Eyes of Wonder

The potter's hands

A Simply Lovely Life

About 6 years ago, Big Papa and I met a very precious couple at a buzzing arts and crafts fair, in a lovely local park. Nicholai, now 7, was on Big Papa's back in a backpack and I was carrying Sophia, in my womb. The other children were strolling along beside us.

George and Kathy were sitting aside in the most friendly way, amidst shelf after shelf of the most delightful pottery--much of it the loveliest shade of green, my favorite color. I would be one who would typically walk through the entire event drinking in all the creativity and loveliness, and come away having actually bought nothing at all. Well, this in mind, I had no sooner entered their booth when my eyes clapped on the most incredibly beautiful large bowls, that had been molded around rhubarb leaves. I quickly made my way towards one of them, whilst mentally claiming it as my own. Well, there was a fair-sized crowd gathered 'round in George and Kathy's tent, and it seems I wasn't the only one that had taken an immediate fancy to Kathy's exquisite rhubarb bowls. No sooner had I stepped back to consider the purchase with Big Papa, than a young gal grabbed *my* bowl and squeeled with delight over the fact that she had just found *the most perfect wedding present*. My head of course went into a bit of a swirl as I stood processing what had just transpired----mouth a-gape, all I could think was, "I don't even know you, and I'm already married!!" :o)

Interestingly enough, it was at right about that moment that I started to feel really lightheaded and began to pass out! I managed to softly say that I was about to do so, and Kathy, dear kind, gentle soul that she is, quickly grabbed a stool for me to sit down on and took me under her wing for a bit, making me feel entirely at home (while I recovered from the gal making away with my rhubarb bowl :o) The truth is that I nearly always have a near fainting episode at the beginning of each pregnancy, and I thought it was terribly good of the Lord to use it to my advantage, to tie sure heart strings with George and Kathy! He is surely the most creative of all, yes! How kind.

One aspect of the meeting that made it especially special for all of us in our family, straightaway from the onset, was the fact that even at that time, Julia and Chubb both had a sincere desire to learn to throw pottery. Well, with 10 children and a very busy family life from day-to-day, one of the primary things that we have chosen to do, is wait, in just about every area that would have had me spending alot of time outside the home, and out and about in the car, for lessons. I know not everyone chooses this route, but because it would have been lots of time traveling to and from lessons if each one was involved in lessons of some type, and we really desired to have a slower rhythm to our days, we chose to wait until the children were older, had a sustained expressed interest in something, and a would find pleasure in learning it. This has worked out very well for us. Both Rosie and Julia had an interest in the piano and now that they are older it has worked out nicely for them to be able to go, together, to take lessons from a dear friend, nearby. They have learned so quickly and it's such a blessing to see them love to practice--of their own accord, and listen to them play, throughout each day.

Well another long-lived area of interest for a couple of the children was pottery, for Julia and Chubb. It has actually been a burning desire for quite a long while for them, to try their hand/s at it and hopefully come into a situation where they could begin to acquire and develop the skill.

So, time went by and we periodically spoke with George and Kathy over the phone. At one point I spoke with George, a very precious brother in the Lord, and was so sad to learn that he had cancer--cancer of the appendix, and his appendix had ruptured. This was good in that it was through the ruptured appendix that the cancer was discovered, but at the same time devastating, because the rupturing caused the cancer seeds to spread throughout his body. Our family prayed each day for George and Kathy and their dear family, as they made their way through this very difficult time

Some time following the surgery and treatment we were truly (far more than words could possibly express) overjoyed to see George and Kathy once again at the same arts and crafts fair, now a couple of years later. I finally got my incredible rhubarb bowl ,plus another large thrown bowl, and George and Kathy also kindly gifted me with a beautiful medium-sized bowl to add to my treasured collection. My eyes kept filling with tears throughout the visit, because I was so thankful that the Lord had seen them through and George, though still tired and weak, was getting well. We parted with hugs and the hopes of soon getting together for a picnic as well as George having very kindly offered to hold a pottery session for Julia and Chubb (he actually entirely welcomed *any* and all of the children that might have an interest), as soon as he felt well enough.

Well, time flew by as it has a way of doing and before we knew it several more years had passed. Big Papa called George on the phone just a couple of weeks ago, only to discover that after 3 years of being cancer free, the cancer is back. Just a bit over 5 weeks ago, George underwent surgery, again, and is presently going through chemo. Following the surgery the surgeon gave Kathy a very discouraging prognosis. Perhaps the most devastating news her heart could hold and be presently carrying.

They are praying, and many are praying, with, and for them. They love the Lord with all their hearts and realize that he holds their lives, both George and Kathy's in His hands. As each of us--only in part--if we or one we love has never passed through such a thing, can imagine, this is a very difficult time of uncertainty, that they and their family are having to pass through just one day at a time. They'll be leaving for a large alternative, cancer treatment center in the country, on August 13th. The people there have been most supportive and kind, which has been a great comfort and blessing. During this trip George will have a pet scan done, to determine the extent of the cancer. I'd like to ask each of you dear ones to please join us in the days ahead, praying for George, for complete healing--as we know that God is able, and/or for God's loving grace to be poured out upon them, day and night, His peace that passes all understanding--to overflowing, His joy unspeakable--supernaturally, in the midst of circumstances, and His tender Father love to cocoon them as they go moment-by-moment through each day. If you'd like to leave them a loving note of encouragement here, and let them know that you are praying for them, I'll be sure the notes get passed along to them. Thank-you, truly, more than words can say.

Despite having just recently had surgery, George very kindly welcomed us over to their warm, lovely home, for a pottery session for the two **really--wanna--be** potters. So, Rosie, Julia, Chubb, all the little ones and I, loaded into the van and set out on our way. The air was filled with excitement. Honestly, I can't really tell you how exciting even the thought of the whole thing was for Chubb and Julia. James remarked to Big Papa, the night before as Chubb was scurrying around doing all he possibly could to get things situated for the next day, "I've never seen Chubb so excited about anything!". It was so entirely true. My heart was about to burst with excitement because as their mother I was so happy for them.

When we arrived I asked if it would be all right for *everyone* to get out for a just a couple of minutes to take a quick poke around the potter's shop and get a peek at the wheels, etc.... George, looked at me and said, "Absolutely! You can *all* stay the *entire* time (I had planned to have Rosie take the little ones in the van for a spin and perhaps to a park, while I stayed with Julia and Chubb and the baby). So, wriggling with delight the little ones hopped out and we made our way in through their very inviting, artistically arranged cosy home met one of their four dear daughters and her precious son.

Well, just so you get a real true feel for where I'm headed here, let me just pause to say, that George had a great big pot of beef stew, simmering on the stove that he had been preparing for a family gathering arranged for the following day. Most of the veggies were right straight from their garden.It smelled delicious inside, and was so homey and wonderful!

The day that followed was, with absolutely no exaggeration, one of the very most beautiful days of mine, and the the children's entire life. It was so incredibly God--arranged that I had to fight back tears on and off throughout it. George and Kathy are two of the most sincerely open, free, kind, caring and giving people I've ever met.

I've been praying about writing this post, the past few days, as my heart has been so acutely aware of all that dear George and Kathy are presently passing through, and the very sensitive nature of the situation, and also, because it was so special to my children, that I wanted to record it in a way that they could hold onto it--that we all could, and remember it, for always. But the truth is, even without all the photographs, I'm sure that each one of us will. It was so very beautiful, we couldn't but. What began as a pottery lesson blossomed into 6 hours of really indescribable sweetness. God reached out and loved my children and me, as an individual, and as a mother, in the most incredibly tangible way.

The potter's wheels were set up beneath two large maple trees, flowers were blooming in profusion, everywhere. They had a huge yard, a large fruitful garden, a tree house, a hammock, little ride-on tractors, and above all, wide-opened hearts of true hospitality and love, to overflowing. I love them both and feel so privileged to be able to call them my friends.

Kathy was at work when we arrived and at one point George had to leave for an appointment and so left us there at home, in their home, by ourselves, to bask in the ongoing gift of the day. About an hour later Kathy arrived home and it was so wonderful to see her. She is a very beautiful woman with a sincerely sweet, gentle spirit and servant's heart overflowing with love. George, like Kathy, has a very laid-back, gentle, easy way and a radiantly merry heart. I only wish each one of you could meet them, in real life. You'd be so blessed. Kathy lavished sweet hospitality upon us, in a warm motherly way.

So, here are photos from the day, this past Friday, to share with you all. I loved nearly every photo of the nearly 350 photos that I took that day. I loved seeing the deep concentration, fascination, and appreciation, on the faces of the potters while the free-flowing, carefree, lovely liveliness of everyone and everything else buzzed around them--so much life, joy, and beauty, within the sunlight and warmth of the gift, of one single, special, set-apart summer's day. The photos, perhaps more so than any others I've ever taken, so truly captured the heart and soul of the day, in nearly every way. George, is a very gifted potter, that loves what he does--he so loves and celebrates life, overall. Two of my children have a burning desire within them to become skilled in the very same, and are so privileged to have him so graciously and kindly for each time that he is able, take them under his wing. At one point, about 3 hours into the time that he spent sitting at this wheel, I leaned over to Chubb in the old friendly, motherly (tell me everything) way, and said in confidence, "Chubby, do you like it as much as you thought you would?? Is it as wonderful as you imagined it would be??"

And he looked into my eyes with his own sparkling and said, with such sincerity, "oh Mom, it's a thousand times more wonderful than I ever would have dreamed that it could have been. I just love it!"

Again, I found myself fighting back tears. "Thank-you, God. Thank-you so very much.".

The pottery shop was enchanting. George and Kathy invited the children to pick raspberries and beans--what a joy. We left their home with the gift of the loan of a potter's wheel, a book to borrow, plans for a homemade potter's wheel--which Chubb and James plan to make, and Chubb is over the moon about! The gift of 50 lbs of clay, 2 of George's beautiful pottery bowls (some of which you will see them using as they work at the wheels, in the photos) filled with supplies, a beautiful extruded pottery vase for me, and a lovely artistic extruded mug for Big Papa--that he was so incredibly thrilled to receive. By the end of the day Julia and Chubb had completed 3 amazing bowls each and a mug for Julia as well, under George's gifted tuteledge.

I have been so excited about sharing this day with you guys and so anxious to ask you all to pray, as I know you surely will. Thanks for being so sincerely caring and loving.

So, here are just a few of my favorite photos from the day, from beginning to end. Since I haven't shared too many photos in the past couple of posts I feel free to share a good number--the very least amount I believe, that would be worthy of one of the very, very, loveliest of days.

George and Kathy, if you're here, I love you both, and we are thinking of you and praying for you, throughout each day. Thank-you, for being you, and for allowing God to live and love and bless us immeasurably, through you. It was a gift we'll treasure, for always.

Thanks for sharing in our joy, everyone. Much, love to each one of you, Jewels















George washed these the night before, for the children to wear.















Both George and Chubb's hands. I love this shot. I love them all.

















Beautiful, kind, gentle-spirited, Kathy.









Picking beans in the garden.





























































But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall not wither, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8

As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are but dust.

Psalm 103: 13-14

More than anything, thank-you, thank-you, for praying for George and Kathy and their precious family, as they make their way through these days of uncertainty, ahead--trusting with all their hearts in the very One that made them, knows them through and through, loves them, and holds them, tenderly in His hands.

Have a lovely day, tomorrow.
Your friend, Jewels

The priceless gift of love

A Simply Lovely Life

As I look back over the past 45 years of my life, there is a dreamy haze that wraps itself around much that's transpired throughout the countless moments, into days, into months and on into years. Family, friends, neighbors, teachers, Christmases, Thanksgivings, birthdays, year after year of school, and jobs, various states and cities.

As time goes by, the all too fleeting passage of it, seems to be illuminated at various points along the way, by people, people that have stood out to me, primarily for one reason--that they loved.

I remember my kindergarten teacher, Miss Heddler, always gentle and kind, playing blocks and house with us, reading us stories on the big round braided rug while we gathered 'round her, basking in the glow of her warm, accepting smile. Painting on easels with big fat brushes and baby food water jars, growing bean plants and grass seed in styrafoam cups on the long wall of windows and sills. I remember that year of my as though it was yesterday, because Miss Heddler loved us, and being in her class was like being in her home, because she held each one of us close, in her heart.

She was followed by Mrs.Tapovatz and next Miss Owen/and Miss Woodruff, whose faces are somewhat indistinct and fuzzy in my mind, but my eighth year and third grade dawned with yet another life that overflowed with love--Mrs. Teubert's, reaching out to profoundly touch mine. I think I can say with certainty that every single child in my class was in love with her, believing beyond a doubt that they were her favorite. I also believe that I learned and retained more during that year of school than any other. She smiled all the time, scruffed up our hair, and read to us, faithfully, every single day right after lunch, and was at the same time perfectly fine with us laying down our heads and falling fast asleep while she did so. At thanksgiving we each dressed up as an indian or a pilgrim, and made a big feast with all the trimming right in our classroom, from the turkey to the butter that we made to slather on our biscuits. For Christmas we made a mirul the size of an entire wall and traced each other's bodies to make life-sized families and carolers, and decorated rooms and furniture out of newsprint and construction paper. We decorated a huge Christmas tree with popcorn and cranberries and paper chains and paper cut-out birds--something I have done each year with me own children, due to the treasure that memory always has ever held for me, since. She had us get a letter from each of our grandparents that were alive and willing to write one, and then devoted part of an afternoon to cookies and milk while she rocked in her reading chair in her warm nurturing way and read them aloud. I remember the sadness that filled our hearts as she hugged each one of us good-bye before leaving on a two week trip to Australia to visit her family (*this must* be why I love those dear Australians, so :o) and how our little eight year old hearts rejoiced when a package arrived from Australia with a separate card for each of us--containing a note of love from our beloved friend, who missed us--and for each one, a tablet with either a koala bear or a kangaroo on it (mine was a koala bear) a new pencil and a two cent piece. She continued to love me (and I'm sure everyone else) throughout my entire life at grade school and hugged me and spoke life into my being each time our paths crossed in the halls. Once she loved you, she always loved you. And even when I was a teenager, in Jr. High she kindly had me over to her home in the country where she and her husband also had an antique shop, for lunch and a lovely stroll out on their property and along the brook.

And while in my teens there was the ever-present gift of my beloved aunt that has always been like an older sister to me, Cheryl, and my very dear uncle who was like a beloved brother, Leigh, who also both---loved. They valued people and relationships so highly and seemed to always have an endless store of kindness, acceptance, of love. I don't think there was ever a single moment that I didn't feel entirely welcomed in their home and in their hearts. Homemade soups on the stove, celestial seasonings tea, chips and salsa, playing the guitars and harmonica, singing, talking, talking, talking, late into the night......... always an abundance of love.

There are so many, and I have shared much of the others in things I've written in the past, but it seems that though I live to be one hundred I will ever and always be learning, and yet will still have merely only scratched the surface of the wondrous thing, called love.

I have far more dear friends than I deserve and owe them an enormous debt of gratitude for all that they have taught me, about love. For it seems that this is the very way that I have learned and continue to learn of it--through the very ones by and through whom it has been graciously gifted, to me. God is so kind to have it work this way.

I shared a ways back on the blog about a very dear friend, a tenderhearted, kind man, probably the most caring, thoughtful, giving, loving friend of my lifetime, outside of my family. Among far too numerous to number other things, he even singlehandedly put a new roof on our home in just a couple of days--my very dear friend, Paul. I have learned so very much of love through the life that he lives and the love that he gives so freely, asking nothing in return.

Another very, very, dear and precious friend, Heather, has struggled with myriad health issues and lives with chronic pain, but is ever and always focused on the hearts and needs of others. In the midst of her own struggles and difficulties my sweet friend, Heather, sent a package along with the children (who had gone by to visit her), for me---during a time not too long ago when I was struggling with illness (which paled in comparison to her own situation)--and in the bag was **an entire month's worth** of loving cards with letters of encouragement, and gifts for me to have--one to open each day! I was totally speechless. So much thought and so much time had gone into the making of that precious gift---of love. Among, again, gifts far too numerous to number, she, years ago, a very talented seamstress, she made and gave, the gift of a twin-sized quilt to each one of my children, which they loved too much to not actually use. So they were wrapped around them every night, 'til they, like the Velveteen Rabbit, were loved to near rags. Memories that for them, like me, will never fade.



I have learned so much through these and many other very dear ones (many of you among them) that have taken the time and the effort to bless my life with the gift of love. And what have I learned specifically? I've learned about giving of oneself sincerely and sacrificially. About always thinking the best and hoping the best for another--even when in your heart you might even have reason to do otherwise. About taking the *time* to do the kind and caring, thoughtful and nurturing thing, though life is busy and often hard, and it requires great effort at times. About giving if and when your able, without weighing and measuring, even when someone is unable to give back. About sharing your heart, openly and freely and making yourself vulnerable, and allowing another to do the same. About giving people the freedom to be themselves with all their inevitable imperfections and mistakes, immaturities and failures and truly appreciating and loving them for just who they are, just as they are, right where they are---through the eyes and the heart, of love.

Our family had an old Dodge Pick-up truck for a number of years. Well, Big Papa had a long-standing desire to get a truck with an extended cab so he could use it to run his errands on the weekends and be able to take all of his little buddies along with him. Well, the years passed and it seemed that that extended cab truck was always somehow getting bumped down below the *actually happening* line, on the list of things to get. Well, right around Father's Day of this year, James and Joseph came to me super excited to let me know about the gift that they were planning to give to Big Papa, for Father's Day--- A wonderfully nice, extended cab truck (not their own big white one), that they had worked and worked and saved and paid a pretty penny for. My eyes filled with tears and my first thought was to say, *no way*! But, I just stood there quietly for a moment, letting it sink in. I realized that there was something priceless in the immense love behind the giving. That the true gift, was, the love--something that had been wrought deep in their hearts that would only multiply and grow, in the giving. I knew that I couldn't say, no, because something would be of priceless value would be lost, if I did.

So, we planned a big pizza party picnic outside (probably a loving gift from my dear friend, Paul) and everyone was jumping up and down in excitement up near the road waiting and watching for Big Papa to come along, making his way home. As he pulled in everyone tried to act as normal as possible--which was pretty hard for them all! And, the photo above is of Big Papa opening his Father's Day card with a folded up photo of the truck that the boys had taken and printed out on the computer, a love letter, and the keys. Well, needless to say, he was super confused at first, then started to cry and the only words he could say, were...."no.. no... no....". while shaking his head and looking at the boys. Then finally, "thank-you so much but I could never accept that boys." To which the boys delightedly (James smiling like the Cheshire cat--which if you've ever met him you know what I mean! :o) responded that there was simply no way they were taking no for an answer, you cannot refuse a gift, and they would be hurt if he didn't take it. The true gift was the love. The love that has grown from each of their conceptions to the present and will continue to grow until one by one each of us die. The priceless gift, of love.

Well, once again, it's late and I am so tired that I'm not going to take the time to go back over what I've written, until tomorrow. Thanks so much for not minding the mistakes and typos--I appreciate it, and will pray that it makes just enough sense for those that come by to visit in the meantime. Thanks for being so gracious.

Thank-you for the kind and loving gift of *your* friendship. If you feel like sharing, and have the time, I'd love to hear about someone/s special that's impacted your life. I'm sure everyone else would, too, if you have the time and you'd like to share.

Also, for anyone that might have the time and be interested, I decided to share a photo that Julia recently took of me, with you guys--It's tucked away on the More than a little bit a little bit about me page (very non-threatening, for anyone that might be nervous about taking a look ;o). I decided to go ahead and be so bold, as I have treasured getting to see photos of each one of you. Now, don't all dash over there at once, okay ;o)

You guys are the sweetest and the best. Thanks for your hugely beautiful, sweet, and loving notes and emails of encouragement, today--and every day.

Off to bed, and Lord willing, I'll see you, tomorrow.
Lovingly, Jewels

Rainy day reflections

A Simply Lovely Life

There's a peace-filled, quiet hush over the entire household, today. It's raining again, so only James and Joseph are outside, while working away in their shop. Big Papa's back to work after a whirlwind weekend of wondrous things, for him and his family, as we journey along, so thankful to make our way, together.

Candles aglow and music playing, seems everyone is moving along in slow speed turtle-mode, thankful for the rainy day, and the soft easy rhythm that with it, it brings.

The morning found us busy with the usual daily tidying as well as tending to a few of the things set aside 'til Monday, to make way for the out-of-the-ordinary of the weekend. Around the noon hour the boys made their way, inside, to share in a lovely savory salad lunch with us; baby greens, loads of veggies, crackers, cheese and hard-boiled eggs. It was hearty but light and hit the spot. Being a family especially fond of olives, both black and green, every salad had more than a hefty handful of black olives strewn over the top, which (being a habit I have long held) I allow to make their way to the fingers of the littlest ones (and the older ones that still indulge :o). Aimaija--3 is at an age of particular fancy for this passed down tradition. Though I have my dear Grandma Kay to thank for allowing me this sweet indulgence, I believe her open-hearted enthusiasm for the simple ritual told tale of someone likewise indulging her, far further back than I could ever know or remember. It brings me a smile, every time. Just one of the countless sweet simplicities of childhood.

The initial spotting!



And the fun begins.



Help is at hand, but you are simply too engrossed to notice.



Ooops, sidetracked and we lose one!



I'll eat it before (in your "helpfulness") you knock another off.



Back to work.



Ahhhhh, edible art!



Alot of work, but ohhh, how worth it, in the utterly delicious end!







Good, and gone!



A long and lovely afternoon.

Long dearly loved dollies, lined up for school.



Stories, together, curled up on the big "new" couch.



Hours spent in the old doll's house cupboard, arranging and re-arranging, whiling away the pleasant day.







Falling down and getting hurt (once again) and finding sweet comfort and restored happiness, cradled and rocked, in mama's arms.





Reading



And drawing.





Brother and sister love, creating treasured memories--with the past, in the present, for always.





A bit of successful tooth pulling!





Some block sculpture, by Nicholai.................

Rosie



Mama



And Julia



What's long been suspected, has now been confirmed....we're all a bunch of blockheads!! Yes, I humbly admit, it's true ;o)

Yet another, slow and easy rainy day.



Well, we've put an offer in on the house, which is just the beginning of getting the ball rolling. In a couple of days we should have a far greater idea of in just what direction we're moving, and what the next step/s might be. There are so very many considerations and variables, things that would have to fall into just the right place, at just the right time, to make relocating possible, so we wait upon Him who knows us and our needs, and loves us best, to either continue to open doors, or quietly close them. Thanks so much for praying for us. There are so many changes, that are taking place during this season of our lives, whether it is the Lord's plan to have us move, or no. Thanks for all your lovely notes and letters. Thanks for sharing your precious lives, what a sweet blessing you are to me. I hope your day is beautiful wherever you are, whatever the weather, whatever your life may presently hold, I pray for you sweet peace, and the blessed grace to be able to rest quietly and securely, in His unfailing love for you, and yours--awaiting His very best, in all things. You are not what you do or what you own. You are so very precious, simply because, you are you.

Lovingly, Jewels

While it rained, and it rained, and it rained...

A Simply Lovely Life

A cloud filled sky, a long dark day, raindrops falling along the way.

Hour after hour, after hour, passing by. Raindrops, raindrops, from the sky.

Hanging like pearls, lovely with light, on the drying rack, forgotten, sitting aside.



Slipping and sliding plop, plop, plop, rythmically falling they do not stop.



Rippling in the old bird's bath



Nestled like diamonds on softly curled shells, that reached up to catch them as they steadily fell.



Curled up snuggly, dry, inside, celebrating raindrops, time slowly passing by.

Watermelon, candlelight, some crackers and some cheese. Rain drops, rain drops, deep snoozing, and good reads.











A big bed-boat in the living room, we're sailing out to sea,



On endless raindrops, coming down. Together, you and me.

I had the sweetest experience, today in the late afternoon while I was out running my errands. I'll look forward to telling you about it, Lord willing, tomorrow. I hope your day was especially nice. Ours was so lovely, too. Once again, the house is sound asleep, all but Julia--who is very sweetly rubbing this tired mama's shoulders for her, just now, and big papa. I'm looking forward to curling up this that cosy nest of mine, tonight. Another blessedly long, full day, and I am good and tired. Thanks so much for all your lovely notes, yesterday and today. Thanks so much for coming by. Warmly, your friend, Jewels

The most meaningful matter of motherhood

A Simply Lovely Life

The day is done, the house is fast falling asleep. All is peacefully silent and still. I'm tired, and pause, reflectively in awe of life. The enormity of it. The never ceasing advancement of time. The perpetual movement forward, no turning back. The hours given beneath the sun and the moon and the stars. All that transpired from the moment my eyes opened this very morning, to the moment, soon, when they shall once again close in rest.

From the early morning darkness--all alone, to the first exchange/s of the sunlit morn; the slow down, take time, deep heart rituals. The soul food of existence for a life open-wide to investment and treasure bestowed. Little lives, entrusted to my care--seeking me out, with eyes barely open. Total trust. Dependence. Curled up small in my lap and my arms. Cheek-to-cheek. Nose-to-nose. Deeply gazing into my eyes from the farthest reaches of their blossoming beings. Unspoken, unspeakable, heart longings. Seeking to connect to and absorb the God intended, priceless store, ever-available, night or day, never-ending. Sweet mother love; overflowing, in abundance. The most deeply satisfying, enveloping, nurturance that God intends for this life to hold.

I am privileged, even at 45 years old to know the soft, gentle, accepting, unconditional love, of my own precious mother. Today, I wept, as a sweet visit between us over the phone came to a close.
Though I fought against the thought, knowing that it's, Lord willing, still such a long way off, my heart, overflowing with her tender life and love towards me, her child, cried out within me........"what would I ever do without her?". I love her so. So much of who I am, is who she is. So much of who I am is because of what she has poured into my heart and mind from that very first day I emerged from her body and nestled small and secure in her arms. She's my friend. She listens to me. She laughs with me. She cries with me. She understands me and thinks the best of me. She holds me close, across the many miles that keep us apart, physically. She loves me. And I love her.

Life. The gift of life, in the very beginning, and all along the way, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. If I had one thought to share as a mother of many children--many of them now grown, it would be to let go, and freely love, setting aside any and everything that your heart tells you might be hindering you from doing so--for a season. Because, truly, it will more sooner than you could ever realize seem that you have merely blinked your weary mama eyes 5 times and they'll be grown. Everything else can wait, and will be all the sweeter for having done so.

Live slowly and simply, so that you have the time and space to love deeply and well. Hold your children close, as often as possible. Look deeply into their eyes, speak words of life, love and acceptance, into, and over them. Make it your single aim, to be their very best friend on earth. You will in such a very short time be repaid a thousand-fold. Read to them, draw with them, make play dough, take walks, have picnics, make ice cream, tossle their hair, rub their backs, sit beside them, kiss them, kiss them, as you hold them tenderly, close--throughout every single day. Love them.

Nothing will be so precious to you as that love, making it's way in and through, and so sweetly right around back, to you. God's ways are beyond our comprehension, always best, and beautiful. Let Him love all, through you, but especially the most priceless treasure you possess--your gifts. Your tender, impressionable, irreplaceable, sweet children.

Lovingly, your friend, Jewels

P.S. Those lovely flowers above, are the wildflower, lance-leafed coreopsis.

Practically a favorite

A Simply Lovely Life

After a busy day filled with bright, warm sunshine, tractor and wagon rides, watermelon, cherries, goats and dogs, brothers and sisters and for the very first time, ever-- no nap to speak of, my littlest love is sprawled out in my arm, across my lap, fast asleep, while I type. She was so tired, and so thankful to make her way to my arms, her milk, and oh so sweet and long-awaited sleep, that I haven't had the heart to put her down, yet.

Actually, all the children played hard today, and it was warm out. Really warm. Ordinarily, we read two chapters of our current read aloud before lights out. Tonight, it was four glorious chapters, to finish up "Little Town on the Prairie", and only Nicholai made it to the end. Doesn't seem to matter, really, to the littlest ones, if they nod off mid-chapter, as just the sound of the voice, reading aloud, itself, creates such a cosy, peaceful, just-right atmosphere for those most sleepy, to drift away by. Oh, the all too quickly fleeting days of childhood. Seems the days are filled--especially in summer, with simple joys and delights, daily beauties and wonders, too numerous to number. Picnics and ice cream, the pool, dragonflies, butterflies, hummingbirds, fireflies, flowers, and hikes, the garden and playing house. How I love re-living the magic of childhood through the eyes, the hearts and minds, of my precious children. What a gift and a privilege.

Cherries.



Single-handedly removing and "folding" a mountain's worth of laundry from the line. Loudly singing her made up laundry folding songs all the while. "Pull it down, fold it up, put it in the basket". Little laundress photos, courtesy of Julia--who *ran* to get the camera :o)





Despite the heat, the gals and I scurried around this morning and got quite a bit accomplished in the house and outside. I stopped by my friend, Heidi's little shop, recently and was thrilled to find some lovely and useful things. She had a milk crate filled with china cups, which were themselves filled with dust and cobwebs and looked as though they had been just sitting there, waiting for me to show up, for about a hundred years. I purchased their freedom for a mere $2.00, brought them home and Mrs. Meyers and I set to work, today, spiffing them up to good-as-new. A little disinfecting, a good airing in the bright sunshine and they are lovely and ready to make their big debut at a family picnic, or teatime, this very weekend.

I've developed a fondness for heavy china. Though my true love lies with hand-thrown pottery and I do have some lovely pieces and admittedly have an ongoing longing, deep inside, for the loveliest rhubarb molded dinner plates and bowls, I do also have, as you will recall, more than a few dear children, as well as somewhat of an aversion to paper cups and plates. I like beauty--and simple practical, beauty, is quite simply very lovely to me. I also like to have my sweet children lend a hand or two helping out with doing the dishes, and prefer to have as few broken as possible, as a result.

So, for years I have had a seemingly never-ending supply of basic white heavy china, making it's way across my path and into the daily doings (be they humble or exalted) of my family's lively food life. You know, the incredibly sturdy, restaurant china. I can find it any and everywhere, all of the pieces kind of flow together, their slight variations and uniquenesses just adding to the interest of the whole affair. And, the best part is (may I say it again?) that it's virtually indestructible, for day-in, day-out, all purpose use, picnics and gatherings.



I also found a nice big stack of dinner plates, some salad plates and a larger serving plate, all for $3.00, to add to my never-ending, ever-growing, hard working, faithful supply.





I can't wait to make up a nice big jar of tea, some juice or lemonade, throw on the table cloths, fire up the grill and lay out my "new" white china, for the big-party-picnic that I'm highly hoping will be, on Saturday.

And, before I forget, the photo at the top is of trumpet vine blossoms. They are in full bloom right now and look lovely climbing on the fences and trellises, all around.

I hope each of you had/or has, a great day. And, for those of you, and/or yours, that haven't been feeling well, I do hope you've been able to snug in, rest and relax, as much as possible, and will soon be feeling better.

Warmly, your friend, Jewels

P.S. I'll be drawing (the number of) the name for *Grandma's* apron, tomorrow--Friday, late afternoon, and will post around the usual time to share whose name I've drawn. :o)

....Weeping may endure for the night,

A Simply Lovely Life

But joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

We were blessed with a special bit of sunshine this morning, in the form of a gift; the gift of two adorable baby goats--brothers. Big Papa, Rosie, Julia and the little ones, loaded in the truck and traveled to a farm not too far away. Off the main road and down a long dirt drive, over a rise and past a stream they journeyed excitedly to gather up these two wee lads, just old enough to be parted from their mama. Their mother is French Alpine, and the father, Saanen.

There was much joy and excitement throughout the afternoon as the brothers got to know the many members of the family; curling up in their laps, sniffing, nuzzling, chewing on their clothing. It was sweet to see how especially drawn they were to Rosie and Julia. Being so recently parted from their own mother, they were vying for the love and affection of the two biggest mother's hearts in the bunch, who readily and happily obliged them. No problem there.





They were promptly dubbed, Kik and Pippin, by unanimous decision.









I was so thankful to God, for His loving timing. It couldn't have been better. And the happiness doesn't end here. Another, pure creamy white, from a different mother, still nursing, will be coming to make his home here with us in about three weeks. I hear he's too cute for words.

We were also blessed to have Big Papa home for the entire day. Lunch was a wonderful seafood chowder which we all especially enjoyed with Big Papa gathered 'round that table laughing and talking with us. The afternoon was peaceful and quiet. I enjoyed another one of those delightful naps curled up beside my littlest love, gently lulled to sleep by just a few pages of my book. Papa thoroughly relished a couple of long, cool, lazy hours in the pool, yet more fun and merriment, with all his dearest friends.

A beef roast simmered in the crock pot all day long, with tomatoes, mushrooms and onions, and what a delicious supper we had of it, with steamed buttered potatoes, corn, and carrots. It was such a nice day, for everyone. So good to see Rosie smiling again. Nice to work together, eat together, rest together, and play together. Nice to pull together and share, in the joys and sorrows, the tears and laughter that this life inevitably holds. Thank-you, each one, for taking the time to share in it, too, alongside.

Your kind, caring words; notes in the comments and emails, were such a comfort and blessing to Rosie, and to me. Thank-you for the sweet gift of them. I never imagined that a blog could open the windows wide, to such sweetness in friendship, from near and far. You're very precious--each one, it's a joy, and I'm so thankful.

I hope your day was special, meaningful, and memorable in the sweetest, simplest ways that nourish our hearts, and the hearts of those we love, deep, deep, within .
Warmly, your friend, Jewels

Sewing and sadness

A Simply Lovely Life

Hello, sweet friends. I took the above photo of Rosie, late yesterday afternoon. She had been working away on this lovely pellise in the prettiest cornflower blue, cotton gauze fabric, using the Regency Spencer/Pelisse pattern on this page for the back, and her own design for the front. I was able to get a couple photos, of it nearly completed last night. It was just before night fell and I thought the colors and light were so pretty in the photos.



The fabric is very light and fluid, and gracefully, softly billows in the slightest breeze of movement.



The bodice is fully lined. The sleeves and skirt are unlined.



The sad news, is that Rosie's beloved black lab of many years, Midnight, died in the middle of the night, last night. He has been ill, and thankfully James was the one to discover that he had quietly passed away in the night, and not Rosie. I was so grateful for that. Midnight's story is unique in that he wasn't an easy dog. Actually taking him into our home and keeping him, was one of the most difficult things we've ever done, in many ways for our entire family, but mainly for Rose, who willingly took on full resposibility of his care, when just a young slip of a girl.

We adopted him from a dear friend's, precious sister when she was no longer able to keep him, due to a bad situation. He was an incredibly high needs special dog that had separation anxiety, and myriad other troubles to a degree that I never would have thought possible in an animal. He was about 3 years old when we he came to make his home with us, and has been lovingly and patiently cared for and sacrificed for, by Rosie, for over 10 years.

There is no pain like watching one of your children suffer physically and I say this knowing that many of you have endured far more pain in this way than I ever have--and how my heart most deeply, sincerely goes out to you. And, there is very great pain, as well, in walking alongside our children when they suffering deeply within their hearts, emotionally. It has been one of the most difficult aspects of mothering for me. We have experienced the loss of several of the children's beloved animals over the years, and I don't think it ever gets any easier for me, to watch them make their way through death and loss of a dear friend that they deeply loved.

There were many, many tears this morning, coming with a bit less frequency now, as the day draws to a quiet close. What remains is the heavy sense of sadness and loss--amidst the many memories, that only diminishes with time. Rosie loved him so devotedly. God truly blessed Midnight by entrusing him to Rosie's care, as all along, the fact that he was so very difficult and challenging merely endeared her tender heart to him all the more, despite the fact that it meant ongoing sacrifice in countless ways to love and care for him, all through the years. How I love and respect her for it. I'm so thankful to be the one to hold her close and love her, tenderly, carrying her in my heart, feeling with her, hurting for her, while she carries her pain of having loved and cared deeply, and saying farewell.

Warmly, Jewels

Yet another lovely day

A Simply Lovely Life

The sun shone warm and bright very first thing this morning. Breakfast together, Saturday morning cleaning squared away, Big Papa, Rosie and I loaded the littlest in the van to make our way to the city. Shopping day had been postponed. Typically Friday, we were all worn out from the merriment of Wednesday and it's overflow into Thursday. So, enough food on hand to get us through we waited and enjoyed the time out, together, doing all the special things reserved for our one big day a week, out on the town.





We enjoyed a lovely summer's drive through the country (on our way to the city), a bit of thrifting, ice cream, and despite countless pleasant diversions along the way, did manage to get well stocked up on food.

We arrived home to the day yet young and were blessed to have Wesley, Claire, Josie and Bug come on by. The afternoon couldn't have been nicer. The children and Big Papa--in and out of the pool. The little ones having a great time with their cowboy hats and cap guns. Tractor rides for Celeisa. Rosie and me in the garden, together, side-by-side. A big delicious cookout--simple hearty fare, conversation, laughter, and love--so much love, I sometimes think my heart will burst. The sweetest gift of yet another day, of just be-ing, and enjoying--everything. So many things for remembering, always. Life, together, as a family.

































I hope your day was special, too. I'm worn out and sleepy, in the very best way. How I do hope and pray, that I might be so blessed as to be found, with each day filled to overflowing, with life's sweetest simple pleasures, of life, love, and meaningful relationships, right up until that moment I breathe my very last.

Warmly, Jewels

The freedom to be a family

A Simply Lovely Life

I get excited about the fact that God has a special plan and purpose, unique to each precious family. He knows that each mother, each father, is perfectly suited to love, teach, nurture and guide the children graciously gifted to them, by His grace.

I have found so much peace in the realization that it's perfectly okay for me to be, simply me, with my particular strengths and weaknesses, my giftings and abitlilities bents and delights.

I've found much joy in the shared friendship that develops between children and parents that love and treasure them, hold them close, hug them, kiss them and listen to them, with ears to hear and a heart to understand--who they are, and where they are--ever changing.

It's nice to read the same books, and watch the same films, and share the same sense of humor, and remember and remark upon so many of the same things. It's inspiring and invigorating to have diverse and varied interests and points of view and talk loudly and excitedly discussing and debating, spurring each other on to deeper thought, wonderment, and understanding beyond ourselves.

I've loved passing through needs and longings, hopes and dreams, questions and answers, joys and sorrows, laughter, tears, births and deaths, alongside those that know me beneath my skin--inside, outside, upside-down, who through the windows of my eyes, see all the way to deeply within my heart, and love me entirely, still, and perhaps even more, for being me, nothing more, nothing less. No facade. No pretending. No hiding. A gift. A priceless gift.

Chubb, the ever-loving, thoughtful and kind friend and companion to the Littles, was showing kindness to Celeisa by pushing her all about the yard in the big green wheelbarrow. Celeisa, being an antsy foolhardy near 17month old, leaned out and toppled over the side while Chubb paused for the briefest moment at the big wooden swing. She landed right down on the side of her little face, and emerged thoroughly skinned up, covered with dirt and hysterical. She had a fair amount of dirt in her mouth, readily agreed to drink a couple of big glugs of water, then threw up.

I quickly got her undressed, made sure that nothing was broken, then cradled her in my arms and took her to my breast. She latched on for all she was worth, quivering swollen lips, crying, and, I had one of the very sweet priveleges of motherhood--that of letting my own life and love flow freely into her tiny being for about an hour and a half while she slept.

Everyone else happily occupied with their tasks of the day, I by-and-by gently trundled her in and got her situated on the bed, so that I could curl up beside her, while she slept (and I also, along with her), about 45 minutes longer.

I was more sorry than words could say to see her hurt, but was so thankful for the sweet moments shared amidst her great and pressing need, for a mama's warm comfort and love. Immeasurably  thankful that I was *the* predestined, predetermined mama to meet and fulfill that need. I again marveled--one of those mysteries of life and motherhood, that her little tragedy would have evolved into the highlight of the day, in my heart.



Claire, Wesley, Josie and Bug came over for a(n indoor) picnic as the sun had no sooner shown it's face in the morning when it decidedly ducked behind the clouds, where it remained throughout the day, sending showers on and off in it's stead.

We had a nice meal of potato salad, baked beans, hamburgers and sausage, peppers and onions, on the grill, and the biggest assortment of chips and dips I think I'd ever seen. Big Papa went shopping :o)

The children and Big Papa had a blast playing one of their favorite games--Balderdash, a very thoughtful gift to the family from Claire and Wesley a while back. Claire and I did what we customarily do--curled up on the couch nursing our sweet babies and talking about life. I had actually had an incredibly intense headache all day, and Claire (please don't be jealous that she's mine, okay :o) ever kind and sensitive, massaged my shoulders and my head for a wonderfully long while, and lo and behold, next time I thought to think about it--the headache I'd had all morning, right up on through until late afternoon, was gone.

Big Papa had a collection of fireworks he'd gathered, and the boys, as they do each year, had a blast huddled together putting on a bright colorful show, which I missed because I was in the house nursing my littlest love to sleep.

So, dare I say (knowing the excitement that has been, and I've **no doubt** still is, brewing over them ;o) that the glorious cloud photos will just have to move over and wait, 'til tomorrow, as *Rosie to the rescue*--faithfully, in my absence, took camera in hand and out in the near darkness got just a few shots of the fun and excitement, for me to share.

I am so thankful to live in America. I'm so thankful to be free.

The biggest *kid*of all, Wesley :o)



The huddled brothers





Claire and Josie, and Auntie Julia



The delighted audience, of wee, wiggling, jumping, firework catchers

Fun, fun, fun.........

Expecting the worst, hoping for the best :o)

Wherever you are, I hope your day was colorful and beautiful, too.
Wishing you chocolate tortes and aprons, gardens to weed, dishes to wash, laundry to hang out, books to read, flowers to smell, and dear husbands and children, mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, friends and neighbors, to care for, and to love, and to care for and love you, in return.

Warmly, your friend, Jewels

Charming little shop along the way

A Simply Lovely Life

One of the highlights of our weekly day out and about, is a series of little stops, along the back roads through several small villages.

Along the way is an old barn, long ago converted into a great big, old fashioned store. Among many other things, it has a large and lovely candy counter (just like Mr. Oleson's in Little House on the Prairie--Can it be true? It is!) overflowing with every sweet confection imaginable--by the piece and by the pound. The children don't have candy often, so it's a real treat for them to each get their own little white bag, filled with an an assortment of candies--Just enough pieces to make it good and exciting, keep them busy for a while, and have them looking forward to our shopping day adventure and it's simple small pleasantries each week.

Another stop is a quick run into a litlte thrift shop that's been around for years, to see if there's anything we might need or find useful and/or beautiful.

But, I have to say, my very favorite stop is a  darling little shop filled with treasures too numerous to number; far too many to take in, in even half a dozen visits. *It* is like a candy store, filled with the sweetest of things, for the homemaker!



The shop is filled to overflowing with all things lovely, vintage, home and homemaking.

Vintage--feed sacks, fabric, lace, buttons, books, toys, dishes, hand embroidered linens, clothing, magazines, retro reproduction fabrics, and lots of vintage patterns. And, this is just a small beginning, as she has many times this, stored away, that she's slowly pulling from bit by bit, to place in her shop. So, there are new discoveries to be made with each visit.

It's like walking into a vintage homemaker's wonderland. And, of all things, I missed getting a photo of the shelves filled with all of the pretty vintage dishes that she has. Well, maybe next time. You can see a few cups and saucers that she has nicely set out on this table. It's just all loveliness, and in the quaintest place and sort of way.











But interestingly enough, the countless delights overflowing every shelf, nook, and cranny of this treasure trove, are just the icing on the cake. Indeed, the thing that takes the visit "over the moon" is spending time with the sincerely caring, friendly, beautiful, dear one that has for years collected all these many treasures, and owns the shop. Lin, is one of the very sweetest people I have ever met. Both Rosie and I walked away marveling over what a precious woman she was, after our first special meeting.



After this lovely visit , far shorter than I would have liked, I headed home with this beauty and inspiration. Nice quiet projects for the present week's end:

Enough 1930's vintage flour sack fabric and vintage swiss eyelet lace to make 3 lace trimmed dishtowels.



These whimsical, colorful, sweet grass beads--enough to make a necklace each, for Sophia, Aimaija, Celeisa and Josie, to go with their little matching outfits that Julia made for them.



And, a lovely card for Elizabeth, to send along with her journal goodies.



Ahhhh, I'm still relishing the wonderful visit, and I haven't even had a chance to sew the narrow hems and lace on the feedsack fabric and dry a nice big batch of dishes with them, or string up a single necklace, yet!

I hope your day was beautiful.

Warmly, Jewels

The Radishes...

A Simply Lovely Life

Sun-kissed, round-red, just-right-feisty, delicious and in abundance. Nestled, waiting, in the rich dark earth for little hands to harvest and eat them by the handfuls--have not been disappointed.

Aimaija and the radishes...

Our dearest, darling, Josie

A Simply Lovely Life

Beloved

Blue-eyed

and

Beautiful.

With Auntie Julia...

With Mama, smiling over at Daddy...

Rest on Sunday

A Simply Lovely Life.

The way of friendship. The way of love.

A Simply Lovely Life.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10



Acquiring skill and developing proficiency, at the hand of a patient, faithful, friend.

Drinking from a straw.

A Friends Greeting

I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me;
I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be;
I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day
As you have meant, old friend of mine, to me along the way...

Edgar Guest

A friend loveth at all times.....

Proverbs 17:17

Diminutive prettiness, in pink

A Simply Lovely Life.

Learning to stitch, alongside Mama

A Simply Lovely Life.

A kitty, that will become a patch or a pocket on a smock, a little bag, or perhaps a small framed wall hanging, in time, when it's at long last completed--we'll see. In the meantime, we're enjoying the times together, sharing and learning--Mama and her precious little woman.

Does she care for olives?

A Simply Lovely Life.

A little nibble in the kitchen, while supper is being prepared.

Cheery warm weather pinafore, sewn-up by Julia.

Cute wool soaker pants, made from a re-purposed wool sweater.

And, bright orange Mary Janes, her new Summer dancin' shoes.

Does she care for olives?

Oh, yes! I do believe she does.

Love this littlest subject. Five olives and four crackers, a delightfully small price to pay for a photo shoot. Especially, when you consider the fact that I got to eat the crackers, as she was quite full from gobbling up all the olives :o)

Blossoms, blossoms, everywhere....

A Simply Lovely Life.

The Azaleas.

The Lilacs, my favorite flowers.

Weeping Cherry blossoms.

And my sweet friend, Kelly's, littlest treasure (the youngest of 12 beautiful children) that Kelly and I have affectionately called, Blossom, since she was born.

The loveliest little Blossom, contentedly sleeping on her mama's chest.

May your day be especially beautiful

A Simply Lovely Life.

Lots of sweet, early morning, mama's day love from the Littles.....

Happy Day, Beloved Mother Hearts

A Simply Lovely Life.

I am more thankful, than any words could ever express, for the priceless gift of each of my children. I love being their mother. I love motherhood. I treasure what I consider to be my greatest possession, as a woman--the gift of a mother's heart. And, whether I had children, or no, I would treasure it, still.

God in His goodness, has created each woman, whether she be blessed with the gift of children of her own, through birth and/or adoption, or no, with a mother's heart. Some of the most nurturing, gentle, kind and caring women that I know, have not been blessed with children. Many women, for various reasons have been unable to have as many children as their heart's may have desired and longed for.

What would the world be, without the tender mothering hearts of women, for God to live and love through? My heart aches to think of it. Young and old, male and female, all are in need of, and if not readily, in time, respond to, the beautiful mother heart of God's love, expressed in and through, a woman.

I am so thankful for my own sweet, soft, kind, gentle-spirited mama, Judy. I love her so, and am so grateful that God gave me to her. The older I get, the more I see how influenced I was, and am, by her modeling of womanhood, wife-hood, motherhood, homemaking, and the living and loving of life, overall.

I'm thankful, too, for the thoughtful, caring, giving mother, that God so graciously blessed me with, through my marriage to Big Papa, Pat. And, am so grateful that God gave her to me. I know I am different person than I would have been without her unconditional friendship, acceptance, and loving influence in my life.

I have not one, but two, beautiful mothers. I have grown and learned so much from the love poured out upon me, by God, through the lovely mother's hearts of both of these women.

I'm very thankful for the one that came to be my precious oldest daughter, through her marriage to my son, Wesley-- Claire, whose passionate, devoted mother's heart is wide-open to receiving and loving children. It has brought me immeasurable pleasure and joy, to watch her faithfully love and nurture her little ones. Though she had no younger siblings, and never really babysat even, her God-given, mother's heart, has known just what love would do, and done it. Josie and her little sibling/s will grow, blossom, and thrive, as God lives and loves them, through their beautiful little mama. How I thank the Lord for the gift of her--for them, and for us.

And, I'm immeasurably thankful, for my darling older daughters, Rosie and Julia--who daily say, "yes", to God, allowing Him to freely lavish His gentle, kind, caring, comforting, encouraging, understanding, friendly, servant-hearted, mother love, on each one in our family. This has been one of the greatest gifts and joys of my life, for which I am unspeakably grateful. I pray that God may one day bless them with children of their own, through birth and/or adoption, to raise in love, if and as He sees fit, in His time.

For each one of you dear beautiful ones, that I am so blessed to know--with children of your own, or perhaps presently/perhaps forever, without--I'd like to thank-you, and wish you a happy Mother's Day.  I have been the recipient of such immense, tender love, from your hearts that have said, "yes", again and again and again, to allowing God to reach out and touch, not just me and mine, but each one in need of the love of a mother's heart---everyone, everywhere.

Happy mother's day, each treasured one, blessed by God, with the profoundly life-transforming gift, of a mother's heart.

I hope your mother's day is truly special.

A lovely short-stemmed bouquet, from Aimaija to me, to you.

For the curious---that's pizza sauce on the flower girl's mug; smudged on her little face and nose. I love grubby little faces at the end of the day, just before tub time. Very cute!

Lovingly, Mama Jewels

Slow and steady wins the race--most of the time

A Simply Lovely Life.

We got a fair amount of the front of the house painted--first coat, on Saturday. A good start on the trim has enabled us to get an idea of what it will look like, when all is said and done. I especially like how inconspicuously the house is beginning to blend into the landscape--no longer the bright yellow beacon on the hill. I actually kind of like the thought of folks driving by, scarcely even noticing that we're here--the closest I've come (or may perhaps, ever come) to my life-long dream, of living in the woods.

After a good and satisfying long day's work completing what we were able, we picked up, and put things back in their rightful spots for safekeeping, and will re-move and re-shuffle everthing once again, when the next appointed painting day rolls around. This way, all is order, verses confusion, in the meantime, and we can stand back and admire what's been accomplished, so far. It seems that eveyone here, unanimously finds it the perfect color. It really is nicely subdued and lovely.

Busy as life is, here, with the simple foundational day-to-day doings, it seems typically the best way for our family to approach such a large project as painting the cottage, is to dive in at intervals, a day at a time--for as long as it takes, rather than total submersion to get the job done as quickly as possible. This way, the laundry stays washed and hung out on the line, dishes are done and the house generally tidy, nice meals are cooked and shared, schoolwork completed, stories read, naps taken, and little ones aren't brushed aside, for extended periods, resulting in misbehavior and fussiness.

I also find it enjoyable, to make project day, a day of fun and food as well as work, realizing that it's a work-in-progress--from the onset not intending to complete it in one fell swoop. Also, there's something so satisfying about doing the job, most jobs, really--yourself or yourselves. So many memories are made working together, aren't they. That is, when one is able to approach the task through the fine art of finding pleasure in the process, rather than forging ahead, single-eyed, only aiming for the finished product, missing all the priceless opportnities for the laughter, conversation, learning, growing, love and joy, of shared relationship, which ultimately matters most.

Or, conversely, as in the case of our beautiful new roof that was put on last year. We've found it can be equally pleasant--coupled with amazing, to *watch* someone you dearly love, singlehandedly tackle and complete an enormous project--that would ordinarily require the work of several men--or more, over several days--or more, in just a few short days, from set-up to take-down, all by himself. In one fell swoop! Greetings in the morning, lunchtime spent together, conversation, friendship and love, throughout those days. A beautiful new roof; such a thoughtful, loving gift. Treasured, special memories. And again, the sheer wonder and amazement over it all!





And, at long last, the lovely new roof has in sight that which it has been so patiently awaiting--a likewise lovely, new house to sit atop. We've gotten a nice start, and it's looking good. But the roof, coming to be such as it did--seemingly overnight, will no doubt be holding it's breath, while waiting, for the house to be finished up, completely.



From all us, here at the yellow and green cottage, a loving hello and happy Tuesday, to each of you, and yours.

Jewels

A pleasant week's end

A Simply Lovely Life.

Perfect Spring day. You know, one of those where an infinite amount of pleasure is derived, from every single snatched moment--simply sittin' around; eyes closed, face towards the sun, wind in your hair, breathing in deeply, contentedly, for as long as time might allow. Not a care in the world.

Celeisa's first time in the sandbox.







Celeisa, being duly warned by Aimaija, of the perils of eating sand. Firm word taken to heart.




Four good-sized pork roasts in the oven, that have been baking away throughout the afternoon. Potatoes to be mashed, steamed spinach, and baby carrots, salad, and a few loaves of crusty bread.

The delightful surprise....

Wesley, Claire and Josie are headed over to share it with us. Though we get excited about seeing Wesley and Claire, we really get excited about seeing Josie. No favoritism, that's just the way it is. Claire and Wesley, though they grow and change by degrees, are basically the same each time we see them. Now Josie, on the other hand, she's a whole 'nother story! Every single time we see her, no matter how little time has passed, seems she's grown, changed, and is doing something new; more wondrous and amazing then the last.

Josie, saying hello to the ducks, chickens, and the goose.



First time on the trampoline, with Auntie Julia.



Josie the WonderNose, who as you can see, is also, Josie the Firefly.



Playing the piano with Auntie Rosie.



Dancing with Grammy.

The day winds down, drawing to a close.




Tug-of-war right up til darkness, just before farewells.

Little Mama, with her babies.



Tired and worn out. Falling sound asleep, before making it to bed.

I hope you had a nice weekend. Have a beautiful Monday.

Jewels

At the close of the day

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The sun is setting on yet another day, as I sit to type out a quick hello, for tomorrow. Rosie made a delicious meal of stuffed roast chicken/s, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, and green and yellow squash. The dishes are done, little ones bathed and in their pajamas, winding down with Big Papa.

They had an especially nice afternoon, playing in their Little House and working around the yard, doing this, that and the other thing, with Big Papa. Celeisa was happy as could be, all snugged in on his back while he worked.



And it wasn't long before his, rhythmic movement--and her, swaying back and forth--while he raked the yard, had her lulled, sound asleep.



Which is just how she remained for over an hour, as her Papa worked away, thankful for the special time, with his littlest love.







The past few days have been full and fairly busy--especially busy for dear Wesley, Claire and Josie, as they've been moving from the small apartment that's been their cozy home for the past two years, and are beginning to build a brand new nest, in the beautiful trailer that they recently bought. They're so thankful for the way every little detail has worked out for them, in God's perfect timing, and are looking forward to making this their new home. Big Papa and I are just sitting back, marveling at it all--God is very good. Very good, indeed.



Claire's been such a trooper--Elsie to watch over, her littlest one tucked away in her belly--packing, through this past week, and moving over the weekend. They were very blessed to have *her* wonderful mama there with them for two days, working hard right alongside them, to get a great deal done. So, the week draws to an end, with them having made their way, to the other side. Completely tired out, I'm sure, and so thankful for God's loving provision for their beautiful growing family. And, for those that have asked--Yes, they're even closer to us, now. How wonderful. I am very grateful to the Lord, for keeping them close by.

Big Papa and the boys were able to help them move their things, yesterday, and when they got home, the boys kept excitedly saying--"What a wonderful place they've got! It's so nice!". They're so happy for them. We all are. It must be, incredibly special watching your big brother grow, and pave the way-- as your big brother, but also as a husband, a father, and a provider.

All through the day, today, I kept envisioning them in their new home. I can only imagine how lovely it will be, once they get everything situated and put away, their little garden put in, and Claire's cooking away in her big sunny new kitchen. Yes, it will be so nice.

Speaking of Claire, I do have to say, that, happy as I am for her, Wesley, and their babes, I think the true highlight of my weekend was receiving a call on the cell phone while we were away shopping on Friday, with the news that Claire's precious sister, Annie, was going to be getting married, to her longtime sweetheart and dearest friend, Drew. There was *much* rejoicing, with them and for them, in the big red bus, let me tell you!  We bought some really festive looking cupcakes, and a cherry-vanilla soda for everyone, at Whole Foods, and right on the spot, broke out in celebration, in their honor. What wonderful, joyous news! Loving congratulations to you, beautiful Annie, and Drew--Drew will be blessed, as Georg(i)e has been, to have such a wonderful, devoted, caring wife, and (we'll be praying :o) gentle, loving, mama to their children.

Well, Celeisa is asleep and nursing in my arms, and I have a few things to finish up, before getting the other little ones tucked in, and getting snugged in myself. I hope you had a nice weekend, too. Have a lovely Monday.

Jewels

The littlest lady in the house

A Simply Lovely Life.

One particular aspect of mothering a considerable number of children, that I've truly found fascinating, is the fact that the younger children learn so much from their older siblings (for good or for ill, mind you--it is true--either way). Vast amounts of knowledge, propensity towards, development and command, of-- habits, formation of character, all seem to be osmotically communicated, comprehended, and ultimately transmitted by and through the older children, on into the younger, without conscious thought or effort, on either part.

Understanding this, I so appreciate the fact that, that all of the time required to love; nurture, listen to, care for, extend understanding to, discipline, train and truly appreciate and enjoy our children, is never in vain, but in fact, comes back to us one-hundred-fold, in our children, and through our children. What goes around, does eventually come around. Yes, to us, but not to us, alone--it's multiplied in the most wondrously fascinating way.

What begins as determination, hard work, sacrifice and a resolute commitment to continue on by God's grace, on the part of the parents of young children, takes root, blossoms and grows--bearing fruit in sweetness in relationships, reaching far beyond those in whom the initial investment is made.

It makes it's way to the younger children, through the older, and on and on, from one young adult and/or adult sibling towards another, from aunts and uncles to neices and nephews, from cousin to cousin, and in fluid continuity, on it grows and goes....the circle widens, by God's amazing design.

The time invested reaps unimaginable rewards, simply, naturally, seemingly effortlessly a good deal of the time. God's fruit, in God's way--by His Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control-- in God's time. So well worth sowing. So well worth waiting for. Sweet fruit, in abundance.

The littlest lady in our house, following in her older sibling's footsteps. Developing one of those wonderful habits that will procure her many hours of happy contentment along life's way--doing work with a sweet attitude and joyful heart. Pitching in doing what needs being done. Folding her own diapers :o)

Embracing what presently matters the most, again and again...

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It's a mystery, that a child can be all brightness and cheer at the close of one day, only to awaken rosy-cheeked, droopy and feverish the next.

Such was the case with Celeisa on Sunday evening, and mid-morning on Monday. Fine on Sunday. Feverish, cryish, sleepy, and wanting nothing but to be held and nursed by mama, by Monday afternoon. Which by and by resulted in a nice long deep sleep.





I find it likewise mysterious, that that within one person, namely, a mother, could reside two such distinctly opposed natures. The one, so sensitive and acutely attuned to sickness, discomfort, suffering of the body or heart, that it would tend to shrink back, in hesitancy, lest it by any chance cause further discomfort or pain--as though tending to a fragile wounded bird, a butterfly with a damaged wing.

While the other, diametrically opposed to the first, responds seemingly without thought, effort or restraint, rising to the occasion with astounding rapidity. Swift and fearless. Rock solid strength. Knowing just what do to, what to say, how to be--as though the one being tended to, is merely an extension of themselves.

How I treasure my priceless possession, the gift, of a mother's heart.

While all the other children busied themselves outside; planting some lettuces, peas, radishes, and spinach, in the garden: working on tractors: jumping on the trampoline: playing Little House, I remained inside, indulgently tending to sweet Celeisa.

Ah the joy, in holding her close, nursing her, loving her, while she wasn't feeling well. I sat quietly aside, drinking her in, while she slept. Her soft beauty inside, the joyous sounds of all the other children, finding simple pleasure--outside.

The house was more than a bit discombobulated, as I laid all aside to be with my baby, and the others made their way outside to give her quiet, in which to rest. But, there was love, for us all. Love filled our day. And for me, the day was magical. Perhaps, I think, it held the same magic for the rest of them, as well. Even Celeisa, whose small, vulnerable, dependent heart and frame will tuck away the events of the day, that will translate into, love--the giving of it, from the receiving of it--in the not too distant future--and will be carried along, deep inside of her, all the days of her life.

She's Sally Pickle Brown

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And these, are one of her most prized possessions.

When they get dirty-- which they often do, she scrubs them, squeaky-clean.

They're prone to get lost, but seem somehow, equally prone to be found.

I do have to say, I'm surprised--truly so, that she hasn't gotten around to fingerknitting an eyeglass chain for them, yet. You know, so she could wear them everywhere, all the time, on her face or off. Hmm, maybe I should put a bug in her ear, and see what comes of it :o)





I'm not sure if it's the look, feel, or idea of them, that she's particularly taken with. But, I don't really think it has anything to do with keeping the sun out of her eyes, as she is as fond of wearing them outside on the sunniest of days, as she is of wearing them in the rain, or in the lamplit house, in the evening.



I guess, I too, personally, have a real soft spot for these glasses. Is it because of the way they sit precariously perched on that little round face, nearly eclipsing her nose? Perhaps.

Could it be due to the way that they frame that face, accentuating the fact that it's one of those faces, that can somehow produce an amazing 60 different expressions or more, a minute--each one, seemingly more comical, whimsical, interesting, uniquely intriguing and entertaining, than the last? All without trying, or even meaning to. One of those delightful faces that will be deeply etched with character, when it's old. That makes you smile.



Yes, she's a pickle, all right.

She's *my* Pickle.

She's Sally Pickle Brown.

Drawn to create

Dear littlest artist at work.

Delighting in her very first. Looking forward to the many, many, more to come.

Celeisa, early morning inspiration--for her, and for us all.







Enjoy the warming, embracing, invigorating, inspiring, SUNshine--nearly too good to be true. We're scurrying to do all that needs doing, on the in-side, so that we can quickly make our way to the out-side, and linger there, as long as possible.

Jewels

Celebrating Josie

Celebrating Family

Celebrating Life

Happy Birthday, Beloved Josie WonderNose

A Simply Lovely Life.

Today is our precious Josie's birthday. Yes, she's one year old. How we love this beautiful, sweet, gentle, curious, amazing little girl. What would we have ever done without her? She's so incredibly, wonderful and special. I am really, really, truly lookin' forward to watching this little love bug grow and develop as the days, months, and years go by. What joy she has brought us all--immeasurably so, during this first year that we have been privileged to know and love her, and share in her little life. I'm so thankful (total understatement--where are the words??), to be her grammy, and her friend. How I love my beautiful, blue-eyed, Josie WonderNose. Thank-you God for the loving gift, of her.

Later this afternoon, Claire, Wesley, and Josie will be heading on over, and we'll be celebrating with a birthday dinner. Claire made her birthday cake, and we have a huge turkey in the oven. Soon as I finish typing, I'm off to eat my lunch, then curl up for a nap with the Littles. I was awake quite a bit last night, it was a busy morning this morning, and I'm looking forward to closing my eyes and drifting off for a bit, after storytime.

In-between-times, yesterday, I worked on what I had left to do of the dolls, and the bedding for the doll's basket. Thankfully, I was able to get everything done.

Here are few photos of it all, finished up--the mama and her little one, and the cozy spot, for them to get snugged away in. I'd wanted to make a little jumper for each, but I don't have any more time left, today. Maybe I'll get round to to that in a bit. But, for now, I'm just thankful to have gotten done what I did, in time for Josie's birthday.









And now, I'm off to eat my lunch salad, with peppered, smoked salmon, shitake mushroom dressing, and grated raw parmessan, sheep's milk cheese. I know. I know. You're wishin' you were me, right now :o)



And then rest up a bit, before our precious gal gets here, for her little celebration. I'll try and get some photos, tonight, to share, tomorrow.

Lovingly, Jewels

Rest on Sunday....

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Still not feeling very well, today--having made her way out to the living room, she's snugged in on the couch (in the midst of all the day's activity), dozing in and out, getting lots of tender loving care, from everyone. Curled up small, sweet, and so beautiful, to me--resting to get well.

Thank-you, God, for the gracious gift, of precious little ones with hearts opened-wide, to receive love--presently, this treasured little one--to hold close, to rock, to kiss and hug, sing softly to, read to, to whisper words of love to, tenderly touch and care for, this day, and every day.

Thank-you that you didnt' give her to anyone else, but gave her to her Papa, all of her brothers and sisters, her little neice/s and/or nephew, Grandma and Grandpa, Grammy and Dominic, and to me. We love her so.

We love you, so.

So thankful to be a mama

So thankful to be yours, Jewels

Celeisa, contentedly nursing and sleeping in Mama's arms. Aimaija peacefully resting, snugged in, beside.

Good and tired out from a romp in the wind and the rain and the mud, curled up for a story, with Mama and Aimaija.

A quiet Sunday afternoon.

My daughter, my friend....

A Simply Lovely Life.

It's not uncommon for me to hear someone say (just about any/and every time I'm out and about with the children), "Wow, you must have your hands full", or "I don't know how you do it!", or "God bless you!" (translated--"God help you!)!", as soon as they discover that I am the mother of 10 children (or maybe even just the 5 or 6 or so that I happen to have with me at the time).

I have to admit, that when I look back on the early years of loving and raising my oldest children (nursing them, changing diapers, cooking, sewing, home schooling, sleepless nights and/or nights with very little sleep, baby sickness/all day sickness during pregnancies, etc...) with no old-er children (or nanny or maid,  cook, laundress or gardener) to lend a hand, I kind of marvel at the wonder of it all, myself. And the truth is, that there was so much joy in the journey (depsite the challenges due to my own inadequacies and shortcomings and the inevitable bit of pickle-ism of children here and there along the way), that there are countless days that I daydream about the past, wishing I could turn back the hands of time and do it all over again, one more time.

I marvel at the sweetness those early days held, me learning, growing, changing, walking alongside my precious children, as their mama, but as a fellow-sheep, as well---totally and completely dependent upon God, for wisdom, for strength, for His tenderly-firm love.

The needs really were great and ever-present, and I surely didn't come equipped for the task, beyond the bare essentials. But, God being God, He is not only ever-faithful-and-true (light-of-day, dark-of-night), but likewise, magnetically drawn to need. Therefore, it wasn't long before (thanks to Him and His wise maneuvering) He and I had a pretty good thing goin'.

Since I was nursing a baby or two, year after year, I was inevitably awake at some point during the wee hours of the night, or earliest morning. At first I was (more than) a little hesitant to sacrifice sleep to any significant degree, worried that I'd be a real *sleep deficient ogre* the next day.

God has a plan........

I was a real "mover and shaker" in my day. I guess I kind of held the view that if someone else could do something, well,--then I I could do it, too (if I set my mind to it and tried hard enough).

Then, along came the first of several *pickles*, as I am fond of calling them. He was, it seemed, faster than me, smarter than me, and had a will 5 times as strong as mine. Big Papa and I, took to calling him (in private, of course--though did I menion that he also seemed to have supersonic hearing?) "One-More-Time-Wesley", or "Repeat-One-/as in Broken-Record-Wesley".

In the end, I don't think *I* was a very "tough nut (for God) to crack", as I was dealing with, as I said earlier, a *pickle* (the first of 2, possibly 3), which brought me to the end of myself, seemingly overnight (oh, the patience of God. You and I know it surely took longer than that. Yes? :o).

I was an avid reader, and spent my evening hours (in those early days-- for sometime, Big Papa was not only working during the day, but also going to school and undertaking various other pursuits during many nights) submersed in parenting books, knowing in my heart if ever there was a "sink or swim" situation, this would be it.

It seemed for a short sprint, I read it all, I tried it all, but it still wasn't jelling, somehow. I just knew there had to be *some*thing better--short of calling the authors on the phone (several times a day), or....moving in with them. I respected all the authors. I was truly amazed, in awe, really at their endless successes with their own children, but somehow, what worked for them (being who they were), with their children (being who they were) just wasn't working out quite the exact same, for me, and mine.

I'd never desired anything more than I desired to be a loving wife and mother and have a peaceful, orderly, warm, inviting home. I loved my children, so much.

So, my need for *h-e-l-p*, began to take precedence over my need for sleep, and I began going to God, as a friend (albeit a desperate one) each night (in the middle of the night/very early morning) after nursing one of my babies. I had everything that I needed gathered together, at the ready--my Bible, a hymnal, my journal, pens, highlighter, and I would wake myself up while nursing, get the baby snugged back in, (or in the case with some-take 'em with me) and go into the living room, to just *be* with God.

It's here I'll digress for one moment. It wasn't that I was unfamiliar with intimacy with God. As a young Christian, 20 years old (born, raised, and living in Wisconsin), God opened up the doors for me to go to a Christian ministry in New Hampshire.  I was amazed at the beauty of New England and was blessed with some of the dearest relationships I'd ever known. Through God's providential blessing, what began as a magical, beautiful, summer education situation, evolved into a year-long commitment as a "counselor", or "room discipler" (i.e. one who God desires to do a whole lot of befriending, sistering, mothering, loving, nurturing---through (key word, here--through) Perhaps, even more accurately *in* and through. Well I wasn't long at His Mansion, in this capacity, before I realized, that the needs were *way* too great, including those of my own, for me to even remain there myself, without quickly burning right out/running away from it all, let alone be of any help whatsoever to anyone *else*.

I lived in what was called, "the Chalet". Each female counselor/discipler, lived in a room, of "the Chalet", with 3 precious young women. It was a room large enough to hold 2 sets of bunk beds, 2 bureaus, and a bookshelf. Each room had it's own bathroom.

We did have time set aside each morning for devotions, about half an hour or so--to read our Bibles and pray--all of us in the room, together, each situated on her own bunk. But, there were more than a few distractions, and the time flew by. Though I was able to read a little bit of the Bible and spend some time praying, each day, there was no real significant, one-to-one truly life-changing exchange taking place between God and me, or between me and anybody else, as a result.

Well, as the needs in the lives of those around me, as well as the needs in my own life, became more and more apparent/overwhelming to me, and my own resources and ability to understand, love, nurture, care for, and make a difference in anyone's life proved entirely insufficient, God continued to  draw me to Himself, alone, in a quiet place, when and where He could love me, and I was free to respond to that love--and all the riches it entailed.

So, eventually, go to Him I did, during the only available time-- about an hour and a half before anyone else in my room got up, and in the only available place--the bathroom (as I was responsible for the gals in the room, and couldn't just head out to somewhere else). So, thus it began, that each morning I'd wake up to my alarm (way before my body was agreeable to actually doing so) and head into the bathroom. I'd perch my guitar case along the side of the tub, and get situated with my Bible and begin reading it, not as one reading a textbook for sheer knowledge, but as one searching, out of great need and desperation (my own, and that of those I was privileged to be living with) on the knees of my heart, calling out to, searching for, desirous of finding, God Himself, amidst it's pages.

What began with day-after-day of many tears on my part, became something so sweet that I wouldn't have missed it for all the world (despite the fact that I was getting along on far less sleep than I was prior to the decision to take the only time available to me, to do so) a time of *be*ing with God, so He could love me. It wasn't long before my love for Him grew, and grew, and grew. My heart overflowed in song after song, to Him, and each morning found me in living, breathing, fluid conversation and life-giving exchange, with the One that made me and knew me, and the dearest ones I was living with and walking alongside. God loved me, began profoundly changing me (key word(s) here, again--changing *me*, not any/or everybody else--that I might have been desirous of seeing changed--because they were making my life difficult at times, *but me*, through and in the midst of, the very difficulties He was allowing--and this was a season of many confusing painful difficulties in my life), with a love sufficient for me, with enough left over, for others as well--it was truly amazing, a marvel to me. 

So, it was here that I actually first experienced getting beyond just knowing *about* God (which I do agree is good, too), to actually *knowing and loving*--truly experiencing, for my sake, being loved *by* God. It was during this set-apart time, that I was able to pose all my many questions to someone that wouldn't just listen, but was capable (as no other is) of going on to make clarity out of confusion, affect the inside of me and those I desired to love, give peace, joy, wisdom and direction.

By and by, as I got busy as, and more proficient at being, a wife and mother, I laid aside any real significant amount of time with the Lord, and again went back to just reading a little bit of the Bible and quickly going over my list of requests for myself and others, to God--there seemed to be no time for real friendship, worship, or adoration--just sitting quietly aside with Him. Oh, I still found time to read *lots* of *good* books, but somehow the many, many, *do*ings of my life took precedence over the simply*be*ing with God. And, it was through my beloved children, that He once again began to show me that all the many *do*ings (no matter how good, or worthy, or *for* God, they seemed to be) wouldn't bear the fruit I was so hoping and longing for, in my own life, or the lives of my children, without the *be*ing. I understood.

Although, as at "His Mansion" (that christian ministry that I called home for a good-long-while there in NH), it wasn't easy at times (perhaps even harder, because it was pretty much me and nobody else, on duty 'round the clock with the children--and I had a good-sized little brood growin' and goin'), and every fiber of my being rebelled at the thought of getting out of my nice warm bed and actually willing myself to wake up , I did it anyways. It was really the only time available to me, to be entirely alone with God; no time restraints, no interruptions, nothing to inhibit me from being open, free, honest, plainly and simply--who I was, and who I was not, before Him.

God, met me there, without fail, every time, and again began to do wondrously beautiful things, in my life, and, this time, in the lives of my precious children. None of us were perfect, we still aren't, but there was life, overflowing within my home. God, showed me where my priorities were out-of-whack, revealed true motives of my heart to me, took all of my confusions, frustrations, fears, hopes, dreams, and gave me the peace that passes all understanding, His joy, that fills to overflowing, and set each day in motion to a gentle rhythm, as He led me along my way, through His Word, by His Spirit.

I had so many questions for Him, each day, much that being a wife and mother brought to the surface, that was in my heart, that I was able to lay down before Him--who knew me through and through, and understood my limitations as well as the desires of my heart. He filled me up with a love, His love, that overflowed to each of my children, and enabled me, by His grace, to prioritize, and make the most of the hours in my days.

Those times, alone with Him, brought about continual transformation in my life. He took all that I had and didn't have, and loved me. As He loved me, I loved my children. As He taught and parented me, I taught and parented them.

Well, needless to say, this dependency has (of necessesity) continued on over the years, and God has continued to extend His loving best-friendship to me, and all the wondrous things that go with it.

The thing most precious to me, that has come out of this blessed best-friendship with God, has been, best-friendship with my children, each one of them. Not because I was perfect, not because I had all the answers, not because I read all the right books written by people that had all the right answers. Not because I followed a certain program, or used a particular curriclum, but because God is Love, and He is faithful, and He made us and He knows us, and He gives wisdom, liberally, to those that ask Him for it. He shows no partiality, and is the only one that has access to us, and our children, deep on the inside, the only place where true and lasting change can occur.

I marveled, and marvel still, at how God led and leads, by example, and just as He loved me; by accepting me, listening to me, by delighting in my presence, by meeting my needs--far above anything I could have ever dreamed of or hoped for, by simply enjoying, *be*ing, with me, so He has led, and continues to lead, me, to do the very same with my children.

The fruit has been far sweeter than I ever could have imagined, borne of simply quieting an oft' restless and fearfulful heart, sincerely desiring, to know and love the very One, who was using all the perplexities and difficulties He was allowing, to draw me to Himself.

When life is hard, when you don't have the love, the wisdom, or the strength, to be the wife and/or mother that your heart so desires to be, to your husband/ your children, go to the One that does, and let Him love you. When people hurt you and disappoint you--within, and outside of, your family--tell God. He already knows the situation through and through, understands entirely, and can enable you to see things, clearly, through His eyes of love. He desires more than anything, for *you* to simply *be* with Him. No book, no friend, not even our dear husbands, can take His place. Let Jesus love you, with a love that is enough for you, and every other precious one your life will touch.

The times and places that I have been able to find this quiet place alone with God, have varied over the years. Many times, it's curled up in my bed, with a nursing infant at my side, my Bible and my booklight. Other times it is in the dark of night, awake, alone, with Him, meditating on the Scripture that I have hidden in my heart. But, the desire is always the same--to know Him, to enjoy Him, to love Him and to be loved by Him.

Ask God to show you the best time and place for you to have set-apart time, of simply *be*ing with Him, for I believe it truly is, the "christian's secret to a happy life". A thriving, fruitful life (beyond just the religious *do*ings for God, or striving to be a *good* Christian), despite our circumstances. Only He can make sense of it all. He wants to, and He will. He so desires to walk and talk with us, throughout each day; sharing in our joys and sorrows, carrying our burdens, holding us close in pain and suffering, granting clarity and wisdom in confusion, giving special meaning and purpose-- breathing *life* into the potentially mundane and ordinary.

I was prompted to share this by one of my youngest best-friendships that overwhelms me to the point of tears, on a near daily basis--the sweet friendship that I share with 3 year old, Aimaija. I stand amazed at God's ways. They are beautiful, indeed.

Just as Jesus gained His life by losing it, He desires for us to do the the very same. It is by loving, serving, giving, thinking the best, believing the best, hoping the best, treating our children as the friends that God intends them to be, that we capture their hearts and hold them, through childhood, into young adulthood/adulthood, and for eternity.

And, the loving gifts we in turn receive from our children, are more precious than gold. Not just for the gifts, in and of themselves, but for priceless gift of their heart/s, entrusted, to us--freely, vulnerably, openly, in loving friendship, conversation, laughter. The tender heart, from which all the other gifts are bestowed.

Some gifts from Aimaija (some of the many, that I receive all through the day, everyday)......

Each morning, upon waking, a hug and a kiss and without fail, an "I love you Mama. You're my special mama.".

Above, and below, an orange, that she peeled for me, all by herself without me knowing, and brought to me. Oranges are my favorite fruit. She was so proud, heart overflowing with love. It was a joy and delight for me as we sat, together, sharing the fruit of her labor, and the fruit of our love.



One day's worth of love letters, from Aimaija, to me...



I try to make sure to receive each one with a big gentle hug and a kiss, as though it were the first one of the day, or week, or month, wide-eyed, overjoyed, thankful to be the blessed recipient of her love, no matter how busy, tired, or sick I might be.

I have used various plans of organizing their priceless gifts of artwork to me, over the years. In our old house I was able to devote an entire wall to it all, and proudly displayed it (and there was alot of it/alot of them) for all to see. I've used portfolios made of posterboard, giant books made with paper pages and a cardstock cover. And, here is this latest collection, for Aimaija, placed in an old, old scrapbook (one of several) that I found at a yard sale, for cheap.........



I am able to glue the left-hand edges (in this photo) of of each drawing, or painting, together, and then use a long strip of contact paper down along the left-hand edge (or right-hand egde on the facing page), over all the glued page edges, to hold the numerous masterpieces, together--a whole day's worth-- on the one page (I share this knowing that many of you may being gifted in the very same way, to the very same degree :o)....



And, lastly, every mother's favorite gift (besides I love you's, kisses and dandelion
bouquets), natural treasures from the woods, field, stream/or sea, making their way home, to Mama, in pockets and handfuls. Two day's gatherings put together, to be photographed, remembered, and treasured long after they have all made their way back, to where it is from whence they came. ......



And three times this, here pictured in the photograph--- giftings from each of the Littles, from their trip to the ocean, last week, with Big Papa. My photo just does not do these treasures justice. They're *beautiful*.......I love them!



God's ways are right, they're true, they're best, and only He can give us, not only the wisdom, but the desire and the ability to lay aside our own plans, our own agendas, from day-to-day, and walk in His---which is what alone, will bear the sweet fruit that God desires, for our lives and our families, for eternity.

God gives freely and liberally, simply for the be-ing and the asking, with and of, Him (though often enough, we may not even know where to begin, or just *what* to ask, as life can be hard, and people complex). When we allow God the time, and the opportunity, to love *us*, we in turn are able to love our children as He desires for us to, and only He can enable us to, who then in turn are able to see and know and love, God, us, their siblings, and those that God brings across their paths from day-to-day. What is so incredibly sweet in the younger years, gives way to something beyond expression, in the young adult and adult years.

Yes, my hands are full, but, no, I (nor Big Papa and I) haven't done it, nor do I/we do it, alone--it's actually quite the reverse. And, yes, I *am* blessed, beyond measure, by the gift of my children, because I'm first-and-foremostly blessed by the dearest friendship, of the very One that made them, knows them, loves them-- and, me, so selflessly, so completely.

He loves you, and those you most love, more than any other could ever hope to. He loves being with you, and desires your heart, above all else.

I hope you had a beautiful day.

Lovingly, Jewels

The best things come in small packages

uploaded by A Simply Lovely Life.

In just a short while, there'll be a new little one, welcomed into our family. Claire and Wesley's littlest one, is due to make his/or her emergence into the world round about the end of August. Too good to be true. Another amazing person to love.

You know, I don't believe that anything, really, has consistently, and on an ongoing basis, stirred more love in my heart, towards God, in my very best friendship with Him, than the unequivocal fact, that He gives gifts, in the form of children.

Life. God the Author of Life. He could have had life ever and always begin in adulthood--as in the case of Adam and Eve. But in His love, kindness, and wisdom, He chose to give life, the priceless gift, in the form of the perfectly precious gift of a baby.

The diminutive size (of even the largest baby), the delicate soft skin, shape of the head, distinct facial features, soft milky breath, the utter helplessness and total dependency of a newly-born baby evokes immeasurable feelings of love, and care, first and foremostly, as God intends, in the heart of it's mama, then in pretty much everyone elses life their wee life touches. The fact that instantaneously without thought or effort on her part, her body produces first the vitally important substance of colostrum and then milk--perfect composition, perfect temperature--to nourish this very one, newly emerged from her very own body, now perfectly fitted to the crook of her arm, nestled at her breast, at just the right distance to bask beneath her loving gaze, for his/or her present state of vision. Perfectly situated just near enough, to hear her whispered words and songs of tender affection.

It's all so amazing--total understatement. Mind boggling! As God says in Jeremiah 1:5, before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you. Nothing by chance. Intentional in every single detail, from the intricate formation, moment-by-moment, day-by-day, to the body's ability to bring the child into the world (whole nother incredible topic in itself!).

To think that I knit these tiny little sweaters over a year ago (I put the tea cups beside them to give you an idea of just how small they are), for my very own littlest--Celeisa, then tucked away inside of me, while I, on bedrest, lay--learning, growing, changing myself, all a result of her *be*ing, though we hadn't even met yet. I loved her so. I couldn't wait to see her face-to-face, hold her in the crook of my arm, nurse her at my breast, as I had all nine of her brothers and sisters before her.

Anyways, babies, among other things, have been on my mind. Can you tell? How grateful I am to God for allowing me the gifts, of 10 children, here, to love, and one in heaven.  How grateful I am for my beautiful, delightful grandbaby girl--Josie, and her tiny baby brother or sister. How grateful I would be if God was to see fit to bless me with another child of my own, to carry, to give birth to, to nurse, to mother, to love. Perhaps He will. Though I know the time of childbearing and childbirth, and nursing newborns, is a lovely season of my life, that will one day, soon, draw to a close. How very, very thankful I am for all that is, and all that has been. Thank-You, God, for giving gifts, in the form of children. I know I am only one of the countless many, that love you so for it. There's no One, like You.

It's the beginning of week's end--perfectly beautiful, here. Really, truly, perfectly beautiful. I had a busy day out shopping, with Rosie, Chubb and the Littles, and couldn't stop remarking all through it, about how lovely the day was. You could see, feel, and taste the joy of Springtime. As I'm typing Celeisa is out walking around the yard, pushing a little wooden baby buggy. It's her first Springtime, and she's marveling over the wonder of it all; picking grass to put in her buggy, following the ducks and chickens around. She's in her glory, so happy just to be alive. Rosie's listening to music while making dinner, the rest of the younger children are outside playing; jumping on the trampoline, playing kings and queens, etc....the table's set and Big Papa's on his way home. The sun is still shining, as though the day were yet young. The wind is singing the sweetest song through my window, just now. Peace and joy are my pleasant companions. Yes, life is indeed so very good. So very simple, in the midst of all it's complexities, and so very good.

I hope you have a relaxing weekend.

Lovingly, Jewels

P.S. For those that are interested in what we're knitting.... both sweaters (and the little purple cap) are made of the softest wool. The bottom, colorful sweater, was knit up of a lovely merino wool, dyed with various flavors of kool-aid :o) Isn't it cute. I have enough yarn left over for a matching hat, so just have to get around to making it--one day soon. Hopefully we'll have another little one to fit into them one day--If not, there are always lots of baby dolls waitin' and hopin' for sweaters too small for anyone else, to be passed along their way. And yes, Celeisa did fit perfectly into the little sweaters. She was born a month early, weighed 6lbs at birth and went down to 5.5lbs in the first couple of days. So, though she was a good size for being 1 month early, she was by far the tiniest of any of mine--and missing all the body fat I was so use to seeing--and looked especially fragile and little-bird-like, to me! Once she took off nursing, that good ole mama's milk fattened her right up.

As tough as they come, and as soft as they get...

A Simply Lovely Life.

As everyone knows, 'tis the season for capes and crowns, kings and queens, knights and fair maidens, swords, shields and battles.

When you're three years old, in the preparation for, as well as in the midst of, the battle, valuable life lessons are being learned and shared...

Your big sister makes your crown
Another big sister makes your cape
While yet another big sister and big brother
make your sword and your shield

All the while, you're looking on with wide-eyed expectancy and anticipation, as everyone's bein' readied for the battle, ahead--drinking in the stuff o' life that makes your world go happily-round; kindness, caring, friendship, and the immeasurable gifts, of imagination and time, being bestowed...

By and by, the battle's on and raging. It's fun and it's fierce, but no one gets hurt. No one's left out. And, though you be the shortest in the crowd, no matter--you're just as important as the next guy or gal, and equally feared (or so it seems), as you charge, wielding your big hulking branch sword, pushing up your crown that's once again fallen, down over your eyes.

In the warm sunshine, wind and the m-u-d, you run, jump, hoot and holler, expending all that wiggly energy you'd been storing up from the time you got into bed last night (dog-tired from yesterday's carefree, merry, fun and play) til now. Tooth and nail, sword and shield, fancy footwork, fighting hard. You give it your all, and in your heart, in the end, you're sure you won.

Pleasantly spent, at the close of the day, battle-weary, peace-filled, content, as is always the case-- what goes around comes around--and more priceless life lessons are learned and shared,

Love grows, in the tender and warm, small and precious acts of home, and the life lived, therein; the day-to-day, simple, joyous beings and doings with those that know you best, and love you most, and vice-versa.



I hope each of you and your very own kings, queens, knights and fair ladies have a beautiful day--in the livin' and lovin',  the bein' and doin'-- together. Today is special--it's never going to come round again. Grab hold of it and make it matter for now and forever.
Lovingly, Jewels

My friend, I'll aways love you....

A Simply Lovely Life.

Though this photo was taken yesterday afternoon, it could very well be (and usually is) any afternoon. I marvel at the connectedness of the children. Though they are so strong individually; markedly different personalities, widely varied interests, each possessing their own unique perspective on any given thing and way of expressing it, they gracefully fit together, sharing each with the other from the vast treasure store of who they are--precious, special, unlike any other within the family and/or beyond.

Like the movement of the sun across the sky, from sunrise to sunset, like the ebbing and flowing of the sea, like the gentle steady movement of the seasons one into another; Spring, into Summer, then Autumn and the inevitable following of Winter, with Spring to surely return yet once again.....

The children fit together, the many moments of their days spent indiviually, yet together like the pieces of a mosaic in jeweled tones, sparkling and reflecting light, in an awe inspiring way.

From the earliest hours of the morning, before the sun has risen, to the last light being turned out at the end of a full and busy day, there is a rhythm, an unspoken ever evolving dance that occurs between them, as they cook, bake, share food, work, learn, discuss, sing, and play, with and alongside each other.

As they reach adulthood, they too, come to more fully see and appreciate the gift that has been given them, the best friendship; the shared joys and sorrows, laughter, understanding, stories and memories, the benefit of iron sharpening iron, to each one, the priceless gift of the others--steady, faithful, true, day in and day out--always there for each other, able to speak without words seeing within each other's hearts.

I know this is only the beginning, and as the years pass by this gift will grow far beyond what any of them would be capable of understanding, or presently realizing.

Time will tell.

Though now they share the simpler delights of a lovingly shared childhood and beyond into young adulthood.....

Enjoying the same favorite foods

One-by-one (or perhaps 2 copies going the rounds at once), everyone reading the same book, whether it's about immunization, nutrition, education, theology, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Margaret Jensen, Bruchko, Henty, business, finances,.......leading into days of lively shared discussion, every spare moment of gathered togetherness

The same made-up game being played at lunchtime, faithfully each day, for weeks on end.....be it a word game with the the dictionary and thesaurus, or a rollicking imaginative game of kings and queens, knights and pages.....after the fast moving busyness of a morning, they look forward to gathering together for this simple shared time, over the lunchtime meal--everyday.

movie night

hikes

bicycling

swimming

building forts

kings and queens

little house

read alouds

playing board games in the late afternoon or the weekends--whenever time allows

family devotions

singing

cooking and baking favorite foods and recipes

The making and giving of gifts over the years

calling upon specific ones with specific giftings as needs arise

And as the sweet fleeting days of childhood pass, so the circle will continue to grow, and what has been will almost imperceptibly be replaced by something deeper, and far richer still....

In God's time, they'll marry and other precious ones, brothers and sisters of God's wise and loving choosing, will join them-- in their own uniqueness, and in their connectedness.....

and babies will be born

and the joys
will be greater
as well as the sorrows

making their shared lives ever more precious
because of all that has been
in the simple things
from day-to-day
and the time
and love
that they have invested
in each other's lives
since birth
strong cords
not easily broken.

Once again, thank-you, God, for the gift of life, of family, of love.
May Big Papa, may the children, and may I, cherish the moments--all too quickly passing--with the ones you have so kindly gifted us with--to love and care for, to serve, to share with in the joys and sorrows of this life.

The words to an old, old song, that I've always found so beautiful....

Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when youre older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it wont be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
Therell be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Little Mama. And a little confessin'...

A Simply Lovely Life.

For the sake of .....

beauty
art
motherhood
the gift and blessing of children
a jewel in our family history...

Claire, Josie in her womb.
About one month left in the secret place, alone with her mama.

April 19th, 2006

Claire gives birth, for the first time
beautifully, naturally
hour-after-hour, into days
breathing, labor, breathing, labor
water, music, water, music
Wesley beside her
midwife assisted
yet alone, in endless time
wave upon wave
seemingly, without end
everything foreign
everything new
set apart, surreal
the very first time...

Josie enters the world, her mama's arms, nurses at her mama's breast.
head full of dark hair
eight pounds of living, breathing
incredible magnificence
Josie WonderNose

she enters our lives, our hearts
tears of joy and thanksgiving
the circle  grows
a grandbaby girl
each one of us, in love
each one of us, forever changed.



Wesley gave me the great idea of printing out the pages of the blog and keeping them as a record of the life of our family--thank-you, Wesley! Yes, I do believe, I will :o)........

Claire is now entering her second trimester, carrying her littlest love, safely tucked away--growing, changing, everyday.

Therefore, for the sake of:

necessity (this little mama could use some new duds)
inspiration
encouragement
confession
accountability
and deadlines required by procrastinators



Our latest (and longest, outstanding) project:

A nursing/maternity dress, for Claire, Josie, and the littlest babe (in his/her, mama's belly).

This dress, was (in the very far-off, long ago), initially intended to be, merely a nursing dress, for Claire and Josie. Or, was it a maternity dress, for Claire, *before* Josie was born? (if  you are following where I'm going, here :o). But, since *so* incredibly much time has elapsed without it actually getting *made*.......

Plans are being revised and this creation will now be re-designed--new pattern pieces traced off, created, and make it's big debut, as a *multi-pupose* suit--Maternity, nursing, post-partum!

(A private aside)-- I know you're getting good and excited at the thought of **a multi-purpose** SUIT, right Claire??! This means we're probably going to throw in a pair of bedskirt b-l-o-o-m-e-r-o-o-n-i-s (Get it?? Suit?!). Admit it, Claire, despite your rumblings of baby sickness, you *are* getting good and excited---all wrongs forgiven and forgotten, right? I know you are! ;o)

Yes! Yes, it will *be* (as in come into existence--pounding my fist on the computer in accentuated determination!).

Made-to-order (for 3 people....hey, how 'bout that?!)

On the double (with *both* Rosie, and me, working on it! day *and* night, if neccesary!)

This dress will be made this week, because I am sticking my neck out and doing the very thing that time has proven neccesary (very pathetic I know--Claire, thanks you for suffering through the embarrassment of it all on your end, for her sake. I will too, no doubt, when all's said,  *and* (key word here)......  *done*  :o)

making a public:
confession
announcement
and commitment!

This dress *will* be done by Friday.
Even if it means that Friday will be,
*Fry*day!  :o)

And, I will have a photo of Claire in this lovely gown, "in your hands", by next Sunday--barring the death of either camera or computer (or, g-u-l-p... seamstress ;o)

How's that??

So, here you have it
Katherine Claire's Choice:



S-o-o-n.....
To be modeled by, the lovely Katherine Claire, herself.
And, I mean it!

And, as a bonus and to assuage my guilt (despite the fact that it's  makin' me feel even *guiltier, at present*, to say so :o)

Claire is teaching herself to sew (she's super gifted at following written instructions) and her first project was a little dress/pinafore, that she made for Josie, out of this very same fabric. Really, cute!  So, maybe I'll even get a couple of photos of them, together, in their matching outfits--Hey, how's that for a bonus?? Your heart is beginning to soften towards my situation, isn't it? That's good. I'd hoped it would.

I now, leave you
truly penitent, a burden lifted from my shoulders.
A humble tigger.
An "oh, I love you, Rabbit" (that would be you guys--for saving the day :o), Tigger.
(for any of you Winnie the Pooh fans out there).

There's a pot of chowder cooking on the stove, for lunch. The little ones just finished making bread and pretzels with Rosie and now they're curled up on the couch, with Chubb in the middle, reading a few stories aloud to them. The house smells really good, and my stomach is beginning to rumble a bit, at the thought of lunch. The tiniest flurrying of snow is falling softly from the sky. Another lovely day.

I hope you, too, have a great day. Thanks for taking the time to stop in for a visit.

Lovingly, Jewels

Rest on Sunday

A Simply Lovely Life.

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Matthew 12:28-30

I pray each of you, and your precious families, have an especially beautiful day.

Lovingly, Jewels

Any way you look at it.....

A Simply Lovely Life.

three year olds are amazingly innovative little people.

I mean, really! In the absence of a hairdryer, when's the last time you thought  to move a chair next to a heat register, so you could hang your head upside-down to dry your hair, so you could go outside and play, sooner?!? 

And.....when's the last time *your* hair, looked *this* good?! I don't know about you, but I guess *I'd* have to say--probably never!

In record time, it's done......



It flips....



It flaps.......



It flubs....



It flops...



Show over.
It runs for cover, and heads outside.....



Have a great day :o)

Jewels

A potentially frumpy day......

A Simply Lovely Life.

Uncomfortable little ones, under the weather. Long nights, restlessness. Short on sleep.

Dishes, laundry, and schoolwork to be done, diapers to be changed, meals to be prepared.

There's a softer, quieter, gentler rythym to be found beneath the illusory exterior, of potentially frumpy days.

You can't move quite as quickly while slinging a sleepy, feverish little bird. And your own plans (good as they may have seemed) will have to be forgone, if you're going to allow them the time necessary for rocking, resting, nursing, in  your arms, on your lap, looking at picture books, listening to stories being read aloud--Peacefully, quietly, making their way towards feeling well. 

Though so small, perhaps not even able to tell you in words, exactly what's wrong, or how they're feelin'...

With thier marvelous, God-given acuteness of understanding even the littlest hearts are aware of breathing in, listening to, being embraced by, learning of--Love, Himself, as His power is made perfect in your weakness.

In the offering of it up, the day is colored with the loveliest hues of sepia, amber and gold. Like a pleasant daydream, as you make your way along with little sleep, the non-essentials  laid aside for now, in favor of the more important things of this hour. The very things that will bear the fairest, sweetest fruit, almost imperceptibly, in the days to come...

Rain is steadily falling outside. Drizzly. Cold. The branches on the leafless trees are dancing a slow dance, in the sway of the yet mellow and mild March breezes. You know, inside of yourself, you can resist or embrace, this potentially frumpy day (situation, person)......

But, the truth is ever and always, that  the beauty of a day, the beauty of a home, the beauty of a relationship, is in the eyes of the beholder. And, as you extend love, you are likewise, enveloped by it.

Little ones nap in older ones arms, while they read and write, or are lulled into rest, themselves, nestled beside the warmth of one smaller that knows them, loves them, trusts them, needs them, belongs, with them and to them.

Softly, music plays and the warm glow of candlelight  casts a velvety  easy-going cheerfulness, to a could have been, dark and dreary day.

Fruit popsicles made.

Bubble baths given.

Stories read.

Songs softly sung.

Pillows fluffed.

Comforters wrapped snuggly.

Warm soup and hot bread.

Holding and cuddling, nursing and rocking. Soft kisses upon feverished brows.

Making my way along, tired, though peace-filled and thankful...

A few of my treasures. From the photo archives...

Happy second day of March, everyone.

May we look for, wait for, and find, the treasures and jewels; the peace, joy, growth, change, Life, and Love, amidst the frumpy-ness (the seeming inconveniences, annoyances, lack, frustrations-- things, people, and situations, we would have chosen to be otherwise), that life inevitabley brings our way.

Lovingly, Jewels

Happy Hearts... Happy Home...Happy Tuesday....

A Simply Lovely Life.

H-O-M-E

If you wanted to gather up all tender memories, all lights and shadows of the heart, all banquetings and reunions, all filial, fraternal, paternal, conjugal affections, and had only four letters with which to spell out the height and depth and length, and breadth and magnitude and eternity of meaning, you would write it all out with these four capital letters:
H-O-M-E

T. DeWitt Talmage

If we would have a true home, we must guard well our thoughts and actions.  A single bitter word may disquiet the home for a whole day; but, like unexpected flowers which spring up along our path full of freshness, fragrance and beauty, so do kind words and gentle acts and sweet disposition make glad the home where peace and blessing dwell. No matter how humble the abode, if it be thus garnished with grace and sweetened by kindness and smiles, the heart will turn lovingly towards it from all the tumults of the world, and home, " be it ever so humble," will be the dearest spot under the sun.

Golden Gems of Life

































We had such a nice day, together. My only regret was that Big Papa couldn't have been here to share it with us.

Wesley flew outside soon as he got here, with all the younger ones running out the door after him!  Within no time, they had this huge snow fortress built, and were lying in wait, good and ready to ambush James and Joseph (who were off running a couple of errands, together) soon as they pulled in the driveway. Although, if you will note in the above photos, reality is......it was *not*, in the end (well, actually the beginning, too, I guess :o), James and Joseph that got ZONK-ered, but Wesley--poor guy!  I'm sorry to say, that apparently the "dear darlin' boys" had no mercy on their eldest bro!

Everyone enjoyed being outside for a nice bit. It was snowy-white, warm and wonderful. Ahh....snow on the ground, Spring in the air. It was the best!

We made a second attempt at getting photos of the littlest sweethearts, together, in their matching outfits that Rosie and I made for them (with better light during the day). But nope, only more bombers and bloopers of busy bees and intrepid explorers, inspiring and spurring each other on, whenever they're together. They're just way too fast for ole Granny and her persnickety camera. That's all there is to it! 

Things quieted right down after the big snowball fight. The house looked like it had been turned upside-down and and given a good shake once everyone had made their way in and gotten comfy--shedding coats, hats, scarves, and wet boots, everywhere (well, it seemed like it anyways! :o).

While Rosie finished up the chicken/tortellini salad, the little ones were busy with playdough, makin' a lunch of their own---which of course in the end they forwent, in favor of Rosie's.

Claire found the greatest dvd at the library, that everyone flopped down in the living room to watch after they'd finished eating, called "Alone in the Wilderness". It's just a very simply done documentary type account of one man's day-to-day life; explorations and activities, in the Alaskan Wilderness--gardening, hunting, fishing, cooking, nature study. He builds his own cabin, singlehandedly--in two weeks no less--with no power tools, just a hatchet and a saw (having felled all the trees prior to the building), a chimney/fireplace--out of flat stones he'd gathered from a nearby creek bed . His name is Richard Poenneke and he's an incredibly gifted craftsman that works artfully, with amazing precision. It's so good. Really, I can't wait to watch it again! He also authored a book, called "One Man's Wilderness", his journals with photographs--that both Claire and I are hopin' to get to read.

Wesley spent some time workin' on my unhappy computer, with Nicholai watching over his big brother shoulder, wide-eyed, drinking it all in. The little ones finished up their cakes, and shared them with us all. Josie took a nice long nap in the nest, after filling her belly up with mama's milk, and finally Celeisa fell sound asleep, too.

And well, after giving his very last, to look at my computer, you won't be surprised to hear that Wesley, too, joined the ranks of the weary snoozers....as he kind of crawled over to the couch, struggled to drag himself up, sprawled out........pplllttt.......and died!

Ahhh, yes 'twas a truly lovely day, with the dearest of friends  :o) And despite the abuse he endured, I'm sure, even Wes, would agree!

I was awake in the middle of the night, re-visting the sweetness of the day, now passed; each of my children's faces, their voices, their laughter and shared love and relationship, each with the others. And, once again, thanked God for the immeasurable gifts, the simple, though priceless gifts; of my life, my home, my husband, my children, sharing sunshine, fun and laughter, conversation, music, good food, and slow and easy days, just *be*in', together--a family....

I hope you enjoy, your day, today. It will be a busy one, here. Lots of stuff to do, a couple of errands to run, and the girls have piano lessons this afternoon. I'll have my small window of stories and sweet dreams with the little ones, early afternoon, to re-fuel and get charged up for the second half of the day. The child in me, looks forward to it, and enjoys it, as much as the children do :o)

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit. I hope your day is a beautiful one.

Lovingly, Jewels

Wonderland worked it's magic......

A Simply Lovely Life.

and naptime was an exceptionally whopping success, with very little effort on my part  :o) I got them all loaded up and snugged in, on the Mother Ship, and z-i-p!!..... Scarcely two stories and one chapter later, had launched each one off into dream land--and *gone* they were, for nearly two hours, before returning!





Everything is stillness, snowy white and beautiful out the windows, here. I'll be truly sorry to see the snow melt away!

We're looking forward to a wonderful day, today. We're gettin' ready to bake some little layer cakes, and some bread, and in just a bit, Wesley, Claire and Josie will be heading our way. Maybe Josie will get a ride on one of  the sleds, with an auntie or an uncle--maybe she'll get a few rides! Actually, maybe she'll get a ride with her mama, if her mama's feeling up to it.  I'll let ya' know tomorrow ;o)

We're having chicken/tortellini salad for lunch--Claire's a-bit-baby-sick-belly, special request. Hmmmm......we'll have to see if it still sounds good to her when the time comes. (Pursed lips/scrunched-up nose/raised eyebrows) perhaps not--you know how it is, right?? I'll have to ponder plan b :o)

I have to tell you, I don't know if I've ever seen a little mama with a sweeter attitude and a more grateful heart, making her way along with baby sickness. Josie is so blessed to have such a gentle, loving mother and friend. *We* are so blessed to have her! Was there ever life before Claire--funny, how it so seems, not. Thank-You God, that you didn't give her to anyone else, but you gave her to *us*. Oh, how we love her!  Way to go, Wesley!  :o)

Okay, I hope each of you have an especially wonderful day, too. Thanks for all the loving emails. I so enjoy hearing from you; how you are, and all that you and those dearest to you, are doing.
Lovingly, Jewels

Whiling away the morning in a Winter Wonderland.....

A Simply Lovely Life.

Winter is the king of showmen,
Turning tree stumps into snow men
And houses into birthday cakes
And spreading sugar over the lakes.
Smooth and clean and frost white
The world looks good enough to bite.
That's the season to be young,
Catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Snow is snowy when it's snowing
I'm sorry it's slushy when it's going.

Ogden Nash

































The Lord bless you and keep you, and yours, this beautiful Winter's day.

So thankful for each one of you, Jewels

When life hurts, and you feel like cryin'...

A Simply Lovely Life.

You need the tender love--the arms and hands, the eyes, the voice, the kiss--the extention and expression of a mama's heart....

When you're newly 5 years old, and step on a sewing needle that's somehow made it's way to the floor--still threaded on one end, with only a quarter of the needle remaining when it's found...........

Though your sisters and brothers rush to your side, kind and caring, well meaning as they may be.........your heart and your voice cry out for only one person--your mama.

When everyone else assures you that there's no needle in your foot, the missing one and a quarter inch piece just has to be on the floor, *somewhere*, your mama sees your trembling lips, kisses your wet cheeks, swallows hard and prays silently. Seeing that tiny prick where the needle went in she carefully bends back your big toe, applies gentle pressure all around--her own eyes welling with tears as she searches for the words to tell you, that there does seem to be something in there (without dwelling on just what and how big).

A mama, is able to do five things at once; getting ready to go, while all the while holding your heart in her hands.

She processes your life's experiences--you've never been to the hospital. You've never had a shot in your life. The three kind doctors that you know and love and bake cookies and make cards for, won't be there......

She processses your wiring and your temperment.......knows that nothing passes your notice. In fact, rather very much like, your mama, two big brothers before you, and your little niece after you, you too are a WonderNose. Thus, knowing full well that though you're only newly five, even if you were fifty-five years old you would still be taking in life, full-speed, in living color, magnified---through childlike eyes of wonder..... hearing birds sing and flowers grow, whispers in the wind. This won't be easy for you.....

She knows you're scared, knows your little heart and mind, are lookin' to be led by her gentleness, as they rest in her love....

She prays some more. The Love that's inside of her, wells up and washes over her, flows out through her; filling you up, holding you close, carrying you .....secure in this tender Love, so strong you can taste, feel, and see it.....the journey, not nearly as scarey as it initially was, or could have been, begins.

She smiles and sings and even manages to coax a smile back from you, as she somehow gets you even a little bit excited (in spite of yourself) at the prospect of her capturing every aspect of this HUGE experience on "film"......

You can show your siblings the entire adventure on the computer (hot off the press) soon as you get home--it will be just like they were there with you.

We'll get all the photos printed out and you can make an amazing book to show to your children and your grandchildren, your first trip to the hospital, your first x-ray, your first shot.........We'll do it right away! 

She--your mama--meets everyone, talks to everyone, shares your her life and yours, while asking about them and theirs, the whole time keeping you cocooned, enveloped, in the invisible bubble of  protection-- her tender love.

A mama remembers to bring along all the essential things, that speak of home and peace, and ordinary days.....

Your down pillow

On the banks of Plum Creek ...the book that your little body has quieted to--eyelids growing heavy--everyday at naptime, for the past week.

Your big sister's rainbow socks.

Most importantly, she brings what you know best, and need most---herself--and everything inside and out, that makes her, a mama.  A mama, that's your very own....

Her arms to hold you close,

Hands, to stroke your hair, rub your back, your arms, your legs, whilst you squeeze and hold onto her, as tightly as you can. In her softness, she is your strong anchor, holding you steady in the eye of the storm during those few jolting injections to numb the area where the needle went in (though the numbing doesn't quite make it as deeply as the needle is lodged) and as the doctor cuts and probes, trying to find the end of the needle that's broken-off and embedded deep in your foot--all, one and a quarter inches of it-- then get a grip on it, and after more than a few trials and errors, continues to try to figure out which direction he needs to pull to get it out ....

Her eyes, to look deeply into yours, with a compassion and understanding, a gentleness that you can crawl inside of, and lose yourself in, when it hurts too much, or gets too hard....

Her voice, to read to you, to sing you the songs she's been singing to you since you were newly-born,  to pray for you and the nurses and the doctor. To speak above the tears and fears, the pain, whispering your name, and her immense love for you---telling you just what to think and how to be and what to do....when you just want to get down and run away, making it all stop....but you can't.......

Her lips, to smoosh into your face; mingling with your tears, sharing in your pain, knowing more than anyone else, just how you feel, because you're hers, and she's yours.

It's a mama that brings the bright hope of the future (that will surely come) to the present darkness, when she lets you know, that soon as you leave you'll be getting something especially good to eat, and THE biggest hot fudge sundae you've ever had, with whatever kind of ice cream you'd like, with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry, and sprinkles.......

And when all's said and done, it's a mama, that sings your praises to the sky--to you, and to any and everyone that crosses her path--saying over and over again.......

You must be SO proud of yourself!  Wow, you were *such* an incredibly big girl.

You should have seen her!

That X-ray machine was *this* big!

You held so still, for so very long!

You were so polite, so friendly, so....

I can't wait to read your incredible book!

A mama makes up songs about you and for you, as she deliberately  transitions you over, from what just was, to what she hopes will be, enabling you to  see everything in the very best way--through her grown-up eyes---people, kindnesses, more people and more kindnesses, strength and courage, and answered prayer...

You are exalted to the status of a hero in the eyes of those that love you dearest and best---all gathered round to hug you and praise you, as you triumphantly hold out the trophy---your specimen cup, showcasing the enormous one and a quarter inch long, end of the needle, the doctor finally found and wrangled from your foot!

It's a mama that gets the couch readied, when all's said and done; makes it a cozy nest, just for you--your pillows, your comforter, kisses your tired chocolate-covered face, smiles at you looking long in your eyes and says, "I love you, my precious Little Bird...it's all over. You, go ahead, close your eyes now, and rest. I'm proud of you, so proud of you. You did so very, very, well.............."

He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:11

Have a beautiful day, everyone :o)
Lovingly, Jewels

My boys, my dear darlin' boys.....

uploaded by A Simply Lovely Life.

The boys are always really busy, it seems, between their schoolwork, early morning paper routes, and Small Engine Repair business. 

James' desire is to have his own business and be able to work hard each day doing something he truly enjoys, spend time with his family, and take his children alongside him in life, knowing them, enjoying them, as much as possible.  He's incredibly self-motivated, and has been set in this one direction for several years, now. 

He's a wonderful brother to Joseph, and Joseph has been truly blessed to have an older brother that builds him up and encourages him, including him in all his endeavors. He's learned so much from James, as a friend.  They're opposites in countless ways, so really compliment each other. I guess they've fit together--like two puzzle pieces--from the time they were little.

Joseph, still isn't exactly sure what God has for Him, specifically, at this point. He enjoys working alongside his brother, and has benefitted immensley from being a part of the Small Engine Repair business with him, learning so much in many different ways. Joseph has a passion for math and science, always has. He's steady and hardworking, merry-hearted, easy goin' and  is always busy, doing something; studying,  reading, working, biking, hiking.............

It's been such a joy to us to watch our children grow and develop, as individuals, each with their own bents, delights, and uniquenesses, as well as to see how each child fits into and blesses our family, as a whole. 

Chubb, is also on the go, everyday. He's right in the middle of all the children, so enjoys spending time with his older brothers and sisters and has alot of shared interests with them. But, he's absolutely, Mr. Popular/Wonderful/Too-Good-To-Be-True, with the younger ones!  He's the impetus behind so much of their creative play, and has something big and exciting cookin' for them everyday! He's in that season of life where he's submersed in a book EVERY spare moment, and has all his older siblings recommending this, that, or the other *must read*, continuously. He's goin' great guns, tryin' to keep up!

Each of the boys are a tremendous help to me, and to Big Papa, in any way we might need them. Hard working. Kind. Sensitive. Caring. While daughters are a singular blessing in one way, our precious sons are the very same, in another. How we thank God for the priceless gift of our dear children, each one--from the oldest to the youngest.

It's been beautiful to see how  God's made each one of our children special-- with particular giftings and abilities, and then enjoy the privilege of watching them grow, change, and develop, as they journey towards and on into, adulthood.  We're so thankful to know them as the best of friends, heartwise. We're so thankful to see them know and love God, and each other.

The days have passed far more quickly than I ever could have imagined.........

Well, here you have (a few of) my dear darlin' boys, all studied out, read out, worked out, enjoying the quiet of a Winter afternoon--together, throwing knives.  Actually, they've been polishing up their skill, gettin' ready for Grandpa to be headin' our way, from Wisconsin.......they can't wait!









Have a wonderful day :o)
Lovingly, Jewels

It's "taken a village", but guess who's walkin'.....

 A Simply Lovely Life.

May you pass through your day in the merriest way, with as many sweet memories made, and as few regrets, as possible, from all you chose to do and say :o)

I hope your day is filled with peace and joy and love--to overflowing.

With much love for each one of you.
xoxo Jewels