{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  Photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

How internal dialogue colors our perception*

 

For days (weeks maybe), Sarah Annie has been wandering around the house, touching things, and saying "Crazy mess! Crazy mess!" It was beginning to make me feel a wee bit guilty. Is there not enough calm and order in her life? Yesterday, Mike heard her say it and without hesitation, he repeated it back to her: "Christmas! That's right, it's Christmas!"

She's been saying "Christmas" to almost everything she sees. And my head was such a crazy mess I almost missed it.

How are your crazy messes? Comments open:-)

*astute insight: Colleen Mitchell

Psst. It's Not Too Late!

If perhaps, your beloved has that endearing habit of wandering, dazed, through the mall at the eleventh hour, this is a post for you to leave open where he might wander by to see it.

Dear Husband,

It's not too late to get a Kindle.

There are big points to be won here. You can order it today and have it in plenty of time. You can show your thoughtfulness by loading it with:

One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voskamp's thought-provoking book which is only available on Kindle right now. She will curl up with Ann's poetry-prose and ponder the great gift you are in her life. It's a thoughtful gift that she will read only in small bites; it will leave her all glowy and warm and very much in love with life (and you).

and

Small Steps for Catholic Moms, the book I wrote with Danielle Bean. It's arranged to launch the new year with goodness and grace. She'll have a page a day all year long, to ponder her vocation, pray for her family, and give generously of herself to the people she loves. Every single day, she'll fire up her Kindle and remember just how thoughtful and encouraging you are.

So there, you see? It's not too late. And you won't even have to go to the mall.

Happy Birthday, Nicholas Karol!

It was a magical night, ten years ago. At the stroke of ten o'clock, I was hustling your big brothers and sister off to bed after having watched a Christmas special. Daddy was at the grocery store (back when there were no grocery stores in this town). Pop! I heard it and felt it--the unmistakable sound of labor beginning. Two hours until midnight. It was your due date. I never had babies on my due date. They were always late, sometimes even two weeks late. I like to be pregnant, tend to hang on. Besides, I wasn't really much into having a Winter Solstice baby. I was shooting for Christmas. You had other plans. Daddy hurried home and we left in a bustle. We'd done this enough for him to know I meant business.

 

This time was different, though. This time, Christian came along. Aunt Michele met us there to hang out with Christian. She brought her camera. Pictures of the moments after your birth are rare treasures that I couldn't upload very well this morning--sigh. We arrived at the Birthing Inn and we were assured that Margie (my favorite midwife) was on her way. Aunt Michele took Christian to get something to drink while we "got settled." We never got settled.

 

You barreled into the world a few ticks before midnight. Margie was there. Christian and Aunt Michele were not. A nurse went to find them and the cord cutting task was delayed until Christian could do it. Then, you and Christian and Daddy huddled together to brighten midnight of the longest night of the year.

And so it seems especially appropriate that the first hours of your tenth birthday--double digits!!--were marked in the quiet of the early morning with Christian and Daddy, gazing in wonder at the historic eclipse. Your life is like that--dotted with wondrous opportunities. And you notice them. You seize them. You are awake for them. Aware of them.

And I? I am ever aware of wonder of you.

Happy Birthday!

Waiting.