Happiness is a Kitchen Window

I love to be in my kitchen. I love that there is a window above my sink. There was a window above my Mom's kitchen sink when I was a little girl and it always struck me as something to strive for, something that I wanted for myself when I grew up. With the sun streaming in it brought so much natural light into the space, it made the kitchen happy, I think, and full of optimism.

For many years living with my Mom as a single parent we had to let go of that window. But we learned how. We grew from it and I discovered that I don't always need to have a window over the kitchen sink to be happy.

After my husband and I were married we lived in several different places. We had kitchens big and small, some with windows and some without. But my heart has always yearned for that window of my childhood. The one with cheery prisms of light full of laughter and love.

(photos by Southern Living)

Now I have found it again in this house that isn't perfect but is perfect for us. The window...my window...that brings in the light of my creativity. The window that helps me feed and nurture my family and in the process helps me find myself.

First Day of School!!!

This morning started like any other. Soft little boy limbs tucked under fuzzy blankets as they lounge on the couch in the living room and rub the sleep from their eyes. This has been our morning routine all summer. There is one thing that I have learned as a mom and it is that kids love the sameness of routine. The family rituals that are performed everyday make them feel safe and loved and help them have a sense of belonging. But today is officially not summer. It’s the first day of school!

There is an excitement in the air. An energy. An anticipation. There will be so much to do, to explore, and to learn!

At least that’s how my day looks, I don’t know about the boys;)!

The morning routine rolled by without a hitch; clothes, shoes and backpacks were laid out the night before. School lunches were at the ready in the fridge.
I have been waiting for this day with equal parts excitement and dread since the boys were just toddlers… since the boys were just a thought in my head and a dream in my heart. This is the start of a new chapter in our lives. Their first day of all day school. How will we manage it? Will they be worn out and too tired to play in the evening? Evening time is all we will have now. Will we be able to squeeze all the family fun and togetherness into a block of time from 4-8? It seems too restrictive. Too limiting. Not enough “mama/little boy cuddle time.” Will they remember how much I love them?

I hope that I have helped them gain the confidence and self-assurance to make friends with their peers and listen to their teachers and speak out in class and stand up for themselves and stand up for others. All. On. Their. Own. I want them to hear about how bright and funny and good they are from someone that isn’t related to them.

This is my hope for them, my prayer.

We will embrace this new routine and make it our own.

(I couldn't get a decent shot to save my life, or their's!)

(What a proud boy!)

(M looks worried...or constipated!)