Nine

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  ~Thornton Wilder

A few of this weeks treasures with some random musings along the way!!

 Oh... this photo. It wasn't until it was uploaded to the computer that I actually saw it. This boy. Not a baby, not a toddler, but a boy. I feel like he is 2 and 1/2 going on six in this photo.  ... and I love his eagerness to help. Trust me, there are many mornings when it is easier for me to just run outside "real quick" and do chicken chores. But having him in tow makes my heart smile... and makes him feel oh so important. And that alone is worth it. (and I think the girls like it too cause they got a lot more scratch when he's in charge)!

 I came across a montessori services school catalog and fell in love with so many of their products... but at closer look, I realized I was in love with the purpose of the products and found that I could replicate many of them by looking in my own cupboards. Avi loves it when we set up the 'pouring station'.

 On the seventh night, Avi and Ella lit the candles while Ella's mama, Laura, looks on. What is almost cuter is that they are wearing each other's shirts. They love to trade! I love how these two play together.

 Having neighbors the same age is awesome... especially when, on a saturday morning, we can spontaneously end up at the park. After running around like horses, tigers, bears, rabbits, and cats, Carter and Avi found their own special place.

 I've had a few opportunities to thrift by myself lately. It is good medicine. I found a huge bag filled with stamps and ink for $6.99!! Avi had quite the time. He liked seeing the stamps show up on the paper....

 ....but stamping all over his legs, hands, arms and face was way more fun!

 Impromptu sunday morning play date with Laura and Ella (again!) and we end up in the comfy corner table - the one with pillows - at the Dushanbe Tea House.

 I love mail. So does my wonderful friend Aimee Herman. And she is much better at making me smile when I walk to my mailbox then I do for her. Thank you friend.

And her words - so poignant, so inspiring as I have been writing a new book - in those moments after my head hits the pillow and before I fall asleep. She reminds me (always) that a lot of writing happens before the paper meets the pen. And...... the paper and pen have a date.