*morning & home*

I love the stillness of this...

The Deep End from Kelly Lacy on Vimeo.

*letters*

Dear Joshua Caleb,
Sometimes I watch you from the window playing and laughing with our kids and I see your boy child come out in your Papa self and I fall in love with you all over again.
Some days you are troubled and you question where you are on the journey and if the direction you are going is the right one. I am your fellow sojourner while we are here and wherever God takes you, I will be by your side. As long as Jesus chooses your destination you can be at peace.
Some mornings when you think I am still asleep, I watch you limp through pain waking up. It makes my heart ache and I wish I could take the pain away. But I have seen God bring a softness and compassion to you through it. Pain can do that to a person.
You have walked with me through my dark and wounded places and your fierce love has lightened my burden. I am so thankful you were there.
There is something wild and unconventional in you but also strong and unwavering.You bring a gentle strength to the chaos in our house at times. You are a carrier of joy and your laughter is infectious.
I love how you still bring me flowers and cook me breakfast. You know I've been a sucker for your long curls for years but that new shaved head you're rockin'... so sexy. You are my one and only, darling.
Linda


Dear Post-baby body,
I admit, I've been treating you wrong. I kind of cringe when I pass a mirror and I'm more critical of you than I would ever be of anyone else. I'm sorry I'm so hard on you and I want to start listening to my husband, who reminds me that every scar, bulge, mark and extra pound are a small price to pay for our babies. He tells me everyday that I'm beautiful. You have been a strong safe place that enveloped the tiny cells that then grew and were knit into these incredible wild little creatures. Amazing! I promise to start talking to you like I would talk to my own precious daughters or anyone who is feeling less than the stupidly narrow standards our culture puts on women. I'm going to look away from things that make me feel like S*&#.
I'm going to start saying this to you more ;
"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well." ~Psalm 139:14

and this;

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

I don't think I've said it much but, thank you for nurturing five lives inside of you and making milk to nurse four of my children. Thank you for the ability to run with my kids, dance with my husband and a million other things.
Even though I've been hatin' on you, I really like you a whole lot and I want you to be the healthiest version of yourself so... no more sugar or grains, at least for the next 21 days, kay? I know, I know, but you can do it! You'll thank me later.
Love,
me
(baby Naya)

Dear September,
I am so happy you're here and that you are showing hints of my favorite season more and more. That cool morning air is delicious. I can't wait for leaves and fires and sweaters and strolls under a banner of colors.

the first four months

These first four precious months with you have gone by so fast, baby. You are changing every day. It's been a tired, messy, chaotic, tender and beautiful time. There are days I feel like I need a cook, a house keeper, or a wet nurse or maybe all three. It seems there is always someone who needs me and a long list at the end of my days of things I "should" have done. But God holds us, sustaining us and growing us together. I wouldn't trade any of it for a second.

I have loved watching the bonds between you and your brother and sisters. Night after night before you were born they would each pray for you to come out and Juden wouldn't go to sleep without kissing my belly. Now that you're here you are the star of the family. Sometimes we have to protect you from all the love your siblings want to cover you with. Juden holds you and talks to you and I am awed by his tenderness toward you and the bond that forms between brothers, even so early. Ella acts like your little mommy, putting her cheek on yours when you're sad and singing to you. And Naya too, can't get enough of your sweetness.

You are an incredibly happy little man. Your whole face lights up as soon as you see my face in the morning. You slept through the night on your own at about 10 weeks. On August the 4th, you laughed for the first time, and in that moment, all was right with the world. One week later you rolled over. It seems that every day brings changes and growth. I can hardly catch my breath. You are a joy-bringer, a little healer. You are more than precious. I love waking up to your soft hungry little self and watching the first rays stream through my window.
Here's a little picture overload. How could I resist?

baby pants

A few people have asked me about Harper's pants so here is the info. I first discovered them over at Soule Mama's blog. The pattern is actually from Anna Marie Horner's book, Handmade Beginnings. My friend made the first blue pair as a gift for Harper. She also has the book so I made the tree ones with her. I love the colors and they're perfect for Fall. I LOVE these pants. They're soft and comfortable. They are reversible and they can kind of grow with the child by being cuffed or not cuffed. I'd put him in these every day if I had enough. It's all about the butt panel:)

Alewives, has a beautiful selection of fabrics but this fabric is from Quilt Home. They have a different designer on sale all the time so the prices are better and the selection is great.

You can click on the underlined words above or here are the websites~
Soule Mama blog ~http://soulemama.typepad.com/
Anna Marie Horner's Handmade Beginnings~http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470497815/?tag=soul01-20
Alewives~http://www.alewivesfabrics.com/
Quilt Home~http://quilthome.com/index.php?xyz=gaw_QH&gclid=CPfr5-fwkKsCFZYb2godUXeVyQ





(made by Laura)

summer

We are squeezing the last little bit of life out of this summer. We had our annual summer trip to Lake Winnie last week and we're gearing up to camp this weekend. There is something I love about all the sweaty-faced excitement and absurdity that this outing always brings. I love riding the ferris wheel every year with my boy, eating snow-cones, and the nostalgia of summer and amusement parks. I love watching my kids get a little more daring every year. We always come home with a contented adrenaline crash from all the sensory over-load. Until next year.






Nana moved from NJ to five minutes away and we are loving it!




(summer 2011)


(summer 2010)


(summer 2009)


oh my goodness, where did this little bug go?