Every Now and Again.....

(lucysnowephotography on etsy.com)

There are moments when I see mothers and daughters talking. About nothing in particular. Just sharing the day. Just the every day living part of the day. Just talking.

And I am startled by a deep ache for my mom. When she wasn't even on my mind a moment before. And suddenly I miss her so intensely.

I want that mother and daughter to be us. I want to talk to her about my day. Tell her every mundane, unimportant detail of the last twenty-four hours. And I want to see her sitting there, next to me, listening and interested. And not because what I have to say is interesting. But because I am her little girl and I am interesting to her.

And it isn't so much a pitiful whine for a maternal influence--I have wonderful stepmothers and mothers-in-law and even sisters that fill those maternal roles for me. I recognize the blessings I do have. I am thankful for them.

But sometimes it's the need to be needed by the woman who dreamed of me, bore me, raised me, loved me.

To be the center of a mother's universe for a few minutes again.

To feel like there is someone out there whose thoughts turn towards me simply because I am hers.

I watch that mother and daughter and think, Please, can I have that for just an hour? For a moment?


 

"Let Me Explain" Pt. 2

Coren got to go to a few days of preschool camp this summer--I am so glad we did this! It gave me a couple hours of break time, and (probably more importantly) it gave him a couple of hours of break time. Each day he came home with his crafts and his costume, grinning from ear to ear. And it made me happy, to see him so happy.

And whilst Big Brother got his fun, we girls partied in our own way. I gave my little girl her first tea party. We dressed up, had all kinds of fancy hors d'oeuvres (we're talking fancy--lil smokies, deviled eggs, the works! Ha!), and I even pulled out my old school strawberry dishes. She loved it, and it made me feel like a little girl again myself. Lovely!

We smattered the rest of the summer with all kinds of outdoor activities.... That was my goal this year, to help my kids take full advantage of the sun. And, you know, we didn't do half-bad, really.....

So here's to a beautiful summer... I really wish it wasn't nearing it's end just yet; I could go another three months, at least!

..... Although this little heart is starting to beat to that Halloween rhythm, so I guess all good things must come to an end.... to make way for other good things. And so we bid summer (not quite yet, but it's coming) a fond farewell....

"Let Me Explain....

No, there is too much. Let me sum up...."

This is going to be a quick photo summary of the last three months or so--I'm desperately behind on my Blog! I've kept a few events aside to treat a little more personally in the next few blogs... and really I'd like to be able to for all of these events, but I just haven't the time--or stamina--anymore. So shall we press on?....

My fancy brother-in-law, Todd, married his sweetheart, Christine--Yes, back in April! And what a festive day it was. They couldn't be more perfect for each other! They've spent all summer up in Alaska for work and fun. Can you think of a better way to spend your first few months together?! What an adventure! And every time I read Christine's blog, I just grin.... She is absolutely fantastic. Todd, you did good, Buddy Boy!

There was a carnival in town.... Yes, also way back in May, during Pony Express Days here in Eagle Mountain. We took the kids on Dollar Day--what a bang for our buck! We'll definitely be doing that again next year. They both got more than their fill of rides, and we didn't spend over twenty dollars. Loved it!

As you probably heard (yep, way back when), there was a solar eclipse.... Awesome! It was kinda eerie and cool to watch the skies darken, as if the sun were going down in the evening; and yet, there it was, high in the sky. And a friendly neighbor taught us the nifty little trick of watching the eclipse through a CD, so we got to watch it without going blind. (That's what you see in the second picture there--the view through the CD--amazing, no?!)

Grandma Brooks and I took the kiddos to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point. They had a special Dairy Days weekend, and we thought, why not? Surprisingly, it was rather empty, so the kids really had their run of the place. They got to make their own butter to eat with the crackers provided (delish!). They played some animal round-up games. They walked through the petting zoo. And they got to make their own ice cream in a bag (also delish)! A success all around. And thank you, Grandma, for helping to rein them in!

It's 11:15 p.m...

I'm not asleep because Chad is not here--
My bed has no draw for me if my hubby is not there.

He's out with the scouts, which is where he should be.
So I'm glad.

But I am missing him...
This is our second consecutive week apart; I'm not that weak.

But almost.

So I stay up when he's gone. 

And think of a dozen mindless things to fill my time. 

And try not to think of my empty bed.

So until Saturday, Honey....

Thoughts of you warm my bones.

Good night.