what a gift

Hey y'all!

(said in my best Carolina accent)

I've been back from my trip since Tuesday but have been avoiding the computer. Believe you me, there will be my signature travelogue-esque posts sharing the joy of Savannah and Beaufort with you.

But today?

My head is still in the clouds.

I can still smell the Spanish moss and saltwater.

Their voices and words spoken with Southern drawls still ring in my ears.

Beautiful New York-Andrea's South Carolinian roots rising up.

Good-mama-Laurel's infectious laughter and wise-Aimee's encouraging verbal processing (heehee).

And, are you kidding me....look at those babies!

Henry, Scout & Piper.

All things I'm missing.

Lowcountry bridges and slow water.

Being fully present in that place and sad to say goodbye.

But good things awaited me at home.
Family with open arms, children and him clambering for reunion hugs.
Cooking them a meal again. Serving with a renewed outlook and a refreshed spirit.
Putting into practice things us girls talked about.
And just fully being here.....at home....with them.....you know what I mean?

By His grace, I'm off now to to serve Him by serving them through the overflow of a grateful heart.

May you see the blessing in your day,

Megan

P.S. My Beautifully Rooted post was up yesterday on choosing the first things first.

hey there....

just wanted to let you know that i finished up another hoop and listed it in the shop.*sold but i'm working on another one. :)

happy tuesday to you.

top o' the day to you!

and happy mother's day, as well, to all my beautiful mama-friends.

i pray you were blessed yesterday and

encouraged in your mothering journey.

i was reminded once again of the GIFT it is to guide them and of how very fleeting time is.

and that as i guide, He's walking beside me, showing me the BEST path if i'll just listen.

“The Lord says,

‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you’.”

Psalm 32:8

and i count out my thanks.....

#1,332 - 1,350

the 3 He gave and that i can be called "mother"

eyes to se how quickly these days will be but a memory

soaking them up

my own beautiful mother and a legacy of faith

firstborn bravely in front of the church, reciting his mother's day verse

fluffy yellow dog at my feet

sun hot on my skin

a belly full of good food

needle & thread, busy fingers

their fish-catching-joy

their unique handwriting, names carefully signed

how he makes my coffee just the way i like it every sunday

gifts and thoughtfulness

mother bird, precious nest in my hanging fern with tiny speckled eggs

flowers amazing in their variety and shocking color and You are an awesome creator, God

making a new friend this week

sneaking out for a dinner date with my man

plans to anticipate and counting down the days (only 3 to go!) and the crazy, giddy of excitement of spending time with her, her & her

_____________________________________________________

y'all have a beautiful week!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you."

Isaiah 60:1

art class

From K through 12, art was always, always my favorite subject. English? Eh. Science? Ho-hum. Math? Blaaa. But, art? Bring it on!

In our homeschooling, we're usually pretty casual as far as art goes. We'll study a bird's egg and paint it. We'll work on crafts. I've taught them a bit about color. We read books here and there about great artists. But, recently, I was reminded about how awesome it feels to actually do a real lesson.....to teach them technique and see them beam, knowing that they're thinking, "Wow, I didn't know I could do that!"

Looking for a lesson to do with the kids, I found Deep Space Sparkle, an amazing art teacher's blog, in the deep recesses of my bookmarks folder.  All that color just makes me so happy!  So many ideas!  I want to do them all!  But I ended up purchasing a 27-page PDF lesson called the Modern Masters.  Go check it out.  {And, in case you were wondering, no...I am in no way affiliated with her, I just strongly believe she's an excellent teacher!}

We decided to study Van Gogh's Irises first and watched (listened to) a video about him while we worked.

Littlest One mastering the technique of double-loading her paintbrush. They all were wide-eyed over the cool effect it gave.

Everyone was pleased with how their paintings turned out.

I'm really looking forward to our next lesson.  I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did!

green with thanks

I would never dream of wearing garden gloves. For me, getting my hands all scratched up and fingernails caked with mud is supremely satisfying. I'm not quite sure why that is. Maybe it's... I've accomplished something and have the dirt to prove it?

While it's not QUITE warm enough here in Michigan to sow all our garden seed, it IS the time to prep and weed and get ready.  Time to take back the land from the weeds. There is the tiniest bit of spinach to munch on, the hardy radishes are coming along, we've been eating our few, sparse asparagus spears, even when, oops, we let them get way too long. I enjoy the chives in almost every meal.

We're hoping for a better crop of raspberries this year and also that the japanese beetles somehow don't find us.

We have three chicks, you know, and I let them peck around the garden while I was working there last night. They're in that awkward preteen stage, all scraggly and sorry-looking. Mabel and Alice, our full-grown layers, eyed them suspiciously through the chicken wire. Yep, I'm worried adding the new girls to the flock. Worried there'll be pecking and blood. So, I'm hoping that this slow, intentional, "say hello through the fence" approach will lessen the blow of new roommates for the original ladies.

While the little girlie and I were away at a bridal shower Saturday morning, the boys helped Daddy build a bigger run and expand the coop with new nesting boxes. Good job, guys!

And one more thing on this fine day....

my thanks offering to Him. Choosing to SEE His goodness in my life....the ongoing list....

#1,318 - 1,331

bodies healthy and strong

dirty, broken fingernails...

fabric scraps, bit of thread and paper dotting my floor = You strengthen me to work,

You called work good and You give satisfaction

You bring a harvest of blessing

her bubble-blowing glee

a break in the rain

friends who reach out with encouragement to cheer me on

by Your grace, a success

new-to-us study all about Your most amazing creation that we ALL are fascinated by

meals at the table, us five,

firstborn up to my chin and vision from you to see the brevity of them small and Your grace to make every moment count