TGIF!

It's been quite a wild week around here. There's not any one challenge that stands out but it was more of a "perfect storm" of (seemingly) random frustrating events sprinkled amidst lots and lots of rain that made this week a particularly challenging one. As I attempted to write at least one positive thought in my journal this morning, the only thing that felt genuine was TGIF - Thank goodness it's Friday!

I'm (still) struggling to find time/space to do my work but I'm really too tired to get into the details of it, and I have to think that it's getting pretty boring to anyone who might be reading to hear me continually drone on about my challenges as an aspiring writer/workshop leader/yoga teacher trying to find her way as a stay-at-home-mom.

So instead, I think I'll note a few of the highlights of my day (and maybe that will help to give me a more positive perspective on the rest of the week).

John came home early today so I got to go for a run by myself (no double stroller to push so I could actually swing both of my arms at the same time, no stopping to pick up dropped sippy cups or to mitigate disputes) -- it was heavenly!

On the way home, as I was walking too cool down (not because I was exhausted and out of breath ;-), I noticed something wonderful growing along our street -- milkweed!! (The picture is not mine because I was running and didn't have my camera. It's one I found on the web, which looks just like what I saw!)

I've been very much wanting to attract more butterflies to our yard, and to hopefully find some Monarch eggs that we could hatch out in our critter corner, but planting a butterfly garden is one of the many fun projects that I just never can seem to get to.

I learned from Lily's amazing preschool teacher that Monarch eggs can often be found on milkweed plants in August so now I'm totally excited to check these newly-discovered plants for eggs later in the summer!

Another wonderful thing that happened later today is that on our way home from dinner at my parents' house we saw fireflies!!

It was close to nine o'clock (I had stayed there as late as possible trying to ensure "sleepage" on the way home) but the sky, just a week after Solstice, was still so bright. My kids kept asking if we could watch Max and Ruby when we got home (which comes on at six) and if it was getting close to evening or still afternoon. They were jabbering on (and on...and on) and I was starting to feel myself sliding into scary-mama-mode.

I quickly reached into my imaginary tool box and grabbed on of my favorite yoga chants, a Bija (seed) Mantra.

Lam - Vam - Ram - Yam - Haum - Aum

It is a chant that I often led in both my prenatal and mommy and baby yoga classes that brought much comfort to everyone in the room and that almost-instantly brings me into a more calm place.

As I was humming and settling my own energy, the kids began to breathe more deeply and speak more slowly and softly.

For a while the car was quiet except for my humming and then Lily spotted a sparkle.

"Mama! I think I just saw a firefly in the woods!

"Slow down Mama. This is the perfect time to see animals that come out of the woods to eat in the evening. Wouldn't it be great if we saw a deer and fireflies in the same night, Mama!"

For the rest of the ride home, as I alternated between my chant and silently enjoying the drive, they giggled and rejoiced at the show of lights along the roadside.

At some point Lily nodded off. Quinn was quiet but still awake when we got home. As John carried a sleeping Lily into the house, Quinn and I stood on the deck and watched the fireflies dancing in the garden.

As I stood there snuggling my beautiful sleepy boy I took a deep breath. TGFF - Thank goodness for fireflies!