natural parenting center

martha

She came. Martha Sutro, who's presence is felt on this blog in the comments, actually came to MIssoula with her family. To me, she feels like a true friend, though we had never actually "met". We texted and talked on the phone as we inched closer to the same spot at the Farmer's market on Saturday, describing our clothing with butterflies in our stomachs, and then...I looked up to see this vibrant, gorgeous woman pointing excitedly at Elliott. She recognized Elliott first. 

We rushed to hug each other. 

How utterly delightful and strange and precious, to become friends in a deep and honest way, and then to meet. The market was wild as we flung a few words to each other while rushing past in opposite directions to follow our children. Thankfully, she ambled herself and Amos to our playgroup a few days later. Here, we folded her into our group of friends and she and Nathan and Natalie and I got to BE together. I can still feel the light of Amos' smile. And the sparkling truth of conversation with this poet mama who has, from the very start of her showing up here, opened my world in life-quenching ways.

Martha. and Amos and Bill. I am so very glad to know you. 

 

so much...

Strawberry picking in Arlee.

Making jam and filling bags to freeze for winter smoothies.

See that yellow truck in the background? that's the Big Dipper truck, traveling about town with sweet, yummy, homemade ice cream and we are at the park with Natalie and Echo and Henry. A day of bliss.

Our little kitten Rosie came camping with us. Elliott wouldn't go without her. She was delightful to have along.

Playing in the creek beside the campsite.

Swimming in the lake. That's Natalie.

Echo washing dishes.

It's like I keep mentally pinching myself. It's here. It's here. In some ways, I can gather up a bunch of anxiety thinking about how quickly winter darkness and cold will be back again, but I try not to. Notice that and let it go. This is what's here now. It won't last. Nothing does. Maybe that's just what I need to remember to love what is right here. Especially sweet is this. I hope you are soaking up whatever season and rhythm of each day you are experiencing and wish you love.

paradisio

Sometimes I look at my life and feel amazed that it is actually this.

Prayer flags that I made for Elliott's birthday friends to take home.

The day after the birthday...afternoon napping with his new kitten. 

Her name is Flower Rose Stinky and her nickname is Smidge. 

Can it get any better? 

Well, actually, yes. More stories and photos to come...

 

xo

now

As I sit on the front steps,

feeling the sun emerge over the peak of the hill

and soak me in light,

I read this:

"When people start to meditate or to work with any  kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they are going to improve,

which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are."

Pema Chodron, The Wisdom of No Escape

I notice all the way that I am trying to change who I am, and trying to change how things are, and trying to change my children and how they are acting and what they are feeling. Oh what an enormous effort that all is. Imagine all the available energy if I let that ALL go?

xo

six

Elliott turned six years old today. We had a party with friends in our sunny backyard. I am in love with creating magic for my two favorite human beings.

Six. six. Six years with this boy walking beside me through the spinning of the planet in an ocean of space and stars. What a sacred thing, easily forgotten, and gratefully remembered. 

Thank you for being born. 

Thank you for showing me the way.

Thank you for leading me back home.

Postcards from Summerblissville

beloved summer

Summer is here and I am in love with it.

::farmer's markets busting open with fresh, sweet, juicy everything

::spontaneous evening grilling socials with neighbors and new friends

::water in all forms, quenching our thirsty skin on hot afternoons

::slip-n-slide shenanigans

::salads for breakfast

::mosquito bites on chubby brown shoulders

::daily park hopping adventures and high performance smoothie popsicle production 

::late nights and early mornings and sleepy afternoons

::falling into bed at night, pretending time doesn't exist, with my favorite humans whispering promises of tomorrow's more...

I do hope that you are swimming in your own delights, wherever you are and whatever the season. The Magical Mothering E-Course just finished and it has worked its own magic on me. Making every choice based on tenderness towards myself is something fine indeed. Thank you to all of you sparkling mamas who took part, sharing yourselves and opening your own doors. To those of you who want to dive into deeper self-friendship, I will be making the material available as a Home Course soon. I am savoring every moment of this summer time and will be showing up here in this space less frequently. Please feel welcome to email me whenever you please and if you are heading this way on your summertime adventures, let me know!  With great love, Kris

turning upwards

I am amazed. The other day, I was feeling sad and noticing my thoughts spiraling into the prickly abyss where nothing good happens, I have to strenuously figure every little thing out, and there is no easy answer to anything. 

Somehow I have these stuffed full pockets, areas of my life where somehow I think that my basic formula for joy doesn't count. These pockets are like some kind of "rules don't apply here" areas where I automatically go totally unconscious which basically means I end up in my head, stuck and feeling rotten. Maybe it's money or relationships or car mechanics. 

Then, with a little nudge, it occurred to me that the formula for joy applies everywhere and to everything. Thank goodness. Phew. Hallelujah. Ahhhh. 

And it worked. I got clear on my intention, (this can be general or specific and is basically what you want to have/do/be) sent them like little missiles into space, then let the Universe take over while I diligently began turning my thoughts upwards. I looked for things that felt good to think about. These things don't have to have anything to do with whatever situation is feeling stressful. That's the amazing thing. I thought of raspberry peonies. Burying my face in a hundred ripe, full, exploding blossoms. Drinking in that sensuous nectar.

I immediately felt a whole body shift upwards. Then, as is always the case, delightful things began happening (or were happening all along but I finally turned myself towards and opened my eyes.). The situation which was causing me stress changed. I quit trying to control it. I let myself be surprised.

Ten things:

1. Raspberry peonies

2. Stupendous girlfriends

3. Plane tickets to Vancouver Island in August

4. Tanned toes

5. Purple pea flowers morphing into peas

6. Tangible changes in kindness towards myself as a result of Magical Mothering E-Course

7. Raw blueberry pie with cashew cream topping

8. Loosening my grip on how things turn out and feeling content as that water flows through my fingers

9. Greens from the garden, greens in the smoothie, greens everywhere

10. Two small humans who dance with me every day.

What's your list of Ten?

xo