Beautiful 15

Ladybird's 15th Birthday

More from Abbie Deal

"There are many memories. But I'll tell you the one I like to think of best of all. It's just a homely everday thing, but to me it is the happiest of them all. It is evening time here in the old house and the supper is cooking and the table is set for the whole family. It hurts a mother, Laura, when the plates begin to be taken away one by one. First there are seven and then six and then five...and on down to a single plate. So I like to think of the table set for the whole family at supper time. The robins are singing in the cottonwoods and the late afternoon sun is shining across the floor. Will, your grandfather, is coming in to supper...and the children are all playing out in the yard. I can hear their voices and happy laughter. There isn't much to that memory is there? Out of a lifetime of experiences you would hardly expect that to be the one I would choose as the happiest, would you? But it is."

A Lantern in Her Hand, by Bess Streeter Aldrich

Echoing Abbie Deal

from A Lantern in Her Hand, Bess Streeter Aldrich

"And now, Abbie, thinking of what the girl had just read to her, returned thoughtfully, 'You can't describe love, Kathie, and you can't define it. Only it goes with you all your life. I think that love is more like a light that you carry. At first childish happiness keeps it lighted and after that romance. Then motherhood lights it and then duty...and maybe after that sorrow. You wouldn't think that sorrow could be a light would you, dearie? But it can. And then after that, service lights it. Yes...I think that is what love is to a woman...a lantern in her hand.'"

September Musings

In the first 10 days of this month I've:

• been to Toronto and back again
• visited a castle
• laughed with my Autumn Rain and Lavender Girl while being served by a humorous French waiter who was concerned about the salmon on the plate feeling neglected, cleared the landscape (aka the table) and brought us the documentation (aka menu) concerning dessert
• cried over saying goodbye
• turned 43
• completed week 2 out of 36 for this school year

Wonder what the rest of the month will hold?

Casa Loma, Toronto

Reflections of Toronto

Toronto at Night

The Beginning of Goodbye

Tonight we begin the dreaded goodbye to our Autumn Rain. While it's not the final farewell for myself (I get to defer that moment until Saturday), we will be having our final dinner as a family...until we gather again at Christmas. My goal is for a festive evening, with O'Charlie Rolls and Zuppa Tuscana to lift our spirits. However; the skies are grey with rain laden clouds just as my heart feels heavy with the weight of tears being held back.

There is so much yet to do, grocery shopping and packing topping the list. But all I want to do is snuggle with my girl, savoring every last moment.

Hurry up Christmastime, I can't wait for your arrival!

Final Days of Summer Fun

Willing Time to Slow

Summer is steadily marching on, I'm dragging my feet.

While I'm excited to begin our new school year and am busily doing the necessary preparations toward that goal, this beginning also signals the end of life as we've known it for the past 22 years. My oldest will pack her bags and head to off grad school come September. Our cheery "good morning" exchange and cups of coffee with the sunrise are coming to an end. I've made the most of them this summer, lingering as long as possible before starting the business of the day, savoring our last moments together. These last 3 weeks are going to be over far too soon.

I know that the future is bright for my girl. I know she'll be with us again for Christmas. And we'll be counting down the days towards her homecoming.

Allison, BA-Philosophy

Celebrating with our girl!

A Week Worth Celebrating

This is a week full of joy and celebration!

We began the week gathering with our church family to witness the baptism of 8 believers desiring to declare their walk with the Lord before their community, our church. My two youngest daughters were among those who took this important step in their christian life. It made my heart smile to see the joy on the faces of my girls as the people who love them and have come along side them in this journey shared words of encouragement and scripture verses to plant in their hearts. I'm grateful for these people who are living testimonies of God's love and faithfulness in our lives and that they are sharing their lives and love with my family.

Some of us are celebrating the beginning of our summer break, while others are pushing through the last throes of papers and finals before the end of the term....counting down days and hours until they cross they finish line. I'm cheering them on!

We will close out the week on Saturday celebrating with our oldest daughter as she graduates from Western Oregon University. She'll wear her red robe and cap with her white honors cord around her neck. We will be so proud of her achievements and excited for her future studies in Toronto next fall. But we will try not to think about this ushering in the end of her days at home.

And I will try to not cry, because this is the week to c.e.l.e.b.r.a.t.e.

Coloring
by Harry Behn

A rake, a coat, a meadow, a mill,
A cake, a boat, a house on a hill,
A kite, a spade, and a ball of string,
A wind in the leaves, and the song birds sing--
It's Spring!
We're outdoors coloring
Every bright beautiful wonderful thing.

Under a lilac bush we've made
A studio with walls of shade,
And in our painting books we spread
Pools of yellow, blue, and red--
Carefully,
Though it doesn't matter
Terribly much unless we spatter.

Green and red, and there's a tree
With apples and cherries, and here's a sea
With a wave and a sky and a gull in flight,
And this is the sun splashing light--
It's Spring!
We're coloring, and all the bird sing
Of every bright beautiful wonderful thing!

Elkhorn

Little Cabin in the Woods

Balcony Vista

Fun with my Girls

Sweet Sisters, Moonchild and Ladybird

Hoola Hooping Cousins

January Sunrise

Hunting for Joy

Here we are.
It's the first Monday of a new year.
I'm dragging my feet this morning. Time to exercise. Time to start school. Time to take down Christmas. But I just don't want to.
I want to linger awhile more in the cozy place between Christmas and New Year's Day. The place where the rush has slowed and peacefulness settles. The place where lights still twinkle and quiet music box tunes still soothe.
Usually the return to routine is welcome. But not this morning. This morning I'm having to hunt for joy and it's hiding well.

Christmas Gnomes

Wishing You A Merry Christmas!

Silver Falls

Finding opportunities that our whole family is available to spend out together are becoming increasingly rare. In fact, in the course of this summer I think we will only all be home for about two weeks! But I'm beginning to realize that that doesn't mean those of us that are at home shouldn't find some stolen moments to enjoy time spent in our beautiful Oregon countryside.

The Quiet Zone

Here I sit, all alone at my counter. Cameron is away on his senior retreat, Elaina and Faerynn are visiting much loved cousins in Washington, Shannon, Allison, and Bethany are all off to work, and Daniel and Chesterton are both still sleeping.

This house is sooooo still, just John Tesh on Pure Hymns keeping me company. It's a small glimpse into the days ahead. The days after the next three in line graduate. And I wonder what I'll do with my days then?

Yesterday I decided to take the afternoon off to do whatever I wanted. It was a loooonnng afternoon. I read a little, slept a little, watched a movie with Daniel, started a card game....then Allison and Ann-Marie arrived and we went to a riverside park in Salem for a leisurely walk. Guess what? I much prefer the busy days of caring for my family. I like the rhythm of my days.

Today I'll set to work trying to establish a new routine for the summer. I'll figure out when I'm going to do all those things I've been saying can wait until school was finished. I'll restore order after a busy few days of party and company. And I'll enjoy the quiet while I work.

Graduation Letter

Dear Cameron,

We've had a great journey together. A journey of learning, loving, and doing and you've traversed all of these well.

It's been a my great pleasure to watch you mature and persevere. You've pushed through to the completion of your Eagle Scout rank. You're leadership skills have grown through your involvement in the youth group worship team. And you've managed your school, job, and time with friends to the fullest.

I'm excited for you future! You've chosen a challenging path but I know that you are fully capable of accomplishing all that you set out to do. Never forget that you don't travel this road alone or in your own strength. You have a Savior greater than anything you will ever face.

All my love,
Mom

The Princess Musician