Little Cabin In The Woods

3

Willow  (Weeelow, as she calls herself ) recently turned 3.  However, she will not accept the fact she is 3. " I 2!!"  she insists.  She's my little cowboy, my ruffian, my pookie, my little elf, my precious, sassy daughter who is walking around wearing her daddy's dirty, stinky outback hat..... and nothin' else.  Nada.   I think I'll let her be 2 a little longer. 

One of my sons is leaving this week.  He is off to take LSAT"S and then law school.   My mother's heart will bear an emptiness when he leaves.   A loss for those days I can never have again.  I won't see him everyday.  I won't hear him  rattling around~~ which is comforting for a mother.  I won't have to pick up his dirty towels ( ok well, that's a good thing).  The girls will miss him terribly. Whose bedroom will they march into early in the morning to holler "good morning  Jack!" while he is still sleeeping?  Who can they swipe candy from?  Who will chase them around the house while they scream 130 decimals?  ( hmmm, that might be nice too)  Who will give them brother moochies and bring them treats from the store?  Who will take out my trash and bring in my groceries? !  just kidding (well, not really but).  He won't be here anymore and  I will be lost for a while but, it is a new season in his life and mine.  He is a man who loves the Lord and I pray always keeps him first in his life.  I know he will become a great attorney one day.  One who will make a difference.  I'm gonna go cry now.

Elf

Miss-chevious

Actress

Sweetie Pie

Willow

loves her brother

and will miss him when he's gone...  I'm gonna cry.

smirker

orator

Mama's little Pookie

Worms cake... she loves caterpillars but the closest her sisters could come were worms. Didn't they do a great creative  job..... lol  She loved it.

Chocolate

Little Caterpillar "Babe" 

.....she names them all "Babe"

... be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.  2 Timothy 4:2

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

 A time to get, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 A time to rend, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 A time to love, and a time to hate;

a time of war, and a time of peace.  

Ecclesiastes 3

Patricia

 

The Joys of Home....

A mother must have great control over her own feelings ----- a calmness and composure of spirit not easily disturbed ---- or she will be occasionally provoked to acts of injustice by the misfortunes of which her children are the innocent cause.  ~ John S.C. Abbott, The Mother at Home

How I wish I could say I was such a mother!   How fortunate to have new mercies bestowed upon me each day.  How often than not I find myself short on patience and godly manner, subjecting my children to displays of agitation and unease.   A disposition of equanimity is a necessity for  mothers....  the Lord   frequently  convicts me to improve my composure in my walk of the blessed role of motherhood.

The first songs of spring have alighted here in the mountains setting out her promises of renewal and rebirth.... a balm to my soul.   We played outdoors for a short period on Easter Sunday and found our first flower of spring.... a tiny yellow marigold standing alone defying the cold weather.  Funny how excited we all were rushing over to see this little fellow.... our spring inspiration.  The birds have yet to take the challenge knowing it is safer to wait until May.  I say come little birds!  Hurry hurry!  Most of you are probably already enjoying this seasons gifts of color and warmer temperatures but spring comes in slowly up here.... so as the cold abides outdoors, I sit inside by the warm fire and wait as a bride anxiously waits for her groom.

The girls are getting over pneumonia, flu and the stomach bug.  Our house has been black listed as we have sequestered the girls snuggling them down in the bed, on the sofa or  wing backed chair to rest and recover.   A simple celebration of our risen savior at home and a short outdoor adventure kept this Easter simple and sweet. 

This season is a time of reflection for me... a time of waiting and watching... learning and growing.   The Joys of Home abound as do the challenges.   As illness allows we do something fun in the kitchen, play a board game, paint a pony, sew new frocks and skirts, unclutter a closet, read the Word, play music, pray and rest.    A free range turkey is in the oven cooking, the littles have their bunnies out for a romp while they look through books.  Later we will continue work on our insect study.  We hope for a short trip to Black Mountain next week.... a  respite from staying still for so long.   I hope you enjoy the photos of the girls as they help me bake this week.   I always give them a bowl of their own when I am cooking so they can create something for daddy when he comes home. ;) 

A bit of this...

hmmm something is missing....

well, it looks ok...

It tastes ok

Add  flour

eggs...

more eggs... I like cracking eggs

a bagel.. bagels are guuuud

stir, stir, stir...

and wallah.. bread rolls for dinner.  You can also enjoy Mary's easy Ranch rolls recipe.

cooking is hard work

rreeeaaaly hard work

dying eggs

handmade candles for great for drawing and marking

washing little hands... (ok, playing in the water)

~~~~

A little baby girl was untied with her new family Easter Sunday.... we had spoken with them about adoption over 3 years ago.  It took exactly 3 years for them to be matched.  whew....She was worth the wait. ;)

Gotcha for little Chuan Bai now known as Tatum.   I think she is rather tall for an 18 month old! Congratulations Mike, Monica, Sydney and Tatum!!

Tatum and daddy snuggled up... I love these pictures...priceless

Tatum and her big sister Sydney.  This family has waited so long... I am elated for them and can't wait to meet their new addition.  Don't you love those eyes.  Chuan Bai is from Fuzhou, Jiangxi.

~~~

And wait!  More glorious news! Willow's crib mate Tian Tian is coming home!!  Her parents called me from the airport this morning and said their plane leaves at 10:10.... get it?? Ten Ten - Tian Tian?  lol.  They will be united with her Sunday.  I can not wait until they come home!!  for those friends and family of Teresa and Jimmy, i will be posting updates and photos so check back!

Next time you feel ungrateful or dissatisfied all the treasures that God has bestowed upon you.  Be blessed and praise the Lord for his gift of the rebirth of spring!!  Until next time....