I finally did it! What, you ask?

• Did I finally finish my bathroom before & after? No.
• Did I have paint my junk dresser and install new hardware? Not exactly.
• Oh, I know! I have completed Baby Step #1 from Financial Peace University. Nope.
• Have I sent out the photo I owe to a dear Heart for Art winner, from ages & 1/2 ago? Wince. No.
• Okay, did I at least finish the dishes before blogging? ha-ha-ha, what? Certainly not.

What I did do today was way better than all of my to-do list combined. I did, stillness. I am not talking about meekness, studiousness, or even quietness. Just stillness, simple as can be.

Let me give you the background.

Today, both kids napped…at the same time. I always thought, that if such a day where to ever occur, I’d have miraculously delicious plans of solitude…with coffee, books, paint canvas, my camera, music, fireplace (duh, I don’t even have one of these), chocolate, or at the very least a glass of wine and a chance to empty the dishwasher, without someone crawling in it! Instead…a peaceful reflection.

photo credit Designs of Life

I Found Stillness Today by Jess McWilliams

I found stillness today, rather stillness found me

It found me just in time, for wintry shadows of a bright sunset to dance across my wall

I welcomed stillness in to stay; stillness warned the time will pass, so just sit and be

It stayed bundled with me, as I shared a dreamy slumber with my child of 4 years in all

I pleaded my busy heart to stillness; stillness remained quiet, so the moment I could plainly see

It asked me, though, how I’d been, for it had been awhile, since I’d seen my friend stillness call

I’ve been right here, in work and play, lonesome for you; stillness stood back and gave me a wind of warmth, much like a cup of tea

Wait stillness! I cried. Let me linger here with you. I could tell our time was through; the moon now growing tall

I held my dear little one with his awakening breaths, with gratitude for the joy I found today; stillness played it’s final note as it was meant to be

Photo taken shortly before his 4th birthday. He posed with his cozy named Baby.

Things that come out of his mouth these days-

• What the heck?
• Oh my gosh!
• This is giving me a headache.
• Poop, pee, butt-head and all potty talk in general.
• You are a naughty mom. I hate you! (When the rules are tough or in his way.)
• I love you. I love my whole family. (When the rules are in his favor.)
• Awww, she [Molly] is so cute! She is such a big girl now.
• I am happy about this!
• Adjective-head or any name calling
• Guess what….
• I’ve gotta tell you something.
• Knock-Knock jokes

Words of wisdom at the park-

One sunny fall day while playing at the park we (Ry and I) taught Molly how to climb the chain ladder.

As she scaled the swaying equipment she froze one rung from the top. She wasn’t budging and she looked way down (four feet) at Ryan.

With their gazes locked Ryan said, “Go for it Molly! Just believe in your DREAMS!”

Conversation walking home from the park-

Me: Look Ry, litter.

Ry: What is litter?

Me: Garbage that other people threw on the ground. Let’s pick it up and throw it away at home.

Ry: Touch it? (candy wrapper) Yuck! Why?

Me: We do what we can to clean up our Earth.

Ry: [picking up wrapper] So, what you are saying is that we are the real winners here.

Me: Sure, Ry, we’re the winners.