Into Something Good

My eyes popped open at 5:30 this morning.  It took me a moment to sort through the fog in my brain, I know I’m supposed to be excited about something, but what is it?  Do you ever wake up like that? With a little flutter in your belly and brewing excitement because you know something exciting is happening, but you’re just not sure what.  It didn’t take long before it hit me–It’s the last day of school before Christmas break!  


I totally own my immaturity when it comes to school breaks, snow days, and the occasional power outage that may keep my chicks in the nest for an extra day or 15.  (I may or may not have mentioned the countdown to summer break to Charlie and Chanelle last night.)  I’m ready to settle in, place back packs away, and enjoy some time to lay low with my kiddos.

I envision lazy mornings with kids wrapped in blankets while the scent of warm breakfasts and brewing coffee fill the air.  I anticipate my three littles playing games, reading books, and building tents in the living room.  I imagine time with family as we linger over conversations and forget about the ticking clock for a time.  I imagine all the good things that come with a “break” in routine and I am filled the the brim with excitement and contentment.

In reality, I know that I’m dreaming.  The next two weeks will be filled with a fair amount chaos, arguments, rushing from here to there, and a good amount of exhaustion.  (I may be naive, but I’m not delusional.)  Regardless, I still anticipate breaks with childlike excitement and I likely always will.  Not to mention that my sister is joining us this weekend for some much needed Sister/Aunt Ashley time, which sends my excitement meter off the charts.

As we were preparing for the last day of school for the year, Chanelle was putting the final touches on a card she made for her teacher.  As she finished writing her note she placed a “T” where a “T” didn’t belong and realized her mistake.  Opps, she said.  She looked at the extra “T” for a moment before scribbling it out.  Next, she placed a scribble mark beside the first scribble mark before placing a curved line under the scribble marks.  I smiled as I noticed what she had done.  You made a smiley face, I remarked.  She smiled and innocently remarked, whenever I make a mistake I like to turn it into something good.

Whenever I make mistakes I like to turn it into something good.

Yep, it’s true what ‘they’ say. . . Out of the mouths of babes.

There are so many things our little ones say.  Cute things, funny things, embarrassing things, annoying things, but this one?  This was a profound thing.

We talked about it when she said it and I suspect this statement will come up again and again throughout our lives.  Mistakes will happen.  Hard times will come.  Challenges will be faced.  In all of it I wonder what might happen if we find a way to turn it into something good.

This is a lesson I learned when my Mom died–though I used different words.  Beauty from ashes.  In the end it’s a choice.  Maybe Chanelle just turned a “T” into a smile, but I see the beginnings of something bigger, something deeper and I hope it grows.  Because really, I think it is tiny shifts in perspective like this one that can change an entire life.

And if I’ve learned nothing else in my 36 years, I’ve learned that a shift in perspective always begins with gratitude.  Today I’m thankful for. . .

A Brief Reprieve. . . 

. . . in the weather.

Monday morning we awoke to sunshine and temperatures quickly rising.  After putting the kids on the bus, Meadow and I took a little detour on our way to the grocery store. . .

It was a beautiful morning and we basked in the glow of the warm sun as if it were a hot summer day.  We lingered over the beauty of winter that we so often miss on the more grey days. . .

It’s hard to explain what a little bit of sun and even a tiny bit of warmth can do for a weary soul. I’ll just say this. . . we needed it. . .

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Grandparents like this. . . 

We drove to my in-laws to let Taza and our two-legged children run and play in their tree farm.  As soon as our car pulled up they did more than throw us a wave and a quick hello. .

They bundled up in warm clothes and joined us in the cool winter air.  They did what they do best–they made sweet, simple memories.

Progress. . . 

Every day we see progress.  Taza is becoming more and more a part of us.  Her bites let up a bit quicker, accidents are fewer and farther between, we are getting up less at night, and she has seemingly doubled in size in three weeks.

I’m beginning to forget that she was never one of us.

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Individual

Seeing Meadow become who she is. . . so different than her siblings. . .

A performer. . .

A risk taker. . .

I caught her stealing chocolate

Just silly. . .

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Winter Bubbles

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In truth, my list could go on and on.  Not because life is perfect or because there aren’t problems or frustrations or annoyances.  But just like Chanelle said, when things happen we try to make something good.  And, more often than not, I don’t have to look too far to see something good. . .

I really do think it’s that simple.

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Have a lovely weekend. . .

Sometimes, it takes a lot for me to remember to simply stop & listen, because I get so busy giving myself directions that I forget I don’t actually have all that clear an idea where I’m going.” –Brian Andreas, Story People