Thursday, March 17, 2011

Thaw... Ahhh

It's trickling out there, that melting snow, and it draws us outdoors to frolic in creation. Our favourite trail beckons us and we say, "yes", slam van doors and sprint to the mulchy path.
Meghan twirls and jumps and freedom brushes wild through her hair. Molly, armed with her collection bag, anticipates nature's goodness. Emily and Oliver race from spindly tree to swampy mud to thick, bullrushy boardwalk, competing in a treasure hunt.

They come alive here and when math is bogging us down or we can't dissect one more paragraph or there's way too many arguments about who gets the green pencil, we enter the most beautiful part of His footstool and activate some Spring-searching. Suddenly, the latent joy is evident again.

(yes, they pose themselves :)
I feel it too, and my mind and heart awaken to the fresh potential of good mommyhood. All is forgiven and here, I am all that I'm meant to be to them. I breathe deeply the crisp air of hope and all is not lost. His mercies are new every morning for this flawed momma who raised her voice for the fifth time and revealed her frustration when the times tables were wrong again. But out here, I receive a fresh dollop of grace before day's end, a renewing that thaws this heart hardened icy with impatience.
"He has put a new song in my mouth... "
Psalm 40:3

13 comments:

Brandee Shafer said...

Yay for springtime! You're beautiful, and so are your children and photos...

sydney ellen said...

LOVELY pictures!!!

Kelly said...

lovely ... where????? :)

Heather said...

Hey Kel,
This is part of the Bruce Trail in Burlington--Kerncliff Park.

Kelly said...

THANKS! always looking for new trails to hike in the area ... with camera ... :)

Camille said...

GORGEOUS post my friend! Your Meg is getting so *grown up*...how does that happen? :) Yippee for Spring!

Love,
Camille

Kathy Schwanke said...

Did you plan for the clothing color combo? Or was it by chance? LOVE it. They look like a spring basket! :)

Mouse and Magoo said...

Mrs. Camille: I thinks it's my hair... I like it :) I had just come from my best friend's birthday party.

Mommalishious ( :o) ) : I love settling down into the cozy, soft, pillow on the computer chair and reading your warm-hearted posts :) They make me happy. Especially when I'm tired, or had a not-so-great day. I can't really say a "bad" day, because with you, there's no such thing as a "bad" day!!! I am also most sure all of your fellow bloggers think the same thing! I KNOW TONS agree with me about this!

You are a Michele Duggar in many ways... talking about personality (li-O-bi), qualities, and skills. Not kidding. You are continually reading the Wisest Book in History, AND Future, plus the Present, and the ultimate gift and gathering it's knowledge and spilling it out onto others... specifically me :)

I love you.
ALL of this is true.
Good night.
I LOVE YOU (period!)

LOVE,
MEGHAN <3 <><

Mouse and Magoo said...

YAAAAAAY for SPRRIIINNNGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and so on... :)

Heather said...

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You do SO MUCH for me! Listening to the birds cherp!!!

Anna said...

You and Meghan should have a combined blog- I love reading your comments to each other! Feel the love!! Great pictures (as always)! Loving this spring weather and His new mercies every morning!

Unknown said...

I was just there too , Heather!
I'm going to look at the date on my photos...
we should arrange to meet and I'll walk with you and your beautiful kids!

Craig and Bethany said...

A fresh dollop of grace! So that's how you do it. I'm taking notes. :)