not a bad day at the office

(my "Nature's Sketchbook" class, enjoying a beautiful spring morning, carefully observing and sketching the world around them)

Levi on the 7s: 9 Months

(Levi on the 7s - Archives)

whatever comes

In the harvest feast or the fallow ground,
My certain hope is in Jesus found
My lot, my cup, my portion sure
Whatever comes, we shall endure.
Whatever comes, we shall endure

-S. McCracken

Thankful this week. For...


- my little Levi, 9 months! (will post "Levi on the 7s" tomorrow!)
- a misty morning walk with Kirsten and baby Elliott
- my closet and Levi's nursery cleaned and organized
- another graduate class checked off the list for Bri, his "victory lap" around the Common
- my BFF, 12 weeks pregnant with Levi's BFF ;)
- lots of new hand-me-downs for the boy
- Rachel over, armed with plants and coffee
- a surprisingly healthy and vibrant garden
- when Levi stops his constant exploration just to sit and cuddle with mama
- Kimmie home earlier than I thought (!!)
- lots of energy and inspiration for new art lessons
- new cuddle sacks for new babies, Annie's baby shower and getting to see my Profe!
- worshipping with our neighbors at the Russian Orthodox Church, beautifully sung liturgy, countless candles, art everywhere, a friendly welcome, promise of collaboration in serving our city. 
- watching the Kentucky derby with Levi, with our derby hats on, of course... (by the way, who names their horse "I'll Have Another"? silly.)

jam

(Joining with SouleMama)

kid and his kitty

Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?  

~Irish Saying

(Levi's thoughts exactly.)

this and that

These days, I'm...


- trying to keep up with Levi as he explores every nook and cranny of the Kettle (trying to eat every dust bunny he can get his chubby little hands on)

- getting used to how much less I can get done in a day with a mobile baby. yeah, so much for doing a little lesson planning while baby sits next to me playing...and he's gone!

- counting down the days till Kimmie comes home from Africa (10!)
- looking forward to the first service of Highrock North Shore! (our commissioning service is pictured below)
- playing music, watching Levi happily rock, sing and clap
- excited to have an already full roster for my art classes next year and a waitlist to boot! wowza.
- wishing Levi didn't have to be sick...again. 3rd cold of the season? 4th? the sleepless nights of coughing all run together...
- wondering why his favorite toy is now a lint brush. gross.
- thankful for my selfless, romantic, hilarious, best-friend-of-a-husband - don't even get me started on this one.
- angry at the resident squirrel(s) who insist on uprooting my poor little pansies over and over and over again. 
- wondering if I'm almost finished with my "Salem" painting
- watching kitty and boy's blossoming friendship
- loving my "Nature's Sketchbook" workshop. and watching kids carefully observe, explore and draw the world around them. 
- excited that it's May! sister Katie's wedding month! huzzah!

- wishing I could bottle up "8 months". loving Levi's joyful smiles, friendly personality, unhindered curiosity, his altogether huggable kissable self - can it get any better than this?
- completely and utterly thankful for these full, beautiful, blessing-filled days

guest post

*edited. Sorry the link wasn't working earlier...
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Recently I was asked to guest post for a toddler art series over at Little Homestead in the Desert. Check out one of my favorite art projects for kids!