Beauty and Brokenness

Our September days have been humid and hot... I was beginning to wonder if Autumn was ever going to show her face. Just as I was giving up hope of cooler temperatures by October, she tiptoed in quietly during the night giving us a resplendent fall showing today, our first of the season. Golden and cool, it was a day to bask in the beauty of the changing seasons.

Yet, today while I basked, I found myself keenly aware of life's brokenness and trials. It seems that beauty and brokenness are rarely mutually exclusive. As I pondered I was reminded that we're all walking down a messy, broken way... the beauties that we encounter are the great mercies of the Father, who, in His wisdom, brings forth blessings from the struggles that He sovereignly allows.

And so, on this chilly evening I just have some incomplete thoughts, nothing perfectly wrapped or tied with a pretty bow. I guess what I'm trying to say is that today I saw a bit of why we're admonished to "Consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds," {James 1:2} for in the trials, the suffering, the hardships we have the opportunity to see the faithfulness and mercy of the Father, and to depend on Him. Perhaps that is the only way to truly experience His deep love... His beauty in the midst of our brokenness.

And now it is late. I think I will pull out my sleepin' socks and burrow under the comforter, something I haven't done in months. Autumn is here in all her humble, subtle beauty. I plan to drink it in tomorrow.

Blue

These baby blues melt my heart.

Big Brother in Blue

A smile like this just makes a girl grin.

God of Abounding Love

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 36:5

My Little Sidekick

For six hours everyday Tukes and I have each other to ourselves. Considering birth order this school year may be the only time in his life when things work out this way.

Earlier this year I was considering preschool... I'm so happy to have opted for simplicity instead. I'm happy that he is happy to be at home with me. I'm happy that we have these days to play games and read books, to stop at the airport to watch the blimp, to build forts and bake muffins, to go to story time, play with friends, and visit the park. In April things will get more complicated. For now, in a special way, I will enjoy him...

And his silly songs:

"Da wise man built his blimp beside da wock..."

And our interesting lunch time conversations:

"Mommy, I don't feel good because a bone in my body died."

"Oh my, that sounds serious. How did it happen?"

"It happened after my belly got big and I had my kitten."

Clearly we have some major confusion regarding reproduction.

Clearly anything is possible when you are three.

Clearly my little sidekick is a delight... most of the time.

Photo: Tukes watching the blimp.

White With Green Apples

It's a shame that I never buy fresh flowers, I really should on occasion -- a fresh bouquet has a special way of making any room happy. However, I do buy fruit, and lots of it for my little fruit mongers. Before we eat it I put it to work, which is why we have a bowl of beautiful green apples in the kitchen today.

Regarding...

Regarding yesterday's post... Yes, we have a baby on the way!

Regarding your sweet comments and emails... Thank you! What joy there is in knowing that friends near and far are sharing in our excitement. It was fun to see some new faces here, too! I so appreciate each kind and thoughtful message.

Regarding the booties... I wish I could take credit for making them. I'm still bumbling around from time to time with my knitting needles, but it was the professor's dear grandmother, Mimi, who knitted the precious pair of white booties in anticipation of Boo's arrival seven years ago.

Regarding me... Passionate about sleep and finicky about food. I've been dragging around for weeks waiting and hoping for a resurgence of energy. After days and days of cloudy skies and rain the sun burst forth with a golden afternoon today, it was very refreshing.

Regarding the boys... They are excited about a new sibling. Boo's initial response was, "Are you true? Are you really true? I can't believe this!" It took us a little while to convince him that yes, we're true. If you see Tukes in Kroger he will inform you that, "Mommy has a baby."

Regarding names... More than likely the little one won't have an official name until birth. However, the boys have been eager to offer their suggestions... John, Baby Ben, and Cadillac {notice the absence of feminine names, they are convinced we'll have another boy}.

Regarding cravings... Fully caffeinated Coca-Cola Classic please, just as I craved with Tukes.

Regarding aversions... Way too many to list. Let's just say I am the queen of bland these days... no garlic or onions please.

Regarding renovations... The professor will be putting the finishing touches on the kitchen in the next few weeks {a second coat of paint and a tile back splash}. Then we turn our attention to the two bathrooms, both of which must be gutted and rebuilt. We'll take them on one at a time to preserve some measure of sanity. The last project in our five year renovation plan is new flooring throughout the entire house; this is not likely to happen "before baby." Lord willing, it looks as though we're on track to finish renovations by summer 2010. Hmmm, maybe then we can add a fourth bedroom!

Blessed

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:23

God Delivers

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all...

Psalm 34:19

Happy Weekend

Heard earlier this week:

But Mommy I don't want to do boring old homework. I want to play. I want to be a free bird.

Oh, blessed weekend that is upon us. I'll happily let the free birds fly.

Morning Fun

Tukes builds a fort for me. I wear my fuzzy slippers.

Night Porch

I was at a party but for a few quiet moments I wasn't a part of the party. Warmth and conversation swirled around the dessert table spilling out through open doors in the glow of soft yellow light. For just a while I lingered on the night porch, enjoying its inviting solitude and the September evening.

Painted Gold

These are days we dream about,

when the sunlight paints us gold...

~Bright Eyes, "The Difference in the Shades"

Live in rooms full of light. 

~Cornelius Celsus

And, love where you live... even if you don't live in your dream home, or each day you face ongoing renovations, or sticky floors, or avocado green bathrooms, or stained, powder blue carpet. Learning to enjoy the way sunlight fills a tidy room can make you feel as though you're queen of a castle. After all, beauty is in the perceiving and enjoying, not in what you have.

God Provides

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."

Genesis 22:13-14

He provided redemption for His people;
He ordained His covenant forever --

Holy and awesome is His name.

Psalm 111:9

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

Job 10:12

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Picnic Breakfast

Happy we who can bask in this warm September sun...

Henry David Thoreau

Tea Party

Earlier this week, about the time that Tukes was asking for "Cindawella food" in the grocery store, I realized that the boys and I have never had a tea party. Shame on me, certainly such a pleasure shouldn't be reserved for only little girls.

I floated the idea after lunch, "When Boo gets home from school why don't we have a tea party?" Tukes responded with more excitement and enthusiasm than I anticipated. Together we set the table {he carefully chose the tea cups}, prepared simple snacks, and walked down the street to clip crepe myrtle blossoms.

When Boo arrived home from school we did indeed have a tea party. The boys could hardly wait while I brewed real tea "with stuff {lemon and sugar} in it." We sat together sipping and snacking, then I read Roxaboxen to them over empty cups.

After the story they headed outside to play in our muddy creek, because, afterall, little men can only remain genteel for so long.

Trash to Treasure

Yesterday I shamelessly plucked half of a vintage, metal fire truck from somebody's street side junk heap. I suppose the hook and ladder portion of the rig went out on a different day with a different pile. Oh well.


It needed a thorough cleaning, a task the boys took on with gusto employing the backyard hose and, oh dear, one of my white monogrammed towels.

Who knew half a fire truck could bring as much delight as Christmas morning and keep them busy until well after supper?

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

When the professor is at home he is king of Pandora, but when he's at work the queen of the castle takes over... hence, a morning of Motown {and some fancy footwork} for Tukes and me. You just never know, a new kitchen sink might bring out the bold soul sista in you too!

So glad we have the real thing baby...

Feeling Bookish

I was in the third grade, home from school with the chicken pox, when I first read The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. I remember lying in a patch of warm sunshine on our green velveteen couch {oh, how I loved that couch} reading and itching and savoring. I cried at the end.

I don't know why it has never occurred to me to read it to the boys, at least it didn't occur to me until last week. I pulled it out this morning and we began reading, in small chunks because Tukes really does prefer pictures. The boys are captivated. When we finish it this evening I'm pretty sure I'll cry at the end like I did when I was nine.

In other happy news on this Labor Day... well, we're laboring around the house. My laundry is clean and folded, my bathrooms fresh and sparkling {thank you, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day}, and I have a beautiful, new kitchen sink that works! I think I'll spend the afternoon washing dishes in the kitchen {not the bathtub!} just because I can!

Exalted One

I will bow down toward your holy temple

and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness,

for You have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Psalm 138:2

Playdate

Miss Brown Eyes spent the morning with us.

These two little chums play so well together...

Which is a good thing because they'll be playing together once a week.

When Miss Brown Eyes comes to our house her mother gets a morning out {alone}.

Guess what I get when Tukes goes to their house?!

Miss Brown Eyes isn't a firecracker, she's a stick of dynamite.

I love her fun, spirited personality.


Her daddy just celebrated a milestone birthday.

She told me that they hung a "walking up the hill" banner. Too cute!

Three is such a fun age!

{Tukes, we'll start working on your technique.}

True to my word, we baked something special.

Which was a helpful tactic in soothing away minor head trauma incurred on the rope swing.

Now there are no chocolate chips left for my afternoon s'mores...

But these chocolate chip muffins are great served warm with a scoop of ice cream on the side!

Don't ask me how I know this.

{Bake them at 350, not 400! And, use semi-sweet chocolate chips.}

Boys and Dirt

While I washed the car, Big Brother made mud for Little Brother.

He's good at operating the hose.

It was red clay mud to be exact.

The stuff does not wash out and hardly washes off.

Little Brother happily played in it for a very long time.

He's good at that.

After a bath his lily white skin was still stained.

Good thing a certain pair of shorts were already orange!

The following morning I found the dump truck in his bed!

Boys will be boys... and that's all I have to say about that.

Confession

Several days ago I bought a bag of mini chocolate chips promising Tukes that we'll use them to bake something special later this week when Miss Brown Eyes comes to play.

At the time, I also bought a bag of marshmallows... a special treat for the boys instead of the scary grocery store donuts they wanted.

Every afternoon since making said purchases I've been eating toaster oven s'mores after Tukes goes down for a nap.