What a move teaches....

So, we move this Saturday. This is a very exciting time for us. This move as been coming about for quite some time. Our hearts have always been in the country...and finally now, we are making the move. I can't see us moving again for quite sometime, unless it is to a farm (don't tell my husband that :) Although stressful at times, and alot of work, this move is teaching me alot:
-changing your physical location provides the opportunity for 'a fresh start'
-even though I am not a hoarder, we have way too much stuff
-stuff is just stuff
-my dear husband loves to hold onto things, even though he didn't know he had it until he found it still packed away from our last move
-university textbooks & notes are hard for some of us to part with
-if we haven't used it from our last move, do we really need it?
-dogs sense everything
-stuff is just stuff
-I don't want to have anymore conversations with Emily at Bell Canada, or customer service at Rogers
-make sure you are clear on the dates you need your utilities shut off
-I make a much better packer, and my husband makes a much better lugger
-toddlers like to unpack boxes
-freecycyle rocks
-it is possible to wear a beco baby carries, teva sandles, African shirt, infant hat, all the while blowing a whistle...that is if you are 21 months old
-colouring your p.j's with permanent highlighter is a great thing to do while mommy & daddy are busy packing
-stuff is just stuff

Need a good cry????

One of the blogs I follow posted this today. You must watch it. Puts everything for me into perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Black History Month

Our daughter is South African-Canadian. We try very hard to represent both of her cultures in our home. I believe strongly that her senses should be exposed to those things that are both truly Canadian, and African. That being said, February, officially being Black History Month, gives us an opportunity to intentionally create rituals to honour Rachel's cultural roots. Last year, we started a ritual of having a Black History Month dinner. We will continue it this year, perhaps at the end of the month once we have moved...more details to follow. We use this month to attend, honour and celebrate events in our community, and surrounding community. I wonder however, do you celebrate Black History Month? How do you celebrate?

Practice, practice, practice.....

I'm sure with time this will be a wonderful time that Rachel and I spend together. I envision a time when she will sit for an hour or so, while I braid her beautiful hair. She will look in the mirror, reflect on how pretty she is. Ah.....there will be a time.
That time however, is not right now. After an hour of numerous breaks, two yogurts, 3 gingerbread cookies, an episode of Elmo & Clifford, spilt beads & clasps, and dirty hands in fresh braids.....we managed half of her head!

More than we need...

For most of us, we have more than we truly need. For some, just a little more, for others, a lot more. In light of the past weeks events in Haiti, think about it, what couldn't you live without? When I think about it, it comes down to my family. We could live just about anywhere, eat just about anything, but without each other, there wouldn't be anything left. My reason, purpose....gone. I wish I lived keeping this in mind more often.
Yesterday we accepted donations for Haiti relief at a local warehouse. Lots of people brought items they no longer needed. Others brought supplies of diapers, formula, and cereal for children. Medical staff brought supplies. Throughout the morning you'd hear comments of 'you know, a lot of the stuff in this bag is new...only worn a couple of times?' How does this happen? How can we have such abundance, while others have nothing. Haiti was poor, VERY poor before the quake, now....devastation. While we say 'I'm starving'....it holds such little meaning for us...for others, daily reality. When we say 'I need new jeans'....would the three pairs in our closet suffice? When we say 'I need a new car'....does it work, move, is it safe? When we throw out an abundance of produce from our fridge, or leftovers because we just don't like them or are tired of them....'what if it were all we had to eat all week?' And shoes...'how many pairs are in our homes' while others walk barefoot each day.
We must take this time to reflect on our privilege. Yes, we work hard, but relatively, for survival? or for luxuries? We all have something to give at this time. Be it money, time or just a bit of our abundance.

A hug in a mug..

So this morning I got up before Rachel. My husband gets up quite early, and usually Rachel and I are snuggled into bed together, and when she wakes, I wake. I love this time together. The only downside, is that the moment my eyes open, it is 'mommy-mode'. I've been finding this past week, while I rally with friends to gather resources and supplies for an Haiti, I just don't have enough time to sit, respond to emails, check blogs I find inspiring. So, this morning I had my husband wake me when he was up. Yes, it was dark....yes, I loved snuggling with that warm body beside me....but you know, once I was up and had that beautiful hug in a mug in my hand....it was all good. I got to enjoy my morning coffee, check my blogs, write email....in peace and quiet. I already feel like I'm ahead of the game this morning.

A weakness...

O.k...so I consider myself to be pretty crunchy granola. I love the outdoors, I try to cook as much from scratch, I recycle, like to make things, like things made out of wood, don't watch that much TV...etc. I must admit however, that despite all these things, I have a weakness for celebrity gossip & bizarre reality shows like The Bachelor. Can it be so? How is it so? Bizarre...bizarre. When I'm in the grocery store, I can't help but flip through the latest People magazine. Wow, Kate Gosselin has hair extension! Unbelievable, Tiger Woods is a sex addict. I shouldn't really be drawn to this stuff, but I can't help wanting to know. Is it for just one moment my life seems relatively normal, or because for that moment I can allow my brain to become pure mush? Now, could anyone waste more valuable moments of their life than watching a man search for his wife on national television. I can't get that time back, but somewhere deep inside, I'm o.k. with it. It is because I knit while watching? Not sure.....