It is quiet here this morning. The boys are sleeping in a smidgen. And I am taking the chance to relish in the atmosphere of it all. The dogs are at my feet. The sun is slowly waking up the world. I hear my husband getting ready for work in the back bedroom, but the boys dream on. I realize that despite all the glory of summer, there have been very few moments for me to just be quiet with myself; holding my soul in a space a part; slowing my thoughts and listening to my breath. I love summer in all its lounging and boyness, but it has been filled to the brim with my children and I hadn't realized until this moment how noisy my head has been with my busy bodied babes and their adventures (and in-fighting grumpiness that occurs when you are getting used to being around each other all the time again).
So far this summer has been interesting. The oldest is slowly pulling back from the day-to-day play of the younger two boys. He is absorbed in his books and his music these days and I sense that the younger two feel him pulling back a bit from childhood as well. He has always been an old soul, mature and caring, so it is not a surprise that he is entering into this phase, even though it makes this mama's heart ache a bit for the boy in him.
The younger two are growing in leaps and bounds as well. The middle is sprouting. And the youngest, lost his first baby tooth last night, just after I took these photos of him in our bougainvillea in the backyard (searching high and low for something red to photograph for Lou over in
Littlegreenshed). There have been days where the younger two have fought like crazy, but they have also had days like yesterday, where they find a beautiful happy medium, immersing themselves in creative play and imagined adventures. I am so thankful for each one of my merry men. They have pushed me and pulled me; made me grow as a human in ways I never thought possible.
Yet I am ever so grateful for the moments when I can be quiet, stop for a moment and hold onto time. Taking in the slow breath of life. The slow brewed coffee. Yesterday's memories. Writing for a hushed small bit of time, uninterrupted. These are gifts for a mother's soul as well, just as the busy squishy hurried moments are.
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What ways are you finding the quiet (or are you) these days? Do you find it easier or harder when your children are home all day on holiday? How do you step back and hold onto time amidst the chaos? I would love to know. xxoo
Those quiet moments are far and few between here these days with a young 'un in the house. I notice when they do occur they are so much more vivid in every sense than they used to be, because i appreciate them more i suppose. It is wonderful to write about them and relive the feeling.
ReplyDeleteI really like to read your posts, your writing is lovely and always makes me think x
Like you said, we're still getting used to being around each other all the time. There is less dictated one-on-one time, and much less available quiet time....we're having to really be intentional about creating spaces in these long summer days. I love how you describe your sons and the pleasure of busy and messy matched up with the quiet and the contemplative. So nice.
ReplyDeleteYou enjoy your lovely quiet moments! Our summer has been interesting too - maybe the wet, cool weather is making it feel different. It's been a blessing in disguise though, keeping us cuddled in bed longer and sneaking in more rainy day naps ;-)
ReplyDeletei'm looking forward to a week away with my little boys, and hopefully some help with the cooking etc. so that I have time to just be with them. They take a little while to settle into holidays, but they are so good at making up little adventures and games that at some stage I know they will all be playing nicely together. How happy that makes me! And then there is the long break from school to look forward to - bliss. If I ever need some quiet time I take them to the library. When they get home they all go and sit down with their books and there is complete silence. Bliss!
ReplyDeletemine are on winter school holidays, a two week break here in australia. i can relate such much to your words. tonight i put my three to bed early so i could have a moment, i find it hard to connect with them when my mind is full of their mishaps. tomorrow will be better. xx
ReplyDeleteI remember that feeling, the moments pause and the realisation that it's the first in a long time. Now mine are all but grown and I miss their childhood summers. Enjoy these busy days - I know you do - there is more 'me time' than you'll need ahead of you, when they spend the hot days hanging out at the pool with friends, having barbecues on beaches, and setting off on backpacking holidays!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. It got me thinking. I have grabbed some lingering time in bed on my own the last two mornings,we are on holiday now so the rush is off and it has been so reviving. I had not realised how uptight I had got until it flowed away and I went down a gear. Getting ready to go Wigmaming tomorrow with 2 other mums and their kids, I can feel myself 'gearing up' again,but in a good way now. Enjoy your blissful moments, katie xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, those quiet moments are so precious in the hurly burly...mine are usually late at night with yarn and hook x
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful post. I often wonder whether I'm trying to hard to do things other than just be with my kids as there will be plenty if time later in life. These years go so fast but we all need be ourselves too and enjoy the quiet moments. I so enjoyed seeing the bougainvillea as I grew up with it around in SA. It's beautuful! Xo
ReplyDeleteYes, those quiet special moments. Special mostly because they are so rare. I too enjoy that bit of time before the boys roll out of bed. Watching the word wake up is a special time. It is amazing to watch the dynamics between siblings change as they grow older. Like you I wish I could hang onto them as children. Thank you for the lovely post and capturing that special time for us mamas.
ReplyDeleteChey xo
these are special moments indeed. rebecca, your words are so calm, I can really feel the atmosphere as I read. and I was nodding the whole way through. I think we all feel how LOUD this motherhood journey is and when it is still and quiet, it is beautifully deafening. sometimes it would be even more wonderful to have a pause button.. those quiet moments are something to treasure. mine come after the kids are in bed. I feel like it's my time to recharge, no matter how busy the day has been. I have tried to make it come in the morning, but the little monkeys seem to have a sixth sense for when mama rises... perhaps that will change as they get older. a beautiful post x
ReplyDeletei find the quiet when the babes napping and i'm home alone. such a nice time of day. beautiful photos and words by the way x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, relatable post. This was my favorite line, "Writing for a hushed small bit of time, uninterrupted. These are gifts for a mother's soul as well, just as the busy squishy hurried moments are." As an introvert, the constant go and company of summer wears away at me and, honestly, when the school bell rings come August I am a tad relieved. Right now as I type my house is completely still, a lawn mower in the distance the only sound. It is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words on my 52 project post! I am glad you liked my pictures. I am looking forward to perusing your blog as well. In the quiet. Of my home.