Marmie Reminders

"Empty Nest"

(Written by my Marmie the Fall I graduated from High School)

My house is growing emptier
As children leave the "nest" -
The days are getting quieter
The nights seem long, to rest.

I lie awake in bed at night,
And wonder how they are -
Not long ago, they slept here too
But now they're scattered far.

No "late night chats" - no "goodnight kiss"
Just quiet empty rooms
Bear witness to the changes here,
And add to Mother's gloom.

How fast the years have hurried by
since childhood days of play -
How is that they've grown and gone
And brought me to this day?

Sometimes I'd like to turn the clock
of time back just a bit -
To see their little faces smile
And hear their childish wit!

But I cannot - and life goes on
Though one day I shall see
Their image in THEIR children's eyes
Looking back at me.


You taught me well, Marmie.
I am learning.
I am savoring.
I had the very best teacher in you.
For this, I thank you...

The Little Things...

Because that's really what makes up our days...


...visits to the stream and lots of outside play.
And multiple cups of coffee for the Mama.

...reminders of God's majesty and beauty all around us...

...little touches of country, even though we're not technically there...

...evidence of three little boys...

...breakfast traditions and cozy starts to busy days...

May your Tuesday be full of all the special little things that make your home, your family, and your life uniquely...YOU!

Slow....see the sacred amidst the chaos.
It's there. We just have to look for it.

Happiness Is...

"Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling." ~ Margaret Lee Runbeck ~

Happiness is:

:: George. Our Pennsylvania deer - and a gift to Kev that hunting season five years ago. We had just moved to the city, and ironically this is the largest buck that Kev has ever shot. George is a good reminder of God's gifts, and grace, and provision. And sense of humor.

Happiness is also not having George hanging over either our bed or our fireplace. I'm as hick as they come, but I do have my limitations.

:: Planting seeds in the sunshine with my boys. And being chill despite the massive amounts of dirt that is somehow not making it into the pots. And remaining calm when they can't remember if they put seeds in certain containers or not. And honestly not worrying if anything will ever grow. It's the process that's good. I can always go out and buy seedling starters.

:: The first day of a kajillion where I will park myself on our front lawn and watch the hoolies tromp and splash and go hunting for all manner of creepy crawlies, leeches, diving beetles, and mosquito larvae; having my coffee grow cold because of the lure that the water has on me; and watching the joy and excitement with each successive treasure that is caught and found.

Also, giving Jesse a crash lesson on proper etiquette when he dropped trou and peed on our front lawn directly in front of an oncoming pickup. The two girls in the truck had their heads thrown back and were laughing their heads off. Glad we could spread a little joy...

:: Yelling and screaming at our first "find" of the season - a good sized newt that we all thought was a leech at first! Naming him "Georgie" and setting up a temporary home for our first of MANY critter finds.

:: Worrying far less about the laundry than I ever have, and figuring if I can't beat 'em, I might as well join 'em. It's only a load of laundry, after all. Like a moth to a flame, little boys are lured to the mud and the puddles.

:: Morning p.j. piggy toes. Delicious and nibble worthy.

:: Keens and torn jeans. "You can take me out, but you can't dress me up." - Isn't that how that expression goes?

:: New life all around me. Evidence of growth and promise of Spring.

:: God's gifts. Abundant and free.

Well, I guess if you count the chicken feed, they're not really free. In fact, they're probably more expensive that what I'd buy in the store. However, they ARE abundant, and they DO make me happy - therefore, they fit nicely into this post!

:: The boys and their kitty - equal affection and impishness.

"Blessings keep our awareness of life's holy potential ever present. They awaken us to our lives...With each blessing uttered, we extend the boundaries of the sacred and ritualise our love of life." ~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

The Hoolies are Home

Well, a pretty big something happened while the hoolies were away. Kade-myster lost hisself a third tooth, and the one right next to it is pretty loose, as well! He was pretty proud of himself! I keep doing double takes every time I look at him - it's totally changed his look for me. Super cute.

We kicked it up North yesterday morning, spent the day and the night, and then had a very loud and raucous drive home today. Whew! It was quiet around here last week.

It ain't no moe, that's fo sho!

This is Daddy-O and Kevy...being....Daddy-O and Kevy.

This is the little dirt road that I grew up on where my besty best lived in the house at the end. We had a fairy tale childhood - riding bikes, swimming in the stream, picking berries, sleeping over, making our own fun and adventure, driving our Dad's pick-ups in back fields, and just being little girls, wild and carefree. Most of my childhood memories involve you, sweet Amber. I get very nostalgic whenever I walk that little road.

This is our dirt driveway where Ransom proceeded to tromp in every single puddle and fall on his rear about eighty-five times, scream bloody murder, and go right back for more. It was awesome.

And now we are home, where we did this all day. We also planted us some seeds, caught ourselves a newt in the stream out front, played with the girls, visited our neighbors, and went for a lovely little tromp in the woods.

My little loves are all back in my nest - safe under my roof.

Cozy and loud.
Silly and messy.
Lovely and good.

Then and Now

Well, our week of being parents to just one little hoolie has drawn to a close. I tried my best to truly savor my wee babe and also conquer the world as much as I could knowing full well that as soon as all three whirling dervishes are re-united, conquering will be shelved for many more months.

I have forgotten what life was like with one - and with one with LOVES his sleep....like, we're talking 4 hour long afternoon naps and still goes to bed by 6:30 and sleeps in most days until 7:30 loves his sleep, kind of kid.

So, during those 4 or 5 extra hours a day that I don't usually get with three hoolies, Kev and I:

~ exchanged the boys library books for new ones
~ brought up from storage each boys' next size of clothing
~ put back in storage their previous sizes and most winter stuff
~ mucked out the girl's coop
~ Kevy and I had a hot date
~ completely cleaned and organized the big boys' room
~ totally and completely caught up on laundry
~ bought most of my seeds for my garden
~ read a whole book
~ tried to convince Kevy to buy me a lamb to surprise the boys. He's not biting.
~ cleaned and de-cluttered my house
~ put our outside patio furniture on the deck
~ semi-organized the garage
~ did a wee bit of shopping
~ stayed up late with Kevy just because we could
~ slept in most mornings
~ did a teensy bit of scrapbooking
~ worked on a course that we took last summer and still haven't completed

Having one child who really loves his sleep and who isn't too much of a whirling dervish suits my OCD personality very well. I can stay on top of things, and most things that I complete stay completed, for awhile at least. Life is orderly, it's relatively quiet, I get lots of "me" time, and I don't feel like I'm living on the funny farm most of the time.

This week was kind of reminiscent of the Amy six years ago - the Amy who took pride in her immaculate, de-cluttered house and completely ordered and in control life. Like it or not, that's not the Amy of today. I kind of miss that Amy and that easier life, but man - although life is crazier now, by far - it is also so much more FULL! It's full of life and fun and learning and growing. It's messy and chaotic and humbling and full of days where not a single thing gets checked off my list.

It's a life where just as soon as the laundry basket gets emptied, two little boys come inside from their play covered in mud from head to foot. It's a life where within an hour of them being home, their room will look like a cyclone because they'll be so excited to be back in their space and will want to go through everything that is "theirs." It's a life where my spotless floors will soon be covered with little boy wellie footprints from coming in from jumping in the stream and "forgetting" to leave them on the rug. And it's a home where the counterspace and floors will soon be covered with flour and crumbs, cracked eggs and coffee grounds from little boys excited to be big helpers.

And I'm completely okay with that.
In fact, as I type this, my belly is doing excited little flip-flops in anticipation of going to get them today.

A day will come soon enough, when my house will be pristine.
In the very near future, there won't be anymore legos in every single room of the house.
I'll only need to cook for two.
There will only be two pair of boots lined by the door instead of five.
Laundry will be perpetually caught up.

And I'm pretty sure, I'm going to miss this.

THIS is my life now.
It's messy and crazy.
Nothing stays done for long.
It's loud and it's raucous.

And I love it.

Signs of Spring

I have made a decision.

From here on out, I, Amy-from-Maine, do solemnly swear to no longer gripe about this blasted...er, I mean...blessed not-so-spring-like weather that we have been "enjoying" these past few weeks. Today, the sun is shining, the snow is melting, it's supposed to reach 50 degrees over the week-end, and come what may -- I shall embrace this Spring and whatever it looks like from here on out. (***)

I fully, and wholeheartedly agree that I am a very hypocritical Mainer when it comes to the weather, so from here on out, I am turning over a new leaf. In honor of this glorious event, today Sir Rancey Pants and I took inventory of the signs of Spring that really and truly are all around us right now.

Here's the proof:

:: The girls are finding bear batches of lawn to scratch and nibble, and they are happy as can be with their new found freedom.

:: A new centerpeice has found its way to our table, courtesy of Grammy Quint.

:: This is the last picture of the girls (for this post, anyway) I promise. This is what they look like when I call for them. They come running. Which makes Ransom die laughing. Which makes me call them all day long. Which is why we get along so well. Did you know that "bird" is the only sign that this kid uses consistently? He and his Mama - we love our chicken birdies!

:: We discovered a little nesty nest over on the far side of our property. Super cute.

:: Out little ditch is rushing right along - perfect for when the hoolies get back. This is where we spend much of our time outside. As long as this little stream is running, there are critters to be caught, there is splashing to be had, and there are boats to be floated.

:: My little collection of nesty nests is making its way back upstairs again after being relegated to the basement for winter hibernation.

:: The wellies are all lined up and ready for my boysies...who I am really starting to miss, by the way. The quiet and the extra sleep, the cleaner home and the lighter loads of laundry have been lovely, mind you, but I guess I like my boys more. I choose them.

:: Ransom and I just happened to pick up this birdy order form, just in case, you never know what could happen, we just might possibly place ourselves a wee little order of something, one never knows, you never can tell really what just might happen......

:: We also mosied over to our local hardware just for a little look-see at the seed packets. We came home with a few.

:: And my wee little geranium - which I have somehow managed to keep alive for almost a year now - shocker, truly - is starting to bud! Woot!


Yep. No reason to complain over here. Spring is on its way, I just know it.
The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and I am blessed beyond measure.

(***) If we get another snowstorm before the month is over, however, I fully plan to completely take back the solemn promise that I just made.

And Then There Was One...

When we drove home from the County this past week-end, we left the two biggest hoolies up with Grampy and Grammy to spend a few extra nights. The week-end was crazy with shower details and all the extra family home, so Mom begged us to let the boys stay a few extra days so that she could give them some uninterrupted Grammy time.

I know. She totally rocks.

Anyway, this is new territory for all of us. The boys have stayed for some extended time with them before, but always because we've had to go away - never "just because." So, when we drove out of the yard, with only the littlest hoolie in tow - we told the big boys that we would play it by ear and take it day by day, and whenever they were ready for us to come and get them, we would.

Saturday is the limit, though. Methinks they might choose to live up there if they could. In fact, one morning Jesse told me: "Mama. How about we sell our house here and we can all go and live with Grampy and Grammy?" Hmn. I love them dearly, but I'm kind of attached to my only little space.

So, this week, it's just Ransom and us. We wondered if he would be sad at all - or at least wonder where his big bros are. But, he's as happy as a lark! I think he feels like it's always really been about him anyway, so now he really does have full reign of the place!

And it really has been kind of special for boy #3 to get some uninterrupted Mommy and Daddy time. Each morning, he and I put on our coats and go to say good morning to the girls.

We collect the eggs together.

We organized the big boys' room together, and Ransom was in Heaven playing with whatever he wanted!

And, he's basically been at my side doing whatever Mama is doing and "helping" in whatever way he can!

It's been fun.

I know my two biggest loves are having the time of their lives, so I am savoring this little guy as much as I can.

I am trying to balance conquering the world with this extra time that I have on my hands, with just stopping and "being" with this little guy - just because I can. I don't often get pockets of true alone - one-on-one time - with my little boys, and I want to use it wisely. I want to learn him and savor him and really give him Mommy undivided. This time is a gift, really. A gift that I can give to my youngest that he doesn't get very often.

Mommy - all to himself.

So, for just a couple more days there are books to be read in a lap all to himself, snuggles to be had in a bed all his own, and snacks to be shared with Mama only!

Meshing the big boys back into society might be rough on this little guy!

Baby Showers in the County

This week-end, our little fam kicked it up North to throw my sweet little sister-in-law Jules a baby shower. The night before we had been having a hotdog roast in our backyard - hoodies and wellies on (read: no ski pants and boots), and our chickens were roaming quite happily all around our lawn that was, for the most part, quite snow free.

This is what happened when we went up home:

What the old folks call a "Spring Nor'Easter." This is the view from the porch of my parent's house. You should be able to see about five acres of potato field right off that porch. Not so much this week-end.

I'm sincerely trying not to hate my Pennsylvania friends who all have their gardens already planted in their yards that have already needed to be mowed in their happy little towns where they are running wild and free in t-shirts and shorts right now.

But I digress...

Instead I shall dwell on the positives. Like the fun little country baby shower that we had this week-end. This is my little country church that I grew up in way up in East Hodgdon, Maine.

This is the view from one of the sides of the church:

And another side:

And still another:

It really is in the country. And it is very quaint and sweet, and practically everyone who goes there is related, and there are like four generations of families who worship together on a Sunday morning, and it really is just one of a kind.

My history is there, and I love it. Funny how I am so super non-traditional in just about every way when it comes to church and worship and all things related. But, these are my roots, and I love bringing my family home to them.

Anyway, back to the shower. We decorated it very simply with tons of my homemade quilts and blankets that so many people have made for me for all of my babies.

We made boatloads of food, so we prayed really hard that people wouldn't be too overly worked up by the blizzard that just took place all flipping day and night previous and that they would brave the roads....they do live in Maine, after all. This shouldn't have been TOO much of a shocker.

And tons of ladies came, and we really did have tons of fun.

We played this one game where I had every candy bar and type of candy imaginable, and I set it up like a version of BLURT, where I would yell out a description of something to do with babies or labor or whatever, and whoever could yell out the name of the candy that best fit the description would win that candy bar for their prize. It was really fun, and a little risque - I wasn't sure if the older ladies would see the humor, but I got lots of cackles from the peanut gallery, so it was a success.

Here are some examples:
The night of conception - Skor
Daddy at conception - Big Hunk
The drive to the hospital - Rocky Road
Epidurals - Life Savors
Hospital Accountants - Nerds
Hospital bills - 100 Grand
Postpartum Stomach - Jelly Belly
Choosing Baby's Name - Whatchamacallit
Teething - Crunch


We played more silly games, we laughed, she got tons of loot, I read a little devotional that made me cry which made HER cry, which made us both laugh...she said that was her favorite part because she's never seen me cry before. I said I would rustle up some tears for her whenever she asked because I love her that much.

And then we proceeded to LIVE on egg salad sandwiches, veggy platters, cheese ball, and shower cake for the entire rest of our visit...

My ENTIRE family was up for the week-end - that's 15 of us now - so it was busy, and LOUD, and non-stop crazy. But it was also delightful and wonderful, and now my house feels super spacious and really REALLY calm and quiet. It's weird.

I don't quite know what to do with myself...

The Tangible Kingdom

God is moving.
Our hearts are stirring.
We are listening.

We don't know exactly what it's going to look like, but we feel Him asking us to trust.

And to move.

Is it founded on Biblical principles? For sure.
Is it for everyone? No.

And that's the beauty of the Body of Christ!
Some are the eyes, some are the arms, and others are the feet.
We are ALL called to live it out, and we all do it a little differently.
We know this isn't for everyone, and that's okay.
We all have our own walks, our own relationships with Christ, and our own journeys.

WE are just trying to live out our part.
We're trying to listen to our Savior.
And we're trying to do it in a way that honors Him and brings Him glory.

"The Kingdom of God is near."
WE make it tangible.

More to come...

Grace Poured Out

"The evening meal was being served...He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him...

When He was finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you."

~ John 13:2,4,12-15 NIV ~


There was no "Don't make me look bad while I'm away."
There weren't any last minute rules and reminders.
There were no stern warnings about making sure they didn't mess up.
There were no commands to "tow the line."
No hurried agenda to force a few last minute instructions at them.

Like I would do to my kids if I knew I was going to be leaving them with someone for a few days...

In Jesus' final hours, there was, instead - grace poured out in abundance.
A towel wrapped around a waist and knees bent in service.
For His children.
His forsakers.
He takes their feet and their filth, and He washes them.
He poured grace and blessing all over them.

May I not only DO thanks and COUNT thanks.
May I learn to give the thanks away.
I am full and I am blessed.
And I have been blessed so that I might BE a blessing.
In expressing gratitude for all of the blessings freely given to me, may I finish my days in becoming the blessing to those around me.

My biggest complaint?
My greatest stuggle?
"I don't have the time."

I have time. What is time for if not to bless?

And a life contemplating my blessings fulfills itself in ACTING the love of Christ.
God calls me to give thanks.
But more so - to give the thanks away...so that my life will become the very blessings that I have received.

Grace poured out...splashing all over every one with whom I come into contact.
So that my thanks-giving literally becomes my thanks-living...

A Week-end Away

According to my (not so very) vast amount of personality/temperament knowledge about myself, I am a "task-oriented people person." In non-scientific terms, it means that I love to be around people; I love doing things WITH people, but I am also very much a get-er-done-er. I like to be getting things accomplished WHILE I am with people.

SO.

A scrapbooking week-end away with a bunch of my peeps is an absolutely perfect getaway for this girl. I get to work on my photo albums - which I really only work on about once a year, but I get to do it with my gerls.

Oh man. Bliss.

Every March, from a Friday afternoon to a Sunday afternoon, we spend our days at the lovely Bar Harbor Inn - overlooking the ocean, we drink vast amounts of coffee, we stay up way WAY too late, we go out to eat, we get take out to eat, we buy treats to eat, and we visit and catch up on life, share our hearts and our hurts, laugh and act ridiculous, and just have an all around glorious time. While working on our scrapbooks.

It. is. lovely. I tell you.

All in all, I worked on 108 pages. To be fair - I only did 45 pages from start to finish, I had 34 other pages done (from three years ago) that needed to be journaled in - so I finished those, and I did everything BUT the journaling on 29 more. But, no one really cares about that but me, I am aware. My point being - my task was accomplished!

And the fellowship was wonderful. Some friends who I see often and others who I only hang with this one time a year. All in various stages of life and ministry and work and philosophy and dreams and desires and hopes and struggles and victories.

All of us in process.
All of us on a journey.
Friends and sisters spending a couple of days together away from our regularly scheduled lives.

And now I am home.
Refreshed and ready to be back in the world of my men.


And I think they kind of missed me.