Monday, September 20, 2010

Mud Pie




"But Momma," she says, "my mind is SMALL. And I'm thinking of a LOT of things in a row." Jane raises a shoulder, blinks.

I sigh. "Honey, you STILL have to obey me." Obey. We let that sit for a moment between us.

"I know," she says, shakes her head.

We lock eyes, "MAKE it important to you," I say. "You're not in trouble because you forgot, you're in trouble because you did not MAKE it important to you."

"Oh," she unravels, "now THAT makes a little more sense."







"Sleep with me," Jack shouts. "Momma, SLEEP with me!" Night time and the children rollick into bed. They shout and cavort and carry on.

I lean down onto bottom bunk, "Honey, I sleep with Daddy."

"Sleep with me," he says and pokes out bottom lip.

"Maybe someday you'll marry a woman JUST like me," I say.

He grabs small hands around my neck, "NO," he shouts, "I'm gonna marry YOU, Momma!" He squeezes my neck tight. I smile into his cheek.







"How are you this morning, Little One?" I measure out oatmeal and flax.

"Um," Lulie says, "BIG."

I brew coffee and count children showered and ready for morning mush. Then we sit and eat.

"Jane, how do you like Kindergarten?" I want to know.

"I LOVE it," she scoops oatmeal, balances a sliver of peach on the spoon.

"What do you love about it?"

She swallows, carves another crater in the oatmeal, "Being older," she says.

Older. Everyday. A million miles an hour. Older.








Gratitude:

183. Tons and tons of canned peaches. With cinnamon, brown sugar.

184. Child hands that help me skin peaches before we can.

185. Blanched and frozen beans, bright green.

186. The kitchen clean, counters wipe all down.

187. Tired husband who makes grown-up talk with tired wife.

188. Cinnamon syrup on huckleberry pancakes.

189. Husband who knows how to flip pancakes. Stacks in the oven.

190. How husband captured the black widow spider I spotted next to the front door.

191. The children's WIDE eyes at the spider still jarred up on our counter.

192. The clean floors husband mopped for me while we made conversation.

193. Pine-sol.

194. Red headed baby who looks terrible in pink.

195. Memory pages the children color while we meditate over verses.

196. A festoon of sharp pencils, fresh in every color.




holy     experience

16 comments:

Heather said...

Bethany, I smiled so many times while reading this post. I love how you brought each child into the photos as you quoted them. Adorable. What smart little ones they are! Love your gratitude list, especially the "making adult conversation". :)

Have a wonderful school week!
How is it going?
Love, Heather

Susan Cowger said...

It is just plain silly how many times a week I check your blog--to tune in to your story. I love blogs for telling the stories. Yours packed full of wisdom and savoring every moment. Makes me savor my life too.

Lori said...

I love the way you talk to your kids. Such simple truths - they speak to my heart as well! I want to WANT to obey, too!

keLi said...

black widow wrangler?

oh, i believe you've found a keeper. and i love how you collect the musings of your children -- such sweet gifts, their words.

Kathleen@so much to say, so little time said...

Such sweet moments. I only have one I can talk to, and oh, how I long for my little ones to cross that long-awaited hurdle! And how hard we're working to get there!

Coffee Is My Love Language said...

Bethany, I loved seeing you with your little one's at church! I barely know you, but you are like a breath of fresh air to me. Such a peacefulness about you...I find myself checking your blog when I'm in need of mama wisdom and simple truth. Your perspective and writing has become such a blessing in my life. Hugs to you!

Bonnie

Unknown said...

Ooooh, I love that you have a red-headed youngest, too! Bummer about the pink, though... ;)

RosyRose said...

Hi Bethany~
I stopped by from holy moments. You have a beautiful family and I love your writing style! Bless you and all your little ones:)!

Rachelle said...

The love in your house just overflows...between all of you. I hope I can capture that in my house too. You are a wise woman!

Mommy Emily said...

"big."

i LOVE this. how are you today? "big."

bethany, your blog makes me want to be a better mama. to phrase things in ways my children will understand.

you are a gift. xo

Kim Hyland said...

What a sweet legacy of words and memories you are creating as you capture your little ones funny, insightful words. Thanks for sharing. It always makes me smile :)

the o's said...

love the pics! kids and mud just go together :) and of course i always love hearing the every day convos you have w/ your kids. priceless!

Unknown said...

I'm so thankful I dropped by tonight,
your reflections are beautiful.
true.
and simply beautiful

Emily said...

Making it important--that is so true! I've been trying to communicate that same concept to my children lately. I might just have to borrow your phrase!

Unknown said...

http://onedandelion.wordpress.com/

The blog I told you about and the "potty training" post is my favorite.

http://onedandelion.wordpress.com/page/4/

Leslie

Craig and Bethany said...

LOVE 'em. Thanks, Leslie.

Enjoyed visiting tonight too. :)