Oh my, oh my..... how time does fly!


It seems just weeks ago, I was watching this little, snaggle-toothed boy walk through the double doors, into his first year of school...... and feeling as if my heart were walking away from me.

This mama had a harder time transitioning to this life change than he did. I remember agonizing during the year leading up to school about the best way to educate him.... should I homeschool, put him in public school, find a private school? I wanted him to have the best possible start for his "official" education.

Now, his Kindergarten graduation is coming up next week, and I wonder how it came so soon. I'm grateful for his little, country school that gave him a great first year.

Just last week, I came with my camera and took all the kids' yearbook pictures...... and I saw in their faces and smiles, the results of a small, close-knit community school.

Yesterday, I gathered with other school moms and community members, and peeled apples, and baked apple dumplings and pies all day in the school cafeteria in preparation for the school's annual Ice Cream Social. Everyone knew each other, and the 9 hour day of baking didn't seem tedious in the least bit, with all the conversation, laughter, and shared work. Students came in and out to help.... they made signs, and decorated the school. Community, as it was meant to be. Education, as it was meant to be.... a joint effort between parents and teachers, and the local community.

And I ended my day.... and I will end this first school year.... with gratitude.

A Southerly Wind.......


I heard it in the wee morning hours.... It jolted me out of my dream. It shook and rattled the house. Then I heard a familiar Thud....Slam! The sound that I hear when Sir Laughsalot has had a nightmare.... the thud as he jumps out of bed, and the sound of his door slamming behind him as he bolts to our room. He jumped into my bed, wide-eyed... "what is that sound, mommy?"

"Just the wind, sweetie..... it decided to come out and play tonight."

'but it's scary..... i want to sleep with you.'

"No, let's go back to your room and get all tucked in... it's the middle of the night. Do you remember, in our book, how Laura Ingalls spoke of the wind howling in the winter time, rattling their windows and doors, like it was trying to get in? But she wasn't afraid..... She felt safe and warm and cozy, tucked into their little cabin.."

'yes, mommy....'

"Well, that's just what the wind does in the winter. I think it wants to come in out of the cold, too. So it raps on our windows and doors. That's why we should be thankful, like Laura, that we have a warm, cozy house to sleep in....and we don't have to sleep outside in the cold, like the wind."

'poor house......and poor wind', Sir Laughsalot sighed, as he snuggled back under his covers.

I went back to my room and lifted the window shade. The sky was grey and wintry, and I could see all the trees bending and swaying.... and my heart was grateful for this early winter wind.... because it brought a little, stolen moment of sweetness and comfort in the middle of the night.

Breastfeeding.......... It does a baby good.

As I was trying to figure out what to post for Mother's Day, I started thinking of a worrisome trend in our culture. There have been a couple of episodes in the last year where nursing moms have been singled out and shunned. One, a nursing mom on an airline who was asked to leave the plane for nursing her baby and another family that was asked to leave a Ronald McDonald house for nursing in public. I remember well, when I was nursing, having to remove myself in public places and sit in a dirty restroom stall or go out in a freezing car to nurse because of people that were uncomfortable with me doing it in front of them.

I find it quite the oxymoron that we are bombarded with sensual images of women's breasts every day...in the grocery store aisle, on T.V. , billboards, etc. But when a woman (barely) exposes herself to use her breasts as they were meant to be used, people are highly offended. I don't think it was always this way and am highly suspicious that this trend of prudence began during the Victorian era.

I think no matter what route a mother chooses to feed her newborn, it needs to be supported. I, personally, felt breastfeeding was what would be best for me and my son. And I cherished those moments of bonding and closeness....him gazing into my eyes and grinning as he nursed. And I hope the tide starts turning towards an acceptance of mothers nursing...the most natural thing in the world to me. And that the decision is supported in public places, also....that a mom doesn't have to sit in a filthy restroom to nurse or practically smother her baby with a blanket to hide herself.

The picture above was taken at a music festival....which, by the way, are great places for breastfeeding. There tend to be a lot of hippies and "earth mothers" who smile at you warmly and knowingly when they pass instead of giving you sharp and unapproving glances. :) A good link for breastfeeding advocacy is here. And rant aside....I wish all of you mothers a wonderful Mother's Day! I've enjoyed the fellowship and kinship of all of the fellow mommybloggers out there.......