(Mama, can we make Miss Kelsey a necklace. Boy after my own heart! with Sophie photo bombing) With only one more day of 1st grade, I'm thinking about this post from last year a lot. http://sagetribe02.typepad.com/blog/2012/06/this-boy-this-sweet-sister-loving-lego-master-sensitive-fighter-for-justice-hater-of-oranges-and-raisins-and-lover-of.html I'm thankful Clark had another joyful year, and so thankful to his sweet teacher, Miss Kelsey, and for his new love of science. He's reading and writing and mathing (why not), but most importantly, he is smiling when I pick him up. Just like his mama, he is ready for the break. But there have already been conversations about being excited about buying new... Continue reading

Two more days little girl and our time, the time you've been asking for daily for six months, where Mama stays for breakfast, has time to play in jammies, and is not too tired to tuck you in. Two more days and it's here, my girl! Summer and homeschooling. Our adventures are about to begin! Continue reading

The seedlings sprouted, were nestled into their raised beds, and then re-nestled because those chipmunks that plague us are tunneling like crazy. Our season of growing has begun. - What will it look like? It will look like a big guy getting it all ready and then leaving it all, for 8 weeks, in the hands of someone who has no clue what is what in the pictures above. - It will look like someone who once, as a teenager, lost her allowance for two weeks because she refused to clean off farm fresh eggs, but has come a long... Continue reading

Come walk with us on this Sunday hike day. There are critters also enjoying the slight breeze and vitamin D. Can you find them? The Gleason side of our family loves reptiles and the Big Guy is coming around to them, so we were in love of our all sightings. Really there is just nothing more gorgeous! After some painted turtle chats, we said goodbye and continued through the mostly dry lake bed thankful for the critters, especially the Northern Ringneck, Garter, and Northern Water snakes that let us spend our morning with them. Some things, while still exciting, we... Continue reading

The days are speed racing. There is the part of me that is counting down and another part that keeps assigning projects, because maybe if I do, the days won't end. I don't want to say goodbye to these big kids I do love so. It's not goodbye, I know, but it is, and I know that too. I've packed my classroom up many times in the last nine years, but there was always a new classroom to unpack. New shelves to fill, new posters to create... This is my choice and I know this. I know that it doesn't... Continue reading

Hanging with my girl on a very hot Tuesday! Continue reading

These nights, where the sun stays up until nearly nine, and the breeze is still too chilly for most buzzing bugs, where the husband is home to push the girl up big hills, and the boy's independence on wheels is growing, where the stoop is our place to reconnect and sip good things, and the garden is still in the needing just a little care stage... These nights are telling me summer nights are just around the corner- bedtimes will soon be moved to later and dinner will only be served outside. These nights are telling me 2 1/2 more... Continue reading

When I picture my life, I see a winding, wooded path. For years I didn't pay much attention to where my steps fell. As long as I tried to be a good person, not break the law (or get caught) and do what was expected of me, my feet just kept walking. - Years ago, just married, at 23, my body anaemic, my head forever in pain, my mind in and out of sadness and panic, I recognized the things along my path that I was putting into my body, both physically and mentally, were crushing my spirit, and clearly... Continue reading

A sweet teenager brought me joy on a day of yucky state testing and after school care. So love my big kids! Continue reading

Thankful for good friends to wind along back roads with, a fancy way to ride through misty Indiana green hills, 20 different wines to taste, good crackers and cheese. Thankful for a tipsy Sunday and grandparents who babysat. For finally getting cooking the whole chicken down, for a Pop who takes the boy golfing, a Mimi who makes wonderful Broccoli Salad, and for a weekend of relaxing with those we love. Continue reading

Nine hours of conferences and running out of tea on a Thursday. Continue reading

Resting sore piggies after a long day of conferences and a beautiful night of women's' voices on a Wednesday. Continue reading

Two home early on a Tuesday Continue reading

Nourishing myself on a Monday Continue reading

It's late. I should be asleep, but I took a much needed nap and accomplished very little this weekend, so I'm feeling the need to check things off my list. - That's not true. I accomplished just what needed to BE- I played Strawberries, took a long bike ride, cooked, napped, hung out with fancy teens, chatted over chai. This weekend was about date nights, time with friends, and being present with what my body said was needed. - Nothing major was "checked off" though. I'm starting to think the whole idea of having to do lists defeats the idea... Continue reading

Little bodies bend down to examine the treasures foreign to us these past months of winter. Little noses take big sniffs, and little fingers move quick, plucking the treasure up from its bed "For you, Mama." - The ground that once held a drop of hope is gray again, but here, in my open palm, a reminder sits of what is to come. - The cold gray days have always brought cold gray moods, but this winter's breath felt especially harsh. - My palm holds Spring's beauty- the strength I need to open our windows, let out our sickness, turn... Continue reading

A week of snow, rain, and sun A boy who turned seven and recieved some wheels A partner away, off to the place he so loves, but returning, of course, because he so loves us too Grandparents- sweet and silly, from too far away, ready to play 24-7 Meals and walks with friends- critters found Seedlings beginning and time to write Goodwill Finds New homes for old things Organizing and Re-creating Watching Once Upon a Time way too late into the night (11) Thinking about what Spring is bringing- good change- right around the corner. Wishing you and yours a... Continue reading

{this moment} . . . . . . . . . . {this moment} - A Friday ritual at Soulemama. 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. Friday morning, babysitter, Bakehouse, Writing circles, JOY Continue reading

If you know me, you know I hate to bake. I hate following directions, measuring, the chemistry behind it all. I am not patient when it comes to cooking or crafting. This is not a good trait- I'm aware. It means I don't sew, quilt, knit, or bake well. Maybe one day, when time is more on my side, and I'm not trying to create something at the last minute, I'll find the patience needed. Until then...I avoid large projects where directions must be followed. This was not meant to be a large project... "Mom, I want a red (Kai)... Continue reading

Yesterday, this sweet boy, who sees himself as a Lego Museum owner and professional Lego builder one day, whose teacher praises him for his social justice, whose sister couldn't ask for a kinder brother, whose parents couldn't be more proud, is seven. Yes, there is that cliche feeling- how did this butterball, who was just starting to grow teeth, become so big that those teeth that were so SO hard to grow, are already falling out? It hasn't been a blink though. Yes, I would love time to slow down, but if I read back through this space or flip... Continue reading

Things were bubbling and brewing. Roasted veggies brought us warm, silky soups, the last of Summer's pesto thawed for some green mac and cheese, and our second batch of brew simmered, this time shared with friends. The girl and I bathed fruit in chocolate; I remembered to save all the seeds. While I dream of large gas burners to cook on, butcher block islands, and a lot more light, more time in the kitchen, new recipes, and the garden we're anxious to begin again- this week, our stove top was busy in a rather lovely way! Continue reading

This week I've tried to be more present- more present with a camera in hand- This week there have been many jars of chickpeas for burgers and for roasting- both of which the wee ones gobbled up. Many cups of chai and an herbal cup or two for a kid, who after two sick days, is back to his old self. There has been bits of time to sit and skim and sip, and think about all the possibilities of a week off, coming soon. Time to play and imagine with the funny face girl's frequent, "I don't know about... Continue reading