Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Ten Things


One
The garden is planted. Seeds are sprouting. I am tending and nurturing. Truth...I spent a lot of time considering the garden this year, not my usual considerations about companion planting, what to plant, and so on, but did I actually want to plant a garden. I know, shocking! Life is full, there is lots going on and I questioned whether or not I had enough inspiration and motivation to tend and nurture from seed to harvest. At first I made the difficult decision to let it go this summer, to just sit in the beauty of summer, hit the farmers market and allow myself a bit more time and space. I am guessing you all know me better than I know myself, and already have guessed that I indeed did change my mind, and the garden is in full growing mode. I was late getting it all in, but it is done, and my heart is happy and my soul alive. What was I thinking letting the garden go? Just a small moment of crazy that quickly disappeared.

Two
That internal discussion with the garden had a lot to do with the time it takes to care for this land I call home. While my homestead is not huge, it still requires a lot of work to maintain, and that at times can seem daunting and overwhelming on my own. But then a friend steps in, offers her hubby up for a morning of chore help around here and before you know it things seem much less overwhelming. On Saturday said hubby arrived ready to work and help me out. He trimmed trees, and bushes, fixed some things on the chicken coop, and brought a happy, loving vibe to my homestead. I felt honoured and blessed to have the help, and am forever grateful to both my girlfriend for sharing her hubby, and to him for taking the time from his weekend to lend a hand. Thank you Holly and Jeremy...your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and will always hold a special place in my heart.


Three
While Jeremy worked around my homestead, I had the absolute honour of taking their three year old into the woods. Together their little man and I wondered the trails, followed deer tracks, searched milkweed for monarch eggs, examined scat and found animal bones, enjoyed a picnic trailside and climbed trees. I love seeing the world through the eyes of little ones, and spending time with this little person was such a joy.

Four
My little man cut his hair!!! He has been growing his hair for three years, at least, and was pretty adamant he was never cutting it. Then Monday he got up in the morning said he wanted to get his haircut and could we do today? Hmmmm...of course we can. So off we went, and he is now sporting a shaggy, short do...all his decision.


Five
Our homeschool year has wrapped up, and what a year it was. Lots of kiddos on the homestead learning, crafting and playing together. New friendships formed and other friendships deepened. It was a great year, not without it's challenges, but in those challenges we all learned and grew, adapting and changing along the way. It's all about the journey, for the kiddos and myself.

Six
I am ready for summer camp! There will be kiddos here on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for the month of July. Three different camps...herbal kids camp, nature camp and arts and craft camp. I am not sure who is going to have more fun, me or the kiddos.


Seven
There has been a lot of growth in my little business, and lots of interest about what I do on my homestead. Abundance might the word to describe all the goodness that has flowed my way. With growth also comes change, and a big change next year is a slight shift in our days here on the homestead. As more families became interested in my day to day program there was a pull inside to move from a Waldorf based inspiration to a more nature/forest school inspiration. And so beginning in September I will be making that shift, and while there will still be a Waldorf inspiration, there will be a lot more time in nature, and a deeper focus on nature connection. I am excited for this change, and can't wait to bring my ideas to fruition.

Eight
Self care....is that a priority on your to do list? Are you making yourself a priority, taking time to care for your needs? This is always a challenge, isn't it? Finding and making time for yourself comes with many emotions, the biggest one being guilt. I have learned so many things in the last few years, but the most important for myself and my little man is that I need to look after myself...and that means carving out time for the things that make my soul come alive, things that make me feel nurtured and loved, things that allow me to fill my own bucket so I can fill the bucket of others around me. Self care looks different for all of us, for me that includes time in nature, every day, it means an indulgent soak in the tub most nights with a book, it means small moments throughout the day for a deep breath and a cup of tea, it means gathering with friends to share bits and pieces about our lives, it means being creative, it means dancing and moving my body, and most of all it means tuning into my heart and listening carefully to what it needs and craves, and then making the time and space to give to myself. Are you giving to yourself, my friends?


Nine
I am nearing the end of my course with the Journey of Young Women, and my plans for my first girls circle are starting to come together. I will share more about this journey, the circles and my plans as they take shape. I am excited to work with young girls, to help, in a small way, as they move along the path from childhood to young womanhood.

Ten
Life in general has been good the last few months, my friends. Divorce has a way of throwing you into a bit of a tailspin, bringing with it uncertainty and a lot of questions about what lies ahead. In the last few months I feel like I have come out of the haze of that tailspin, finding my footing on this new path, and enjoying the ride. It still has many ups and downs, but after every thing I have been through I feel pretty confident that I can handle pretty much anything that comes my way. There have been many low points on this path, but also some pretty amazing high points. I have learned so much about myself, grown as a person and as a woman, and am excited about what lies ahead for my little man and I.

How are things in your world, my friends?

20 comments:

  1. Sounds all very lovely! I'm glad that you are finding yourself and falling in love with life. I'm always here for you if you want to email or chat on the phone even! <3

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    1. Thank you sweet friend, I appreciate that. Hope all is well in your world. xo

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  2. Oh Kim, I feel so close to you. Life gave me those last days so hard lessons to accept. Louise, my teen, being on a severe, sudden hard time and my husband not supporting me in this hard time… Your life in your homestead, education time and young women circles are really so important… Oh you're just wonderful. I will take care of me I promise… Hope that we can continue to exchange good vibes, I'm sending love and hugs through the oceans.

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    1. Oh my sweet friend, I am so sorry to hear about the struggles, I can imagine they are not easy. Know that I am here if you need to chat...shoot me an email anytime. I miss you in your space and reading all about your life and your beautiful family. I hope all else is well. Take care of yourself. Much love to you. xo

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  3. I'm so glad that there are so many positive things going on in your life--thankful that you have helpful friends to help on your homestead, glad you homeschooling year went so well, and love that your business is going great! For my self-care, I've been knitting at night watching Gilmore Girls and starting to shadow my friend Lisa one day a week while she works as a lactation consultant (still not officially apprenticing...baby steps). Thanks for checking in/keeping up with my very infrequent blog posts! ;)

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    1. Thank you, sweet friend. Life is good, really it has always been good, just threw a few curve balls my way ;) That is wonderful news on shadowing your friend...you would be amazing at helping women in that way. Baby steps will get you there, one little step at a time.

      And thanks to you for doing the same. Have a beautiful weekend. xo

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  4. I hope you share a photo of him in his new do (assuming he doesn't mind being on the blog). I am happy that you have a community to help you along the way. Your circumstances do not define you and love always wins in the end. May you be happy healthy and and lots of luck with any venture you take :)

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    1. I'm gonna try and snap a shot of him this weekend. He's not always a willing photography subject these days ;)

      Thank you for your kind words Karen, I wholeheartedly agree.

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  5. How lovely to find you pop up in my list today! Always nice to hear how you and your son are doing. Always something positive about your posts. I'm hoping you will write a little about your young ladies circle...tips with my 10 year old x

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    1. Hello there! Thank you for stopping in. And yes, I will share more about the girls circles as I get them going. I am super excited and can't wait to get started. Hope all is well in your world. xo

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  6. Hello Kim! So lovely to hear from you and read this beautiful update. Self-care is to me very much what it is to you! I am trying to intentionally carve out a little of this each day. I always seem to need to give myself a little nudge! Have a beautiful time running school holiday classes - my girls would love them! Elisa xx

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    1. Hello Elisa :) Thank you for stopping in. It feels so good to "see" all my old but good friends in this space today. I have missed you all. So important to carve out that time, happy you are able to do it, even if you need a little nudge. Hope all is well with you and your girls, and that life is treating you well. xo

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    2. You were in my thoughts today lovely Kim! I hope all is wonderful in your world. Elisa xx

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    3. Thank you Elisa.....I love the connection we can have to others who seem a world away. All is well. xo

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  7. I am so glad you decided to go ahead with your garden as there is nothing better to keep us grounded and oh boy do those seeds and plants have a way of reminding us of how ingrained resilience is in us all. You have shown that in so many ways this year as you navigate such big changes and thrive despite any obstacles that may seem to pop up in your way. You have always put such incredible love, kindness and generosity out into the world and it is only right that it is all coming back around to you as your friends show up and help ease the weight of responsibilities and as people see what wonderful things you have to offer within your business. What a lucky crew to have you as their friend and those kids...wow! If we were local to you we would jump on those opportunities in a heartbeat - such a gift you a providing to so many by offering what you do. I know it isn't all easy, but you seem to be doing a nice job in trying to find a balance to it all. It will take time and things will continue to change as they always have and always will, but there's no doubt in my mind that you will continue to come out shining and shedding that light onto all of those around you. And the times things may get hard or you may not see that light? You've built a beautiful community around you to help reflect it right back to you. <3

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    1. Yes!! I worked in the garden most of the day yesterday and I can't tell you how many times I offered gratitude for the nudge that made me go ahead with it this year. It brings me such joy, and does such a wonderful job of keeping me grounded, inspired and hopeful.

      Sweet friend, thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind words, they are making me tear up and mean so very much. Your support through all of this, even many miles separate us, has meant so much. One day I do hope we connect in real life. Much love you to and your beautiful family. xo

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  8. So glad you're growing and happy. Im in summer camp swing here too. AND I totally hear you on the overwhelming work of a homestead!! I've been feeling it too. But you're so right...just when it feels like you can't keep up, it gets better and keeps us going. Hope you share a pic of the (not so) little man's new hair 🙂

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    1. Thanks Jen! It's challenging, isn't it? I can honestly say though that I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I crawl into bed at night, tired, but happy.

      Enjoy the fun of summer camp mode, I know I am going to. And yes, working on that pic ;)

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  9. You are gonna succeed in life, perhaps not the material succeed that most of the people expect from life, but a succeed that will make your soul thrive. You are a wonderful woman <3
    By the way. .. looking forward to see a photo of your boy's new look.

    Love&light
    Luisa xoxo

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    1. Oh goodness Lluisa, what a beautiful compliment, thank you! Lots of love and light to you dear friend. xo

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