Because we're happy (like a room without a roof)


Good morning and afternoon and evening!  
Folks, we are happy, happy around here today.  In fact, I've been waiting for this day all week long.  Not because it's Friday (although that's good too) but because warmer temps and the bright sun showed up and word on the street is they don't plan on packing up 'till next week maybe.
 In other words, we've been set free from the cage of "stuck inside".  Can I get a hallelujah?!  And throw in an AMEN while you're at it.  I have all kinds of little ideas, posts, and photos to share with you but today is worth stopping for and just remembering exactly how it is.  Messy, imperfect, perfect. Anna Ruth and I started the morning off together.  We snuck into the kitchen and made pancakes.  (Gasp-the internet wouldn't work so we even had a little lesson on cookbook indexes to find a recipe).  She, of course, entertained me with adorable conversation.  

 Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.  I had a waffle with natural peanut butter and real maple syrup.  It was divine.  In fact, maybe I'll have another sometime this weekend…That is my favorite waffle combination..throw in a few cups of almost black coffee. Whoa. 
 As I started the morning chores the good 'ol negative energy that likes to show up in the winter decided to rear its ugly head.  We just don't do well living inside all the time!  We are not couch-sitting types of people.  Give me the garden, river, lake, and cows any 'ol day.  I held the girls off as long as I could then gave them the "go ahead!" to get ready for outside.  Boots and coats went on over pi's and off we went.

 Anna Ruth frequently asks to do "Messy kitchen play" so that was first on our priority list.  
 She even baked me a delicious cake.  Outdoor cafe? Yes, please.

 Us Torbett girls sure know how to roam.  We delight in a whole lot of fun out of a little bit of nothing. I don't see it as boredom at all, but rather a challenge.  How much fun can we have today with nothing obvious in sight to play with? I love that kind of thinking.  We ventured off on a "nature walk"..which is kind of a funny thing to say considering we live on a farm so everywhere is nature!  

 What goodies we found!  I teach the girls there are always treasures to be found, if you only look close enough.  Yes, even when the color scheme outdoors is dull brown and gray.  I adore the lacy pattern on these leaves...
 and the bright green moss and dried flowers and plants we discovered.  So much texture!  

 We decided today would also be a good time to pull out one of our Christmas presents, the microscope!  Bound to make almost anything more interesting.  Betsy Grace didn't quite grasp the concept no matter how many times I showed her and ended up using them like glasses.  


 I was so proud when Anna Ruth excitedly squealed and showed me a bird's nest!  Sometimes it feels like I'm doing such a bad job parenting, to be honest.  But then I hear my girls appreciating God's nature or saying "Mama-look at the sky", or mimicking a bird.  And I think to myself, I must be doing all-right.  Does that make sense to anybody?
 Once we came in for lunch, the day got even better!  My neighbor friend texted and asked if she could come over.  After assuring her she was welcome any time, she and I got to visit while the girls ate lunch and watched cartoons.  Isn't it something when you have a friend who doesn't  notice your makeup free face, your messy hair and house?  

It's heaven on earth, that's what it is.  

 I am learning lately how I often trade the cheaper, less quality of things in life for the best and suffer for it.  And I suppose I don't really mean "things" at all.  Like not inviting people over because I'm admittedly tired and my house doesn't look the cleanest leaves me feeling empty and lonely.  I'd much rather have a house full and just be myself.  That leaves my cup full and overflowing.  Some of the most tired people I know are the ones trying to be it all, do it all, and look perfect along the way. I can say that because I've been there too. 

Today, standing among the messy floor, in my regular mom clothes chatting with one of my best friends….I felt happy.  Like a room without a roof.  And real.
 Of course today has also included a bit of art.  I've been trying to stay disciplined about getting up before the girls and enjoying some time in the studio.  This mornings task was to tidy up!  I just finished a painting I love and have many ideas for blog posts, retreats, activities with my girls, etc…so I needed a blank space (well, sorta) to let those things grow in. 

 I'm just loving how the background paper is looking on my counter! 
 What a nice little treat today has been! Gimme all the sunshine and outdoors my body can hold.  The girls (and Brett) and I plan on spending hours and hours outdoors this weekend. Glorifying God and thanking him for a bit of a break from being stuck indoors (which we do try to make the most of…but we're happy to be free for a few days).
 I have all kinds of artsy stuff in mind, but lately I've been reminding myself of Momastery's blog post recently…that we are enough, we have enough, there is enough.  Meaning, pausing to rest or fill back up with ideas and inspiration doesn't mean we're missing out or losing opportunities or going too slow.  Believe there is enough.  That God is our provider.  That He brings opportunities and jobs and ideas….they aren't snatched away because we needed a pause.  I remind myself that I'm a real human being on this side of the computer.  That it's ok to need real life self care…real good dates, a nap, art journal time galore.  

And so, that's just what I plan on giving myself permission to do.  
I've had an army of fillings and a crown put on this week (don't ask) so a bit of a toothache is causing me to remember…rest my child, just rest.   

Here's to being happy, like a room without a roof this weekend. 
GO,
play,
laugh and giggle and snort,
take a bath,
read a book,
draw,
say something,
say nothing,
dance,
listen to goooood music,
eat a plate of really great food,
ease up on yourself,
invite grace and goodness in,
tell perfectionism to leave,
thank God,
linger,
go slow,
watch Parenthood,
notice the light,
light a candle,
take a photo of something that delights you,
be kind.





20 comments:

  1. Hi, I just saw Alisa's post about you! You're awesome! I love your work, and your blog! So glad to "meet" you. :)
    Sheila in Denver

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheila! Thank-you so much for your kind words. It is nice to meet you as well!

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. :) Sounds fun, doesn't it Cheryl? A lot more fun than laundry, cleaning, more laundry.. you know what I mean!

      Delete
  3. Love Love Love this post today!!!!!

    Oh, and Collin and I went to Hobby Lobby today and the first thing that caught my eye was the magazine that your studio is in (on the last page)!! I showed Collin that my "friend" was in there and he thought that was pretty cool :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you Debbie! You are such an example to me….I love watching how you parent and enjoy your older kids. It makes me look forward to the older years just as much as these.

      Delete
  4. You sound wonderfully happy! - and yay for outside time, I know we go crazy stuck inside all day but sometimes the weather has distinct ideas of its own! It seems like you've found your groove, doing the creative things you love without trying to do all of the things you can think of right now :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Carie! You know what…being outdoors pretty much makes us wonderfully happy. :) It's just something about that fresh air. I just love seeing pictures of you and your kids and seeing what makes you all happy too.

      Delete
  5. Hello, it's my first time here, found you from Alisa's blog. SOOO excited you were a guest there, I love your blog, photos, words and warm heart. I too am a nature girl, just spent the week taking tons of outside pictures and it felt so good to be out in the cold sunny outdoors. I love the way God shares this beauty with us. So thankful for each minute of it too.
    Your girls are precious and their names are so sweet. I miss my kids at that age and making pretend food outside was a favorite of ours. They are teens now and out days are so much different, oh how I wish to go back to these carefree days. Enjoy them!
    I had to share too that my OLW this year is "delight" and seeing it here made me smile and brought delight to my heart, thank you for your beautiful way with photos and words.
    Happy weekend and enjoying more outdoor fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dawn! (what a lovely name)
      It is so nice to meet you! Thank-you so much for your kind words and thoughts…There's just something about capturing nature on our cameras that reminds us how special it is, huh. Thank-you for the reminder to enjoy these days…that's something I've heard often from parents of older kids. Sometimes I catch myself thinking "Do you know how good this moment/season/fun is right now?" And I do…It is a special time indeed. How neat your word is delight! There is so much to delight in when we fix our mind on that. :) Have a great weekend!

      Delete
  6. this is such a fantastic blog post, sara! i just love you, girl!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much Natalie! I love you right back! It's been too long since we've seen each other. :) Let's change that!

      Delete
  7. You are definitely "Blooming where you are planted". Your blog is truly inspiring and makes me very, very happy. I think that I was meant to find it. Your little girls are beautiful as are you.
    God Bless!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you're here Indigo! And thank-you for the kind words about my girls and I. The outdoors brings out the best in us. :) God bless!

      Delete
  8. Good stuff right here my friend, good God honoring stuff!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank-you so much Patty! I'm working on your little fun snail mail today :)

      Delete
  9. Welp you've made me feel ten and one times better! Pausing doesn't mean that God snatches away opportunites, jobs and ideas! That hit me like a ton of bricks...they almost become more visible when we pause you know! Thanks for the lesson!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Miranda! I'm glad I've given you some relief! For some reason this is a thought that had never occurred to me until recently. I've always had the mentality that if I don't work hard all the time some opportunity will be taken away. And that's just not God's grace story.. :) So, I'm praying some rest for you this week!

      Delete

I've got a new blog! Come see. :)

Room for the Rosy  is my new blog. I hope you'll come see.