by flowers on July 30, 2010
These two boys have come along way these past few months. They had to hang tight while we launched a new business this past spring and they bared with me while I had a mama meltdown. They really had to fend for themselves when I injured my hip and needed bed rest the last three weeks of my pregnancy and they’ve had to adjust to life with a new baby and all the changes that have come these past few weeks.
It hasn’t been particularly easy on them and yet I notice the ways it has built character for each of them individually and bonded them as brothers. As much as they drive each other crazy (and us in the process) they also play with each other more and keep themselves busy more often. I had to do a double take when Sol recently dressed himself, made himself a snack and brushed his teeth in preparation for a play date–all without help or prompting from me. Six months ago Koala was hesitant to leave my side and now he begs to take off for the park with friends when the opportunity arises.
And just the other morning I suggested we go take a walk and I found them dressing themselves and S buttoning K’s shirt for him. I had just a moment to grab the camera and catch the moment.
Boys, we have come a long way and I’m so proud of the way you’ve grown.
What about you? Do you notice your kids stepping up to plate in times of change or great challenges?
by flowers on July 22, 2010
I’m participating in Shakti Mama’s self-portrait series and our first assignment was to explore the mask.
This could go a million ways. I’ll highlight some thoughts I’ve had through the process of choosing the mask, taking the picture, uploading and posting it.
*I feel comfortable behind a mask. Life feels exciting and adventurous. I feel stripped of society’s expectations and a certain freedom comes from that: I can say what I really feel. I can do what I really feel called to do. Maybe the real mask I’m wearing is invisible–in my every day life.
*This blog can act as a mask. I choose the lens, the feel and what I want to present. I share certain aspect of my family and myself. I want to live authentically and this blog is a tool that constantly explores where what authenticity means and feels like to me–how it plays out in my experience.
*Solshine does not like me wearing this mask or any mask. It frightens him because he feels like I am no longer his mother. It’s taught me about how he sees the world and the kind of possibilities he accepts as reality and glimpses into the things he fears. Koala loves it in a thrilling, dangerous way. He looks at me mischievously begging to know if it’s me or what new world we’ve entered. He giggles and I see his whole body relax as I pull it off and say, “It’s just me.” He begs me to put it back on.
The mask feels like a lesson in self in relation to the outside world. It acts as a go between. I am I. I am also who I am perceived to be. Somewhere in the middle there are a million shades of gray.
by flowers on July 21, 2010
There was a time when I was a voracious reader. In fact, that was how you could describe me most of my life until my second son was born. Then my world changed into reading magazines and blogs because they were something I could pick up quick, read an article or post, and then go back to taking care of the kids.
Shortly after Ninu was born I picked up The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It is one of my all time favorites and since I had so much help with the house and family I had time to nurse and lounge and read. And fall in love all over again.
Something has as awakened in me–an old flame: my love for reading words on paper that I hold in my hands. It was soothing and calming and created great balance in my life. I read a lot online and on the computer, but hence is the manner of modern media, it is subject to bouncing around erratically from blog to facebook to twitter and email. Reading a book feels centering and grounding.
I’ve decided that instead of working and reading on my computer until bedtime I will close things down and head into bed, ending my night with books. It’s a past time I’ve loved so dearly and it feels really good to bring this habit back into my life.
Two questions for you:
When do you find time to read?
What is your favorite all time book or genre?
