Monday, October 2, 2017

A sketchy dream come true

A long time ago, there was a girl who fancied herself as an artist. She had taken an art class and discovered she had a bit of a knack for pencil sketches. So she began looking for things she'd like to draw. One day while with a certain young man, who loved to take road trips to the middle of nowhere, they happened upon this spectacular view. As they came over a hill, there laid before them was a beautiful valley of golden prairie grass, a train track running through the middle of it and a magnificent old red grain elevator. The sky was an impossible blue that made the scene even more fantastic. The girl's first thought was that she would love to draw this scene. But alas, she had not her paper and pencils and no camera to take a picture(this was in a day long before the convenience of cell phone cameras). She decided that she'd have to come back some day to this valley, with a grain elevator that bore the name McNab.
Years passed, but she never returned, though she never forgot that magical place. The girl married the young man, and began a life together moving from place to place until settling down in a quiet little town. One day while out on a road trip to the middle of nowhere with the man of her dreams, she once again happened upon a this beautiful valley, but there was something sadly missing. The majestic old grain elevator was no more. The girl was devastated. She had remembered how she had wanted to draw this beautiful scene, and though she hadn't drawn in years, her heart ached a bit, that she would never be able to draw this once magnificent scene.
Years passed, and the girl was inspired to pick up her pencils and get out her sketchbook and draw once more. But what should she draw? Where would she begin? As the girl pondered on this, while not sleeping late at night, she remembered how she loved the grain elevator named McNab, and so she did a Google search and low and behold before her eyes lay beautiful picture after beautiful picture of this beloved place. At last she would draw this scene of her prairie dreams.


Drawing done with just an HB pencil because I couldn't locate my pencils that I had given to Kathryn. Someday I'll do it in colour...when I get a little braver. 

Thursday, July 13, 2017

A birthday poem

It's All That

When I grow up,
I'll be like the way you are.
Look at the world through a mama's eyes,
Smile at it with that charm.
I'll hug my husband close,
And cuddle my children closer.

Ain't that what it is?
A mother's love,
Starting at home,
Spreading through the world,
On a glimmer of hope.
And I know it's not easy.
I'm sorry for that.
A mother's love,
Is all that.

I'll hear my kids calling mama,
Repeatedly until I watch.
Drive myself crazy,
Looking for a silly pen,
That sat in front of me,
For hours on end.

Ain't that what it is?
A mother's love,
Starting at home,
Spreading through the world,
On a glimmer of hope.
And I know it's not easy,
I'm sorry for that.
A mother's love,
Is all that.

Just like you,
I'll have to learn as I go.
Growing from my mistakes,
While I help my kids grow.
I'll listen to their problems and pains.
They will ramble on and on,
About the crushes they've gained.

Ain't that what it is?
A mother's love,
Starting at home,
Spreading through the world,
On a glimmer of hope.
And I know it's not easy,
I'm sorry for that.
A mother's love,
Is all that.

And when my kids are all grown up,
I'll still look through a mama's eyes,
And smile with that charm.
I'll keep my family close,
And watch the home videos.
Still drive myself crazy,
Trying to find a silly pen.
I'll forever be growing,
And always be listening.

Ain't that what it is?
A mother's love,
Starting at home,
Spreading through the world,
On a glimmer of hope.
And I know it's not easy,
I'm sorry for that.

A mother's love,
Is all that.

By Kathryn Court.

Friday, January 6, 2017

How did I get here?

Tonight, Kathryn put the too youngest to bed, but this made Ella mad. She requested that I come cuddle with her. So when I was finished what I was doing I headed down stairs for a cuddle. The bottom bunk is a queen sized bed so James slid over next to the wall and I laid down next to him and then Ella curled up next to me. James wrapped his arm around me and found my hand to hold, Ella wrapped her arms around my other arm and held it to her like it was her favourite teddy bear. James was asleep with in minutes, Ella was having a hard time falling asleep...she had had a late afternoon nap on the floor in the living room. So we all just laid there like that. I listened to their soft breath slow, and wondered, how did I get here? Oh, not it a bad way, I mean, how did I get to be 40 and the mother of these 5 beautiful children? How is it that so much time has passed? How is it that life is so very good? How am I so blessed to have this amazing life?
Don't get me wrong, life isn't always easy, and these kids of mine are far from perfect. The older two can go at each other like the bitterest of enemies, and then banned together and turn on me like I am the evil step mother seeking to destroy their lives. The middle one, though she doesn't yet treat me like an evil stepmother, her lackadaisical attitude can be exhausting. Trying to get that girl to do anything, can at times drive one over the edge. The boy has learned to throw a pretty nasty tantrum and he has taken up punching his sisters when they make him mad. And that three year old...soon to be four year old, well she has quite the stubborn streak. She wants what she wants, when she wants it, how she wants it, and she wanted it 10 minutes ago. And it doesn't matter how impossible the request, if I can't grant it, there will be hell to pay. But through all of that, there are these amazing moments that wash all of that bitterness and hurt away. These moments where their laugh ripples through the air and all is right in the world. Or that twinkle in the boys eyes when he is up to something. Or that silly little look that Ella gives when she's got something funny to say. Or the sweet card that I find on my pillow that Kymberly has created. Or the heartfelt apology notes tucked sweetly away for me to find long after kids are in bed, written by one of my oldest. Or like tonight, the moments of cuddles where I feel like the most loved person in all the world. I am certain, that if I had enough sides,even my oldest two would join in a great big cuddle till we all fell asleep.
I have this saying on my wall that says "life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful", and I believe it could also read "kids don't have to be perfect to be wonderful". Either way I believe the statement sums up what make this momma so happy.

PS I think my hubby is pretty amazing too, 15 years in and he still makes me giddy...But that shall be a post for another day :)