Sunshine Captured

Daffodils awake

Add beauty to the springtime

Like sunshine captured

Beauty Emerges

greenery

tiny buds

grow

pink shines through

buds

plump

more and more

petals

curl back

offer a glimpse

beauty within

and then

they burst

fragrant

remarkable

don’t rush off

don’t miss it

because

soon

it’s gone

Hope

Clock is ticking,

Mind is whirring,

Stomach’s growling,

Cat is purring?

No, no, no…I don’t have a cat – but it rhymes.

And again…

Clock is ticking,

Mind is whirring,

Stomach’s growling,

Words are slurring?

No, that won’t work either. I don’t drink…hardly anything really. I should drink more water.

Three strikes and I’m gonna be out…

Clock is ticking,

Mind is whirring,

Stomach’s growling,

Hope is stirring.

Whew! I was worried there for a minute. Have a great day, all!

We Miss You, Mom

you gave me wings

and helped me fly

it was hard

to say good-bye

though just last year

you left this earth

you, dear one

who gave me birth

you’ll always be

a part of me

and my precious

family

Mom and Nan

and Nana, too

all these names

applied to you

i know your heart

is light as air

you’re in His presence

gift so rare

one day soon

i’ll see your face

but til then

my heart’s embrace

will hold you close

though you are gone

your legacy

is oh, so strong

(Today would have been my mom’s 87th birthday. She went to be with the Lord April 25, 2011.)

Thank You

Thank you to my friends

Priorities in focus

My heart is lighter.

Too Busy

Am I too busy to spend time with friends?

Am I too busy to listen to my family members when they want to talk about something ~ or nothing in particular?

Am I too busy to remember birthdays without a Facebook reminder?

Am I too busy to regularly post blog entries?

Am I too busy to make supper?

Am I too busy to get to bed at a decent time?

Am I too busy to exercise and eat healthy?

Am I too busy to take a walk in the beautiful sunshine?

Am I too busy to remember the promises I’ve made?

Am I too busy to read my Bible when I’m not waiting for webpages to load?

Am I too busy to pray?

Am I too busy to quiet my heart before God and simply spend time in His presence?

Then I really am TOO BUSY.

Final ROW Round 1 Check-in

Here are the things I’ve still to accomplish. They will likely be added to my Round 2 list of goals. (If you haven’t checked out A Round of Words in 80 Days, you can do so here. Hope to see lots of you in the next round.)

Editing

This week Carolyn and I went through her manuscript again. However, yesterday my computer decided to be stupid. I may call her and ask for a quick once-over to ensure things are as she wants them. Sigh!

First Editor for the Write! On news bulletin ~ ongoing (I’m keeping up with the schedule okay. I just need to commit to updating the site regularly until we recruit another volunteer.)

Writing

Essay and research paper ~ I’m in the midst of a lengthy editing job on a tight schedule. The new “new deadline” to write these papers is April 30.

First draft of children’s chapbook ~ The first draft can still be done by the end of June. I’m leaving this as is though I haven’t worked on it in ages.

Two picture books per month ~ perhaps better stated as 24 this year

Revised blogging schedule ~ Because of other responsibilities I’m behind. However, I know how important it is to regularly post something new. I must get back at it.

Submissions

I won’t bore you with yet another report of my good intentions.

Reading

Skills Development ~ I’m going to have to look at this goal and decide how to make it doable.

Reading for my course ~ I’m doing better, but I won’t be done by the end of March.

Blogging for Books ~ I’m not likely going to have Saving Grace done within the month. We’ll see.

Booksneeze ~ I’m going to let this go.

Volunteer Work

These are ongoing responsibilities.

Exercise & Fitness

My eating is improving. My commitment to regular exercise still needs work…and the crazy thing is that I like to workout.

Row Specific Goals

Stop by fellow ROWers’ sites ~ I’ll do better in Round 2 because I’m a sponsor. That will help.

Continue connecting with my writing buddy regularly ~ I love reading her FB status updates and touching base every now and then. Occasionally, we do wordmongering over at Twitter at the same time…nothing formal.

Round 2…Here we come!

 

The Other Baby Book

As a birth doula-in-training, I have many books on my shelves about childbirth and related topics. However, none of them are like The Other Baby Book by Miriam J. Katz and Megan McGrory Massaro.

This book touches on hot button topics with grace and well-founded research. Katz and Massaro do not try to convince you that their way of parenting is the only way. In fact, they have not always made the same choices for their individual families.

Of course some of the topics, such as the benefits of breastfeeding, came as no surprise. And, although I heard very little about it when my three were growing up, there is more and more talk about co-sleeping and baby-wearing. However, the book also covers topics I’ve never come across, topics such as elimination communication (recognizing pretty much from the start when your little one has to “go”) and baby-led solids (what I consider a wonderful way to introduce solid food to your child).

You may think this is not for you. The ideas may sound too strange and unconventional. But before you disregard this book, I would encourage you to read it and check out the studies cited. You might be surprised and discover a thing or two you’d like to try. At the very least, it will give you some things to think about and perhaps new respect for parents who make different choices for their families.

The Other Baby Book truly is a beautiful tribute to family and how to make childrearing a wondrous time for parents and babies alike. The authors don’t claim it will always be easy. Let’s face it, any of us who have children know there will be challenges along the way. However, when you’ve finished reading this book, you may be more ready than ever for the grand adventure of raising children.

My children are now grown, ages 22-27, and I wish I’d had this book when they were young. I would have done some things differently.

Upon mentioning I would be glad to write a review, I was sent a PDF copy of the book. It isn’t often, I want to rush out and buy a paper copy of an e-book I’ve read. However, I very much look forward to adding this one to my library. Without a doubt, I will be recommending it to my clients.

You can learn more here.

If you would like to pre-order the book, check out Amazon.

If you want to learn more about childbirth, pregnancy, and the role of a birth doula, check out my posts under Welcome Baby Labour Support.

Happy Parenting

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

With Round 1 of A Round of Words in 80 Days winding up, it’s time to see how I’ve done.

Editing

Laura’s manuscript ~ done

Carolyn’s manuscript ~ a few names to chance come Monday, then done

Deb’s manuscript ~ done and proposal in the hands of a publisher

First Editor for the Write! On news bulletin – ongoing

Other jobs have come along, but I’ll touch on those come Round 2.

Writing

Deb’s manuscript ~ see above

Essay and research paper ~ new deadline (March 31)

First draft of children’s chapbook ~ The first draft can still be done by the end of June, I’ll just have to get cracking.

Two picture books per month ~ I have to get back at it.

Revised blogging schedule ~ I fell behind a little in March, but all in all, I’m not doing too badly.

Submissions

Four items per month ~ market research improving; actually submitting needs work, lots of work

Reading

Skills Development ~ complete one book, or the equivalent, every other month (nope)

Reading for my course ~ to be done by the end of February (How about the end of March?)

Blogging for Books ~ read one book per month (yep)

Booksneeze ~ read one book per month (yep…might give this one up)

Volunteer Work

~ pretty much on track

Exercise & Fitness

Thirty minutes six times per week ~ tee hee, tee hee hee (I’m re-starting Kimberley Payne’s Fit for Faith on Monday. Things are looking up.)

Eat better ~ some, but not as good as it should be (says she wiping the chocolate bar remnants from her face)

Row Specific Goals

Check in twice per week ~ batting a thousand

Stop by fellow ROWers’ sites every Monday or Thursday ~ You are now allowed to hit me with a bat. Sorry, folks. I’ll do better for Round 2.

Continue connecting with my writing buddy regularly ~ It has been very informal, but our occasional hello-how-ya-doin’ times have encouraged us both. See ya in Round 4, WB.

If you want to join the fun, sign up here for Round 2.

How about you? Was Round 1 all you’d hoped it would be?

The Emotions of Motherhood

Joy…

“I’m going to have a baby.”

Wonder…

“You’re really mine?”

Conflict…

“I love you, but please, please, please go to sleep.”

Frustration…

“Please, do as you’re told…NOW!”

Contentment…

“Cuddle time is the best time ever.”

Pride…

“I knew you could do it.”

Sympathy…

“I’m so sorry your heart is broken, but it will heal; I promise.”

Disappointment…

“I know you’re old enough to make your own choices, but…”

Understanding…

“We’ve had lots of help over the years; we’d be glad to do that for you.”

Empathy…

“I know you’ll miss your brother now that he’s moving out; I will too – big time.”

Peace…

“They really will be okay.”