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August 19, 2008
Life is Good
Today we woke up with a gorgeous day. The kind of day that makes you excited for fall: crisp air, a refreshing breeze coming through the windows, hardly a cloud in the sky. We actually had to put socks on and broke out the long sleeves. Very cozy.
So me and my girls had no choice but to set out on a trek this morning to one of our favorite spots, Thomas Hill Standpipe.
This water tower and park are just up the road, and I feel so blessed to have this little slice of nature so close by. Natalie and I have been going since she was a baby, and have spent many hours there soaking up sun, spinning, rolling down the hill, and finding treasures.
I sat on the grass with Charlotte asleep in her Snugly, and watched Natalie explore and revel in the beauty around her, so carefree, with her pink "cowgirl boots" and treasure bag, hair blowing in the wind. She says the sweetest things and I love her observations. She looks at fallen orange pine needles and says, "It looks like hair, " then touches the green ones still on the tree and says, "They're fluffy, aren't they?" And constantly, she is pointing to things and asking "What's that? What's that?" So I give her names of all the flora and fauna as we walk around, and she collects specimens for her bag to take home.
As the sights and sounds and smells hit my senses, I was flooded with memories of other such days and how I had spent them...as a little girl running through our fields, the grass and alfalfa rippling in beautiful shades of green and lavendar (I was likely imagining myself as Maria from Sound of Music) :)...as a college student between classes on the Mall at UMaine sitting with some homework surrounded by fall colors and the pleasant hum of a busy campus...standing on a Maine mountaintop admiring the view and cooled by the breeze after a sweaty climb...or now, standing on our back porch hanging laundry and feeling thankful for the home God gave us.
There have been times this summer, especially on nice days, that I have felt a little discontent and stuck in my schedule of feeding and soothing and diapers and not sleeping. I daydream and long for the times when I was kid-free and could take off with Peter on a day trip somewhere, or strike out on my own into the wilderness. I've thought "Where did the summer go? and what have I done with it?" Then I think, "Oh yeah, I had a baby and took care of my girls...no small accomplishment I suppose. :) I have to reset my expectations and remind myself of the importance of my role and its fleeting nature.
Lately though God is helping me to more consistently feel relaxed and contented with Mommyhood, and He's sent along some moments like the ones we shared this morning to help me slow down and really savor the life that is mine right now.
Charlotte has also calmed a bit, which helps, and we have gotten to know her better. I really look forward to watching her grow and become. Natalie is at a super fun stage, making fun new connections all the time, and a joy to be with (when she's not being defiant and leaving me befuddled to figure out how I practically shepherd her heart). I have a husband who is so sacrificial for us and such an involved Dad and always knows intuitively when I need some rescuing, even if it means just a 15 minute walk up the road! :) Life is good.
And on that note, I shouldn't use up their whole naptime on blogging. This Mommy is sleepy...
Posted by Shannon at August 19, 2008 08:48 PM
Comments
A beautiful beautiful post. Well said, my friend. Can't wait to get home and take some of those walks with you!
Posted by: kevame@verizon.net at August 21, 2008 10:39 AM