What is this {pretty, happy, funny, real} you speak of?
~ {pretty, happy, funny, real} ~
Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
I've been trying to make it to daily Mass more often during Lent which, practically speaking, means going the one morning per week that it's a little later than usual since the closest church is 20 minutes away and we are not particularly efficient at getting out the door in the morning. But we've made it one day each week so far, which has been great.
By which, of course, I mean it's been a mad rush to get everyone fed, dressed, and out the door vaguely in time, being thankful each week that our priest runs a little late too, and relying on our wonderfully kind fellow parishioners to forgive the squirms, noisy whispers (“are we DONE, Mom?”), and whatever other antics we come up with. We're trying.
Last week, someone or other was being squirrelly during the reading, so that I wasn't able to fully turn my attention to it until what turned out to be the very end, so that literally the only words I heard and internalized were,
“…your children and your children's children. The Word of the Lord.”
I honestly have no idea what the rest of the reading was about, but if ever there were a hilariously vocation-affirming half-second of Scripture to hear at that moment, that was it.
Thanks be to God.
We have been spending as much time as possible outside lately while the weather is cooperating (by which I mean, it's gorgeous now without being hot, and the wasps aren't out yet!). We've started our seeds in the big planter outside our back window, and they each have their own side of the planter where they planted a row each of peas and carrots. I'm glad we did it that way, since Molly has dug up half her peas to check on them, and tried to plant more seeds on top of the rest, so if her gardening techniques prove to be a little overzealous, they at least hopefully won't doom her brother's efforts as well.
Since we didn't have room for all the seeds, I told them they could plant the rest anywhere they liked, so long as they weren't disturbing the ones we'd already put in, and they weren't digging holes in the grass. So now they have their own little garden behind the shed, which they are allowed to water using their buckets.
This takes many trips. It's great.
Eleanor is a full-fledged walker now (toddler? Ack!), which is perfect timing, since she puts ev.ery.thing. in her mouth. Before she could walk, that meant every time I tried to put her down outside, she'd spend her whole time trying to eat every leaf, stick, and clump of dirt within reach. Now, she is able to scout around for the very best leaves and sticks that the yard has to offer — or even (be still her heart!) get her hands on some sidewalk chalk!
As you can see, she has lost no time figuring out how to play every game the big kids play. She does not appreciate being left out.
Speaking of babies growing up… Capt. P got home from work early after many long days in a row and decided to push Pippo down the little hill in our yard. Worked like a charm.
One last little bit of {real} for you: some time ago — months? a year? more? — the doorknob to our pantry/laundry room broke. The latch itself was broken, and rather than risk a child getting stuck in there, we just took the knob off entirely. Not a big deal, since it's not a door that really has to latch; we'd just swing it shut when we needed to hide the small mountain of clean laundry or messy shelves. Besides, that's the doorway where we hang the baby jumper (hence the chipped paint at exuberant baby height), and you can't close a door with a jumper in it anyway.
I knew it wouldn't be a big deal to replace it, except that I got it into my head that we actually had to replace all the doorknobs in the house (that sounds drastic, but actually there are only 11), since they all were of the cheap, brassy variety, and a few others were on their last legs as well. So of course I wasn't going to buy a new one to match these.
Maybe you don't have a hard time committing to things like this. It took me, as I mentioned, quite a while.
And like I said, it wasn't a big deal. In fact, I don't think we even noticed anymore that there was anything unusual about having a raw hole in the door. Just push it open, swing it mostly shut, peek through, totally normal.
But lately, as Nora has been getting more and more mobile, that open pantry has started to be a real problem, and as I fished her out of the tin foil and canned goods again and again, I found myself thinking… “If only there were a way to keep erect a barrier to keep her out of here. Or perhaps some sort of device to hold this door shut. If only we had access to such technology…”
Behold: the doorknob.
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Laura says
I love your girls’ dresses. They are so classically beautiful. The fabrics and patterns in your photos always remind me of the illustrations in children’s books by Karen Katz – lots of vibrant colors and florals.
We’ve had some gorgeous weather and lots of time outdoors as well. So refreshing, right!?
I can completely relate to the door knob issue… I stand in the store, staring at the options, with the design of my dream house in mind, end up overwhelmed and usually leave the store empty-handed. I love your choice!
Jenny says
Beautiful, beautiful flowers! Spring is on its way here, too, and seeing your flowers makes me very excited. Seeing your toddler makes me excited for my little one, too, although he won’t be walking until closer to fall.
Lisa G. says
You’re a true comic. We’re also having wonderful weather in CT
Elizabeth says
I love your doorknob story! Made me laugh right out, and my daughter had to find out what was so funny. 🙂 I don’t know how many times I have done this, missing the solution that was staring me right in the face because …well, I don’t know why! Life as a mother – so much fun (which is good, because that makes up for the difficult parts).
Chere Mama says
I lOVE the picture of them on the back of the truck. So great!
M. says
Rosie, this post is a oasis of beauty and goodness. It is balm to my weary soul. I especially like the grape hyacinth/bee photo and the photos of Eleanor in her pink dress and polka dot shoes. Thank you for sharing these slices of your life! And yes, like you, I have a hard time committing to some things, things that should be made without so much analyzing on my part. One of my favorite answers to my Dear (long-suffering!) Husband is, “Do I have do decide right now?” (Read that as though you hear a slight tremor or weariness in my voice.) Thank you, Rosie, for an lovely post. God bless.
Katie says
Haha, when I got a new vacuum cleaner, it was a little too thick to slide right under the sofa, and that’s a tricky spot because the area rug meets the hardwood there, creating a drift of lots of wispy, gritty stuff (very visible when playing on the floor with littles). I tried and tried anyway, adjusted attachments, etc, and finally thought, “Oh, what I would give for a soft, sturdy brush that I don’t mind getting dirty, maybe on a stick so I don’t have to get in my hands and knees every time I want to vacuum under the couch and get that 6-inch strip of floor all the way clean.” Was I going to have to invent such a marvelous tool? No, no I wasn’t, once I finally remembered… the broom.
Barbara says
Rosie, your children couldn’t get any cuter! That baby — ohhh I could squeeze those sweet cheeks!
Ashley says
If you still need to buy door knobs for the rest of the house, check Amazon. We’ve bought door knobs for our last two houses from them since they’re cheaper then the big box stores in our area.
Kyndra says
The doorknob story is quite funny! Our house is older and has a number of doors that just don’t shut anymore, most of them are toddler safe rooms but not all!
Tina Dzurisin says
You have such a talent for photography to be able to capture your little ones so well in all their adorable movement! I can certainly relate to your experience of daily Mass. I go every Wednesday with my 18-month-old and my two-month-old, and it’s a trip every time! Once, my toddler sneezed so loudly that the priest paused at the altar and said, “God bless you!” At the Sign of Peace, she walks around the first few pews shaking hands with an amusing (embarrassing?) exuberance, and everyone just indulges her. I love it because my kiddos have acquired a handful of “grandparents” and because it gives them a quiet and forgiving environment in which to learn the Mass! Hope this Lent continues to be fruitful for you!
Jenny says
Loving your photos of spring flowers! We are still knee deep in snow up here. Your kids are adorable! I can’t believe how much they have sprouted in the last few months.
Mary says
Looks like spring. I love the bike riding. Sweet moments of independence and comfidence.
M'Lynn says
Thank you for the laugh right out loud and long. Do we do these things to ourselves???
Stephanie in Germany says
Beautiful photos! Great color!
Rosie, I was just thinking the other day that I actually got to daily Mass more often when the kids were smaller than I do today. The little ones keep you on your toes so I guess I could get myself a movin’ out the door. Now the big ones… it is no longer such a physical “on your toes” as it once was… My youngest is now 12.
Aleta says
Your posts are so uplifting. Your children’s expressions…priceless. Thanks
for sharing. I love the one of Dad and the kids on the tailgate. “We are just hanging out “.
I love watching your beautiful family grow. So blessed.
Jennifer says
Your littlest looks very busy. She is beautiful, so are the other two. I laughed out loud about the whole digging up the seeds to check on them. Ha! Kids are always an adventure.
Kimberlee says
All your photos are so beautiful! Gorgeous bunch of happy kids you have there. I love the shot of Contented Dad with Truck. We haven’t seen bees yet but spring is starting to spring a bit here too. The door knob story reminds me of a friend who latches her bathroom door shut with a piece of rope. 🙂
Ann says
Your doorknob story reminds me of watching tv one time with the Lt. We had muted the commercial only to be assaulted by the images. “I wish there was a button that would get rid of the picture and the sound,” I said. “Oh yeah, they actually have one of those,” he responded so helpfully, “they call it the power button.”
The delight on Pippo’s face reminds me of how joyful his Aunt Sister was when she learned to ride. I think she thought she had learned to fly. So happy for him. This is just an extraordinarily lovely collection of pictures, Rosie, thank so much!