Remembering.

It is so very easy to forget, when things get busy, that everything I do on a daily basis is a choice. And all these decisions are ones that I have chosen because it is what I want. Today, I bustled around the house, trying desperately to catch up (there is no such thing, really...) on all the house work that needs to be done. When summer weather is here, my time is spent outside mostly. In the garden, mowing the lawn, in the garden, taking care of the bees, in the other garden, going to the beach, hiking, mowing the lawn, etc. The poor house gets neglected; the dishes pile up (I swear we have additional invisible family members contributing to the mound...), the floor goes unswept, the kids' rooms fall apart (and, um, maybe ours too. Ahem), the laundry doesn't get done, the cobwebs hang from every corner...

And in the midst of all this chaos, almost without noticing it, the preparations begin for autumn and colder weather. The wood pile is growing, soon to be split and stacked, wool is being washed and readied for spinning, fall "to-do" lists are being made, etc.

As I made my way around the house today, feeling frenzied and pressed to get as much done as possible during a rare few moments of peace between siblings, I sat down. I thought about all the things I wanted to get accomplished, and realized (once again) with a smile, how fortunate I am to have everything on that list be a choice. These tasks are decisions I have made, and ultimately part of a life that I love. There are times when I question their importance in the grand scheme of things, compared to, say, someone whose life's goal is to find a cure for cancer. My folding the umpteenth load of laundry seems trivial next to a friend of mine who has spent years working towards finding a way for young women in Africa to have access to basic sanitary items, in hopes of preventing diseases and illness.

And then, today, when I sat down in the quiet, I came across this quote.

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...
but how much love we put in that action."
              - Mother Theresa

How beautiful and perfect.

Lake Placid.

How many years have we been doing this? I can't remember. But, it's been more fun every year, especially now that the kids are old enough that nap times don't completely dictate how the day is planned. Although I brought my camera with us, all photos were taken with my phone...which was very liberating. Sometimes convenience is best.

Judy met us over there, and while Doug worked/played with the other athletes, we managed to fill our days with all kinds of fun things. But, the highlight was most certainly the fact that Beck hiked his first 46-er...which is to say, one of the 46 peaks in NY over 4,000 feet. Not only did he complete it, and amaze everyone we met along the way, he wants to do it again. So...we have a born hiker on our hands. Not one little complaint out of him the whole way up, and not once did I have to piggyback him or carry him. Amazing. And what a memory I will treasure forever...a time when he still looked for my hand almost the whole way up and down. Just he and I. He chatted almost the entire time, while we made it up in 2 hours. When we reached the very top, he got a standing ovation from the small crowd of people sitting on the peak. We are so proud of him, and so was everyone we met!

 

AllofMayinonepost.

May saw so many things, including the ending to the lovely, small preschool program Beck has attended for two years. It was time for Clare (teacher) to move on, and although I am in full belief that when something ends, there is room for a new beginning, it broke all of our hearts to have to say goodbye. Goodbye to the comforting routine and gentle rhythm that Little Acorns brought to all of our lives. Goodbye to all of the wonderful, supportive families whose lives we have become unconsciously involved in. Goodbye, in a sense to the six other amazing children who have become Beck's best friends. And even though we will all see one another again, all of us mothers cried; because we know that things will change. And change is hard. Everyone is going their separate ways with schooling, and gone is the safe little circle of the "known". Through the very difficult past couple of years with my struggle with Lyme, I could not have dreamed up a more perfect situation and people for Beck and our family. Although I am excited (and nervous...) to move forward with our plan of homeschooling, every once in a while my heart grieves a little bit for what we are leaving behind, and for the fact that Cora won't get to experience those things on her own.

Beck performed in his first ballet recital, as well as his first violin concert. (We are such proud parents!) We have bees! We have lots of chickens! We have a big, new spacious garden at the new land to dream about and plant whatever we want! (And space for more animals...hmmm...) So much in such a little amount of time. And all so very good for our small family.