pure food.  pure body.  my inspiration. my goal.  it will be difficult for me.  i will surely be challenged.  yet, i must succeed.  we have finally received some answers to isaak's eczema. although challenged before, and not revealed... we have come to learn that our sweet boy can no longer partake in dairy or gluten. that is quite a blow given isaak's deep love for everything bread.  i will surely be researching how to bake fresh, gluten free bread!  so now, we will embrace all food which is pure in hopes that isaak will come to enjoy a body that is pure. any suggestions on gluten/dairy free food/menu ideas welcome... 

some days we need to be reminded to stop.  to be still.  to breathe deep.  to find serenity in the midst of our busy, hurried, full days. moments pass far too quickly.  take time to stop and savor the sunsets.  be encouraged to find gratitude in your soul.  choose to let go of whatever is hindering your ability to give praise.  realize how blessed you are.  unplug the television.  turn off the noise in your head.  walk away from the computer.  don't answer the phone.  put down the book.  just be still.  if only for a moment. and see the beauty all around. 

oh, how i adore children's artwork.  it truly is amazing to see god's creations through the heart and hand of a child. simply given paper and artist oil pastels, isaak joyfully and intentionally created his masterpiece.  "look!  i made the sun, a rainbow, and some squirrely mountains!"  indeed my love.  i see them beautifully.  be encouraged.  take time to joyfully and intentionally create. it surely does fill the heart.  

today, we enjoyed making and eating cupcakes and frosting from scratch and drinking ice cold lemonade with friends. the sun was shining.  the wind was gently blowing. we thought it a good day to officially say hello to summer. welcome summer.  we are glad you are here. we have lots of plans during your stay!

blessings for a beautiful day.

as a mama... i am heartbroken.  exhausted.  sad.  my oldest son has suffered from severe eczema since weaning from nursing, at just 9 months.  we have tried varying and countless doctors and remedies for healing.  thanks to my mama for the help and support as all of these efforts are insanely expensive!  and none have yet to work.  he is almost 4.  he still suffers. as do i.  not from eczema, but from the sadness a mama feels when her child is not well.  this is what we woke up to today.  it is all i can do to not well up in some serious tears. yesterday, my good friend called me. she said she woke up at 340 in the morning with a heart for isaak.  with concern, she began praying. little did she know, that was the exact time isaak had woken up in pain from this horrific burden. although difficult, i will not give up hope.  i will remain grateful.  if you feel so lead, please pray for my sweet son.  for relief.  for healing.  

a precious father's day moment.  scot rocking ezra. they gazed into each other's eyes for quite a long time.  smiling.  giggling.  talking.  sharing abundant happiness.  i overheard scot whispering sweetly to ezra "always keep that joy!  don't ever let anyone take that away from you.  keep that joy my son."  so beautiful.  happy papa's day my love.  

this afternoon brought about a special visit.  outside my bedroom window on our front yard, was a wandering mama duck and her ducklings waddling about.  unfortunately isaak was asleep, being nap time and all. but ezra and i headed out to witness the charm.  it brought me such joy to watch ezra smile and giggle as he focused on the birds.  to stop and savor the beauty of this duck family was delightful.  to watch the ducklings follow their mama with such concentration made me think about how our little ones watch so intently, every move we make, every word we utter.  to watch the mama protect her little ones made me think how motherhood is so instinctive and universal.  us mamas together, enjoying the day with our loves.

today i am grateful for this.  ezra's sweet lesson.  determination.  he will

get that fist, fingers or thumb into his mouth... oh yes he will.  and after the 

effort, comes much joy.  it's so easy to give up on what we want.  but if we can just persevere, we will find success.

this image was captured on our adventure to the zoo last week.  an amazing bald eagle's nest.  what an incredible example in the art of parenting.  the preparation, diligence, effort and time that it takes to build a nest is inspiring.  as i observe the natural world around me, i find beautiful examples and lessons for life. it is my desire to create the best nest that i can for my young.  a fortress.  a safe haven.  a resting place.  and watch with joyful anticipation as they spread their wings and fly.

this moment was captured, babe in arms, during our day at the park.

i was then inspired...

the peacock. by gene griffin.

there he goes with his head up high, proudly thinking, "no creature is so beautiful as i."

he struts about with an arrogant air, satisfied with his beauty so fair.

the peacock thinks himself to be without flaw, thinks that all who see him should be in awe.

his creator has given him a plumage rare, causing all that see him to stop and stare.

the peacock has a flaw not plain to him, a flaw to his eyes very dim.

he arrogantly prances about with very ugly feet,

proud of his beauty, but deceived-like so many we meet.

he's not altogether what he thinks he is, to see himself as he is would be great bliss.

but he struts about with blinded eye, thinking, "no creature is so beautiful as i."

the peacock teaches a lesson true, that there are flaws in me and you.

that we are not so mighty and so high, that we should see ourselves with the humble eye.

this photograph and poem remind me that we are all beautiful and we are all flawed.

i tend to overlook my flaws. my desire is to change that. i want to continuously challenge

myself to grow. to admit. to gain wisdom. to live with a humble spirit. may you be

encouraged by the beauty of the peacock. may you consider the challenge of living humbly.

today was a magical day in the park.  spent with family.  enjoying games, laughter, a picnic and good times.  learning new skills.  being challenged.  exploring.  discovering.  observing.  a fine day indeed. 

1. SMELLING the rich aroma of coffee

2. TASTING my favorite bagel [thanks to the delivery from my thoughtful husband!]

3. FEELING soft, fresh baby skin

4. HEARING sweet bird songs

it is a lovely day.  

the elements of my evening.  so divine.  but i must confess... dishes are left in the sink, folded laundry remains on the dining table, floors need vacuuming.  and yet, mama indulges.  oh, yes.

today, we went for a walk to the park.  today, i remembered.  just one year ago, this street signal was not in existence.  it's location... at the exit of our neighborhood and entrance to the park.  just one year ago, i was driving home with takeout thai food.  but this was not like any other evening. normally i would've had my son with me.  this night i did not.  instead, god had a plan.  as i began to turn into our neighborhood, my windows down, i saw devastation.  a woman lay in the street.  a large truck behind her, and a man standing over her yelling for help.  it was a busy evening.  many people in the park for soccer and volleyball.  many cars making their way home for the night.  i remember hearing "help!  we need somebody who knows cpr!"  my car was turning left, right next to them.  i knew this was my call.  i parked and ran.  another man joined me.  together, we were a team, performing cpr.  working to save a life.  the world around me was a blur.  i held her head in my hands.  praying.  hoping.  performing cpr.  moments later medics arrived.  with stained hands, i removed myself.  i would later come to find out that this woman was a teacher at a faith based school in the community.  she was a wife.  a mom.  her family was in the park.  she was just crossing the street to retrieve something from her car.  that night would forever change many people's lives.  it is so easy for us to think that we control our days.  that we can choose what happens with our lives.  and in some ways, we can.  but this experience taught me so many things. as i passed the signal today, i was reminded.  reminded that our days are numbered.  reminded that we cannot control our lives.  reminded that we cannot live in fear, bitterness, anger, sadness.  and so, i walk on.  in remembrance.  with appreciation.  humbly.  and choose to be grateful.

the morning greeted me with a joyful isaak proclaiming "good morning mama.  look outside... it's going to be a beautiful day.  the trees are growing!"  indeed.  the trees are not the only thing growing.  my boy surely is as well.  so grown up.  and yet, so young.  these are the days.  today, i am grateful for a beautiful day [as claimed by my boy] enjoying: 

:: hot decaf coffee [trying to be grateful for the coffee, but the decaf thing is so not working               for me.  i just can't do caffeine right now.  ezra does not jive with it!  sad mama.  happy                 baby.]

:: fresh pancakes

:: joyful kiddos

:: a day at the zoo

:: inspired blogging

:: a delicious dinner cooked for us

:: a visit to grandma & grandpa's

:: cuddling ezra and enjoying his sweet sounds

:: bedtime stories with isaak and his new desire to "read" to us

:: time to connect with scot

this week, applesforpoppyanne.typepad.com had us on the lookout for numbers.  it is fascinating to realize how numbers play such a significant role in our daily lives.  waking, dressing, cooking, calling, driving, reading, buying.  numbers, numbers everywhere!

today i am grateful for the gentle reminder of the importance of growing peace.  i was reading about peace in our everyday lives just a few days ago.  being for peace- having a heart for peace, harmony, laughter and love.  thinking for peace- intent thoughts of letting all beings be happy, loved and peaceful. feeling for peace- experiencing the emotions of compassion, understanding and love. speaking for peace- creating happiness in the listener, refraining from complaints, condemnation and criticism. acting for peace- helping others in need.  creating for peace- create trust and eliminate hidden hostility and suspicion.  and finally, sharing for peace- sharing your practice of peacemaking with two people.  i was encouraged upon reading these peaceful principles, and hoped to work on creating these habits.  and then today, i was completely humbled by my three year old sweet isaak. he was not listening.  i had repeated my request to him several times.  he was still not listening.  i raised my voice.  you know, the mama voice... the listen to me now kinda voice.  and his reply.  in an ever so sweet, soft, gentle, PEACEFUL way... he utters "but mama, could you please be kind?" oooooooooooooh boy.  my heart melted.  i was instantly convicted.  i apologized.  and then, once again, continued with my request and his need to obey.  and then the scenario played in my head.  i thought about the huge responsibility we have as parents in growing peace within our little one's spirits.  this will be my prayer.  this will be my hope.  may you enjoy peace in your life and bring peace to others.

parenting is indeed a time of learning. i've been learning there is a time for everything with our little ones...

a time to correct, a time to cuddle.

a time to work, a time to play.

a time to cry, a time to laugh.

a time to refrain, a time to help.

a time to observe, a time to engage.

a time to dictate, a time to negotiate.

a time to be silent, a time to be loud.

a time to follow, a time to lead.

a time to rule, a time to release.

a time to listen, a time to speak.

but always... a time to love.

i am hoping i can know when the right time is. i am hoping i can make the most of my time by being in each moment.  i am grateful for this time. may you be in each moment.  and,

let us together, seize the day.