mustache {this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. 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. Join in @ Soulemama.

making

With all the knitting I've been doing, it's been nice to finish up a few projects this week {I'll share when I have pic's}. Afterward, I decided to whip up a quick & easy, little project. It's cold here, yes- winter, frigid cold and  this little guy just refuses to wear a hat for more than 2 minutes. From the back door, 12 steps to the cold car and off it goes into a multicolored pile of mama knit hats on the van floor. A full weeks worth the last I checked. I've tried everything & every hat, with him. He smiles at me in his devilish little way as I explain, "Please, PLEASE leave your hat on today, Baby J. You know Mama doesn't like it when you throw them on the dirty floor in the car. ok, then". Two minutes later and they join the growing pile of sad, discarded knits.

I decided to give a hat with ties a try for him. I'll tie it on and then he will just forget all about it. {Insert evil Mom laughter here}  Famous last words. {sigh} It lasted one single, five minute, car trip where he yelled, "Mama....help ME", the whole time. Once in the house, he decided no hat would get the best of him, and promptly figured out how to get it off immediately.

Well, in the end, it did turn out cute. Older brother has taken a liking to it. If only I had knit it a bit larger it would actually fit him. He enjoying the tiny hat/big head look this week, I guess.

Snow!

We have snow here, finally!! May be the first time this winter he's worn a coat, and not whined about it. I swear this one never gets cold outside. He'd wear a t-shirt, shorts & snow boots to drop off the kids at school each day if I let him-- EVERY day and I wouldn't ever hear a peep about him being cold. When I say put on a jacket, it's winter & cold, he always chuckles then says, " ohhhhh Mom, you know I NEVER get cold. Remember?". I sure love this one's zest for life!

this week

Here's a little glimpse into our week, as it's been quiet here while I took a little break from blogging and rested.

Everything is gonna be ok

The other day, I sat watching the rain puddle & drip on my windshield. It was one of those gross, gray kinda days. Days where your first thought upon waking is to snuggle tighter in your blanket, roll over and wake up again tomorrow. Hibernate until the sun shines in. A day that can zap some energy and happiness out of the most optimistic of us.

Unfortunately, snuggles and sleep wasn't on the agenda for this Mama. I had four little one's scampering through the house already. The two oldest {supposedly} getting ready for school. Hello muddy boots, raincoats and wet hair, good-bye warm, comfy bed.

Parked at a red light after dropping of the schoolings, waves of conflict and issues banged around in my head. A jumble of problems- therapy, finances, family... life. The rain dripped and danced a swerving, lazy line across the windshield in a calm melodious rhythm. In between the jumbled mix of anxiety, the thoughts, I'd have to thank a friend for fixing those wipers... Do we need milk? Anyone feed the cats? My two little boys giggled in the backseat. Oblivious to to any knowledge of my inner thoughts and conflict. A few moments of silence and then all the sudden, one clear, loud refreshing thought

Everything. is. going. to be. ok.

The feeling suddenly overtook me. It invigorated me with energy & strength. This world can not get me down. I will not allow it. I'm a fighter- strong & proud. I have so very much to be thankful for, and appreciate! I smiled, and the while the sunshine was only in my eyes, it had a lasting effect.  We are just fine. Things will be fine. We have everything we need-happy, healthy, well loved family.

sometimes..

Sometimes I just need quiet. Quiet mind, quiet soul. Moments that pass without thoughts or worries, in a smooth meditative state. In these times, these small moments of need, I usually find my knitting needles to be very busy- the perfect remedy.

 

Sometimes a steady, one-two, one-two, repeats in my mind. Focusing on the melodic, repetitive movements of my fingers. Sometimes.... just silence. A sweet, peaceful, hard to come by, silence. These days I'm enjoying the calm, seeking a silenced mind. Worries pushed aside, even if just for a few minutes, or even seconds. Peace, escape... serene. This week, I've seen a lot of my needles. Little bits of stolen silence, one string working it's way into bigger and better things, one small stitch at a time. 

into 2012...

We ushered in the New Year with chocolate cupcakes & sparkling apple cider, with the two older kids. Little boys will have their moments to stay up late with us, but it's not their time yet. This year marks the first year that any of the kids were awake at midnight. These two have tried for two years, but haven't even made it to 11, previously . Instead, fast asleep with their blankets on the living room floor. I imagine their dreams filled with happy thoughts of Christmas and the anticipation of the coming year.

This year we started baking around 10:30 so the cupcakes would be just warm enough at midnight.  Add a few glasses of sparkling cider and they were all smiles! I think late night cupcake baking might be a new tradition on New Years Eve for us. 

I have high hopes for 2012. I am entering this year much more optimistically than I did in 2011. The winter of 2011 wasn't kind to us, and I hope this one brings lots of health & happiness to my family. I hope 2012 brings great things for my family, and all of yours. Happy New Year!