Feathering the nest–twig by twig. The front door might be different. The path to the bathroom might require an alternate. Different rooms with different colors. Home, but not home. However, I have a recipe for making Home.
The boys still cannot find “stuff.” I put the toothpaste in their bathroom, but they couldn’t see it in the top drawer. As a result, they stole mine. That’s some boy-raising at-home behavior. I’ve always said that the difference between a man and a woman is a man can find anything thing that moves, hence the hunter. The woman can find anything that stays still, hence the gatherer.
However, slowly I have been unpacking home. The blankets are pulled out and ready to wrap for a snuggle. My favorite Key Lime candle scent fills the kitchen. Narcissus Paperwhite wafts from my bedroom. And I prayed! I prayed for my sons, my home, my husband, and me!
The boys came home to dinner, chicken, rice, broccoli, and carrots, followed by ice cream and cookies fresh out of the oven. The little guys aren’t quite comfortable in their room yet, so I pulled out a few songs at bedtime: Simple Gifts, Holy and Annointed One, Away in a Manger, Think of Me, Ten in the Bed, and Blue Eyes (by me for my son). They drifted off to sleep peacefully.
Last weekend, we put in a few movies, Robin Hood with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland and Abbott and Costello. Laughter filled the house!
Then we set about to make memories. We took the boys to The Pinnacle, a place where my husband and I used to hike B.C. (Before Children).
This view was even more beautiful because it gave me an excuse to lay down on a bench, suck in ozygen, and give my screaming legs a rest.
Four little feet sitting all in a row!
Hiking up that hill surely symbolized the journey of our move: the pain of toiling, the beauty of the results
Faithful was worried the others would fall. He was probably worried he would, too! The line, “Mom, Really? Is this really worth a picture?” Meaning the possibility of one hurtling over the edge.
There used to be a crooked tree the boys loved at our other house. What a nice connection!
What a view!
What a memory!
Afterwards, we went to my favorite pizza restaurant. We hadn’t been there is over 20 years. Around the table at Papalenos Italian Restaurant , we broke the pizza bread, shared the slices, resting, finding humor, solidifying our family roots by making memories, passing the hot pepper and cheese, tenderly re-planting family roots gently pulled.
The Recipe for Home
A heep of prayer
Platefulls of food
A pinch of scents that smell like home
Snuggly Blankets
Memory Making Adventures
Songs
Laughter
A front door, or a side door, that says, “Welcome!”
Thanks for all your prayers during this Big Change! They have sustained me, given me courage, and filled me with joy!
Dear friend,
I loved this post. So personal. So honest. So warm…just so like Maryleigh. I can almost smell that scented candle, and taste the pizza.
Home is where the heart is.
Do come over to my Aug 31 post, there is something there to encourage your heart.
Love
Lidj
If it weren’t so hot, I would grab a blanket and cuddle up after reading this. Glad steps are moving along to feel more settled. Changes in routine can be hard (and hey, I am not a kid, hehe), but it sounds like wonderful memories are being made too!
Oh my, what a lovely hike and time with family. Sounds like you just moved, which I can imagine can be hard on the wee ones (and you too 😉 Hope it starts to feel like home soon.
Jamie 🙂
what a great way to make your house feel like home.
Oh, and I just love those old Eroll Flynn movies! My favorite used to be Captain Blood.
I love your recipe for home! Glad you’re doing better on the move 🙂
Wow! What a beautiful new place, and what wonderful adventures and blessings y’all have ahead of you.
It sounds like you are finding your way! Thanks for leaving me a comment. It has been hard and I think it may get harder for him to understand, before it gets better, but I still believe the time is your mind’s way of putting enough distance between your pain to let your heart heal! It is necessary! He will get through it! He is strong! This will help him see that!
Thanks again!
What a great post….Love your blog….
Hope you will stop by and visit my new Christmas blog.
I found you in the comments at Authorblog, where you were nominated for a POTD. I loved this post, as I am mom to four sons. They are at the top of my blog currently. I’ll visit you again :).
That looked like an amazing time. There is nothing better than fun with family! Beautiful post. Saying hi from SITS 🙂
Wow those pics make me want to strap on my hikers and get crackin! Too bad the only hiking I will be doing around here is through corn and the occasional soy field. How stunningly beautiful your pics were. Thank you for stopping by my blog the other day.
Great pictures. There is nothing better than stopping by a favorite restaurant after a hike. We have one we stop at every time after hiking up in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
That is one great recipe. It sounds like you all are getting settled in a bit. I am so glad. God will continue to arrange your days to make for great memories in your new home. He is good like that! 🙂
Christy
Hello, you have the most fabulously wonderful site here and I had to leave this comment for you ! Your posts are beautifully written, creative and original too, and you have interesting pictures.
It’s all perfect !
Thank you for sharing your site and best wishes…. ‘Happy September’….
Nice post. Hope you can make a lot more memories together. 🙂
You are so sweet and such a precious Mom to your sons. I’m sure your new place does feel like a HOME.
Bless you!
Beth