My Quiet

It doesn't come every day, but when it does, it is usually right after breakfast. The girls run off to play on their own, and the kitchen is transformed into my own private sanctuary, my time for finding inspiration in a book, writing in my private journal, or knitting. And always, a cup of tea.

This Quiet feeds my soul. And while most days it lasts longer, on some it is so fleeting and quick, and not a word is written or a stitch stitched before my loves come running back downstairs.

So fleeting, but it is enough. Because after, after there will be art and homeschooling and games and playdates...but these precious moments of Quiet? They are mine and mine alone to treasure.

You Capture: Quiet.

My Quiet

Purr....

It's funny, most people don't even realize we have a cat. She just kind of blends into the background most of the time. I thought today I'd give her the spotlight for once.

She was my cat, originally. I got her when I was a freshmen in high school. She never really became the "family cat" though...just kind of turned into her own independent self.

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.

Purr....

Can I Add Maid To My List?

See that pregnancy ticker over in my sidebar? Yeah, that one.

The one that says we have 9 weeks left. Nine weeks!

Have I even started to prepare? No. So in the next few weeks, I will be busy washing baby clothes, super cleaning the house, and getting after the Knight to bring up the one piece of baby furniture that we will be using.

Oh, and of course, making my list of things I really need for this baby.

You can read more about my list over at MassMoms, where today I am writing about baby registries vs. what moms really need. Would love your comments!

Can I Add Maid To My List?

Hopeful

This life inside me moves, strong kicks and hiccups and heartbeats.

We all wait, eager to get through these last ten quick and crazy weeks...eager to complete our family.

This new life? It fills us with hope.

You Capture: Hopeful

Hopeful

WW: Saving The Best For Last

I don't know where she gets it from (certainly not from me!), but she LOVES doing math.
In fact, we have to save it for last in our day, otherwise she would do math all day and not learn any other subjects.

For more Wordless Wednesday, visit 5 Minutes For Mom.

WW: Saving The Best For Last

Two Sides

Sometimes I feel as though I'm two people trapped in one body.

One person I like. She is a loving, patient mother. Organized. Smart. Activist without judgement. Happy with her life and how everything has turned out. She looks forward to her future, her goals of being debt free, her career goals involving women and babies. She balances everything in her life, so nothing is neglected and yet nothing is utterly consuming. She is so very, very far from being perfect and she is totally okay with that, in fact considers it one of her strengths.

Most days, I think this person shines through. But some days....some days the other person seems to swell up and take over.

I don't like this other person. She scares me. She is impatient with the girls, yells at them. Slings insults at The Knight like rocks. Neglects important things in her day. Judges others without really knowing the full story. Moans and complains about her life, wishes things were different, then does nothing to change the things she doesn't like. She's insecure, and a little paranoid.

98% of the time, this person lies dormant inside me and causes no harm. But lately, for whatever reason, she's been coming up more than I would like. I'm not sure why, although The Knight has suggested that it is related to pregnancy hormones. Who knows.

I'm okay with this other person existing. She puts things in perspective for me. But I'm not okay with her coming up so often.

It does make me wonder, though, if I am alone in this. If there are two sides to everyone, maybe one that everyone tries to keep down and hidden. I think of it whenever a complete stranger is rude to me or my children, or some "idiot" cuts me off on the road and almost causes us to crash...yes, this person was a jerk to me in that moment...but should that define that person? Or is there another side?

Maybe everyone really does deserve a second chance?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this...

Two Sides

Pull Towards Simplicity...

The Knight and I like to simplify our lives. We're working towards our goal of becoming debt free, and we try to keep our consumer needs to a minimum.

However, there is a slight division in our dreams once we talk about the point in which all of our debt is paid off and we buy our next house.

The Knight wants a "big" house, with a large backyard, one that is close to other people and conveniences.

But if it were up to me....well, I'd be raising the kids in the bush, off the grid, and living in a yurt.

Like this family.

The pictures are amazing...the lifestyle so inspiring. But, The Knight would never go for it, not in a million years. So I will just have to work on talking him down from buying a large house, and instead buying one only large enough for our needs.

I'm curious to hear your thoughts - what do you think about living in a yurt?

Pull Towards Simplicity...