Early morning in the lavender…

















I was amazed by the number of bees buzzing around my lavender while I quietly weeded around them.   I remember the first time I harvested lavender years ago and how worried I was about the bees as I cut.  Now I work quietly while they go from stem to stem and feel happy feelings of camaraderie with them.  I am grateful for their presence here and all that is possible in my garden because of them.

A quiet, peaceful morning was just what I needed.

Hopeful Homemaker

Joy, week 29



A few minutes ago I sat outside in the darkness with most of my children to watch a lightning storm.  The wind was picking up, blowing through our hair with a coolness you really appreciate in July’s heat.  The little ones squealed with delight and awe as the sky lit up, making me smile.  I sat and watched both the sky and them, grateful for a pause, grateful just to be where I was.

I am so embarrassed about last week’s post.  It had been a really hard week, but I had no right to indulge in such self pity.  It seems that since I wrote it, the Lord has been on a mission to put my in my place, reminding me how small my trials really are and how much I really have.

I got my wish.  We had the “regular” variety of problems this week.  The front door knob broke, we had scratches and bruises and sunburns.  We went four days with only one car, and I suppose it’s a blessing that fixing the van only cost $500.   The insurance company managed to process the claim from my son’s surgeon, leaving only a couple of minor claims to follow up on.  It was a week of soccer practices, scout camp, more doctor and physical therapy appointments which have now been absorbed into our usual routine.

My birthday came and went this week.  For the first time in my life I passionately did NOT want to celebrate my birthday.  It felt like a deadline, proof that I’m not measuring up.  To my surprise, the day turned out to be rather pleasant and I felt fine about things.  I received some sweet phone calls and visits, and one dear friend invited our children over to their home to play and roast marshmallows while we went out to dinner.  So now it’s past and there’s much for me to accomplish in the next year.

I worked hard on managing my stress this week, pausing when my stomach was in knots to focus on letting it go, letting go of the burden and focusing instead on doing what needed to be done.  It’s still a weakness, and likely to remain so for a while, but it seemed to help.

To top things off, I was asked to speak in church on the topic of the Mormon pioneers and their sacrifices.  Well, there’s nothing like going through the stories of your ancestors and remembering what they suffered to put your own problems in perspective.  I am so, so blessed.  I am also uplifted by their perseverance and feel ready to carry on.

I am grateful for our challenges.  I’m not particularly enjoying them, but I do feel recommitted to facing them with more faith and poise.  I am grateful for my husband and my children.   I am grateful for a home to live in, for food on the table and clothes on our backs.  I am grateful for so much.

Jennifer

Trip to the Skate Park



Looks like he’s back, doesn’t it?  It sure is great to have this young man walking around in two shoes again!  (Although it is quite funny to see how worn his left shoe looks compared to his right.)  His ankle still swells and hurts him plenty, but it looks like we’re on our way.

On the 4th of July we went to the skate park for a little family outing.


Two of the boys took their bikes and we brought a few skateboards along.


It made me a little nervous to have my little guy out there, but he did just fine.


Doesn’t he look tiny down in the bowl?


My four year old spent most of the time at the top of the slide keeping an eye on the fire that was burning on a few miles away at the time.




The rest of us went back and forth from the shade of a lone tree.  It was my husband’s first time out of the house for something other than a doctor’s appointment.  It was also his first trip to a skate park as a spectator instead of a participant, which was a  bummer.


I love my boys!


This little lady was so adorable as she strapped on a helmet and tried skateboarding for the first time.




We had a great time until the 100+ degree heat got to us.  It’s been a while since we’ve all been there together, and it added a nice feeling to our holiday.


I think that, more often than we realize, simple memories like these are the stuff of life.  I hope we’ve been able to strengthen the fabric of our family this summer with lots of simple togetherness.  These are the times when I am happiest.

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