As a zany family of four, it is really rare that we get one-on-one time with each other. And, I am finally starting to fully get that I need it.
I find it’s easy to cartwheel through bedtime but there’s so much to love when I slow down and trace Margot’s face and sipszsipsz behind her ear and read one more book. It’s easy to nurse Ruby while writing but there’s so much love when I study her knee fat and lock eyes with her as she giggles her way though lunch. It’s easy to do a passing kiss and how was you day? when Andy walks in the door but there’s so much love when I stand on my tip toes, wrap my arms around his neck, kiss him and, with eye contact, how was your day?
Of course I don’t always do the so much love things. In fact I don’t make that choice as often as I should. But, I have to say, I never regret it when I take the time. Never. Good to remember.
nuggets.
:: The morning before Ruby and I hopped on a plane and left Margot in Missoula we had some rockin’ good bed romping. I missed her before I left the ground.
:: And then we landed in the cornucopia of California where Montana house plants grow like weeds by the highway.
Where smiles abound.
Where the light is always beautiful.
Where my best friends live. Lindsay, my friend of 21 years, eloped. I remember discovering Pearl Jam in 7th grade, studying for biology tests in her driveway, moving away together and then apart, shared holidays through our twenties…good stuff, old friends are.
When Paige, Lindsay and I are all together, we always take a mirror shot. This one was obviously hurried (the new wife had to rush off to France) but funny, no? My beautiful friends.
:: I always feel like the mark of a good vacation is when you are happy to leave home and happy to come home. I was so happy to come home. The first thing Margot wanted? She said, mama, I want to cuddle with Ruby and you take a picture.
:: Andy walked into this a few days ago. She did a pretty good job, eh?
:: Wild Lupine Design keeps rockin’ the dig sponsorship! She offers a 10% discount to dig readers (and always free shipping!). Just mention ‘dig this chick’ at checkout and she’ll refund 10% to your paypal account. Thanks, Wild Lupine Design!
:: Margot’s garden and the entire boulevard garden is mostly thriving. It is all a big experiment since it is so out there and public…like, check out her bed. Half is huge and leafy and half is puny. Same soil. Who knows.
:: I love summer for spontaneous friend visits that double as a pea-picking, chicken-naming party. Three more pounds of picked peas (10 pounds so far!) and at least a pound eaten in the process. Also, Caroline named our silver laced wyandotte Maude. Perfection. So, now we need just one name for our rhode island red to join Paige, Peanut, 16 Months and Maude. (oh and YES Paige is still crowing! We can’t keep her if she doesn’t stop….)
:: Here is how I often work. Sew a shirt, bounce a babe, iron a skirt, sing the wheels on the bus…I’d love an extra arm. That’d be cool.
:: Last night, Margot and I spontaneously decided to make a jammied run to the park as I was tucking her in bed. Why not?
And this was the sky on our way home. Margot said, oh Mama look at the orange and pink! It’s so beautiful! That’s my favorite sky.
And so one-on-one. Dates with Andy, trips with Ruby, walks with Margot where I meander and am thankful. There’s so much love out there.
27 Comments
OH, that Montana sky! LOVE. Great post – thanks for the reminders to take the time to love…extra. jj
Didn’t you like Mabel for the red?
I always love your posts, but you’ve really gotten me with the spontaneous-bedtime-park-in-pjs run. What a wonderful, fun, spontaneous mama you are! I hope I can be the same to my future kiddos.
nuggets to enjoy just in time for my favorite (late) lunch! fresh from the garden:)
margot has good taste. that sky is indeed worth a favorite.
You’re right – you never regret taking the moment to do things right.
I’ll remember that, too.
Missed you!
So wise to take the time, because all too soon that moment is gone.
Margot, I think that’s my favorite sky too….especially with you under it! Only 4 more days and I get to read you just one,(or two!)more books at bedtime….I am counting the hours! I Love You a Bushel & a Peck!
Rubes, Your much earned toothy smile melts my heart. I too am counting the hours to see you scoot around my kitchen as I sing You Are My Sunshine to you!
See you all soon!
I love you!
xoxo Mom/Gram
LOVE reading your posts and swooning over the magical pictures they include. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of it!
Thanks, Nici, love you and yours lots…have a great time in MN.
That was me, Nici, Aunt Deb!!
Oh, the faces of your girls! Ruby in SF is just beyond funny and precious. And Margot with the lipstick… Holy cats. Too cute! And yes, she did darn good!
That sky that sky that sky. Cannot wait to live beneath it.
Lovely post as always. I’m sooooo glad that FB tells me when there’s a dig post. Yay!!
,,,the MT sky makes me hunger for AZ because they are often similar,,,today i wore my AZ t-shirt, it warms my heart and is a constant reminder of where it all began for me,,,i figured as much while you were zipping the needle and thread around the edges of AZ that you were likely carrying a bundle of joy in one arm and belting out like an american idol wanna-be “the wheels on the bus” with the other bundle of joy which stands about knee high give or take an inch or two,,now i know for certain my AZ shirt is very special and lots of love is woven within its threads,,,
i love wednesdays.
Wise Margot!
You are engaging.
Yes, that is my favorite sky too. And Gratitude is my favorite town to live in…it is a happy place and I’d rather be there than anywhere else. Sometimes your pics of your girls are almost painful to look at because I want to meet them so badly. xoxo
Love your photos and stories. A technical questions–what kind of camera are you using? Maybe it is just the beautiful light out in MT. Wow.
Gorgeous sky pic! Looks like an M. Perrish sky! and the lipstick. seriously… 🙂
There IS so much love out there! Beautiful post! Thank you!!!
Ok, how do you sew with Ruby in the sling? I have tried many times with Sophia but she grabs EVERYTHING!! Especially dangerous while ironing. I loved this post. I found you through Kelle Hampton’s blog. I find so much inspiration from both of you : D
Margot must have read your blog post Re: red lipstick. Love all these little peeks into your week. You three women plus one in the mirror are gorgeous as usual. See you all soon, xoxo
I was starting to think with all your harried posts “man, I hope she slows down…” but of course you capture your life in the most exquisite way.
That sky! wow, fantastic shot! Have a great trip visiting your mom, and enjoy the third arm. xo
And holy cats, I just saw the pink sunglasses perched on Margot’s head! Stylin’ chick!
My grandson and I went to our Children’s Museum tonight, and the sky was threatening, so we grabbed his umbrella out of the trunk. It is pink, his favorite color, and still has roses on it from when it was his mother’s (Cassady Rose). He opened it up, perched it on a shoulder and announced, “I look goooood!”
Kids. So amazing.
That picture of Margo and the lipstick is adorable and I love the pic of Paige and Aaron.
xo
Love the sky. And you.
Love it.
Wow – there’s so much here. I love Margot’s lips, a similar color in the sky, your work room. All red. Then, there’s sweet Ruby. Tickle her for me, please. You sure have a lot to be thankful for.
Love to you and your sweet family.
xoxo
What’s up, just wanted to tell you, I loved this article. It was helpful. Keep on posting!