sunday dinners in fountain square

They are always so beautiful, with yummy friends and yummy food.

(A good photographer doesn't hurt either.)

"enticing"

Marshall was loving on Nigel yesterday morning.
He said that Nigel was the best brother ever.
I said, "What about Stewart?"
He said, "He's a little less enticing."
Then, "What does "enticing" mean?"
He had it! The appropriate word for his thought. Even still, he had to check.
It makes me wonder how much he's understanding... what he's really getting? We know that he picks up things quickly. You've heard, children are, "like a sponge".
That developing brain of his... it's peicing hundreds of puzzles together every day.
When he asks things that he already knows, time and again, it's not that he didn't hear it, or give those words and thoughts a "place" in his brain. It's that paths are being created in there.
So I want to remember to be patient with him.
At 5, he's developing!
Maps are being drawn, new lands explored, boundaries founded, and the universe is being unwrapped.
I want to remember that great things are happening.
I want to remember that beauty is all around.
I want to remember to breathe and take it in.

cousins and boy-talk

Sarah tells me how Fiona saw Marshall this morning and wanted to play with him. Marshall said "Fiona!" with excitement, but had to go with his class. How sweet was he? Stewart too. They love their little cousin so much. And what is not to love about her?
Neither Fiona nor Stewart would go to the nursery, so they played in the mama's meeting. (MOPS, that is. I just don't like how "cutsie" the name is. Being involved with this group is so very "organized" of me, isn't it?) They had a nice time, and later both went to the nursery for a bit. It was perfect timing because as soon as Stewart went to the nursery, Nigel needed me.
So this lady, Lori Borgman, spoke about raising boys. She talked about the feminization of education during the last 30 years or so and how it has isolated boys. Also, she talked about boy's high energy level and how it is seen as "aggression" and has been forced out of them in schools and by parents who don't understand. She expressed that along with society's current push towards all things feminine, the desire, and therefore ability, for boys to become men who will stand up for what they think is right and/or protect those who can't protect themselves has also been crushed or supressed. (Maybe inadvertently?) I presume she was saying that by crushing boy's natural or instinctual ways (of learning, feeling and communicating), we put down his natural forcefulness and strength.
There is a movement, for sure, towards the later. Mike and I see it and dislike it because we know it doesn't fit our boys.
We also notice that little is done to understand boy's emotions. Mike and I want to teach our boys how to communicate their emotions (Here, we mean not just talking about it, but also expressing through physical activities [that are not damaging to themselves or others]). By demonstrating emotional communication, we hope that they'll know that their emotional stuff is important (to their own person, and to others).
We've talked many times about how generations before theirs have not done this well. There have even been instances where our boys have been reprimanded to "toughen-up" (as young as a year of age). Things have been said indicating that something is wrong with them if they are stressed by separation (or other). Even Mike and I admit we have not always been sensitive (like we may have to a daughter?). While we don't appreciate the whine-thing, we loathe the "shut-up and shut-down" thing that says, "Don't tell us what you feel. AND don't feel."
We want Marshall, Stewart and Nigel to learn not to be passive about the things they really care about (that there is a healthy and natural forcefulness in them) AND to be connected to their emotions.
So, it's good they have a little cousin and each other to learn to care for and protect.
Wow, what a thesis this has become... thanks for enduring through it.

oh, to be a child!

Welcome to our mini-tent city!
The expressions an their faces are wild and unabashed.
Regan with her spoon and hip-flip,
Josie in a painted-faced pose,
Marshall quirkily curling his tongue,
Harper so serios about his expression,
Stewart copying older brother to his own beat,
Madison, so mischevious her look,
Braden proud, holding his smoking pipe, and
Nia, happy to be a sheltered patriot.
Thanks to you, friends, for producing this. Thanks to you, friends, for being our community... quirks and all! Who knew that hosting an oatmeal and grits dinner could be so fun?
"The more, the merrier."

masterpeice in a day (within 24 hrs)

Saturday was "Masterpeice in a Day" in Fountain Square. I participated, showing up at 9:30 am. I left proptly at 10 for Marshall's soccer game, returning by 11:30 and working a bit before my family came to visit me. Marshall had skinned his elbow on the walk over, and Nigel was hysterical, wanting to be fed. I saw them home and didn't return to my art until 1:30 or so.
My art piece did not get finished. Submitting it for the competition was out of the question. That was ok with me though. I felt good about meeting what needs my family had and still being able to have a place among other artists. Short periods of quiet creativity was just what I needed. It made me excited about my work again.
My art is still not complete. There are several "finishing touches" needed. According to my friends, it could still be considered a masterpeice in a day if I define the "a day" part as being 24 hours. I believe we should go with that! Aren't they gracious?

most days

When I write things, I am contemplative. While writing, I realize that I have so much to be thankful for and happy about, so that's what comes out.

In my real world, I do not walk around giving thanks and being happy all the time. My days are stressful and overfull. I'll be nursing the baby while cleaning up poop, or reading a story to one and disciplining the other, making dinner and begging for the whinning to end. My eyes, ears and hands feel like they are all going different directions to attend to different needs.

I'm glad that I have these three little ones in my life. I love them! I love my life.

AND most days feel shitty.

nice shots

Loving these shots.

The sandwiched photograph was taken by my friend, Rachel, at Sunday Night's dinner. I am so glad that we can pretend to "capture the moment", savoring things that our minds quickly bury... and to have so many beautiful memories.

What's this? A picture with words.

Go on softly... [thanks brother for all mothers]

Cloudy Forecast
MSS © 2007 ARR

wherever she goes, she brings it
she is acclaimed as a hero
for a while
until everything is soaked through
permeated with what they wanted
they don’t want her anymore

when she shows up, they light up
she is adored and given a key
with a smile
until people want their colors back
wishing for clear blue skies
they send her on her way

and in the places in between
where she’s wanted desperately
and no longer tolerated
she cries
as predictably as her rain
she desires a drought of her soul

whatever the expectations are, she’s it
she’s the savior of so much
mile after mile
except she can’t save herself
but of course she keeps trying
going, selfishly, where she’s needed most