"Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you."
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Just a couple photos of the Butterfly Gardens from our little trip to Calgary this past weekend in honor of my birthday last week and in celebration of another homeschooling year completed!

For more photos and/or video check out my Scrapbooking Blog and/or my Homeschooling Blog.

Hands Full of Sunshine

Gifts from a Small Boy

His small hands overflowing
with sunshine-tinted bloom,
He quietly, half-shyly,
tiptoed into the room;
"These posies are for you, " he said,
then hurrying through the door,
Left me with more than flowering wreath,
so much - O, so much - more!

Katherine Edelman

I've loved this simple poem, found in a little book of poetry that belongs to my mother, for as long as I can remember.

Long before I ever had small boys of my own I was enchanted by this verse.

Maybe it's because I was meant to be the mother of these treasures who think of me when flowers
bloom and bring me these offerings of heavenly scent and color.

Yes, always plucked too short for a normal size vase but perfect for the one I've kept just for this purpose
and which now resides on my dresser in my bedroom.

Photos: Grape Hyacinths plucked by son, Marcus, from amongst my tulips in the backyard garden.

A Bouquet just for Me.

From my garden.

Elusive Spring

I'm beginning to wonder... if just maybe:

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind
than to be hopelessly in love with spring."
~George Santayana

Sending out a bit of early last weeks sunshine to those of us who looked out the window this morning at yet another layer of snow.

Just when the buds where beginning to unfurl, winter has come upon us again.

Twice already this morning, one or another of the boys have gazed out the window at the white and wistfully asked, "Will Spring ever come?"

I know how they feel.

What's it like where you are?

Sneak Peak at 20 Weeks

We went together, on Monday, our 3 boys, as well, to see this new little one. Yes, just on a screen but still so amazing.

We gazed in awe as two perfect little feet emerged from the black on the screen, a little hand five fingers outstretched, an arm...
then a leg. We smiled at the profile with perfect little nose... who will this baby resemble most?

We laughed as the baby responded with little movements and wondered at the beauty of that little heart, pumping so steadily and surely.

We have never seen an ultrasound for any of our boys as clear as this one. Maybe because I had to wait 'till 20 weeks rather than the usual 18?

I went to the doctor this morning to hear the results.

Healthy? Yes!

Boy or girl? We know now and, of course, we rejoice!

Will we tell others? Hubby wants to keep it secret for at least a little while anyway.

I am feeling just a bit strange, knowing. It seems odd to know, and not have the baby to see and hold like I did with my other children. This is the first time we have found out and I am glad we did...

... I just have to let these knew thoughts sink in now.

Reaching for the Light.

Just as it's natural for these, so it is natural for us. I am reaching for light, not just the bright that streams through the open shades but for His Light as well. His Light that brings joy, peace, contentment, love. For in His Light is Life. There my soul finds rest.

I experience such joy in watching things grow. These little calendula seedlings are not even a week old and they are already this big! Each morning I turn them so that they are facing away from the light of the window and just a few hours later they are all reaching for it again, just bursting with new life.

On my Sunday Walk.

"Every tear is answered by a blossom, Every sigh with songs and laughter bent,
April-blooms upon the breezes toss them.
April knows her own, and is content."

Susan Coolidge (pseudonym of Sarah Chauncey Woolsey)

*****

Oh, that I would be content, as well, with these cold, blustery days. Warmth will come. In the mean time, I refuse to stay indoors for long and so venture out in winter gear in search of color, light, and life. This is what I found today in my garden and while walking along the pond.