Summer Journal No. 2 | The Three Brothers' Room

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After nearly 10 years, we no longer have a nursery. It’s an end of an era. The twins are officially moved out of the nursery and into Elias’ room, which has become the “three brothers’ room”. I would have held onto that season longer if not for a nudge telling me, “It’s time.” They enjoy being all together and I pray it grows a strong bond. Their room holds my collection of old ship paintings, which albeit is not very large or valuable, but it means something to me. I’ve always loved ships and the sea. It feels both calming and adventurous. As we are learning Latin, I found out the word adventure comes from the same root as “advent” and means “about to happen”. And so, while I am sad that the last of my babies’ babyhood is fading quickly away I also see the adventure coming for them in their little kid years: forts and knights, cars and trains, laughter and wrestling when they should be in bed. I see adventure for our little band of brothers, and I am excited for their adventure in brotherhood as they grow into strong, brave, and compassionate young men.

For now, they are figuring out the dynamic of existing together. At bedtime the boys always ask for a “three brothers story” where they open an invisible story cabinet with their hidden keys. (Usually stored in their bellybuttons for lack of pockets.) In the stories, the incredible “three brothers” live in an enchanted forrest and have the ability to talk to animals. They use this super-power to rescue creatures in need. It’s always a thrilling adventure, complete with acting out all the scenes and making every animal noise. Boys, you know. As I tell them these stories I imagine my boys growing up and actually using all their strengths for good in a similar way. I hope they are strong. I hope they know how to work as a team. I hope they have ears that listen out for those in need. I pray for many real adventures as they travel through life together. Though they’re still little, their older years are just around the corner and I can see it coming in the distance.

In the now empty nursery I choose to see the “about to happen” too. With hope and expectation, we’ve made it a recording and work space. I hope a different kind of thing will be birthed and cradled there. It’s not for me to know the times and seasons, but to simply follow God’s leading by taking the next step. Though I don’t see what’s coming, faith in God’s goodness gives me excitement for what is ahead.

Summer Journal No 1. | Releasing Butterflies

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Summer Journal No 1. | Releasing Butterflies

Back in April we purchased five tiny caterpillars and took them home. As soon as we got home, Simon grabbed the container off of the counter and dropped it. I thought we had just killed our newly acquired beings. Thankfully, caterpillars are pretty resilient. For 12 days we watched as they grew and grew, waiting anxiously for when they’d make their chrysalis. The kids were mesmerized. It was funny how long we could sit and simply watch them move around in the container. One day we woke up to one in a newly formed chrysalis, and 6 days later we woke up to one emerged butterfly. We released them just in time - the day before a big trip back East. It was a beautiful way to wrap up our school year. They loved watching the caterpillars grow, and I loved watching them grow. (Though I thoroughly enjoyed the caterpillars too.) Watching my kids find joy in learning and in nature is such a blessing to me. Getting to teach them so many thing is such a joy. I both lose and find myself in being their mother and teacher.

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Motherhood: Co-Creating with God

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Motherhood: Co-Creating with God

I love creating things, anything really, whether it is working to make a garden or making art when I photograph my kids. It’s in our DNA to create as image-bearers of God. But I don’t really create from nothing; I create with things God has already made. He is the one who makes things from nothing, and yet invites us to be co-workers with Him. There is no other place I can see this more deeply than in raising children. God does the deepest work of creation, but allows us as mothers to have life grow within us. As children grow, He partners with us in their continued growth and development. They are exactly who He made them to be. We don’t choose their personalities or features, but we do get to be a part of shaping what God is doing in them. What a gift and privilege!

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Simple & Meaningful Christmas Traditions

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Simple & Meaningful Christmas Traditions

I love the Christmas season, and I always have. But as I read the other day, Christmas seems to be a great magnifier of good and bad. Many good things seem even better, and hard things can feel even harder. I have known both sides. This time of year reminds me of loss and reminds me of my innumerable blessings. Over the years I’ve parred down the things that we do during Christmas. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the things! But oftentimes I need the simplicity so that I savor the reason we are celebrating and not succumbing to merely being busy. I’ve found that these are things we do every year because they are simple and meaningful. Apart from reading a good advent devotional, here are a few of the sweet traditions we enjoy, old and new:

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Friday Nature Day

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Friday Nature Day

The outdoors have always called to me. Many times I feel I simply need to go outside and feel some sunshine on my face. During our normal homeschool days, we try to take a daily walk around our neighborhood. But after my husband almost lost his life in February, I’ve been rethinking, well, everything. I took an imaginary look forward into our future. In five years I will be 40 years old, our youngest (the twins) will be 7 or 8 and our oldest will be 14. I can’t imagine them being so big and independent since they insist on “Mommy!” for everything at present. That is a big change in such a short amount of time. It reminded me that I have a lot of groundwork to lay in these brief years. There are more vital things than schoolwork, though I do still want a high bar set for academics. Going through something traumatic will teach you that you can’t survive without a good framework and a good vision for your life. The unnecessary things seem to crumble away. I see now the need to change a lot of rhythms in my life, and being outside for my sake and my kids was something we all needed more than our current schedule allowed. Our curriculums have always encouraged a field trip day or something of the like on Fridays, and we did that plenty, but now we go outside for different reasons.

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