I decided to go through my fabric closet. Of course this was exciting for the kids. I had a pile left for them so I let them pick what they were interested in. They then went off on their own and made up outfits. Amelie has a jeans pant leg on and the rest have cotton. I like how they work together to make each other look stylish. The girls do this often with their dresses. They get all dressed up and come out for a dance show. Will one of them be a fashion designer? Who knows. It doesn't really matter. If I had that thought every time they got into something I would be worn out! lol A couple of days ago Ricky was taking our door knobs off with a screw driver and putting them back on. Locksmith...probably not. Amelie likes to write stories. Writer...probably not. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs that they can have. They will figure it out when the time is right. That is where trust comes in. Trusting them to be able to learn what they need, when they need and how they need. Trusting them to follow their interests. Trusting them to follow their own individual paths. I am their facilitator. I wouldn't want to miss out on these moments for anything. It is who they are and I love it. I love them.

Being yourself

My 2 year old son likes dresses. Pink ones, white ones and orange ones like the one here. He watches his sisters dress up and undress many times a day. Why shouldn't he join in? I don't have to worry about my children being mercilessly teased because they dress how they like. If I am going to be honest I may have an issue with my almost 6yo wearing a dress out. If he insisted I would tell him what reactions he may get and let him decide from there. I want to equip my children in this world but also allow them to self express. Fine line.

Artistic Lunch

I want to remember this

The boys share a room with us. When Cohen goes to bed at night he puts his most valued toy on his bed post. When I go to bed I see the silhouette of his chosen toy. I never want to forget him placing them gently on top. I may understand the book "I'll love you forever" just a bit more now.

Fear

Sisters

Exploration

Hadley on the sidelines

Freedom

We had Homeschool Track and Field Day today. This means heading to the beach in the afternoon with the kids. As I look through the pictures I notice their smiling faces and the freedom they have. You do not see any pictures of me. If you did you would see worry. Anxiety. Serious. I have 6 children. 4 of whom cannot swim yet. 3 of whom who try to. Can you see where this would stem from? I try. I really do. I just don't find the beach relaxing. I remember my grandma (who had 8 children) telling me that whenever they would go to the beach she would be watching like a hawk and counting heads. My grandpa would be laying out in the sun without a care in the world. While I was hovering over my children I looked over at my husband who had the baby in the shade. Here he is relaxed and with a camera. He is taking in all of their smiles. Their silliness. Their exploration. I am only now taking in these images because I did not experience them today. Sometimes I wonder if my grandpa and my husband don't worry because they know that we do. Our children don't worry because they know that we do. After about an hour I did a trade with my husband. I fed Hadley while Ron was with them. Don't get me wrong. My eyes stayed trained on my children but I also got to see them from his point of view. I could see my whole family in the sunshine. I am so thankful that I did switch him because our children got to run. They got to explore without moms worried words. I would like to say that maybe this will change me. It won't. This is my fear. Once they can swim I know I will be able to relax at least a little bit. I will still be counting heads but I do that everywhere. I just have to be sure I have the right balance. I have to believe that every parent has fears. Every parent protects their children with a fierceness no one can match. I just don't want to smother them. I am ok with it at the beach. I tend to be more relaxed elsewhere.

Don't they just look carefree and beautiful? I am happy that I have a husband to capture beautiful moments at the beach.

Our children

Moments in Time

THANK YOU GOD

As I was signing into my account I hear a muffled cry. I look at my children and count. 1.2.3.4.5. Ok one is missing. Callum. I follow the cry and realize that my little 2.5 year old is standing on the porch trying to get IN! I had just brought the dog out and didn't notice my little guy escape. Thankfully, he wouldn't want to venture out to the road. It only takes a second, doesn't it? A fluttering butterfly followed onto the road. A toy run after. Searching for airplanes flying high. In one instant, I could be one less.

A 3yo boy was abducted in British Columbia. He was gone an agonizingly few days. Scores of people searched for this missing boy in hopes of finding him safe. Guess what. He was brought back. Back into the arms of his terrified and grateful parents.

Moments like these help me not take them for granted. Messy hands. Sticky faces. Muddy boot prints across our carpet. Hearing momma for the thousandth time in a minute. Whining about a sibling. These are all moments to be cherished. Most of my life I am with my family. I know that when they are grown I will not have any regrets on how much time I spent with them. Sure from day to day I picture a big, yellow automobile to pull up in front of my house and load them up for the day! 6 glorious hours for cleaning, quilting, reading and SLEEPING!!! Most days though, I feel so grateful and thankful that I GET to spend my days with my giggling, arguing, fascinating children. Really, life can't get much better than this!