Because...

~ because you never keep score
~ because you are a man of integrity
~ because your kisses still curl my toes
~ because you are the man I always dreamed of
~ because you know the names of our neighbors
~ because you always clean the litter box - for my cat
~ because you love the symphony, and art museums - and hunting
~ because you are careful with your words so that they never bruise
~ because you understand why week-long birthdays are so important
~ because you do all the cooking - and then still help clean the kitchen
~ because you once built me a yellow swing that only moved side to side
~ because you play board (bored?) games with Sloane for hours - with a smile
~ because you are never in too much of a hurry to listen to someone who needs you
~ because you kiss me on the forehead as I fall asleep and say, "Good night, sweet girl."
~ because you never mind making a bathroom stop on a road trip - even if we stopped 1/2 an hour ago
~ because you have never once told me to "settle down" or to stop making such a big deal about something
~ because you drive me to a swing set when I'm feeling crabby - instead of getting irritated with me
~ because you pump the gas, stop for the milk, drop off the dry cleaning, go get the Chinese - every time
~ because you give me a massages that last an hour - even though I only last about 10 minutes on the massages I give you
~ because you never once did that man-thing and wished for a son - the daughter God gave us was all that you ever wanted
~ because you don't make fun of my absolute inability to read a map - instead you find a way to write directions so I can find my way

For all these things, and a thousand more, I love you, Jeffrey. Now and always.
Happy anniversary, my love.


My two loves.

A Change of Pace

Summertime has officially arrived in these parts. Maybe not according to the Earth's calendar, but according to our school calendar. One week ago was the last day of school. It feels odd to begin summer vacation in May, but it is wonderful to get enough sleep each night. I've been spending a lot of time this week working on my blog, not that you can tell it. My head is bubbling with ideas and I have about 12 partially completed posts. I've also reorganized the garage, begun to deal with mammoth piles of paper that seem to gather during the school year, put together Sloane's first grade memory book, started Sloane on her summer reading program, and more. Best of all, I've read 4 books. And that's just during the Me Time.

In June, we have summer school for Sloane, which is much more like summer day camp, complete with trips to the pool and the amusement park. We have a trip to Oregon in July. Other than that, we have a lot of time to just be. To play, to read, to laugh, to explore. Sounds like heaven doesn't it? My version anyway.

My chore for this afternoon is to create a loose schedule for our summer. I've told you before that I'm a girl who likes schedules and loves lists. I find that if I am somewhat organized, things happen. Otherwise, the creeping laziness of summer sets in. Of course I want summer to be full of long lazy days full of play and laughter, water and books. I want it to be a time of exploring and memory making for our family. I got to thinking that most of you probably felt the same way. And so, I offer you two things.

A brief list:

Summer Fun List

~ road trips ~ zoo class ~ rainy day movie marathon ~ Koolaid Popsicles ~ naps ~ hammocks ~ book lists ~ slip n slide ~ participating in the library programs ~ drive in movies ~ water fights as you wash the car ~ backyard gardening ~ trips to the Farmer's Market ~ days at the pool ~ hikes back to a cold water creek for a dip ~ chasing fireflies ~ baseball ~ fireworks ~ picnics ~ growing your own salads~ girlfriend dates~ finally getting to that item that's been on your To Do List since last September ~

And a question:
What did I miss? Please tell me some your favorite summertime activities.




I believe this vintage image came from an art journaling workshop I did last summer. Not sure. Sorry.

N is for...

* nice matters * Neverland * nostalgia * noggins * newborn babies * nicknames * noon * Nile River * newlyweds * noodles * naval oranges * notions section * numbers * non sequitur * nasturtiums * nesting instinct * nighttime * Numb3rs * New Mexico's desert skies * naked truth * nuts * Northern Lights * Nutella * nonsense words * neighbors * nautilus * nymphs * nodding agreement * neatness * nomadic lifestyles * necktie * Nat King Cole * new car smell * New York City * nouns * Niagara Falls in early winter * nocturnal animals * nieces * Ninth Symphony * newspapers * North Star * night owls * necking * National Gallery * nap time * nom de plume * Nickelodeon reruns * no hitters * needlework * nightly newscasts * nests * natty dressers * nickles * Nefertiti * Novalee Nation * nebula * nitty gritty * necklaces * nautical miles * noisy play times * nimble feet * nerds * nightgowns on little girls * nationalities * nimbus of light * newfangled ideas * net stockings * narwhal * nobody's fool * neuroscience * namesake * nests * neglecting your chores in order to play * natural world * near misses * Nana * nougat *

Don't you just love the alphabet?

To see more work from these excellent photographers, click the individual links. N by Leo Reynolds. Newspaper by Pensiero. Necklace & Necktie by Buckaroo Kid. Nile by syzygy in. To find out more about the Alphabetica project, see the sidebar. To see the entire project so far, click the Alphabetica label at the end of this post.

This is What I Need

I've been singularly focused on school this week, but I'm looking forward to visiting your place again soon. Tonight is Parent Night and the big reveal. Wish us luck!

A Blessing on All Women

To those women whose children are now parents and even grandparents.

To those women who carry a child and dream of being called "Mommy".

To those women who have little ones who don't sleep through the night, who climb on everything, who wear you out with chasing.

To those women who patiently practice spelling words and math facts and read aloud every night.

To those women who are puzzled by their teens and tweens and struggle to hang on to their patience.

To those women who have gently let their own children leave the nest, who are sitting back to watch them fly.

To those women who love the children of another mother and fill needs we can not.

To those women who long for children and whose heart aches each day.

To those women who have chosen not to have children, and offer their heart full of love to those who fill their lives.

To us all. To every woman.

I wish you joy.
I wish you peace.
I wish you wisdom.
I wish you patience.
I wish you love abounding.
I wish you a very happy Mother's Day.



Gorgeous peony by Chrisser.

Blurb Love

Do you remember these posts?

Thanks to your encouragement, I did turn our class book project into a real book on Blurb.com. Please click here for a preview. I think it looks fantastic. I'm so excited!

I didn't tell my students what I've been up to with One Delicious Class. I can hardly wait to see their faces tomorrow when I show them the preview online. I've ordered a copy for the classroom, and our librarian is planning to order one for the school library. We have a Celebration of Learning (parent's night) next Thursday night. As a part of our presentation, we will show the book to the parents and offer the chance to order a copy for themselves at the bulk discount price. If any of you would like to purchase a copy for one of the authors, that would be incredible. I know there will be some families who will be unable to buy a copy for their second grader. If that's something you'd like to do, just send me an email. If any of you are interested in ordering a copy for yourself, we would, of course, be delighted.

Thanks again for your encouragement.

Joy Comes In The Morning...

and it looks something like

this

and this

and this.

And, it looks like you. Yes, each of you.
I'm starting right here. Care to join me?

Sorrow

I am feeling sad tonight. The weekend has brought much bad news. A friend lost her father. Another has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Another fights overwhelming odds, and keeps on fighting. So many people are hurting. So many people feel alone, or scared, or heartbroken. Or all three at once. How to help? How to fill up empty hearts? How to comfort wounded souls? How to find words to offer that might bring a balm of peace? How can I be His hands and feet in a hurting world?

I've been praying, asking these questions as I go about my day. This is the answer I felt in my heart.

Start here.
Start with what you have. Be willing. Be openhearted and generous. Give your time. And your money. Give your love. Start with what you have. Start here.

I don't know yet what "start here" means. I'm not sure. And so I'll click publish. And wait. And keep praying.




This image was taken by phlewte.

People Watching

I have a thing for people watching. I just find it so very interesting. I love to make up stories to go with expressions, body language, outfits. Every once in a while I take the time to write down what I see. Here's an example.


Saturday night, February 7, 2009
Kansas City - on the Plaza

I'm sitting in a cushy chair near the Barnes & Nobel Cafe. There is a man sitting there who caught my eye with his intensely studious expression. He has that scowl of concentration and he flips through pages and jots down furious scribblings in the notebook beside him. Here's the thing that intrigues me. That make me want to write a story with him as a character. He is completely intent on what he is doing. In front of him is a pile of four books topped with a stack of papers. Two of the books have spines that are five inches thick. One book is emblazoned ACT Victory. One is called College Majors.

He is probably 45.


It's a perfect movie scene, actually. He's in faded jeans and a white button down. His wedding ring gleams on his finger. His glasses are black wire rims and his hair is a silver-tipped black. Both books are black and red with white lettering. One has words ----->. The other reads upside down <--------. The stack is just crooked enough to be completely random. The man is Everyman. Not especially good looking. No ugly. Just an ordinary guy fast approaching the end of middle age. His concentration is fierce. The whir of the espresso machine, the clink of the forks, the quiet conversations all around him, even my steady scrutiny. This guy never wavers.

I wonder what his story is? Is he a dad with a slacker kid, so he is compelled to take furious notes on her behalf? Is he heading to college himself to complete a long-held dream? I wonder.




This is my first SOOJ blog post. The first picture is a few of my journals, the next is my actual journal page of this writing. Also, I took the third picture surreptitiously because I was terribly nervous. It's not great, but I thought you might like to see the man.