Shaking out the grumpy buns.

Every once in a while I have a day, or even a stretch of days, that are just plain grumpy. Everything is annoying. Everyone is annoying. I look forward to bedtime and peace and quiet more than ever. This week was one of those icky yucky stretch of days that I just couldn't shake.

Finally, by Friday I felt like I had turned the corner. But today--this beautiful fall day--TODAY was just plain delicious! We put every other obligation aside and we did what we love most: we got ourselves outside. I have no pictures to document the deliciousness, but my heart will remember it all. Leaving behind my phone/camera was part of the beauty.

The first thing we did was get out for a hike. We crossed wooden bridges over babbling brooks; we identified leaves and trees; we looked at the age of trees by counting tree rings; we told the history behind the rock walls that cover this part of the country; we listened to bird calls. It was enchanting. Really. Sometimes I have a hard time pulling myself out of the woods. I want to put up a little house and stay where I can't see anything but trees.

But we had to come out of the woods when the excitement of nature turned into whines. After a few nibbles and drinks of water, everyone was in good spirits again. We watched a group of mallard ducks swimming along a stream. I couldn't help but giggle at their little orange feet paddling them along.

We decided to take the scenic route home, which lead us right past the farm where uncle T used to live AND where Marty and I had our first date. We knew that T's friend now runs the farm, so we decided to stop in for old time's sake. It just so happened to be a day where they were selling beautiful fall veggies and beef from a cow we actually knew. We became part of the excitement on the farm, walking around to see all the animals, and bringing home an unexpected package of ground beef for future meatballs and spaghetti.

Somewhere along our adventures, I decided that I wanted to have a fire and roast marshmallows to end the day. The only kink in the plan is that we have no fire pit. However, we do have a lot of empty garden this time of year. So the girls and I hauled rocks from around the yard to the empty back garden area and created a make-shift pit. After an early dinner, we headed outside to end the night under the stars, eating smores (Isamu for the first time!), and telling our favorite parts of the day.

I feel like this whole day was a tender mercy just for me. My soul needed some refilling.

My cup runneth over. 

Summer Flashback

In August we were able to take a quick trip up to Maine to visit Marty's brother--the REAL farmer in the family (we like to think we are farming down here, but Uncle T shows us what it really means). There is such a Garden of Eden feel on their farm at the height of summer. Within 20 feet from our sweet cabin, I think we had at least 6 different kinds of fruit and an entire vegetable garden growing beautifully.

The children spent their time building forts in the woods, playing around the animals, trying to catch frogs in the pond, and other simple activities. They felt free, and it was fun to watch their creativity and enthusiasm.

Their property came with three cabins already built near the woods, and we stayed in the one closest to the main house. It was so peaceful in our little space that overlooked the majority of the farm. When I would lay down with Ezra for his nap, I was so enchanted with our space I would dream about living in a one room cabin with no electricity. I'm sure in the dead of winter that would get really old, but in August it seemed like a completely reasonable wish.

It is always nice to get back home and to routine, but I was a little sad to drive away from the farm this time. I'm so grateful for such a beautiful place to visit and to experience such a neat and necessary way of life.

Room for one more...

A few weeks ago we had the missionaries over for dinner. As we were chatting, it came up that the new set of sisters our ward would be receiving would need a place to stay for a bit when they first arrived. Marty casually mentioned that we could make room for them if needed, but we didn't really think much about it. However, a few days later we got a phone call. "Brother Vieira, does your offer still stand?" Oh, boy. "Yes!" we said. And then we got to work cleaning and rearranging.

Well, a day or two later we got another phone call from some friends in the ward. "We know of an exchange student from Japan that is still looking for placement. Would you be interested?" No! Absolutely not. Those were my initial gut reactions. But then I started thinking that we should at least pray about it so Heavenly Father could confirm my gut reactions. Always dangerous:) After thinking and praying for a day or two, I told Marty that we needed to make room for one more. We WERE supposed to take in this Japanese exchange student after all. At least we had a few weeks to prepare still.

The sisters moved in with us right before September began. Oh, how I love sister missionaries! It was wonderful to have them in our home. Our children were obsessed and stalked them to no end. I would often find them sitting outside their door in the morning--listening. "Mom! WHAT are those sisters doing in there?! WHEN will they come down for breakfast?!" When that tactic wasn't working they would go out in the front yard and try to see as much as possible through their windows on the second floor. "Mom, I saw one!! She was reading her scriptures!!" All that studying about drove our kids crazy. They couldn't understand why the sisters would not just come down and play with them! I loved it. And Sister Lee and Sister Palmer did, too. They will forever be honorary family members.

We spent a glorious two weeks with the missionaries down the hall. Then, as quickly as they came, they packed up their things and headed on over to their official apartment that was now ready for them. And we were left with one day to get things ready for our new arrival. We scrubbed, and washed, and vacuumed, and rearranged some more. Then, we packed everyone up in the mini van and went to pick up our 15 year old son.

I can already see why Heavenly Father sent Isamu to us for this year. He is just perfect for our family. The first morning, probably still dizzy from the time change, he sat down to show the girls how to do origami. He shows love to our children, he is polite and humble, and he is hard-working. His example will be greatly appreciated all through the year. I can already imagine that I will be sad to see him return home next June. His humility is probably what stands out to me the most. We felt like our offering to him was humble: a bed, desk, and dresser in our busy home. His first response was, "I've never had my own room before! Thank you!" I worried for weeks about what he would like to eat. He has eaten everything put before him without complaint. The fact that we can offer him choices for breakfast is luxury to him. He is used to natto (fermented soy beans) and rice to start every day.

I am learning what it truly means to be humble and grateful through this teenage boy. I am feeling like we have more than we could ever need as I look around at our home. Why is it that I EVER feel like we need more? While he learns English and experiences a new corner of the world, I will be learning what it truly means to simplify and find joy in the abundance of little things that make life so sweet. 

 (new family picture--courtesy of Dorothy)

Let's Review

Tonight during family scripture study:

Marty: Dorothy, what were the names of Nephi's older brothers?

Dot: Laman and.....Lemon oil?


Close enough, my dear:)

Ham.

Goose is a total Ham. I want to be as funny as her when I grow up:)

Dot's First Talk

Our sweet little Polka gave her first official Primary talk last Sunday. With Marty's recent release, we were both free to watch her and support her on her special day. (As a side note, Marty was called in as the Young Men's President for our ward--in case you were wondering!). Dorothy literally spent hours preparing her talk. She and I spent time brainstorming and talking. Then she and Marty spent more time together on it as she drew a picture for each part. She insisted on not only drawing a picture, but also writing out each piece. I am so proud of her for wanting to go the extra mile. Here she is with the final product.

"Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers"

"Bedtime"

 "Before we eat"

"Before long trips"

(I love that this particular long trip is in a covered wagon)

"When we need comfort"

(she wanted to draw Christ coming to her when she is crying)

"To keep us safe and warm"

(this is when the power went out during last winter's blizzard. She remembered praying and then before we fell asleep the power came back on."

"When I pray I am talking to God."

"Morning Prayers"

"Understand scriptures"

(she ended by saying that our prayers can help us better understand the scriptures and find answers.)

What a neat experience to watch the testimony of such a sweet little spirit develop. I am feeling so blessed to be a mother and to have these experiences.

Art Folders

For the time being, our dining room has become the official art station. We have moved meals to the kitchen nook, and the girls have free reign to draw, paint, cut and glue, and create to their heart's content. While I love this arrangement for many reasons, I do NOT love when the floor becomes so littered with discarded pictures that we are all slipping and sliding across it. So, on a recent trip to Target, I let the girls each pick an art folder to hold their favorite pieces.

I love how their personalities come through in their choices. My serious little artist, Dorothy, chose the artsy looking white with paint splotches. My silly and care-free little artist, Lucy, chose the Yoga Dogs--and could not be persuaded otherwise! 

Now our dining room floor is a bit cleaner, safer, and I find a reason to smile every time I see their folders.