{p,h,f,r} Auntie Leila's Pearls

... of wisdom, that is.

I'm going to run this {p,h,f,r} post like an Auntie Leila post with pictures sprinkled in that might or might not have anything in common with the writing...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~ with the lovely ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter

There are a few people I have "met" in this online world that I have had the pleasure of actually meeting in person. There are a few more that I have on my list of people I'd love to share a glass of wine or iced tea with someday and Auntie Leila is definitely one of them! You can't beat the wisdom of a mom who has done her time in the trenches of motherhood and has come out the other side still sane and so willing to share that wisdom with the rest of us.

{happy} The weather outside can take away the sunshine but these sunny yellow wildflowers bring it back to my windowsill.

Auntie Leila shared a post from the archives of Like Mother, Like Daughter on FB today and I'm so glad because it was one I needed to be reminded of.

{pretty} Our Lady

I've heard and even said myself that there are many seasons in motherhood. It's true. We've had seasons that were filled with crafts and fun food, parties and games and we've had seasons of simplicity and solitude, flowers from the garden and maybe a cookie or two. It's also true, as Auntie Leila says that a young mom in her zeal to share the faith with her children can easily get in over her head but there is also something to be said for striking while the iron is hot and filling up your liturgical year planner with activities while you have the energy to do that, if you have the energy to do it.

{pretty} Our Lady

Right now, simplicity is our season of choice. We have a toddler who has decided to jump feet first into the Terrible Twos at the early age of only 20 months old. We started homeschooling high school this year and that has been a challenge of a different kind. We have seen our pediatrician more in the last six months than in the last six years! We are still working on getting well and staying well. I'm hoping we ride out the coming drop in temperatures without any new allergies or illness. My pediatrician confirmed for me that 1/3 of the population will react to a significant shift in barometric temperature with congestion... just because. We seem to have a lot of those thirds in our house!

{real} These painted letters and the Mary crowns were the products of a high energy season. Saving them all these years has been a blessing during our slower seasons.

When I poke through my archives, I see things that we enjoyed doing, that I just don't have the energy for right now and that's ok. Less scheduled during the day means more time for conversation and some one on one time. There are ways to celebrate simply and pass on our faith.  My oldest children have been enjoying the Prove It Series from Amy Welborn which has prompted many great conversations. Conversations that then become an opportunity to share and strengthen their young adult faith. It's time to enjoy those conversations and see them as the beginnings of an adult relationship with my children. It's time to make a little extra effort here and there to include those who try to be so big but are still little at heart. It's time to crown Our Lady as queen of our hearts and home whether we have the energy for an official May Crowning or not (we can always have a party later). It's time to break out the tiny jars and teach the littlest to share her outside bounty (mostly dandelions) with the lovely lady dressed in blue. It's time to enjoy the simplicity of this time. To be content with this season.

{real} My grandparents' statue... chips and nicks, but oh so much devotion.