Returning...

So, as many of you may have known or guessed, I spent my computer hiatus on a small island off the coast of Portland, Maine with the hubs and the kids. I was leary of coming right out and saying I was "leaving my house for such and such amount of time" because of the crazy world in which we live...but I was absolutely busting at the seems to tell you how very very excited I was! We had an absolutely amazing time and I have a ton {and I mean a TON} of pictures and stories and memories to share with you...but reality has hit me hard and it's taking me a couple of extra days to recover and mourn the end of our days on the island. 

We spent six full days on Peaks Island and so much...I mean SO much...happened and changed and manifested in wonderful ways. I thought I would take today to bang out another one of my 30 List for an overview-type recap of my week. And then, once I get through the 1000 plus pictures I took on my trip, I will share more details and specifics with you!

So, without furthur ado...

30 Things I Did Last Week on My Computer Hiatus

1. Drove 914 miles to Maine and back.
2. Spent an entire week living in a cottage on an island
3. Watched NO television
4. Read The Lovely Bones
5. Met Kristin
6. Met Corinne
7. Met Kathleen
8. Walked in the Atlantic Ocean
9. Walked around Portland, ME
10. Spent a full nine days with my husband
11. Found sea glass
12. Collected a massive amount of sea shells
13. Took over 1000 photos
14. Ate Maine lobster
15. Ate authentic New England Clam Chowder in New England
16. Walked...a lot...everywhere...which felt sooooo good
17. Went out to dinner...a lot...which was soooooo nice
18. Watched my baby girl experience the ocean for the first time...and love it!
19. Watched my big girls search, explore, play on, and love the island beach
20. Took in breathtakingly gorgeous views daily
21. Slept with the windows open with a cool island breeze sweeping across the bed
22. Wrote daily in a journal
23. Spent honest to goodness QUALITY time with my husband and our children
24. Sent out postcards from an actual location other than my home
25. Put our van on a ferry and took it to an island where it stayed for a whole week
26. Drove very, very minimally...other than the 914 mile round trip, of course!
27. Fell in love with my husband all over again
28. Enjoyed my non-tv-obsessed/happy/enjoying life for the little things kids
29. Fell in love with Maine
30. Felt very sad about leaving our little slice of paradise :(

I will move past my temporary bluish state...in fact, I am starting to come around and getting excited for some changes that will be occurring around here soon and the obligatory accompanying celebrations that will be necessary!

I want to thank you all for being so kind and supportive of my sweet husband last Sunday! He was so nervous about his post and all of your very kind comments were very encouraging. I think he has even agreed to come back next month!

So, now, I feel like I've missed so much and I just know that it will be impossible to catch up on everything...so please share with me what's been happening in your life! You can even leave a link or two if you'd like if there's been very exciting things! I want to get caught up and here about all the latest! And I promise to be around to visit you again soon!

Making Space & Shortcake...

In the days leading up to this weekend, I found myself talking to Rayne a number of times about how we were going to be working very hard to get ready for our yard sale. In discussing why we had to get rid of things, I made a number of mentions to the fact that we needed to make some space. In true five year old fashion, Rayne immediately started dreaming of all the ways that we could fill our new space: with new toys, with items we've had to store in our basement, with a new play area for this or that. She had a hard time comprehending that we needed space just to have space.

But it got me thinking of how many years of my life I spent making room for something else...and not just making room. So much of my life up until now has been about making and getting and being and doing. And I can honestly feel this palpable transition into a period of opening and anticipating and waiting and creating space for opportunity. So I tried to teach Rayne how we needed to make space just to have space...but the concept was completely lost on her youth...as it would have also been lost on mine.

I think that creating physical space is such an important element for clarity and growth. I feel much more relaxed and hopeful without clutter in my living areas. I truly enjoy letting go of possessions that no longer work for me or mean anything to me. And recently, I'm enjoying the same clutter clearing and letting go in my emotional life as well.

A couple of months ago, I finally made the very hard decision to let go of my soap business. It was no longer serving me in the ways that it once did and it was robbing the energy that I wanted to put elsewhere. I held on to it for almost a year like a pair of pre-baby blue jeans just hoping that in another couple of months it would fit me again. But just as having a baby changes the whole shape of your body, life and growth can change the whole shape of your life.

So I let it go. It was the first time in my life that I let something not physical go without having something waiting to replace it. I felt very strongly that my life was too cluttered to see the path that was laid out before me. Almost instantly, I felt an opening so strong and so full that there was not one moment that I regretted my decision. And in the process, life has opened up and taken new directions, and moved me towards bigger and better places...all because I created space.

So we spent the better part of our three day weekend creating space around here...physical space. And although Rayne may not understand the concept of making space for the sake of space, I hope that she feels the benefits of more openness and more flexibility and more possibility. And while she was a bit upset over having to let go of some of her stuff...I think we more than made it up to her with some fresh strawberry shortcake! So while her youth doesn't always provide her with perspective of the bigger picture, it does provide her with delight in the simple things...and that's what she's teaching me.

Realities & Blessings {On A Monday}...

I really would have just skipped a week of R&B...really. Because I'm trying to let go a little...of things that aren't necessary. But trust me when I tell you that this practice is 100% necessary today. I am in great need of finding some blessings today before I drown in a sea of self pity. And for goodness sake, if friends like Laurie {who is battling lymphoma} and Hyacynth {who just lost her father} can find blessings in their realities, then I can certainly find them in mine.

Reality: We have had some long weeks here as of late. Brent has worked a six day week, followed by a day of school out of town. It had been a hard couple of weeks for us, having little time to re-gain our footing.
Blessing: As a result of his long week, Brent had a day off through the week. We surprised Rayne at school and we all went for a picnic lunch in the park with lots of time to run loose on the playground. It was such a nice break from all the crazy business we'd been having. The weather was perfect and we had the whole place to ourselves. It is seriously my happy place right now and I'm including a lot of pictures from that day in this post!

Reality: We went away this weekend to visit my brother and his family. The dogs went to the kennel for the weekend and came home with stomach bugs. We were looking forward to a restful evening last night and a good night's sleep to make up for the total lack of sleep we all got on our trip. However, we spent almost the whole night {and now I am spending the entire day} cleaning up dog messes of every kind all over the place. Two dogs + two stomach bugs = a LOT of messes. On top of my already overwhelming to-do list, including tackling the laundry from last week that did not get done while we were away, I had to make a quick trip to the vet and am scrubbing floors like every 30 minutes.
Blessing: At least it is the two dogs and not the three kids with massive stomach bugs. A little floor scrubbing here and there cannot be as bad as complete bed and clothing changes every 30 minutes. Plus, it's a really good exercise in letting go. {see next reality}

Reality: I came here last week, completely overwhelmed with the duties of my life, asking for your organizational tips. I was really feeling lost, frustrated, unmotivated. By Friday evening of last week, I had completely worn myself out and was feeling physically ill as a result.
Blessing: I'm learning to slow down and let go...and really getting some good opportunities to practice that. You all gave me such amazing support and advice and what I really kept hearing over and over was "let it go, be with your kids, this is just a phase." And you are so right. You also gave me a lot of really great concrete tips which I'm going to take some time and think about to try to come up with some systems that might work well around here. You should really go back and read through the comments & suggestions. They're incredible. Thank you!

Reality: The girls have swim lessons three nights this week and three nights next week. Add that to the one night of dance class they have every week and, yes that's right, we have four nights of quick dinners and running out for the next two weeks. I love our lazy evenings and after dinner walks and I will miss that time for us all to relax and connect at the end of our days.

Blessing: On a day like today, I am super excited about the prospect of getting out for a bit this evening and getting a whole 45 minutes to read or write or {most importantly} to not clean up dog messes! These two weeks come at a really good time as I am in need of some mental space to figure some things out and develop some game plans. Sure, it's no leisurely me time at a coffee shop with some sort of sinfully expensive coffee drink in front of me...but hey, I'll take what I can get!

Wow...there really is power in positive thinking! When I started this post {which was, granted, two hours ago} I was really not doing well; there was yelling, ranting, going off on tangents, waiting rather impatiently for Brent to get home, etc... But I really am feeling much better. Thank you for allowing me an impromtu Monday edition of Realities & Blessings...I really needed it!

Realities & Blessings...

Hi everyone! Just one R&B today...

Reality: I have not felt like being on the computer at all this week. The little bit I have has felt forced and labored...even now: I miss you all and I have tons to say, I just don't feel like saying it right now.
Blessing: Breaks are good. They are refreshing and necessary. I was incredibly fortunate to have three beautifully written guest posts written for this week so I was able to take a little break from here. And it's feeling good! I might be back tomorrow to post my C&C assignment, but it's possible that I will just take the weekend off as well.

I thank you so much for showing my guests so much love this week! And welcome, welcome to those of you who may have found me from one of those lovely ladies!

I hope you all are finding ways to refresh and renew as well...'tis the season! Happy Friday!

What Spring Looks Like to Us...

As promised, a post chock full of pictures...and not much else. I think these images do a great job of telling the stories that my words could not.

Life has been good. Really good!

Sorting...

I have been spending my days sorting: sorting laundry, sorting chores, sorting thoughts. I've been sorting through the hours in my day, fitting things into the very small cracks in between. I've been sorting through my to-do list, deciding what can wait and what cannot. I'm sorting through some thoughts and feelings, deciding where to put them, how to discuss them, and what words to use. So, until then, just a quick "hello"! I hope you're having a very lovely week!

See you tomorrow for Realities & Blessings!

Welcoming Spring...

After four straight days of rain and gloom, we are finally seeing some sun and warm weather again. We want to make good and sure that Spring doesn't think she is not wanted. So we have been out enjoying her, complimenting her, investigating her, and basking in her.

Most importantly, we've been looking for some concrete proof that she is here to stay. Layla refers to this as "hunting for buds." And when that girl has a mission, she does what she sets out to do!

And so we found what we were looking for...and then some!

Mmmm...I think we can go ahead and fall in love with her now. It doesn't appear that she is going anywhere!

The freshness of new life is so uplifting, is it not?

How are you welcoming Spring where you live?

I'm very excited about some fresh and exciting things coming here to this space as well in the next couple of weeks. I do very much promise to honor the prior promise I made about posting the second part of the Fostering Creativity series. However, I need a free evening to do all the typing and all of my recent evenings have been tied up filling orders for my shop liquidation. {thank you everyone who has helped me clear out my shop...there is not much left!} So that will be coming up sometime in the future, along with an artist interview and a giveaway or two. Also, a few of you have asked about how to achieve those lovely bokeh pictures from my last post so I will try to post some sort of tutorial or tips or something about that as well! But for now, we are just going to soak up some more of this sunshine and I hope you are doing the same!

Well: Filled...

Not every weekend is wonderful...but this one was pretty darn good. It was short, too...with Brent working on Saturday, we really only had one official day to our weekend...but it was a good day...full of all those simple things that just seem to fill the well and refresh the spirit. Just to mention a few...

• 
  
  Finally feeling better
• 
  
  Getting some good night's sleeps
• 
  
  A walk outdoors
• 
  
  A new haircut for Bea {courtesy of moi!...it's a tad un-even, I think, but it'll do}
• 
  
  A little one year photo session with Maya in honor of the big day she'll be having on Saturday! {I'll be showing more pics from her little session throughout the week.}

• 
  
  Watching Maya happily wearing the scarf I knitted with this exact photo shoot in mind
• 
  
  Amish friendship bread {the making of which was a step short of a disaster, but the eating was amazing!}...I wish you were all closer. I have a couple starters left!
• 
  
  Speaking of good food...making and eating baked mac & cheese! Yum!
• 
  
  Watching three little ones walk around the house {yes, Maya is walking pretty efficiently now!}
• 
  
  Hearing three beautiful little voices sharing their thoughts {Maya is also saying quite a bit
• 
  
  A photo walk out back with Rayne

...which brings me to this...

Rayne has begun a weekly photo collaboration with the daughter of a blog friend of mine. Tessa and Rayne will take turns picking a theme for the week and they'll be posting their side by side images on their new blog!

This week's theme was "something in your backyard." Please stop over and see their pics and tell them how lovely they are!

Tomorrow I will post the first in a two part series on creativity! See you then!

Happy Monday!

Tea & Sunshine...

The virus that had gotten to Rayne last week seems to be sweeping through the entire house! Rayne is feeling much better but still has a lingering cough. Layla got hit with it pretty bad but seems to have turned the corner. Maya is right in the thick of it and Brent and I seem to be flirting with it but fighting it for now!

So, needless to say, our days have been filled with more cuddles and naps and good food and good books. We are accepting the message to slow down that times like these seem to say so clearly. I am drinking copious amounts of Yogi's Immune Support tea and remaining grateful that I'm still feeling okay and I'm able to comfort those who are not.

Poor Maya is an absolute puddle today which is totally understandable seeing as how she was up half the night...too sick to get comfortable! This is about the biggest smile we're getting out of her today.

So, I haven't been here in this space too much because I've been so needed elsewhere. I have ideas galore and post it notes all over the house with sentences and thoughts. I have a two part post on creativity nearly written...but it will all have to wait for sunnier days. I cherish these moments where my arms provide a comfort that can be found nowhere else!

I hope you are all having a good week! xo

Full Heart, Quiet Mind...

After a full and wonderful weekend, I'm feeling very quiet today. Which seems right, don't you think? So I thought I would just come by and share some pictures and just a few words about all that went on.

A surprise celebration at my mom's... We were celebrating Brent's birthday {a bit early} and my feature in Artful Blogging. Thanks Mom!

A relaxing visit and delicious brunch with my in laws

Fun baking with my big girls

There were lots of laughs, good food, plentiful rest, and even a date with the hubs! Plus, a couple of first steps taken by the wee one! What more could a girl ask for?

But now I must be off...Brent's birthday is tomorrow and we're having a celebration for him here tonight. So I must go clean, decorate, and hide presents! I can't wait to show you what we made for him!