they're heading off...

Well,it's happened. I always thought it would happen. I planned for it.
But still I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

Jess is reading chapter books!
 Sigh!
He's off exploring in the world of the printed page without me!

Heretofore I have always accompanied him.
Now he's gone alone.
Getting ideas,learning stuff without me.
It may seem overly dramatic but this feels BIG.

Alex came back from his second outing to a farm this week. His enduring interest these days is in being a farmer. Next week he is scheduled to go on a field trip to yet another farm.
There he goes, pursuing valuable lessons, gleaning information as he walks the road of Life. The life that I will most likely not always be around to be involved in or see. Wow!

And while independence is still a long way off, I feel the ebb and flow of Waves pulling away from shore. Lord willing, the waves that pull these beautiful sons keep bringing them back in to see me often...

                             ~pilgrimama

prayer wisdom and what about the weekend?

This past weekend our family went to have a fellowship meal and evening worship dinner with some friends (whose lives intertwine with ours in more ways than one,) and their church family.

The meal  was yummy but I'll probably remember something from the worship time far better.  Speaking was a young man who led us in a study on prayer. To cover everything would be far too long for my limited jotting time but his main point stuck with me.
So often we are so full of our problems or our friends problems and we are asking God for help, forgiveness etc.
We tend to act as if "me" and my spiritual health was the central issue.
Ultimately though, is it not that God in all His glory reign, that He be seen?
When we are focused on that, will other issues not start falling in place as well?
Of course I'm not giving a well-rounded covering of the sermon.
But, Let God be seen is added to my treasure chest of thinking about my Sovereign God, an added wisdom to my prayer life.

What are you doing this weekend?

Lee and I plan to : celebrate 11 years of marriage!
                                Lee and boys go watch some friends in a run
                               
                                me:get ready for our babysitters
                                    maybe go to a relief sale with my cousin

Tonight? Make quiche for our neighbors/friends who had a baby recently.

Happy Friday!
with love,
~pilgrimama

hello sun!

The sun has been out today for one of the longest times this week,I think! Very nice for laundry drying! Thank-you God!
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I'm thinking how being a mom to growing young ladies and gentleman leaves very little room for slacking-or having one's priorities in the wrong places.

It's intense people! A different type than the up-every-two hours-for-feedings intense, but still.......

God help me.

It's good work.

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Off to shop for our Special Friday night dinner etc.!!!

Happy Friday night!

~pilgrimama

weekend list

Today is prep day.

• 1 Rehearsal dinner tonight.
• 1 rehearsal tonight
• 1 camping trip with out of town guests planned for tomorrow.
• Oh,yeah, be in the wedding tomorrow.
• 2 little girls with hair to wash.
• 1-2 pairs of sandals to buy.
• 1  meal left to cook at home.
• 1 basket of dry laundry left to put away at this point.
• Millions of blessings!

happy weekend!

~pilgrimama

happy September!

Friends,now begins my favorite time of year and I intend to celebrate!

My time is severely limited right now as we are knee deep in helping with/being in a wedding. And then a family camping trip right after!
But soon,soon,soon I plan to be taking full advantage of the season!

I am here with coffee in hand,recovering from the bridal blessing/shower I co-hosted last night.
I am still trying to figure out what's up or down....
The boys have a very energetic young friend over too-which adds an extra element to the whole scene!

I think if I go wash some dishes it may help me wake up,so off I go!

~pilgrimama

announcement!

No,I am not pregnant.

Now that we have gotten that question out of the way,I would like to say that today I realized something!

There are no people wearing diapers in this house.
And there are no people using potty chairs,either!

No poopy potty to empty anymore.
Or, pee-y potty.
This should go in my portfolio.
HAS TAUGHT 4 CHILDREN TO USE TOILET.

What???????
No Mom portfolios??
Well, watch me!
If I want a MOM portfolio, there will be one.

I will make it happen.

Or is portfolio even the right word?

Oh,bother!

good-bye!

~pilgrimama

an adventure in the forest

Yesterday we went on an adventure to the forest.

We went in a caravan of friends.

• It went something like this.
• Arrive,get everyone settled by the water.
• Gather food around the fire pit.
• Children,(guess what?) start feeling hungry.
• Feed children p,b and j or pb and "honey"sandwiches. Or hardboiled eggs, or pesto and tomato sandwiches etc.Share food all around.
• Play in water some more.
• Heat rice dish over fire.
• eat some more
• children play around and babies are snuggled into the double stroller for naps
• Go walking to pick berries.
• Try to keep small people out of poison ivy while picking berries.
• Berries are abundant!
• Get POURED on and everyone is all wet and cold.
• Remember campsite has food and picnic blankets and all kinds of stuff all out and getting wet!
• go back to camp and clean,clean,clean! Feed people again!
• play in water a bit more and help small people with bathroom needs
• pack up cars and grownups eat dark chocolate for sustenance
• little ones eat fruit leathers and bars and eventually fall asleep
• my pal and I listen to Raffi and search out "Baby Beluga" and sing it together.We are such moms!
• Get home. Boys rush to get ready for an outing with neighbor and Chelsea has come down with a fever.
• Good,good times!

Now to wash all that wet clothing today!
~pilgrimama

a list re: the last couple weeks or so...

In the past two weeks or so:

• helped 3 loved ones get on planes and fly far away
• had lots of guests in and out
• have one visiting cat staying here
• worked most days out of the house for short periods-hopefully this is almost over!
• gotten sunburned
• taken the crew to the pool on half price day
• met up with friends!
• helped the children set up two times with a lemonade stand
• visited some friends' church and met interesting people
• gone to a farm and worked in the art room making pottery
• hosted a swap party and potluck dinner
• finished a large poster on the fruit of the Spirit
• taken the children to hear the Declaration of Independence read on the Fourth of July as a history lesson
• figured out new stuff all by my lonesome!
• taken 3 of the children to a celebration at our local co-op
• laundry
• and more.....

If I do say so myself,this list is not too shabby.
Today I took Squirrelgirl to do errands while the oldest three were gone to the woods with friends.
We were getting hungry and I thought about being my usual,practical save-money self and then decided to have a little date with my tyke.

We went to a new Carribean restaurant I have long wanted to visit.
And ordered a "batido". And an empanada.

All was well until Squirrelgirl spilled our "batido" everywhere!

Alls well that ends well, as the lady sweetly helped me clean up the mess.

Which leads me to the present, and lots of housework and an iced coffee...

Happy Wednesday!

talkin' about that" feeling"

So sometimes I fight this feeling. This feeling that most moms probably get sometimes.

Kind of feeling like a little rat that runs around and around doing the daily routine.
Kind of predictable.
Kind of feeling a little tired of it all.

You cook the food.
It gets eaten.
You wash the clothes (and hang them out and fold and put away) and then they get dirty and you do it all again.
You clean and it all gets dusty once more.
And so on and so forth.

So how to keep it all fresh?

I don't know all the answers-maybe not even enough to skim the surface.

But here's some thoughts:
 Gratitude to our Abba for all the things He graciously allows us. Even if you're on the lower end of the income scale in this country you may have more than many in certain parts of our Earth.
Gratitude helps me with perspective!

Try to fit in just a little something beyond the daily must-do's.
Today I worked on cleaning the baseboard area under my bed, sweeping and wiping.
It felt good to have an extra "corner" nice and clean.
It helps when the cereal is spilled and other messes are around to know that "it's clean under the bed" and feel like one is not a complete failure.
Cause you know, sometimes the daily grind feels messy and unending and what's the finished product of all this?

Tackle something new.
I've been getting to know a nearby track.
It feels so great to get exercise and fresh air!

I'm also working on incorporating a lot more greens into our diet. This challenge is a good stretching of my sometimes tired brain cells!

Working on handmade items.
Making stuff. I like to make stuff. There's a purty new wall hanging I'm getting close to completion on! Excited!

What do you do to keep your brain alive?
Do tell!

~pilgrimama

bicycle powered ice cream among other stuff..

What do you do all week when half your children are at camp? The noisier half to boot!

Here is what I have done:

• Gone to one classical music concert.
• Gone to one summer reading program kick-off party-the kids musicians there were great!
• Gone to the doctor.
• Read.
• Made yummy food.
• Folded laundry.
• Watched a movie with Lee and the girls.
• De-cluttered and de-cluttered, and de-cluttered!
• Went with the girls to a daycamp we were informally a part of this morning. Sustainable living was a theme. I think Chelsea's favorite part was the bicycle-powered ice-cream machine and the resulting ice-cream!
• Tonight is small group with our church family.
• Hopefully, tomorrow will be a productive day as well! I look forward to seeing my sons again!

Hope your day and week was productive as well!
~pilgrimama

children,children everywhere-writing about a journey

Today was a FULL day. No doubt about it!
But it's tonight I want to talk about.
Tonight it was kid central around here.
With a healthy sprinkling of adults in and out.

I have to say that eleven years ago I never would have seen this coming.
I was never one of those girls who loved babies when I was growing up.
I read.
And read and read.
Books to me were more interesting than babies.

Then I got married and had my own baby.
And I fell in love.
Now there are four little people of all sizes.
And they attract more little people....
And the other little people that come around need to be loved on, and fed and entertained (and sometimes bandaged).
Lots of food with some variety is good.
A first aid kit is good as well.
Some toys and costumes  and good humor are helpful.
Add in some popsicles or cocoa perhaps and lots of love!
Pray. Know how to be firm when needed.
Enjoy and laugh!

~pilgrimama

a quote on crying

http://pinterest.com/pin/35419253/ 
 I'm not sure what rabbit trails this quote will lead my thoughts down but I bet they will go somewheres!

I am a girl who really,really,really likes quotes and I should have more of them on my blog.
Maybe.
Usually the Bible wins for truthfilled statements hands down.
Anyway, click on the link!
                    ~pilgrimama

three day weekend

So we had a full three day weekend! How about you?

Yesterday, our last full day of vacay, we went hiking. We drove wrong once, didn't find the trail we wanted next, scoped out another trail that was way long, and finally settled on a 4 mile trail.
We encountered lots of poison ivy and lots of steep windy trail.
Squirrelgirl is really into caterpillars and she got her sweet fill of them!
We turned back when she needed carrying-we headed out much later than we'd hoped and we are having hot weather again so carrying a 3 and a halfish child was not our idea of fun!
Plus we were hungry.
And Lee needed to check on his bee project.

We went to the park and grilled our hot dogs and drank large amounts of oj.

I came home and lay near the fan and took a nap.

Sorting and packing winter clothes, folding laundry, washing dishes occupied my spare minutes.

I topped it off with a spoonfull of Ben and Jerry's Phish Food.

Lee and I were exhausted!
                                            ~pilgrimama

I feel so blessed tonight,

The children are playing on the rope swing.

We have a fire going in the backyard with marinated fish roasting.
The breeze is lovely,the trees are softly swaying,the mulberries are ripening.

I just had a piece of toast with jalepeno cheese(the very last piece in both bags,bread and cheese).

The grounds here at ye olde Sonhouse place are looking very nice from all the hard work being put into them. Our housemates downstairs help with lots of that!

The house is quite clean. I'm sorting out the winter and outgrown clothes and packing them off.
Today I'm cleaning and fluffing up beds in the boys' room.
Good stuff!
I just feel very thankful to God for allowing so many small blessings.

I pray we can share liberally!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

love,  

~pilgrimama

describing an evening

Tonight Lee and I went to dinner at the community center.
It was A Feast!
Meatloaf,cucumber salad,mashed potatoes,warm rolls,spaghetti and fried pies for dessert.

Then I helped clean up and we lounged outside visiting.
Until the volleyball started.
We girls went off and stopped by friends on the way home for a bit of girl time.
Then some reading, bedtime rituals like praying and hugging.
Now it's me,the computer and the small Squirrel.

Hope everyone we love had a growthfilled day. May you always grow in the Spirit of our Lord Jesus!

                                                       ~pilgrimama

a rainy saturday in the sage house

We awoke to pouring rain this morning.
Unfortunately some of my laundry was wet!
Well,well....

Lee made us his specialty fish for breakfast this morning. The children were less than excited. The fish is not my favorite but I am not one to complain when my husband makes breakfast without being asked to.

Alex and I hung our new black and white art piece we purchased at an educational talk we attended the other night.

I started the fire to take the chill off of things. It's pretty cozy around here in our big, sage green fixer upper house.
Praise God for family, adequate food, warmth, a dry place when the rain comes down.

We have a new neighbor and by the looks of it, another good one. He is newly widowed and we are looking forward to sharing some homecooked food sometimes.
 Which means I should soon compile a shopping list so we can make a carry-in spaghetti dinner.....
12:21- I should heat up some of the good soup a friend sweetly gifted us yesterday. (One of my favorites,chicken,veggies,barley!)
Happy Saturday!
                                                                           ~pilgrimama

some facts from my house this morn

An amazing fact i just realized this morning: I fit perfectly into my sons' socks!
I am just their size(in socks anyway).
Is that a strange feeling or what?
I mean, I carried these boys in my womb!
Now I use their socks when mine are all in the laundry.
hmmmmmmnnnn!
***********************************************************
Another fact for you all: it is mighty cooooold around these parts. Woodstove everyday.
Yesterday the librarians said we smelled like wood smoke.
hmmmmmmnnnn!
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                                                         over and out,
                                                     ~pilgrimama

musings on "eternalness"

I have been thinking about human beings and how much we embrace life.
How we resist death,we do not tend to run toward it with open arms.
And I am thinking about how this is the difference between us and a fish or a bear or a tree.
God created us with an eternal soul.
I believe God's nature is for abundant life and we also deeply embrace life.
We seem to want to live forever.
Because sin was introduced to the world,there is death to our mortal bodies.
And that is hard.
But in Jesus we do have hope to live forever!
We are eternal souls. Our desires in the end are granted,in Jesus, we can live eternally.

I've been over reading quite often at Val's blog, following her journey as a young mother of two,who has recently lost her husband. It's the missing that's often so hard.

In other news, the children are mourning the loss of their neighbor friend who is moving away.
Wednesday, I hauled Jess into the dentist where he had two teeth pulled. (I tried not to watch.)
It is hard to watch my babies go through their little trials, but life terrestial seems to be like that...
Lest life sound all drear, we went out to a big farm in the country last night and had a feast.
Marinated chicken with pineapple,potatoes and onion, tortellini salad, rice, another salad that contained greens,raisins,sprouts and (i think)feta cheese.
Dessert followed.
Yummo!
And today, baaaack to homeschool,and meal making and maybe a nice,little walk!
                           love,
                         ~pilgrimama

another good-bye for now

We knew she was dying. Last Sunday, a week ago, we quietly cheered that she'd made it to church for the first time since her diagnosis.
Yesterday, one week later, we sat at her funeral.
Afterwards, we went to see her earthly body one last time.
She was plainly gone, only a shell remained.
She had stepped on in the eternal journey we are all on.
Bodies are amazing, the way they hold within a living soul. And when they cease to function, our spirit moves on.

I seem to be bumping into things all around me these days that real live humans gave me or left behind.
Tangible things that they once touched. They are no longer visible. But traces and fingerprints of theirs remain behind.
Mysterious. Part of Life.
This world's seemingly important things.
Not so important.
Something Realer to look for,to build for.
Yes.
                                                                                                    ~pilgrimama