It feels like life always consists of getting ready for something. It takes a very conscious effort to just live in the NOW. Right now. This is my life, there are no guarantees of anything beyond this very moment. All these little moments add up to a lifetime, and when I am thankful for everything in each moment, that thankfulness snowballs up to a life lived with no regrets.
I do have regrets though. When I think back of all my years with little ones, I wish I had taken more pictures, hugged them more...of course at the time I did my best, and this particular set of regrets is based on the fact that time slips through our fingers, childhood flees, and I am so stinking sentimental.
Small children do not reign in our house like they once did. Our youngest child is almost nine! They still play with dolls, but have downsized their collection, and now choose to paint their nails or sing karaoke, or take selfies...they do gymnastics and run around and jump on the trampoline, but playing house is getting more rare for them, although they did protest when I wanted to get rid of the Little Tikes shopping cart...they still need it for when they play store.
Anyway, today is here. Today we will do some school, then gymnastics, maybe get pizza with our homeschool reading program certificates. I need more coconut oil and a bag of doggy food. Evelyn and I took a trip to the small city yesterday afternoon, leaving Sonja with instructions to put the roast in the oven with foil wrapped potatoes and sweet potatoes, Kathryn cut up some carrots to put in with it. (I love knowing dinner will be done when I get home).
We bought milk and bread and pears and bananas and chicken and sausage and butter and dog biscuits and puppy chow and popcorn and bagels and cereal and coffee and eggs and papertowels and tissues. The kids really like canned soup for afterschool snack, and for lunch on chilly days, so we got some of that too. We got a five pound bag of mozzarella cheese to make our paleo/keto crackers, the kids love them as much as Paul and I do.
We had to drive our newer van to the shop in town, and pick up the older one. We must own part of that auto repair shop by now.
Oh the little details of life. I find it challenging to change my focus from what I am determined to accomplish, to what's REALLY important. The kids need to be listened to. They need to be hugged and praised and they need to know they're important. Man cannot live on bread alone, and kids need more than food and clothes.
So...this weekend, my mother-in-law heads back to Florida, and yes, I am really hoping to drive down and visit her this winter with at least the homeschooled kids:), Paul leaves for a two week trip to India...yes, India. That is far far away, and unlike his frequent trips to France, I am not jealous. No offense, I'm sure it's magnificent, but I don't have a longing to go there. He is pretty excited though. I am going to a church conference this weekend, just for the ladies! :) :)
We're doing a lot of planning around here...the weekend after next, lots of us are driving down to Washington D.C. to pick up soldier Sam, and take him to Virginia...some of them are going on a hike in the Shenandoah forest, some of us will shop or walk or go to the pool. We are planning a wedding shower for Margaret and Adrian, and then of course there are wedding plans...we tried to book a weekend up in Montreal for just girls, a few of Margaret's friends and 8 of her sisters, but it didn't work out. There are not enough weekends in life.
And I will end with a few things that make me happy:
1. Jonathan helped Camille make jello yesterday. Cam was counting the minutes until the four hours which the box suggested as the setting time, was over. Then she delighted in the jello.
2. When my teenage girls apologize to each other.
3. Texts or phone calls from my far away kids...or my close by older kids.
4. When the older kids stop in for a visit.
5. My library book.
6. Paul.
7. My new living room all freshly painted, even though there are spots that...ugh, never mind.
8. The new valances that I can't wait to make.
9. Sunny...Little Miss Sunshine. And Duke and Suri.
And goodbye for now...
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5 comments:
I just LOVE all your posts!!!!!!
I just love reading your posts. Every day. Your honesty, the details, the way you write about Evelyn (the other day) or other kids in specifics sometimes, just so interesting. I also find encouragement often. So Thank You once again. Never stop or change.
Simone
Simone, thank you. I have been blogging for nine years now, so I don't think I'm going anywhere. :) It's therapeutic for me, it helps me sort out my thoughts. And btw, before I published the post referring to Evelyn, I read it to her and asked if it was okay, I think she was pleased. But again, thank you, I'm glad you find encouragement and enjoy reading it.
I enjoy your posts, too! There is such an honesty and sense of joy in your writing. Your love for each individual child shines through.(I've read other blogs of families with many children and, unfortunately, that is not always the case.) I'm not sure how I even found your blog, but remember when you once wrote that you don't make your kids use a particular colored cup because what if they didn't want to use a certain colored cup everyday.
I enjoy the glimpse into the changing seasons as you experience them in NY, too.
I've been reading your blog for a while, but didn't comment for a while. I think, but not 100% sure, I saw a comment by you on Martha's blog and took a look and have been following ever since. I really enjoy your sense of family....and humour......🤗 How you ever managed with all those small children is a testament to your character. You are quite amazing Della. I love that you have cats and dogs too. It is great that everyone pitched in to paint the living room............I love the colour. Keep on enjoying life Della. I really enjoy your blog every day.
Marilyn from Canada
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