"Let's have a merry journey, and shout about how light is good and dark is not. What we should do is not future ourselves so much. We should now ourselves. "NOW thyself" is more important than "Know thyself." Reason is what tells us to ignore the present and live in the future. So all we do is make plans. We think that somewhere there are going to be green pastures. It's crazy. Heaven is nothing but a grand, monumental instance of future. Listen, now is good. Now is wonderful." ~ Mel Brooks

Friday, August 31, 2012

Once in a Blue Moon

 
 
Today marks the first full moon in 30 months with the next one happening well into 2015! There is the saying "Once in a Blue Moon"; what in your life have you suggested would only happen "once in a Blue Moon"? Can you make any of those things happen now? Things that come up for me are taking all the kids to the mountains, sleeping in, spending that day at the ocean, visiting dear friends. All of these things I've suggested only happen "Once in a Blue Moon".

On the spiritual side of things, blue hues hold meaning in communication. Although the moon doesn't appear to be blue, the name alone suggests that there is indeed significance between these special moon events and communication. What are you trying to communicate at this moment? Are you being clear? What is your motivation for your expression? All of things can be considered tonight as this Blue Moon dances over you and maybe you'll find the insights you've been seeking.

Today, DH is off from work and all the children are home. It will be my greatest joy for us to celebrate this beautiful phenomenon by allowing ourselves the freedom to so something that happens on such a rare occasion. Maybe even something as simple as having ice cream for dinner or having a picnic by the river. No need for extreme measures, just quiet listening so we can hear what our souls are asking for.

What is your soul asking for? DO it today or at the very least make sure to go outside and witness this most amazing moon. I would love to hear how you choose to celebrate!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Technology

 
Before this moment I would have considered myself a bit of a Puritan when it came to technology. We have a rather old television that is plugged in with only a DVD ( an upgrade from our VCR player that finally broke after more than a decade) player for the occasional movie watching we do as a family. We have no landline phone, no answering machines, no microwave, no gaming devices. We have a laptop that was a used hand me down and Tracphones that we put minutes on when we can.......that is until now! We are now the proud owners of an iPhone (thanks to my sister and her hubby)!

To say I felt a bit overwhelmed and confused is an understatement, I was truly and utterly lost! Where does one begin? Technology is far more advanced even from when I was a kid! I had become wary and distrustful of it all. I wanted to keep our children and ourselves as far from it as possible. It was like a scary monster that lived under the bed. You couldn't see it or understand it but you knew it was there.

I guess we've taken a leap of faith into an unknown realm by trusting that we can welcome technology into our lives in ways that we are comfortable without feeling as if we're being taken over by it.



I am, however, enjoying my new gift. Being a big family I enjoy having my calendars, to do lists, and reminders all in one spot and I like that they will actually remind me of something I most likely have already forgotten. I also really enjoy the many ways I am able to manipulate a photo. That with the added bonus of being able to stay in better contact with friends and family who are a bit more adept to the technological world than I.......for now!


Sunday, August 26, 2012

Weekly Gratitude


It's been another long while since I was able to post here. I'm grateful for the ability to write when  I can and visit my space here in blogland! I am grateful for the ever changing creative forces within me that wax and wane like the moon; sometimes ever present and sometimes only a shadow remains. I am grateful for the moments I have that I can share my truest self and be in a beautiful space of mindfulness, aware and present. I am grateful for the books I am reading, for the love of my husband, for the life of a dear soul who is now dancing among the stars.

I am grateful for these words today::
 
"I feel a foreign force fruiting,
Strenghtening to give me to myself.
I sense the seed ripening
And light-filled prescience weaving
Within me on my selfhood's power."
 
Week 21:: August 26 - September 1 2012
From Rudolf Steiner's Calendar of the Soul
 
 
As always, feel free to share what it is you are grateful for today in the comments below xoxo

Monday, August 13, 2012

Summer Comes


The Little darling Spring has run away.
The sunshine grew too hot for her to stay.


She kissed her sister, Summer, and she said,
"When I'm gone, you must be Queen instead."


Now reigns the Lady Summer, round whose feet
A thousand fairies flock with blossoms sweet.




Friday, August 10, 2012

Bubble Wrap



We've sure been on a roll this summer. June was an "exciting" month as we were joined not only by our most beautiful angel, Seraphina, but also by pertussis. We embraced the process and all the fear and uncertainty that comes with this illness and as a result I can, with much peace and relief, say everyone has recovered wonderfully.

Shortly after the recovery process had begun, Kiki fell. She fell and broke her wrist. As you can see from the photo above it didn't take away her joy or her fearlessness. She continued on her way, even that evening; climbing, running, jumping. She didn't slow down and she didn't quit smiling. Her recovery was quick and painless. Thankfully!

Two weeks have now passed since her cast was removed and we have been at the Emergency Room twice in two days due to another injury. Once for the initial injury which was a result of Kiki finding a piece of glass with her little foot. Thankfully no glass was found in her wound nor did she need stitches. There was more crying from fear than there was from pain, for all of us. The day after we found ourselves back in the ER for an immunization for tetanus. We are following a delayed immunization schedule and as a result our littlest ones are lacking the immunizations we've decided we'll have administered at a time when we are certain their little bodies can handle the load. Tetanus is one of them.

Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind of emotions, for all of us. As parents, you find out your expecting and from that moment on the worry and fear floodgates are burst open. You research, read, talk with trusted friends and doctors, family offer up advice, you watch and wait for signs that you've made good or not so good choices, you hear your baby's heartbeat, feel them moving in your womb, hold them, exude so much love for them that you glow. Your heart is overwhelmed with love and joy on that day you bring forth that aching pain and hold in your arms the precious bundle that is so perfect and wonderful. At that moment you swear you will protect them from every little thing. Pain, fear, sadness, failure, bullies, broken hearts, illness, injury. You name it. It's so hard to watch your babies traveling the road that can only be their own. You can't change anything......it's their path to walk. As parents, we can only walk with them, not for them, or even against them. We can try, by golly, but in the end.......it's up to them. We can love them, support them, be there for them, hug them, hold them, adore them, tell them they are wonderful and perfect, encourage them, cheer for them but ultimately......we can only watch them. How many times I'd wished things were different but could do nothing to change the outcome. Our family has seen so much fear and tears these past few months but for all of that we've LOVED so much more. We're all so much closer and have really seen, first hand, that life is so fragile and we must LIVE in every moment otherwise we're not living at all. We can't ask WHY because there is no why. We can only trust the process and lovelovelovelovelove.

We may not be able to ask why but we have certainly considered wrapping our sweet Kiki in head to toe bubble wrap! 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Family Style


 


Click here to join us on Facebook

It's a Simple Life has opened up a group on Facebook to discuss all things family. For those raising up a small family or a large one, we'd love to hear from you. We want to know how you get your kids to do their chores, how you handle those meltdown moments (yours or theirs), fast, easy, and healthful meal ideas and recipes, great books on the theme, favorite family vacation spots, what's the best and worst part of parenting (because we all know they both exist!) and everything in between.

Come on and join the fun! We'd love for you to be a part of our "family" xoxo

Monday, July 16, 2012

A bite of Reality

So, the reality is, and I've said it before, simple doesn't always mean easy! Focusing our attention and devotion to living simply, accepting simplicity as a lifestyle, and knowing in our hearts that it's the very small things in our everyday life that makes it grand is the color I choose to paint with......mostly......on a good day! :)

Today, like so many other days these past 6 weeks, I woke up tired! I love my new baby more than words could ever express however she's winning in the sleep war while I'm waving my white flag of surrender. I couldn't be more exhausted and weary........so today, I rolled out of bed after having tried to "sleep in" (ie: wide awake babe lying next to the Mama who's trying to sneak an extra hour or so of "sleep" while the baby kicks, cries, spits up, poops, and fusses leaving the Mama with just another hour or so of broken minutes of "sleep" just like the other 5 hours before!) walked down the hallway to find a sink full of dishes, a couch still covered in crumbs from last night, shoes and toys scattered around the living room, among a myriad of other cluttered messes that have been there for much longer but got under my skin and irritated me more today than any other day! So, my unsuspecting husband  (who had gotten up extra early to begin a bid for a potential job, was most likely in a good mood before I walked in) witnessed a "New Mama Meltdown" as I cried (and reached temper tantrum levels of hysteria) over my lack of sleep, my wish for just an hour or two of unbroken sleep, the wish that the house cleaning gnomes would make a stop at our house to pick up after everyone while I'm sleeping, the laundry would be started and the laundry that was folded from the last washing day would be put away, the floors would be swept, and a nice hot cup of coffee would be waiting for me upon my waking! A tall order, I know, but it's days like this one where I would daydream about having a someone to do all those things for me, where simple meant easy, lazy, no stress, no worries.

The best part about all of this reality stuff is that now that I've released it (and having made myself a great cup of coffee and completed all the chores I listed above) I'm not wishing for that someone, because I am that someone. I am the creator of my own life, I can choose who I want to be (thanks for reminding me DH) and I choose to create a life that is simple, even when it's not easy, my life bring me so many wonderful joys, deep, deep happiness, strength and learning, and unconditional love......even when I'm having a tantrum akin to that of our two year old!

Life has been very real.......it's not always a fairytale (in the moment) but the lessons to be learned and the life to be had is a glorious one, and I wouldn't trade it for the best Maid in town!
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