittle… wanting to be whole and strong for others so much I was refusing to be patched up. Your words hugged my heart with the image of holding on the Jesus… you made that concept fresh to me. I feel so warm again as I cling to him, so awake as I look to him.

Thank you Jesus for the lady in gray. She was my gentle reminder that you are my hero.

TTFN