Soaring and Stillness: Life with the Chickadees

An unknown author once wrote, "You can't wrap a hug in a box, but you can wrap a person in your arms." A statement which was proven false just a few weeks ago. A package arrived, ferried over seas, over islands, thousands of miles from it's origin. Destination? A southern front porch.  Sender? One sweet friend and her adorable daughter. In favorite hues it came, with love exploding...delicate practice embroidery done by a hand that not long ago learned to form letters. Pastels abounded. Gifts fit for princesses. The chicks were floored, in awe. As was I, working to control the tears that this box brought to my throat; whelmed with the pure generosity of it all. As it always goes, the Mama was last into the box. There, I found nestled gently, a beautiful note, tied with ribbon and specific instructions... Always one to obey, I promptly did as instructed by my heart-filled friend. Handing the camera to the eldest,  I un...

I've been hit and mostly  miss for the last few months...but for a most excellent reason. (in)RL Yep. I've kept silent about it, but today (in)courage tagged me in a Facebook post, so I guess my anonymity flew the coop. Smile In addition to all of the normal ( wait, did I just call this nest schedule normal???)  that goes on around here, I've been working since January on Sara's Story  for the * gulp*  upcoming webcast that will go live this Friday, April 27th and continue throughout the weekend. Have you signed up?  If not, I'm encouraging you to do so here . I promise that this will be an event you absolutely do not  want to miss. The gang over at (in)Courage has worked tirelessly to bring you a conference of unmatched quality. Pure excellence. Faith, love, friendship and beauty all wrapped into a weekend event viewable from your home. Or, if you're near one ( see a list here )   a meet-up. As of today, there are 422 meet-ups hap...

It's 10:24 p.m. and my right hand is gently dusting the shelving as my left gingerly picks things up and places them down again . I pray, "Dear Lord, please, please, don't let me drop something precious with this throbbing, swollen grip ." I'm bone tired. The professor is at a conference receiving an award and I'm here playing zone defense. I prefer man-to-man coverage.  There's been more zone than I like lately...but I work on choosing the gratitude and finding the joy. I listen to Ann's voice fill up the quiet of the car and pump loud over the thumping of the washing machine. The girls rush down from the dance room to see if we have a visitor who speaks over helicopters. I laugh, thinking that Ann Voskamp probably never raises her voice to that level. She finds the gifts .  Tonight, I'm seeing only crumpled up wrapping paper. Still, I listen... I have read the words more times than I can count on one hand. I'm hoping that hearing them...

Hello warm weather Hello landscaping project Hello rubber mulch that is supposed to keep the hue for a decade Hello fluffy puppy who thinks lounging in the landscaping is a great plan Hello sweet girl doing laps around the house Hello fragrant snapdragons that decided to return this season Hello signs of life peeking through Hello, lovely Spring... I can't wait to see what you have in store