A Hint of Summer Vacation

Ah... what a lovely day.

No alarm clock. Instead, I woke with a hug from my daughter, asking for staples. She agreed to the "ten more minutes", and all was well.

After filling her stapler, we headed to the farmers' market. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love that.... and the fresh vegetables haven't even begun to arrive! We did get some strawberries - half of which I froze for later.

After a quick lunch, I headed out to the garden. The kids each took turns outside - one with water balloons and the other filling a bucket with water and sitting in it.

The boy rode himself to his friend's house, and the girl and I took a few minutes in the hammock together, evaluating the clouds and declaring their "look like"s.

A family walk with the dog and kids on bikes, and showers and dinner around the table.

It's one of those days that I would like to engrave in my memory and on my heart. Some days just flow well.

Thank You, God for the moments, the joy and the beauty of the earth!

An Evening Under the Stars....

Just a fun night of bunko with the women from church.

Good friends. Good food. Good fun.

Lots and lots of laughter, and enough breeze to keep the humidity and bugs at bay!

Thank You God for the fellowship with these women.

Rest, Rabbit, Rest

I've never read the book, but I have a friend who refers to it - by title - every time I say I am "tired", or "worn out", or "exhausted".

"Rest, Rabbit, Rest", she says.

It's also something I've been hearing a lot when I look at my schedule at work. Periodically, we have some extra shifts that are available. When I can, I try to pick up a couple. (I've got this dream, you see, of being debt-free one day!)

But, these days, it's mostly on night shift. Nights would be one thing, if it were just me, but it's something TOTALLY different with a pair of kids who a) need childcare and b) aren't always the best in letting me rest before and after.

So, I consider it briefly, and hear "Rest, Rabbit, Rest". I also think to the number of times and places and through different sources and people I have heard lately: "slow down".

So, that's my goal, this spring-time. Slow down. Enjoy the weather, the yard, the kids. Be still. Dig in the dirt. Tend the earth.

Summer will be here before we know it, and I will have kid-free opportunities to work without ceasing.

Til then, I shall "Rest...."

Time to Breathe....

Inhale.... Exhale.....

I talk about it all the time in my yoga class. Inhale.... Exhale.... Fully, deeply. It's important. Really important. And I certainly don't do it enough. (well, I DO breathe - I just breathe too fast and too shallow...)

Now, I feel like I have some time to relax - to rest, to reflect and to breathe... fully. Deeply. Inhale.... Exhale...

I was fortunate to get a taste of it while my sister was visiting.... a few hours sitting out on the deck in the sunshine, with no "to do" list running through my head. Bliss.

If all goes as planned, it will be a day of five minute jobs, and a day to sit and simply be for a little while. An evening of fellowship and a shared meal will complete it. A beautiful transition.

A gift. This day... with time to breathe.

Thank You, God, for this day. I will be glad and rejoice in it!