Gratitude

That's the overwhelming feeling I have lately. I'm so grateful to have this life. After dinner last night, Eli was putting the girls to bed and I was outside watering the seedlings (our well house is broken again....that means hand watering about which I could complain, but last night was nice). As I was walking back and forth between the rain barrel and the garden, I had a chance to really *BE* in a way I don't usually get to be (the mind can work when it isn't surrounded with the noise of kids). The sky was getting dark, the moon was out, as the wind blew the clouds around the crescent shape would get slightly larger, then slightly smaller. It was down right cold but not unpleasantly so. The day's traffic had slowed and all was just right.

I happened to look over at the neighbor's house...the ones right across the road with two kids under 12...and they weren't home. Eight-ish at night and their house was dark. And this is typical. It's a dual-income family and they don't get home till after dark. I am so incredibly grateful that my life isn't like that. I know some people choose it and love it and some people have no choice but to live it. However, for me, my heart just broke thinking of what that would be like. So I finished my watering last night with a full and totally present heart. Grow little seeds, feel my love.

Since I last posted, I've added a row of bok choy and another row of sugar snaps. It's a slow process without a tiller. I've also gotten quite sidetracked with my flower beds. I'm adding some photos of the plants that have popped up thus far. We've also been living up to the name "mamasprings". The kids aren't quite done with their winter activities and the spring ones have already started so we are busy, busy shuffling the girls to and from soccer, art, drama, school. I am trying to be happy with my stolen moments outside though I think the gardener always feels behind this time of year.