Finding Beauty in the Wild

For the last ten years, I have been a stay at home mom. Within that time we brought home two more newborns, the first three children started elementary school, and I homeschooled the oldest for her three years of middle school. We also started our business and I even went back to school myself a couple of times. In three weeks time, my world will ultimately change. The oldest is returning to public school as a freshman in high school. Then the youngest is starting kindergarten, the baby is going to school. So that means all four of our kids will be in school. People have started to ask what I'm going do to with all my free time. Hmm. That's a great question I guess, I've even asked myself that question. I've thought about going back to school or working at our shop. I have considered taking care of myself by going to a doctor to check on some things I have on my mind, thank you late 30s. Or going to counseling for a time, again just to work on some things on my mi...

When I was a little girl I would stand upon the wooden pew next to my dad as he sang hymns with the congregation. I was mesmerized with his then visible Adam's apple. It wiggled and bounced with his falsettos and harmonies. I would sometimes reach over and touch the vibration, I still remember the wonder of it all. He would look at me and chuckle because it is a goofy thing only a child would do. He never scorned me for it. He delighted in me. From choir rehearsals to singing CCR & Air Supply in the car to playing records to singing along with Jesus Christ Superstar, there was always music of some kind. He always had a song in his heart. I now realize this is where my sing-song-slightly-annoying-type-parenting probably comes from. Oh well, one day maybe they'll appreciate such a skill! As an adult with my own family sometimes if we'd make it to the same service as my parents we'd sit with them. I could always pick out my dad's voice next to me. What a swe...