{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

His Day

It was a simple day, a normal day from all accounts, with a hint of extra specialness as we celebrated his five trips around the sun.

He woke up, rubbed his eyes, looked at me and asked..."Am I five yet?" Yes, I answered and huge smile appeared across his face. We snuggled for a bit, I wanted to savour those first moments of five. After a bit of snuggling he got up and peeked out his bedroom door and then ran back to the bed. You see sitting outside the bedroom door was his gift, a beautiful hand crafted stable and animals, made with love by his dad. He tip toed back to the door and walked out, beaming at the gift waiting for him.

It didn't take long before my living area was transformed into a farm. The new stable was joined by the chicken coop and myriad of animals excited to play and check out the new digs.

It was hard for Reece to leave his new toy, but friends awaited us at the conservation area for a morning hike. And what a hike it was. We found bear droppings, deer prints, what we think might have been a bear print, some feathers that we have yet to identify and had a ton of fun playing and running on the trails.

My parents joined us after our nature adventure for lunch at a lovely local cafe and then we headed home. Home to relax, play and enjoy my little man. It was a quiet day as far as celebrations go, but it kinda fits us well, don't  you think?

We do have plans for our usual celebration with Reece's god parents and my parents, but I am awaiting the arrival of a little one, and since a doula never knows when she will be called we have decided to wait until the little one arrives before we make any plans.

It was a wonderful day celebrating this amazing little man who came into our lives five years ago.

Dear Reece

Yesterday was a special day for me, it was your last day as a four year old. We started the day with our normal rhythm...breakfast, clean up, morning circle and then I changed it up a bit. Instead of heading into the woods across the road for a nature walk, we loaded ourselves into the car and hit the trails from my childhood, the ones I used to run, ride and play on. I am not sure why I felt a pull to go there, but I felt it and we went.

And I am so happy we did. I felt so at home there with you. Connected to the place, to nature and to you, my little man. I watched as you ran down the trails, a sparkle in your eye and the biggest smile on your face. I witnessed you stop and fox walk towards two squirrels, one black, the other grey. You got down low and crept so quietly towards them, hoping to get as close as you could. I sat in silence on the rocks as you played by the water, just watching you, pinning it to my memory and savouring the moment.

There really are no words to fully explain how you have changed my world. You have taught me so much about myself, about being a mother and about being a better person. I am honoured to walk your path with you, to guide you, to help you, to hold your hand, to laugh with you, to cry with you and to love you, unconditionally.

As we celebrate today, I won't look back with regret at how fast the time has gone, instead I offer gratitude to you. For it is you who brought slow and mindful into my days. It is you who fills my days with love and laughter. It is you who can bring a smile to my face at the end of a rough day. It is you who makes mothering the most amazing journey I have ever taken.

You are an amazing little man and I am so very proud and honoured to be your mom.

I love you.

Autumn Falling

The autumn season has fallen,

and with it, some believe, all of its beauty.

But what it leaves behind is still beautiful,

just in a different way.

The sun shining through the tall trees,

casting shadows along the trail.

The blue sky hovering over the canopy,

usually covered by leaves, now open for all to see.

Bird nests visible for the first time,

paper wasp nests hanging on empty branches,

and creatures staring back at you from their perch a top a tree.

Autumn falling is beautiful,

but look beyond and you will see 

the beauty that remains

once it has dropped its last leaf.

Inspired by November Prompt-A-Day

Our Weekend

The weekend started slowly on Friday, hanging out at home, doing a little cleaning, list making and laundry. After lunch we headed out to visit with my parents who just returned from a month away. The rest of the day was slow and easy.

Saturday was one of those days that just fills me up with gratitude. We attended our Waldorf playgroup in the morning, and then headed home for lunch and potluck preparations. Then it was off to enjoy a little nature connection and community potluck. We wondered in the woods, we made apple cider with a wooden press, warming it over the fire and we made pitch from spruce resin. Learning traditional skills, watching Reece take it all in, enjoying a delicious meal and sharing it all with this wonderful group of people warms my heart. It was a pretty special afternoon and evening.

Sunshine was peeking in the windows when my eyes opened Sunday morning, it feels like weeks since I have seen the sun. It was wonderful. We stayed pretty close to home, crafting, reading, playing and enjoying our little home. I did sneak away for a few hours to enjoy some time alone in the woods, and oh how wonderful that was. A cool, crisp autumn day, sun shining and time to just wonder and enjoy the beauty and magic of Mother Nature...totally what I needed.

How was your weekend?

Joining Amanda

First

The first of November is here.
With it rain, darkness and wind.
The trees are bare,
leaves scattered across the ground.
I feel a pull to move inward,
to soul search,
to dig deeper,
to find out more about myself.
Without a doubt there is more to find,
to uncover, maybe to share.
Will what I find be worthy of sharing,
will it answer questions I have
and move me along this path I follow.
I can only hope it will.
Cocooning in my home,
in front of the fire,
tea in hand,
I will search.
If I find light,
I will let it shine bright
as the darkness falls around me.
The first of November
you are dreary and grey
but you will force me to see more of myself
and for that I thank you.

Inspired by November Prompt-A-Day

{This Moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. Inspired by Soulemama.

Some quiet time to enjoy a cup of tea in my new mug...thank you KC!