Success and Silliness

Elijah is READING! 

Here is a clip of his success and ensuing silliness between he and Adah, if you're interested.

We reached this happy milestone last week!
It has been so sweet to share in his joy at the accomplishment of reading a book all by himself.
I feel his demeanor is different in the wake of this triumph. Like he's been trusted with the keys to a great treasure: he carries himself with a shade more maturity,
holds his head higher.
 Like he's been admitted to a secret "grown up" world, that up until a few days ago, was just out of his reach. He behaves as a newly minted member of a privileged people,
those who can unlock the magic of words.
*Sigh.* My little man.
I am happy for him. I pray he'll have a lifetime love of reading!

P.S.~ This was an accomplishment for me, too: My first homeschooling effort and God blessed us with easy success. 
May ALL of our homeschooling be this triumphant!! :)

Surprises and Simplicity

We love our new house, by the way.

The original owners planted many lovely shrubs, flowers and trees around the property. However, we bought this house as a foreclosure. Therefore, most of this landscaping is quite overgrown and out of control. It reminds me of my favorite childhood book, The Secret Garden. The work to tame the wildness and create our own vision here seems overwhelming at times, especially in the wake of giving birth. I let go of the plan to begin a vegetable garden this year (I didn't think we could handle it so soon). So, imagine my delight when I discovered, hidden amongst the weeds, the forsythia and azaleas- strawberries (lots of them), blackberries and raspberries! Yay for surprise summer fruits!

Yes, spring has been good to us. Or rather, God has been good to us this spring. We are so blessed with goodness and sweetness!

 

My cup is full to overflowing. 

As I learn to be a mom to three, my greatest struggle is being gentle with myself when I am faced with my numerous shortcomings and failures. God knows that I can't possible do and be all that I want right now. But, I am learning to be grateful for all the little things that I do accomplish in a day. 

I made breakfast, thank you Lord. I swept the floor, thank you Lord. I read a book to Elijah, thank you Lord. I nursed Naomi, thank you Lord. And I am learning to let go of all the things that I can't do and the long, ever growing list of things I'd like to do.... one day. 

On Sunday, I bowed my head in church and prayed for simplicity. No, it was more than that, it was for the ability to simplify. Or more exactly, I prayed that God would give me the ability to simplify and to feel no loss over the things that have to fall away. Yes, that's it. It was a prayer for peace about what I have and what I am and what I can do. And the ability to allow the rest to peacefully... fall... away. To feel no loss or regret about those things. Doesn't that sound nice?

    The LORD preserves the simple;
   I was brought low, and He saved me.

Return to your rest, O my soul,
         For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 

Psalm 116:6-7