Granola Girl

Rhythm

We have been trying to find our rhythm around here for awhile now.  Part of the problem is that we as parents haven't been totally committed to following through with what we have planned on trying.  Being so exhausted all of the time doesn't help.  The days here have been getting out of control.  There has been no consistency and so our days lately seem so chaotic.  I have been feeling overwhelmed with the way life has been going and feel that I am not parenting at my best. Change needs to happen now.

Most people know that we have a high regard for Waldorf education. I became interested in the whole philosophy before Ian was born.  We apply Waldorf philosophy loosely right now, but we are now interested in taking it to the next level.  This means first and foremost creating a family rhythm that works for us.  Other parts will come later as we slowly progress into learning more about Waldorf education.

I have a number of resources on hand to inspire me to create our daily rhythm. Today I received Sharifa Oppenheimer's book Heaven on Earth in the mail and it has given me the inspiration to do some planning. This week will be busy reading and learning and trying to put the house back together into a calmer more peaceful space.

I'm Back

I can't believe it has been almost two months since I last posted. I guess given the circumstances of the last few months, I can see why I have been absent.  October was full of sadness and the flu. November has been so far uninspiring for me and I am trying  to come to terms with how my body and mind are reacting after giving birth just five months ago. Add a very challenging toddler to the mix and a baby who has finally gotten over being colic and hopefully my absence here in this space will make some sense.

I am hoping to be more present here in the upcoming days, weeks and even months.  This blog has been healing for me in the past and I am hoping to further document my journey here as I struggle day to day with finding our rhythm again and creating a new one.  Until tomorrow friends!

I will be taking a break for a little while on this blog. There has been a sudden death in my extended family and my heart and head is else where right now.

30 Days of Joy: Day 17-23

I know I haven't been in this space much lately.  So much has kept me from posting daily like I was supposed to.  A very busy and challenging toddler, a new baby, visitors, utter exhaustion, and lack of an internet connection for a few days.  I started to feel guilty about my goal of blogging daily but then I realized that this is my life right now.  This is reality. I am busy.  Even though I haven't been present here, I have been in my daily life.  Each evening I have been jotting down notes and trying to take in and savor the joyous moments of my day.

Here is a recap of the last few days and the things that have bought me joy and  happiness  :)

Spending time in the mountains

Visiting with family

Wearing my babe everywhere

Decorating our nature table

Lots of playing at the playground

My babe finding her hands

30 Days of Joy: Day 15 & 16

Joy is:

• A day trip to the mountains and a picnic in the park
• Yummy treats from the bakery

• A new Bolga basket for the Farmer's Market
• A new scrapbooking project to document my life
• Lots of little baby smiles and happiness
• An end in sight for colic:) She hasn't had a crying spurt since her last acupuncture appointment!!

30 Days of Joy: Day 11, 12, 13, 14

Has it really been four days since I posted?  Life has been busy around here and challenging at times. I find myself planning to post in the evening then falling asleep with the kids sans the daily posting.

Even on the toughest of days, I am still finding joy in the everyday moments.  Here is what has been bringing me joy over the last few days:

• Making smiley face pizzas with the little one

 

• Family walks near our home

 

• Lots of toddler  kisses

• Lots of sibling bonding and hand holding

30 Days Of Joy: Day 9,10

Joy is:

• Soft morning sunlight streaming through the windows
• A much happier baby these last few days
• Excursions to the playground
• Throwing rocks in the stream
• New books from the library
• Feeling overwhelmed with the kindness people have shown us is the last few days
• Feeling that some of my prayers have been answered. Ask and you shall receive.

30 Days of Joy: Day 8

Joy is:

Can't you see the smile on my face? Both babes asleep at the same time! This doesn't happen very often!

30 Days Of Joy: Day 7

One of the things I love about my community is the kindness and thoughtfulness of the people that surround me.  The last few months have been a challenge to put it mildly dealing with Claire's colic and Ian's transition issues. A few days ago, our neighbor approached us to ask us if we would be willing to try Harp Therapy with Claire.  She told us that she had been telling her friend M who is a practitioner about our sweet baby girl.  She let us know that M wanted to volunteer her time and skill to help calm her crying. Well we tried it tonight with success.  It was so healing for all of us to hear the beautiful sounds of the harp. Claire who was crying when M first arrived was soothed within minutes.  Ian on the other hand was a handful while M was here but as soon as she left fell into slumber without difficulty or protest.  After a very emotional day for me, I was left feeling at peace.  We are so grateful that M volunteered her time to work with us and we are so touched by her kindness and generosity. It brings me joy and warms my heart to think about the kindness of strangers. Her good deed makes me want to pay it forward :)

30 Days Of Joy: Day 6

No pictures, just words

Joy is:

• Ian playing "this little piggy went to market" on my toes.
• Reading classic books like "Goodnight Moon"and 'The Big Red Barn" over and over.
• Lots of baby giggles.
• Claire sleeping for three hours in a row by her self for first since she was born:)
• A weekend visit from my parents.
• An evening of magazine reading and a hot bath.
• Browsing Etsy for homemade goodness.
• New digital edition of Mothering Magazine arriving in my inbox.