Blessings

In the blessings that are busyness lately,

in the routine, the normal, the survival mode mothers run in mostly,

I've been reminded of the miracle found in chances for quiet,

letting my daughter run in silence, exploring and dreaming, lost in the wonder of independence,

watching my son take it in, the strong one he is, the mover, the goer, but all with a sense of observation as his eyes study.

My own wise mother has reminded me often over the years of this need we all have for quiet,

more and more meaningful as I learn my children and who they were born to be.

She's gently prompted me to sit and just read every now and again, not even to them, but silently, reading to myself, in front of them, modeling a peaceful ability to be doing nothing. She's encouraged me to ask them for time where they're not talking, a feat to take on training for this discipline, knowing this is a life skill easier for some than others.

And in an age of blogging and youtube and facebook and texting and email, all ready for me with a swipe and tap, this grows more of a challenge the longer I take to practice this all.

But when I do, as I do, I can't help but know, the best is yet to come.

For the full effect of my daughter's singing, scroll to the bottom of this page to pause the background music...

The blessings have just begun.

WILW

...What I'm Loving Wednesday...

1. The Chicken Tacquito Recipe from last night. Delish! And the filling freezes easily so I put some away for a rainy day...or, more accurately, a lazy day. I'm always looking for recipe-spiration! Consider this your invitation to share your baking inspirations...

2. This giveaway!

3. The library. I've got a trip up there planned for today. I'm kind of excited for a book I have on hold. 365 Manners Kids Should Know. I heard about it on this website.

4. The idea of a cleaning calendar. I found one here. We will have to see if I enjoy using it. That's the trick, I guess.

5. Bath time with this mighty man. We've officially entered the cooing, squeaking, gurgling stage. Love it. Love him.

Love life.

Quiet

It's days when my laundry looks like this...



and most the house looks like this...



That I'm thanking my lucky stars for the parenting tip I took on a few months before my little number two man brought the blessed newborn chaos into our lives. Especially as a teacher, I see little ones sucked into digital existence before they've even learned to do much else. Video games, movies, talking toys, you name it, it seems the trick to just keep them quiet is by being as loud as possible. Don't get me wrong, as much as toddler chirping makes my day, there are times where silence is...golden. So to combat this reality of our society as much as mothers can, we spend a couple times a day in fifteen or twenty minute intervals just being quiet. Ellie's spent it on a blanket, a chair, a couch, a bed...the key has been to switch up the routine so it's not the place but the activity that takes on the meaning. I give her or let her pick out a few books to spend the time with. and I spend the time nursing, cleaning, cooking or even reading my own book.



Don't get me wrong, it's been a battle at times, even just this morning. But truly, it brings a sense of calm, peace and contentment to everyone in the house.



And what a beautiful thing to learn, the value of quiet.

And, on two unrelated notes.
First, old friend Rachel has embarked on the adoption adventure and is selling some sweet things here. Totally stylin'. Totally for a good cause.

Secondly, by request, one of my favorite "go-to" recipes. Barbecue Chicken Pizza. Easy Breezy. (Since you've already seen pictures of what things look like around here, you know easy breezy is good.)

1 or 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Fav barbecue sauce
1 tube of fresh mozzerella
1 red onion
Pizza Dough (I've used the tube, I've made my own and I've defrosted frozen pizza dough from the store...you choose.)
Cilantro (I never use this)

Grill or bake chicken breasts in barbecue sauce.
Roll out pizza dough.
Chop mozzerella and spread evenly over pizza dough.
Top with diced chicken and thinly sliced red onion.
Bake at 400 near bottom of oven until pizza dough is toasty brown on bottom and cheese bubbles.
Once I sprinkled with cilantro but I don't remember if it was before or after I baked it. But, now I never use it. So, no need.

Mommyland...and the first giveaway...

I was officially inducted into mommyland on Friday. A precious friend visited and brought her two girls.
Ellie was especially giddy to see this one.



It was a blue sky, sweet breeze, huggy sunshine type day. And we wanted to picnic.



So they could do lots of this.




Yes, we've already planned their best friend-hood.

But the giggle part of this story is that I was already babysitting my sweet niecie-poo, Addie.
So our porch looked like this all afternoon.


Oh my, was this picture a challenge to capture. The end of the day was spent cleaning up sidewalk chalk all over the deck, porch furniture, spilled sippy cups, cookie crumbs and strewn bubble wands.




Yes, mommyland was quite the trip on Friday. I'm pretty sure Jolene and I actually exchanged maybe three words between pacie retrieving, bubble blowing and skinned knee kissing. It was beautiful. A perfect kickstart to a weekend celebrating motherhood. My hubby and I have some wonderful mothers in our own lives.
And each day that goes by, I'm in further awe of their silent sacrifice, their devout dedication, their lavish love for their children.

And, when taking pictures for these friends, I'm seeing it's just kinda what moms do.


Lingering with the littlest.


Kissing, tearful cheeks and giggling cheeks.


Knowing all the while that our own sweet babies are the most beautiful of all. And teaching this to them.


Yes, we've planned best friendhood for these two munchkins also.


Being the mother of this family is unbelievable.




It's more exhilarating than I could have anticipated.




Yet, equally as puzzling, frustrating, an enigma of questioning, doubting and wondering.


And she's only two.


Teaching her to dream.


Teaching her to dance.


Teaching her to play.


Teaching her to care.


Teaching her to share.


And how in the heck do I get her to eat her vegetables?


Yet, I couldn't ask for more than this feeling.
Insert *sigh*, here.

Speaking of a *sigh*. Here it is. *Sigh*. Officially.
The. first. giveaway.

In honor of being a mutha, becoming a mutha or just lovin' your mutha.
And because in the midst of bein' a mutha, heck, just being a LADY, we need a little "me-time"...



A two-pack for an afternoon with a glass of wine. (or sparkling grape juice...you choose. I'll take a glass of wine. White Zin.)
Just you and a breeze and a girly read.

Two of my favorite authors. Two of my favorite books. Hardback, nonetheless.
One that'll make you think. One that's purely girly.
All you have to do is become a follower of this blog and leave a comment with what you enjoy doin' with your "me-time".