On Saturday In Connecticut

On Saturday we took a drive to Litchfield to go to Arethusa Farm, The ice cream was AMAZING (and yes, even dairy-free me threw caution to the wind and had a scoop with NO issues)! Once we made it to the farm we were beyond impressed with how gorgeous (and clean!) everything was and how truly happy and pampered those cows were! It was definitely worth the trip! xo

Yesterday In Bethany

Yesterday the girls and I spent the day in Bethany. We left right after breakfast and arrived, late morning, on what was easily one of the most perfect October days ever. After the girls showed Gramma Terri their Halloween costumes, they immediately went outside to do some exploring. Meanwhile, Gramma Fox peeled me an apple. 

While we were waiting for my dad and brother to return from a service call they were doing at Yale, Emma got a much needed haircut from our favorite hair dresser. As soon as her haircut was done she made a beeline for outside and got right back to exploring (and to wait for the guys to return home). 

After a delicious lunch, the six of us headed to the farm where we would go pumpkin picking as kids, and where my parents currently have their CSA. 

Goats were visited. 

And so were the chickens. 

It was a perfect day. 

When we got home it was Grace's turn for a haircut. 

They decided to recreate the above picture. 

Nailed it! 

And then there was more playing in the woods and the brook by the girls, and more wishing by me that we lived in a town like Bethany and on a piece of property like my parents. Though I have to say, that if that was the case, our nature loving girls would be even harder to get inside than they already are! 

While I was bringing things to the car in preparation for us to head home, Emma wrote this sweet message on the chalkboard in the mudroom. And for those wondering, Lily is my parents cat.

We then began the process of saying good-bye. It was then that we acquired eight Boxwood trees (or are they considered bushes?) that my dad was needing to relocate. Dave and the girls planted them today in a spot that was in desperate need of something. They look wonderful already and we are so hopeful that the will take root and grow big and strong in the months and years to come!

As the girls and I drove back to Massachusetts we chatted all about our day and all the wonderful things we did. They loved everything about our visit, but their most favorite parts were spending time exploring  and visiting the farm. And as I knew would happen they both said how much they wish that we "lived in Bethany or a town like it."  I wish that too, sweet girls, and who knows, maybe one day we will. xo

Sunday Funday

 Getting to spend Sunday with our best friends from college was the perfect ending to a fabulous weekend! xo

{This Moment} Gramma And Her Girls

{This Moment} - A Friday ritual. A single  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 are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a wonderful weekend! xo

Our Hearts Are Broken, Our Spirit Is Not

I have been sad all week. 

Last year, in the wake of the horrific events that took place in Newtown, my heart started aching for the families that lost loved ones that day and it hasn't stopped yet. When this week began I woke up in a funk and couldn't figure out why. It was only when I was adding something to our calendar that I realized what would arrive at the end of this week: the Newtown anniversary. As soon as I noticed it my mood made complete sense. And while noticing it didn't make it go away it at least cleared up why I felt like I had a little grey cloud hanging over head. 

The deep sadness that I feel can in no way compare to the emotions that the families have gone through and the feelings they've experienced over the course of the last year. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like for them. Many of them have shared their words and thoughts so beautifully. This video from Emilie's mama had me weepy from her very first word. And this gorgeous letter that Jimmy Greene wrote to his younger self brought the cleansing cry that I had been waiting for all week long. If you watch these amazing tributes to these sweet children please be sure you have a box of tissues nearby. 

And so I leave you with their words, along with a link to my blogpost from last year and finally the encouragement to go out into the world and spread as much love and kindness and goodness as possible. If you already spread lots of love and kindness and goodness spread more. For this world of ours could surely use it.

Hearts Of Hope

The last few days have been very somber here.  And yet, I have been longing for something to do.  Some way to let the people of Newtown know that we've got their backs.  That the world is holding them close and sending them lots of love and peace during this most tragic of times.  I kept trying to come up with something that we could do as family but nothing that popped into my mind seemed quite right.  And then, while I was checking in with the world this morning (Facebook, email, the blogs I follow) the perfect project was right there before my eyes.  Thanks to today's post on Frontier Dreams my answer had finally arrived!

"In memory of the recent tragedy in Newtown we are hoping to come together as a community in the thought that “those children are our children” and show the people of Newtown that we are in this together. So many of us watched the news with broken hearts and a feeling of helplessness. Here is the opportunity for all of us to show our love for Newtown, to let them know they are not alone. To let them know as they piece their lives back together that we are there to shed tears with them, prayer with them, and help in anyway we can.

Here is what you can do: Cut out a paper heart, decorate it, and write a message of love (positive messages only please). Address them to Hearts of Hope and send one or many and mail them to:

Newtown Congregational Church, UCC
14 West St, Newtown, CT 06470 or

First Church Congregational, UCC
148 Beach Rd, Fairfield CT 06824

We are going to take these hearts and cover Newtown with our love from around the world. We are going to take these hearts and hang them up in local businesses, churches, and banks so that no matter where the people of Newtown go they will be surrounded by love and reminded that from hate rises love and support. That humanity is still very much alive and if we band together with love and hope in our hearts we can accomplish so much more. It really does take a village..." ♥

Yes!  This was just what was needed! This, sweetly simple project was clearly what my heart was yearning for.  I quickly got to work sharing this on Facebook and on the homeschooling chat boards that I am a part of.  I knew that the odds were good that others would want to send notes of love along too.  

Once everything was shared and we'd gotten our day started, I gathered the necessary supplies and we got to work. The girls know nothing of the events on Friday. They simply know that something happened that made their mama very sad. When we sat down to begin this project they were very surprised to see hearts.  "Valentine's!"  they exclaimed and I replied "Well, sort of.  There is a town not too far from Gramma and Grandpa that is in need of some cheering up right now, so I thought it would be fun if we decorated these hearts and sent them their way."  The girls agreed and quickly got to work.  You could have heard a pin drop, everyone was so focused.  Lots of love was poured into the creation of each heart.      

And, while these hearts surely aren't going to take away the incredible amount of pain that the people of Newtown are experiencing right now, we surely hope that they bring some kind of comfort and peace to all who come into contact with them.  

Our friends over at Frog Creek have also listed a few ways to make donations for those who would like to do so.  You can check out that list here.  

We hope that you will join us by sending a heart (or two, or three, or four) to Newtown. Such a simple project, and yet, I have a feeling it will make such a huge impact on a community that so in need of some love right now. 

Sadness

Before I begin I should say that I have gone back and forth about posting something in this space, normally a place for peace and love, about the horrific events that took place in Connecticut yesterday.  After much contemplation I realized that I should go ahead and do so.  After all, had I maintained this blog during 9/11 I am sure that I would have written something about that fateful day back then.  

This has hit just a little too close to home for me.  First, it took place in my beloved home state.  A place I thought I would never leave.  That I would stay in and raise my children in and live out my days in (and who know, that may still happen). It took place a scant thirty miles from where I grew up and where my parents still live.  Second, it took place in an elementary school.  As a former elementary school teacher (one who would often times have to lead her students through lock-down drills) that made it all the harder.  Harder still was the notion that the children whose lives were lost, or, for the survivors, those whose lives were forever changed yesterday, are the same ages as my girls.  Kindergartners and first graders.  The idea that that could have been them yesterday absolutely rendered me a puddle.  If Grace and Emma were children who attended school, even though we are up here in Massachusetts, I know that I would have sped to wherever they were yesterday and pulled them out just to have them near me.  

I had to walk away from the computer yesterday.  I had so sign out of Facebook and find other ways to keep busy 'cause if I had stayed longer than I did (which was longer than I initially planned, mind you) I would have become more of a puddle than I already was.  The President's speech totally did me in.  The shock was palpable from each status update I read.  My heart was broken.  My stomach in knots.  I cannot imagine what I would be like had I known someone who was personally living this hell.  In an attempt to find normal in a day that was anything but we took the girls to the Christmas event at Old Sturbridge Village.  Being transported to the 1830s, when events of this nature did not take place, was a great escape, even if it was only for a few hours.  

Sleep last night was not to be had.  I tossed and turned, my thoughts constantly returning to those in Connecticut (who surely were finding sleep hard to come by as well). Around 4:30am I finally gave up and checked in with the world.  With CNN.  With Facebook.  In the quiet of the morning, while I lay next to Dave, and the girls were asleep down the hall, tears quietly trickled down my face.  There are families that will never have that again.  

So today we shall continue in our gentle ways.  We will figure out how to spread just a little more love.  How we can send a just little more joy and peace out in to a world in such desperate need of it.

"This morning, I want to keep our spaces sacred and fill them up with love.  May those suffering pain, fear, sadness and anger be held in the light, and may we all hope an strive for a little more compassion, love and peace in the days to come." -Amanda Soule 

A Very Quick Christmas In Connecticut

Due to the snowstorm that is on its way today, it was decided to that we should quickly stop by my parents house on our way to New York for Christmas with Dave's side of the family.  It was agreed on that it would be the quickest of visits, since we were due in New York for Christmas dinner. The original plan had been that we would Christmas with the NY/NJ crew on Christmas Day and have the CT contingent here at our house for dinner the day after.  With the large amount of snow predicted for us (12-20 inches here in our part of MA) it seemed that the smart choice would be to postpone Chrsistmas with my family and just do a quick pit stop on our way to New York.

Snack is a must at Gramma and Grandpa's.

Gramma and Grandpa gave the girls the bathroom for their new dollhouse!

Dave had my Dad for "Secret Santa".  He gave him chill drops for wine,

and a mug made at OSV.

I had my mom for "Secret Santa".  She recieved some goodies that the girls and I made while we

were elving,

a couple Christmas CDs,

and a book that she was really excited about!

"Oh, Papa!"

Giddy up, Emma!

It was totally fabulous to get to stop by and have Christmas in Connecticut, but we were very bummed out that Uncle Grant and Aunt Kaitlyn were not there.  We are hoping that we can have our Christmas with the whole family on New Years Day! 

An hour later we headed out to continue our journey to New York...