something to think about...

"To find a life we can live with, to do more than earn a living and spend it, we must above all discover the good that is within us which is love, a good manifest as compassionate love for one another and as resolute determination to meet the full range of our human obligations. No one else can find that for us, because it is in the seeking that we find it. Only by rising above our fear and our pain do we recognize who we are."

Catherine M. Wallace

The perfect Mother's Day (except for missing my mother)

Sleeping in until 10:00 A.M. with Andy.
(really, this has not happened for more than a decade)

Breakfast scramble with strong coffee, accompanied by lavendar and poetry. Homeade gifts.



Practicing with all three kids....cheerfully!



An amazing picnic of salads, fried rice, and fruit.









The best Mother's Day present ever....including a terrific game of kickball on the prairie.



A glorious concert of Bach, Mozart, and Fasch.

Aaron's russian pancakes with local rhubard, sour cream, and brown sugar.

Checking in on the garden.

Cuddling with the kids.

Now, to bed with Sleepytime tea and Northern Exposure. Tonight Adam and Eve are getting married.

Thank you, Aaron, Lydia, Andy, and Abby. It was more than I could have wished for...

Newton Storm Strikers

We had Andy's last soccer game this weekend. Aaron has been coaching these 8 boys all year long, and it has been so much fun to cheer for them and celebrate with them. Aaron is a phenomenal coach, and has made a huge difference in these boys game as well as making a connection with each of them. The best part is the end when the whole team gives all the spectators a high five....no matter what the outcome!

The Graduate

We have been a family with a preschooler for 8 years, and tonight said goodbye....I wept at this first graduation of many!

Inch by Inch

I am not often inspired by public education these days, but today was different. And the timing was perfect. Just when we thought we were really losing Andy in the world of irritibility, anger, frustration, and sensory-sensitivity, his wonderful teacher invited us in for the "parent appreciation program."

He sang "inch by inch," he recited love poems to us, he THANKED US, he danced the chicken dance with his Dad, he wrote stories about us, drew pictures of us, and he laughed and laughed.

Thank you, Mrs. Dietz. Thank you for showing us this part of his life.

Bookbinders

Inspired by Mothering Magazine and "100 Books for Girls to Grow on," Lydia and I started a mother-daughter bookclub. We are called the Bookbinders, and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I am hoping we start a group blog soon to share some of the books we have been reading and the activities and discussions we have enjoyed. Our most recent book, chosen by Lydia was "From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler." It was one of my favorites in the fourth grade. We decided to take the group to the Wichita Art Museum for our meeting, and had a wonderful time. Lydia and I read to each other and on our own, and we have enjoyed quality conversations about all kinds of important issues related to the books we have read.....for all you Moms and Daughters out there, I really reccommend it!

Our new pet

On one of our excursions home, after finding ladybugs, counting iris, and chasing robins, we found our new pet. His name is "Turdy." He has been to preschool twice and is well loved by all the neighborhood children.

Abby turns 5

It is hard for me to believe, but our baby turned five this month....she is growing and changing and learning so much. She is a joy to us all....always bringing a good perspective...and lots of laughter.

On the evening of her birthday, I was putting her to bed and she asked me,

"Mommy, tell me what will happen next for my whole life."