Just Do One Thing

Do One Thing has become my new mantra. 

It has become my new way to live. 

I don't try and accomplish an impressive list of things each day so that I can look back at the end of the day and feel good about myself. 

I've stopped finding my worth in what I do.

I try to do one thing so that I can look back at the end of each day and remember the moments. It's not worth it if I get everything done while subtly pushing my little girl away or letting her fuss and whine simply because she needs some cuddle time. 

She doesn't see the importance of trying to make soup, sweep the floor, tidy the bedrooms, and get ready to go out for the whole day all in the space of an hour. Those things aren't important to her. 

And when her mummy breaks down and cries because at that point even doing the dishes seems overwhelming, she doesn't understand. So she brings her mummy kleenex for her nose, emptying an entire box in the process. 

I stop and realize that nothing is that important. The floors will get swept at some point, having lots of meals in the freezer would be nice but not something I need to worry over.


I can choose to do one thing. 


I can sew the backing onto a quilt and have lots of time left to read stories and cuddle on the couch. 


I can put homemade laundry detergent into jars to the accompaniment of little girl giggles as she kicks her feet against the washer. 


I can enjoy this time right now.


And when my husband comes home, I'm happy even if the dishes are still piled by the sink and there are books all over the living room floor. 

I wrote this the week before Khaira was born but obviously never published it. This is still my mantra, perhaps now more then ever before. Except I have two little girls to cuddle. I wrote this mostly for myself, to remind myself to keep everything in perspective, to be okay with imperfect and embrace the moments. Because they are beautiful and fleeting.

snippets of thought

I hear music playing. 

Jupiter from The Planets by Holst. And I am transported to another place and another time. 

My eyes fill with tears as I remember the moments that transpired while that music played, out under a bright blue sky. Remembering how my eyes filled with tears then as I watched a beautiful girl wearing all white walk down the aisle on her father's arm. 

We all cried a little that day. 

It was beautiful. So very, very beautiful.

They said their vows to each other, written from the recesses of their heart. 

And I felt that we were all peeking in on a sacred moment. History was being written and we were all witnesses. 

The two of them together made everyone else smile because of their happiness. 

And every time that music is played, I will remember that day and all of its moments. 

Life is filled right now with moments that cause me to stop and catch my breath and try to take it all in. The sheer exhaustion at the end of the day and the way that cuddling my Khaira-baby relaxes every last part of me. 

The way my Kilmo-girl laughs and cries out for 'more, more' and we concede and the room is filled with the giggles of a little girl. 

The looks my husband gives me that make my heart beat a little faster and I find myself falling in love all over again. 

I'm here, still. Drinking up the moments, remembering that these are the days that so many memories will come from, knowing that I was made for this and wanting to live this time, this season to the full.

Drink up your moments and make those memories with your dear ones. 

Monday's gifts

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falling in love with my precious Khaira

loving my Jared even more as I watch him hold Khaira

delighting in my Kilmeny's energy and excitement

resting and knowing that it is the best thing for me, right now

learning, again, to live in the moment

snuggling Khaira on my chest and watching her breathe

 seeing Kilmeny loving on her little sister

having family and friends delight in Khaira

and bringing Starbucks and meals 

having family so willing to help out 

tiny toes and fingers

little baby noises

 weepy moments 

feeling very overwhelmed yet so very content

my Jared speaking words of truth to me

the way he cleans house, does laundry, and serves me

  beautiful pink-tinged roses

texts, emails, facebook notifications, phone calls

being a Mom to two precious little girls

Announcing....

Khaira Tatiana Monique 

 

 Our little princess was born at 10:04 am on Tuesday, August 9th!!! She weighed 7 lb 8oz and was 19.5 inches long.

We are thrilled that she is here and are loving these first few days of getting to know her. Everything went well through the whole labor and delivery, we had an awesome pair of midwives and I had the best support person and cheerleader in my Jared.  

Another little girl is a dream come true, we're so excited about our two little princesses.

And now it's back to snuggling and resting and drinking in that sweet baby smell.

1000 words and the gifts that keep coming

  

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 quiet and cool in the evening

my little girl's countless hugs throughout the day

her delight in the little things

story time on the couch 

the way she 'helps' with dishes and laundry 

the sound of her laughter

remembering to stop and live in the moment

picnic suppers

walks through rose gardens

knowing that God's timing is perfect

being able to relax with family

the refreshment of worship

texts from my Jared

jam jars all filled

clean sheets

scones with jam and tea

new books 

rest

beauty in the everyday moments

anticipation of our newest little one arriving

The best of days

Sometimes you're prepared for everything and sometimes you're not. Sometimes the best days happen when they're not planned and you just go with the flow.


It was a bit of a rough night. Two year old molars and hot summer nights. The morning was rushed.


I drove Jared to work, both of us feeling a little drowsy. It was a gorgeous sunny day with blue sky, a rarity this summer. On a whim and a suggestion from Jared, I didn't go home. I let my to-do list and plans go for the day.
We put Kilmeny in the stroller and off we went. 

I sipped a caramel macchiato and watched people in the morning rush at Starbucks. 
I smiled at the other moms with their babies.
I made my way to the parade route and found an empty piece of curb for Kilmeny and I.

We sat. We watched. We laughed. We clapped. 

I tied a balloon onto the stroller and it made us both happy.

Kilmeny fell asleep in the stroller as I walked to the store. 

I bought the items I needed plus a little something for lunch.

I soaked up the warmth and the quiet and knew that this was what I needed. 

I will always have plans, there will always be a list of things to do, there will always be goals to achieve.

But there won't ever be another day like this one. 

Kilmeny's face at the parade captured with the camera on my phone

CSA: take 3

 Each week I am more and more delighted with our CSA experience. The amount of vegetables is incredible and I love being challenged by the variety. I haven't done a lot of cooking with different greens and they have been plentiful. I did wonder at the start of the season when it seemed like forever before the deliveries started if it was worth the investment but now it definitely seems worth it. Each week we feast on fresh garden produce and I freeze the excess to enjoy during the winter months. 

Tonight's supper featured a garden salad made with swiss chard, beet greens, leaf lettuce and the radishes, carrots and cucumber. 

 My plans for the rest of the week include this kale confetti, kale and potato soup, stir fry with the different greens and veggies, and frittata with steamed swiss chard. And lots of salad to fill in any gaps. 

My biggest challenge this week is the radishes. There's surely got to be something more you can do with them then just serving them raw or carving them up into roses for a garnish. But I have no idea what else to do with them. I could practice my radish roses, something else I've never done.

 

 

What new food experiences are you enjoying?