Weaving

Most mornings our bedroom door creaks open and I see no one but hear the soft pad, pad of someone's feet making their way to my side of the bed. Sleepily I open my warm duvet and arms and in crawls a little footed pajama Magnus with sleepy hair and sleepy eyes. He is quickly followed by two big kids in underpants only crashing into the space between their parents trying to find the prime location until I finally break free of it all to start the day. It is lovely and taxing depending on my tiredness level. Some days I wake up knowing I will be tired the NEXT day... Parenting young children is not for everyone. I think I most miss silence, just uninterrupted hours of quiet. It is amazing the noise and questions and thought engaging questions that can be demanded from three children aged 4-10. But I digress from my original point in writing... This weekend I honored one child's wish for a chance to be alone with Mama, weaving a basket and spending the night together in the wilds of Maine. I promised it to her on her birthday in July understanding just why she needed this quiet time, and this weekend it finally happened.
 Down the trail and through the woods...

We traveled to Koviashuvik Living Arts Camp for one blissful night away from the sweet and wild boys and man in our lives to make a basket together.

 There was plenty of time for fun when the basketmaking became Mama's chore because it was too hard to continue, the couple's little girl was the perfect distraction for her.

 We worked and worked and worked, ate good food and shared stories. It was a small group of seven adults and three teenagers, each so sweet and thoughtful in their own way.

 And back down the trail we headed Sunday morning, AnaSofia full of joy and lightly skipping in happiness. Weaving a basket, weaving in memories. Oh I so hope it will be stored in her heart for many years to come.

 Her packbasket has gone with her to school each day this week, filled to the brim with crocheting projects and whatnot, despite its large size to be in the car and on the bus. She is so proud of her accomplishment.

And those boys? They all were so happy to see us and Soren told the sweetest story of Magnus padding into our room Sunday morning and on making his way to my side of the bed, he just stopped and stared for a few seconds and said, "Where is Mama?" and after Soren's gentle reminder that I would be home that afternoon, Magnus sighed and said, "I miss Mama so much." Oh <3 br="" homecoming="" is="" so="" sweet...="">

Yesterday

Morning
whisper whispering in the wee hours of the morning "Mama, can I sleep with you?"
I pull myself from a deep slumber to make room for his little warm body to slide in next to me. He fits in beside me just so, little feet pushing through my legs and my arms wrapped around his little middle. How precious those moments are. Oh my goodness, how we love 3. Age 3 and all three. Age 3 is so special. A full, strong voice and a sweet, soft demeanor. Full of love and wildness and care. The other day we were at a play together and he rubbed and patted my back through the whole thing. I love him.
Back to that morning. Two other littles tumbling into bed and fighting for the spot next to Mama. I end up with the littlest directly on top of me, one to the left and one to the right of me. Soren tries to slumber on. Kasper loves his back rub and AnaSofia loves to talk. We pass the moments before sunrise listening to the ducks, watching the sky change from this color to that and keeping warm together in a bed not quite big enough for all five. Pure bliss.
I love them all.

Night

 We read in their three-tiered bunk bed. Usually I am curled in the covers with Magnus, then Kasper, then AnaSofia. Always rotating from bed to bed cuddling and snuggling for a bit before I say good night.
"I love you Magnus."
"I love you too Mommy" (tight little hands wrapped fiercely around my neck). Wow, Mr. Three. Thank you. Tears as I say good night to them all.
"I love you to infinity and back Mom," yells Kasper.
"I love you to infinity and back and back again," shouts AnaSofia.
"That's not possible!" says Kasper. And bickering ensues as I turn out the light. One more hug.
"It is okay guys, I understand. It is hard to put into words but we just feel it."
"I just love you SO much Mama."

Oh my dears. I know.

It all feels so precious and fleeting, doesn't it? Much like these days. The weather is feeling like early Spring rather than end of November and I am trying to immerse myself outdoors in the garden making more beds, working on the treehouse, planning more tree and garden space and just trying to be outside and soak it all up but it just isn't possible. It slips through our fingers no matter what...
Yesterday was one of those filled to the brim days. My heart bursting with love for this tribe I spend my days with - some days it is just so overwhelming - the desire to pause and hold them there, the late night wake up and prayer that we all are okay because right now we all are okay and it feels so good.
Holding on to that feeling of those tight squeezes and kisses from littles, the strong hugs of that gentle man and the warmth of the sunshine in December as long as I can.
Feeling grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!

I look at my yesterdays for months past, and find them as good a lot of yesterdays as anybody might want. I sit there in the firelight and see them all. The hours that made them were good, and so were the moments that made the hours. I have had responsibilities and work, dangers and pleasure, good friends, and a world without walls to live in.
― Beryl Markham, West with the Night

Wild and Free

Oh how lucky they are to be wild and free, soaking up every little bit this summer has to offer.

Has Your Dad Ever Brought Home Squid?

Soren has been a fisherman his whole life. He remembers keeping tanks of freshwater fish as a kid and going out late at night with a flashlight to get night-crawlers to feed his tank inhabitants. As a teenager, he traveled up the coast of Norway to fish and spend time with his Dad and his friend, Christian. This week he had the opportunity to go out at night and fish for squid. It was a pretty fun surprise for all the kids to wake up to the next morning. Thank goodness our kids are not squeamish or picky about food!

 

Community

 I catch a glimpse of the love and generosity of friends every where I turn here. Clara in the garden, Gema in the kitchen, Josh and Mel in the treehouse, Dave and Lori in the play structure, fields and tractor work, Jessie and Ryan in the flowers... The list goes on and on. This house is happily haunted with the love and care of others who care for us.

 

 The bounty we collect is not our own. It is filled with the love, hard work and care of so many others. I am intrigued by this kind of bartering with friends. Most often it is simply friendship but it feels good when it is something we know we can give back to them in some way. Unfortunately I find it hard to see my gifts and most often see what Soren can do for others. He can build, do plumbing, set up an electrical system... And his list goes on and on... Slowly I am working to see those gifts I can give to others beyond my sewing and cooking. It will come. In this moment, I am focused on being grateful for the gifts from others. Our little community pulling together stitch by stitch.

In the Thick of It

Our house and hearts are full. Friends and family streaming in and out. Just the way we like it. Home all day and outside just as much as possible. These kids of mine, they run outside at 7 in the morning and play until the sun has set. They walk to the garden with me, ride their bikes, swim, imagine and play. Thankfully they have friends willing to do just the same things and when their cousins came after a very long car ride, they taught them to shed their shoes and get dirty. It only took a day to convince everyone that mud and bare toes go together.