On Your Birthday

Dear Mayumi-

Today we celebrate your third birthday!  The Terrific Twos are officially over and we embark on a new period in your life.  I can't believe that three years ago you were born in a humble little birth center after years and years of struggling to get you here.  Sometimes I get sad that you are growing up so quickly, but life with you keeps getting better and better, so I shouldn't complain.  I love you just the way you are and I love seeing you grow and learn new things.  Thank you for bringing so much joy and wonder into my life - I love, love, LOVE you, my little pumpkinhead.

Always and Forever,
Your Mama

Meditation: Service

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

~Mohandas K. Gandhi

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

~Mosiah 2: 17

My own dear Wabisabi Mother is in town.  You know how there are some people who inspire you to be a better person?  When you're in their presence you feel like you want to be the best you can be?  My mother is such a person.  And she doesn't do it be lecturing or making you feel guilty, but through her own actions and example.  She is the type of woman who is constantly busy working to serve other people.  Since she has been here she has spent two entire days working in my garden, helping me to sew new grass, transplant bushes and flowers, plant trees, etc. (I learn so much working side-by-side with her).  The dishes are magically done after every meal, sewing projects are being completed, my daughter has complete undivided attention... I don't know how she does it.  And she is always there to stop and listen to me ramble on and on (I have a lot to catch her up on!). 

 
But what I learn most from her is how to be a selfless person.  Her happiness and fulfillment come from serving others.  Her faith is strengthened by her acts of kindness, and in turn, everyone around her is strengthened as well. 
 
So if at times it seems that we almost have a cult-of-mother mentality, it is because we indeed revere her!  Thanks for being here mom - I'm glad I get you for a few weeks, and I know M and D are eagerly awaiting their turn!

Oops...

This is what was on my kitchen floor today. I won't tell you how many days of build-up this represents or what yummy things that build-up is composed of. I promise  my kitchen's not always this gross; it's just amazing how these things sometimes get away from me...

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

wishing you a lovely weekend!

 

Fall in love

Oh, how I love fall! Windy, overcast days, changing leaves, pumpkin pie and apple cider. Cozy sweaters, crisp air and bundled babies!

Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the finger puppet bag from i sew 4 kids is:

 

Julie said...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55406480/girls-twirly-skirt absolutely darling products thanks for the giveaway

October 7, 2010 11:25 AM

 

Thank you to everyone who entered.  Stay tuned for our next Wabisabi giveaway on November 1st!

{this moment}

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

wishing you a lovely weekend!

3 Things: Favorite toys for an 8-month old

The other day, my pregnant friend asked me what the must-have baby items were for a newborn. I could barely remember! I loved the fleece swaddler with velcro, bouncy seat, playmat and white noise. But as Olive's gotten older, she's moved onto toys, gravitating to a few over and over again. For those of you with infants, her list of favorites might be helpful.

1) Photo book
It's so sad to have most of our family live far away and to think that Olive may not get to spend much time with them. But I still want her to recognize them and know that they love her, so I compiled all their photos into a little photo book. She LOVES this book. I'm not sure it has so much to do with the photos, but more the pliability of the pages. It's easy for Olive to turn the pages and lay the book flat, and it's easy for me to throw this in a diaper bag without taking up too much room. She will seriously play with this book for 15 minutes at a time.

2) Sassy foot
This is sort of like three toys in one. The top part has several different pieces of fabric (satin, fleece, terry cloth), some that make a crinkling sound. Then there's the "heel" that rattles and the stretchy velour "toes." She loves to feel all the different textures, hear the noises the parts make and bite on the wood.

3) Sophie the Giraffe
Olive received Sophie as a gift from her aunt right around the time she was starting to put everything in her mouth. This giraffe was perfect for that because of all its interesting limbs and facial features. This is her favorite teething toy. It's made from natural rubber and food paint, without phthalates and BPA, so it's perfectly safe for babies to suck on all day.

Reminder: Last Day to Enter Giveaway!

All you mamas out there, don't forget - today is the last day to enter to win a darling finger puppet bag in our giveaway sponsored by i sew for kids.  You have until 8pm EST tonight to enter, so leave a comment on the original post, tell your friends, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Thank you for your support!

Meditation: Treasure

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
~Matthew 6:21-21

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

~Proverbs 23: 7

  I've been thinking a lot about materialism and consumerism recently.  I wonder why I love to have so many things, and why I spend so much time wanting things and buying things and worrying about things.  It's almost like an illness, like an addiction.  Because I know that these things don't really make me happy and that tomorrow it could all disappear in a fire or flood or tornado.  I know that my real treasures are the people in my life, the experiences that I've had, the things that I've learned, the service I've rendered.  But I still find this attachment to things and I don't like it.  I really don't.  I don't want to be defined by my things. 

This is going to be a difficult habit to break.  I need to train my mind to focus on how I can spend more meaningful time with the people in my life, rather than what I need to pick up at the store, what clothes look cute now, what home improvement to tackle next, etc.  I want a pure heart, one that is full of love, not covetousnous.  I know this is a simple thing, but it is proving more challenging than I had anticipated.  How do you do it?