Simple Abundance-The Wolf and the Hammock

Mom got me a book called Simple Abundance. She read it when we were young(er). In our teenage years my sisters and I made fun of her and her new "Simple Abundance" attitude. Oh boy...if I'd only known. She gave me this book a few years ago, and I started reading it, but obviously wasn't ready for it yet. It's a day book (of comfort and joy), where you read an entry for that specific day. So, I tried again January 1st of this year...still not ALL the way ready. I did get as far as March, and I loved what I read, I really connected with it. But then somehow I got distracted and stopped reading. My mom called me the other day, I was having a rough day, and she told me to read July 12th. It was about the Wolf at the door. That specific bad day I found out we have to move....the home we're renting (that we absolutely love) has been turned over to the bank and they want us out....fast...like Aug 13th fast. The Wolf was at our front door, and our back door. And he was huffing and puffing.

There's a whining at the threshold-


There's a scratching at the floor-


To Work! To Work! In Heaven's name!


The wolf is at the door!


~Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Well, on this specific July 12th entry, the author of the book shared stories about M. F. K. Fisher, who is a famous food author and believes eating good food to be an "art of life", but who also had many difficulties and trials to overcome in her life. She figured out a way to outsmart, catch and cook the wolf at her door. (She also wrote a book called..How To Cook a Wolf) She concentrated on the good at hand. A good tomato, a good loaf of bread, a beautiful sunset, a loving relationship. She knew life does not depend on extravagent indulgences. The good life does not deprive. It exults. "You can still live with grace and wisdom if you rely on your own innate sense of what you must do with the resources you have to keep the wolf from sniffing too hungrily through the keyhole."

That was just what I needed to hear at the moment. I really connected with that entry. So, I've kept reading because I have really been loving it. I'm definitely not keeping up with it daily, and I'm a bit scattered, but I can tell this book will be by my bedside for the rest of my life, highlighted and page-folded, just like my moms. Maybe you have to be a certain type of person to get so much out of this book, or maybe you just need to be in a certain place in your life, or maybe we all would love it, go read it and tell me!

Today I read July 13. It was about Nell Nichols who was the Martha Stewart of the 20's, 30's, and 40's writing as a columnist for the Woman's Home Companion. What really stood out to me was some advice she gave to our grandmothers in the summer of 1924:

"Just one word more--please STEAL time every day, if you cannot find it in any other way, to lie on the grass, or in a hammock, under a huge tree this lovely month....and relax. What a tonic this is for the soul! What a rest for weary nerves! Our husbands, children, friends--yes, and the nation--will profit by our relaxation. The greatest need today is for calmer homes, and no fireside can be calm unless its guardian is at peace with the world." ~Nell B Nichols

She also continued to say..."Won't you agree with me, as you lie looking up at the leafy canopy above you, that a home now and in every other month must be a haven to the spirit as well as a place in which the physical needs are supplied?"


Yes, I agree Nell, and don't mind if I do!!!

Wind in the Willows

So, we finished our 3rd book club book....me and my kids. We read The Wind in the Willows. We read a version with lots of pictures...otherwise I don't think they would've been so interested. Mr. Toad taught them a lot of lessons. So did Rat and Mole and Badger...being good friends and sticking together. I found a short classic cartoon of Wind in the Willows at Costco too...so we watched it together and the kids made their very own snack....pretzel rods with milk chocolate and white chocolate drizzle!

Lake Powell, The Storm, and How to be a Good First Mate

pic from pinterest

I had to hurry and journal about my trip to Lake Powell...A) because I loved it, of course I did, it's Lake Powell...and B) i don't want to forget my thoughts i had while spending time reflecting on my life C) I think Lake Powell is truly heaven on Earth...and because I think that...I think it's a time when I'm closest to God....so D) if I don't write this down now, life will catch up with me and the World will soon take priority over me and my connection with God and this new nautical perspective on life.

First, let me start off telling about our trip. The weather during the day was incredible. It couldn't have been more perfect. Beautiful blue skies against the red landscape and emerald green water....ahhh, it was 90-95 degrees, so when we weren't out on the boat...it didn't feel like we were melting. We started right off with a wakeboard run, it's been THREE years since I've wakeboarded....I forgot how much I love it.....face-plants and all!! We got to camp and set everything up, went for a ride up a canyon (my favorite part...having the wind in face, the hum of the boat, and the slight rocking from the waves....it's bliss), dropped off party poopers (Jarrett and Tajia) at the marina to go home for a dodgeball tournament (cool excuse but lame they had to go) went back to camp-made dinner, more fun on the lake playing, ate dinner, set our anchor (good thing), and drove back to the marina to drop off grandma, grandpa, baby Lewis, Kailee and her friend to sleep safe and sound in a hotel room. Me, Brian, Ais and Easton headed back to camp. The dark gray clouds followed close behind us.
pinterest
Let me first explain something about myself. I LOVE storms. I always have. In fact, I love sunshine, but I much prefer a stormy day. For me...the stormier the better. The louder the thunder, the more exciting! Seeing lighting, the best. The wind makes it pretty cool too. And bring on the rain. I love it all.
So, I see those deep dark gray clouds coming towards us...and I get so excited I can hardly contain myself....we get back to camp and hook up to the anchor, and not 2 minutes later, the wind starts up. Now, I'm not talking normal wind here, I'm talking GUSTS of wind. Wind so strong its picking up the lake water in walls and throwing it against our boat. It did first start one direction blowing walls of sand at us, but quickly changed directions, luckily. I much prefer walls of water than walls of sand! My kids were really scared. Brian had to go retrieve all of our coolers, and awnings, and chairs that were scattered across the beach, so I sat in the boat calming down Aislee and Easton who were tucked under the captains chair where they couldn't get wet. I secured the boat as much as I could and then just waited for Brian to come back so we could put up our screens to keep out the water. I got the kids in dry clothes and got blankets and pillows for their cozy little cave. I kept assuring them that we were safe, and I would take care of them, and that storms don't last forever, and it would be over soon. The wind was so loud and it got darker and darker. I last saw Brian retrieving a tube that had blown up onto our beach, then I couldn't see him and wondered what he was doing and what was taking so long. The kids wondered where he was. That was the scariest part for me. As we sat in the boat, huddled in the corner being tossed to and fro in the waves, with the rain crashing down on us and the wind whistling through the boat, I had fears that Brian was hurt and that was what was taking so long. What would I do? How do I comfort our children....alone? How do I get through this storm alone? I couldn't leave my kids to go to the houseboat just down the beach to ask them to help me find my husband. And I couldn't carry my kids through the wind and waves to the beach to find him. The more I worried about Brian, the more the kids were scared. So, I sat as patient as possible for him to come back. After about 30-40 minutes (felt like 2 hours), I looked up and saw a black figure running towards our boat. YAY, it was Brian. He was safe. He had gone way down the beach to help a houseboat who's anchor had come undone and started to drift. He helped them re-set it and told them they'd have to figure out the rest, so he could come check on his wife and kids. Now, soaking wet, we started putting up all the screens on the boat to block the rain. Aislee fell asleep and cute little Easton had become more and more brave and was now NOT afraid of the storm. He was our little helper. We brought his head-lamp flashlight and he was thrilled to provide assistance! He also kept us updated on his sister Ais, "oh, little Ais fell asleep", "let me go check on 'lil Ais", "Aislee is still asleep". He was such a big protective brother! We finally got all set up and cozy. Ahhh, it felt great to be safe....and dry. As we were going to bed, Brian and I kept reminding ourselves how thankful we were that our anchor was holding.
And then the storm died down, but the thunder and lightning stayed awhile longer. At one point that night I woke up and it was so calm, I almost felt sad, I wanted the storm to last a little longer. It was way more adventurous.

The next morning, the sun was up we had another great day teaching Aislee and Easton how to kneeboard, Aislee learned how to ski, and then we went exploring and we found the funnest canyon where we swam and jumped off of small cliffs, had lunch, went to Antelope point for Ice cream, and went back to camp to load up. Again, as soon as we tied off, more storm clouds. This time the wind came and blew the sand at us the whole time. It never changed directions. I was huddled with kids while Brian and his parents got beat by the sand trying to load up the boat. Then as we were trying to pull up the anchor, the wind kept blowing us in the wrong direction and our propellor got stuck on the anchor rope. Crap. But Brian got us loose, and we pulled and pulled in all directions to get the anchor up. It was deep. The storm the night before had done it's job to secure that anchor well. It finally came loose, we drove around the bend and started for the marina, and that's where the HUGE waves and swells started. YES...more fun (for me)! That ride from to the marina was my favorite I think I've ever been on. Our boat was a rockin' and slammin and spraying us, and I loved every second of it. I think this slow ride back to the marina is where I did most of my pondering. Because I found myself not wanting it to be over. Am I crazy? I don't think most people think being on a boat in a lake with huge waves and big dark storm clouds, soaking wet would be much fun. But I didnt want to leave. This is when I realized something. I started relating these last two days on Lake Powell to my crazy life. The storm. My trials. God. Our anchor. My husband. The Captain. Me. The First Mate. My family. The Crew. Maybe this is what I signed up for. In heaven. The storms. The wind trying to beat us down. The rain, the lightning and the thunder. The craziness. As we started for home, I checked my phone, Brian checked his. Our house that we are renting after two long years went back to the bank. We're going to have to move. Brian had a bunch of not good emails from work. Great. Real life. Another storm. I need to find a way to love these storms as much as I love real storms. There's got to be a way. And what part of the storm are we at. Just at the beginning....needing to put our anchor down way deep so we can hold on for dear life. Or is my anchor already down, and now I'm just being the comforter, waiting it out until it's over, reminding everyone it's all going to be okay. Maybe the worst of the storm is ahead, and I'm just being prepared.
All I know is I found this on Pinterest, and I love it:


I think one life lesson I was taught at Lake Powell this year is that life is a boat ride. Some of us are given cruise ships as our vessels. Some of us old wooden boats, some sailboats, some power speed boats, some yachts, and some canoes. Right now I feel like my vessel is a kayak, and I'm being pounded by powerful suffocating waves. Never can catch a breath of air. But, I'll keep going, I haven't reached the shore yet. And just like that quote..."no one would have ever crossed the ocean, if they could have gotten off the ship in a storm." I know my reward at the end of this long trip across the ocean is going to be grand....and I think it's almost my turn to take out the yacht and cruise right through it!
I also want to point out how thankful I am for the captain of my journey. Brian. He was amazing. I trusted him during our storm, and knew we would be safe. He took control and knew what knots to tie in the ropes (LOVE boy scouts for that), he knew how to drop our anchor and make it hold. He was constant, and never once stopped working for us. He almost cut his finger off with rope fighting the wind and the waves, but he never complained. Because he is such a great "Captain" of our family...I want to be the best "First Mate" I can be. I found an article on "how to be a good first mate", and I want to share because I think it explains my job as a wife and mother so wonderfully. I paraphrased a little and left some steps out.

How to Be a Good First Mate:

Know your Captain. This is a critical issue where the captain's ability and mental condition are suspect, of course, since the safety of the vessel and crew are dependent on a captain making good decisions in every circumstance, but knowing the captain also makes it possible for the first mate to anticipate orders, keep the ship and crew in pleasing form, and make life more pleasant for everyone in the cramped spaces of a ship or boat.

Keep morale up. On a long voyage, the first mate must help keep the crew cheerful and in good spirits. This means being an arbitrator in disputes, maintaining discipline, making sure everyone pulls their own weight, and keeping things running smoothly.

Keep a positive attitude. On large vessels or on long voyages, morale can become so poor that the crew is unable or unwilling to perform their duties effectively.

Run a tight ship. Keep tackle and gear stored properly, make sure cargo and stores are secured, be aware of the condition of rigging or engines, know how much fuel, food and water are on hand, and make sure hatches are kept secured. Keeping the deck clear of debris and loose lines and tackle makes for a safer environment for everyone.

Communicate effectively with the crew. When the captain gives an order, carry it out by giving accurate and concise instructions to the crewman responsible for completing the task. For particular tasks, it is advisable to attend to it or observe it being taken care of personally.

Stay in top shape. Sea voyages are often boring and lacking in physical challenge on modern vessels, but when a crisis occurs, equipment fails, or severe weather is encountered, the first mate must be able to physically perform his duties without fail.

Observe the seas and weather for unusual events. Even with modern communications, satellite weather technology, and onboard radar, nothing can replace a pair of sharp eyes scanning the seas and skies for approaching squall lines or other vessels wandering into the path of your ship.

Get to know all the hands on the boat personally. Knowing each person will make the job of managing their efforts much easier, since personalities often dictate different management techniques to get optimum performance from the crew.

Make yourself available at all times, for both the captain and crew. This means being willing to take a midnight shift at the helm, talk about personal problems with a deckhand, or being gopher when the captain needs a cup of coffee.

Warning:
Sea life can be dull and boring one moment, and dangerous or deadly the next. It is definitely not the stuff of romance novels

Here are some pictures of our small, much needed vacation:














The diving contest!























The toe touch contest!!! Nice one Brian!

King Louie ....and the storm cave

Aislee finally falls asleep and my boys share my lap!


Loved this canyon:







Easton keepin tabs on Ais

















Aislee's journal, and the boys share a snack




"If the highest aim of a Captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."


~St. Thomas Aquinas (philosopher and theologian, 1225-1274)

Proof that I do take pictures of Lewis

A few things I love about Lewis:

He LOVES to dance...he wave's his hands in the air, he bounces, and nods his head. I LOVE it! It makes us laugh!


As soon as we get close to Grandma Lorries...he knows and starts yelling..."Dog" and pointing to the direction of her house.

He loves wearing hats....and shoes.

How could I not take a pic of this when I checked on him before going to bed. Love the hands behind his head, his cute tummy....and his chubby legs!!

Okay...so they may only be when he's sound asleep or strapped in...but I do!

Camping in Pine Valley

Oh how I love Pine Valley. It's crazy to me that we can go from sunny hot desert weather to mountain fresh tall tall pine trees 20-30 degrees cooler in just a 45 minute drive. I love camping thanks to parents who took us a lot growing up.

My favorite thing is looking for the best camping spot and sitting by the fire at night.

Aislee's favorite...eating smores (she can make a dang good smore)

Easton's favorite...cooking mallows over a fire..especially one's that catch on fire so he can blow it out.

Lewis's favorite...eating dirt.

Of course I don't have any pictures of Lewis, because he's my 3rd and also when he's awake...my full attention is on where and what he's doing.

Very fun and successful first camping trip to Pine Valley...and I can't wait to go back...I found the perfect spot!!!

Gymnastics-Utah Summer Games

Aislee competed in the Utah Summer Games in June in Gymnastics. It was definitely our most favorite meet, because it was in the SUU Arena, and the medals were pretty awesome!! Aislee had a great meet. She messed up a little on bars, but recieved Gold in Beam, Floor and Vault, and also won a Silver medal for all-around! We are so proud of her.

Since competition season is over her coaches and Barefoot owners feel it would best for her to move up to level 5. I've been a little skeptical of this because she would skip a level, and it requires more hours during the week. But she does like to be challenged and I do think she has amazing natural talent. So, we're trying it out for the summer to see how it goes.

Yesterday in class she was doing back walk-overs on the beam, and she can not only do the level 5 requirement of round-off 2 back handsprings...but the other day she whipped out 4 back-handsprings. It's so fun to watch her, and when she learns a new skill it's so fun to see how proud she is and it makes all the hard work worth it!!

Gooooo Aislee!!! I'm your #1 fan and forever your cheerleader!

Mr Popper's Penguins

We finished our second book club book. The book was really funny, there was one part that my kids had me read over and over again and we were hysterically laughing!! It was a short quick read. 4 hours after we finished the book, we went and saw the movie together..they were soooo excited. The movie was COMPLETELY different than the book. The only things that were the same was the fact that someone named Mr. Popper unexpectedly received penguins in the mail. Everything else was different in some way. Aislee noticed and during the movie she'd say...this is not how it was in the book. So...she paid attention! The movie was fun with some funny parts...and after Easton kept asking me what world penguins lived in...when I told him our world...he asked if we could drive there on the way home to see them!!

Next book....Wind in the Willows!

Me and My kids have a bookclub!

My cute sister Jill is such a GREAT mom! She is always giving me fun ideas/activities to do with my kids. She recently told me about how she reads books with her kids. Sometimes if the book has a movie, they'll watch that after they finish. I LOVED this idea because I love to read and I love to read Children's books. I still remember my favorites when I was little. So I started a book club with my kids! Our first book was Little House on the Prairie. We read at night together and my kids just sit and listen (surprising!). It has been such a fun thing for all of us. And it has totally surprised me how much they actually listen. We cried, laughed, and cuddled together because we were scared. At one point Easton even said...Mom...they don't have a microwave. So that led us to a lot of conversation about how lucky we are to have what we do. It also made me dream about life being more simple.

I HIGHLY recomend starting a book club with your kids. Since we finished that book, we've started Mr. Popper's Penguins, and we're going to try and finish so we can go see the movie this weekend!

Here is the actual list of books my sister gave me: (feel free to leave a comment with your favorite Children's book)

Little House on the prairie
The Wind in the Willows- Kenneth Grahame
The Tale of Despereaux - Kate DiCamillo
A Series of Unfortunate Events- Lemony Snicket
The Secret Garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Fantastic Mr. Fox- Roald Dahl
The Hobbit- JRR Tolkien
A Wrinkle in Time- Madeleine L'Engle
Tumtum and Nutmeg: Adventures Byond Nutmouse Hall by Emily Bearn
A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett
Matilda- Roald Dahl
Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Marley: A dog like no other- John Grogan
The Mouse and the Motorcycle- Beverly Cleary
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe- CS Lewis
D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths- by Ingri and Edgar D'Aulair
Harry Potter
Sideways stories from wayside school- by Louis Sachar
Holes
Matilda
Mr. Poppers Penquins by Atwater
Horace Splattly: the cupcaked crusader by Lawrence david
Danger Joe Show by Jon Buller
Aliens for breakfast by johnathan etra
how to train your dragon
the giggler treatment by Roddy Doyle
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Charlotte's Web- by EB White
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The indian in the cupboard by Lynne Banks
Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

Im In Timeout

I had a meltdown tonight, so I put myself in timeout. I've been here for an hour. I'm really starting to like it. I might need to have more meltdowns.
Let me tell you how it started.
I made dinner for my family, and we are all sitting down at the dinner table enjoying our meal. And that's where the perfect-family-dinner-moment ends. Easton hates it, and Aislee loves it so much she's finished it, and is still hungry. Lewis downed it too, so he starts whining for more food. Okay okay children...calm down, let's see...we had Lentil soup and asparagus, so I offer them strawberries or an apple...of course one says strawberries, the other says apple. So, I settle it and go for the apple. One wants skin on, one wants skin off, so I start cutting away, and still I can hear whining from all three......wait a second, I do have a husband here don't I?, oh yes, but he is miraculously deaf at the moment and apparently has no bodily functions, because he's just sitting there. (which to his benefit, is rare) I hand the baby a handful of goldfish (because it was the quickest thing I could get to) he throws them off his highchair and starts yelling at me again. Meanwhile, Aislee and Easton are both whining their apple requests...and something snaps in my head, I scream...and walk/run to my room, slam the door (because that's key in melt-down procedure), and walk in my bathroom, slam that door, and lock it. I sit down on the floor, count to 10 and breathe deep. Peace and quiet....wow....this is nice. I notice my laundry basket full of clothes that need to be put away, so I do it....all alone, this is actually really turning into a nice quiet moment for me, and I get to do my chores peacefully and quietly.
That's when I hear my door trying to open, which I ignore, and then I hear paper rustling under the door. A note from Aislee:

mom wus it me Easton
or Lewis or DaD
and are you (picture of a frowny face with tears) I love you

I write back:

Thanks Ais, I love you too. I'm ok, I just need to be in time out for a bit.

Another note:

You wrnt Being meen
wiy are you in time out wy are you Sad.
I love you. (the o's are replaced with hearts)

My reply:
I yelled, so I put myself in time out. I'm not sad, just frustrated. So I'm calming down. Love you.

Her reply:

Your Qute.

Then another note:

I am the mom Go to time out
Jest tiesing
You can do wut you want to do
I love you

I wrote: You make me (picture of a smiley face) then I let her in, and hurry and locked the door behind her.


Moral of my story. Meltdown's can sometimes turn into great things. And also, I'm an honest blogger, and this is an honest life moment. Also, when Aislee calls me after she's had kids and cries because she had a meltdown or feels like she's going to go crazy, I'm going to pull out my blurb blog book, and this entry will be bookmarked and I'll read it to her, and I bet ya it will make her smile and help her feel normal. And maybe I can read this soon and laugh. And maybe it will help someone else laugh today.
My life is wonderful, even my crazy moments.

And if only kids knew how wonderful time out really is!!

Easton's Preschool Program and Water Party

I LOVE Easton's preschool, and so glad he loves it. He goes with his best friend Halle, and his best buds Connor and Braden. They did a short program and then they got to have a water party with a water slide, and popcorn and lemonade. Last night Easton sang us all the nursery rhymes he learned and it was so cute!