The Big House

This amazing sunset was just one of many that we had the chance to enjoy this summer in Martha's Vineyard. The shot through the window is one of my favorites as it was taken from inside the living room of the big house: a room where our family has so much history. A room where my great grandparents sat and watched the sea, a room in which my grandparents spent precious moments with their children, a room I was baptized in, and a room where my children were lucky enough to sit, laugh, play, and watch the sky change colors, as if someone sculpted it just for us. I have placed a copy of the picture through the window on my bedroom mirror. Now, the breathless, tiny, yet inspired feeling it gives me is there for me every morning. It is difficult to explain the spirituality one can feel from gazing off snows point. It is a magical and special place and I have been so fortunate to have spent so much time there in my lifetime. It was sad to end this era as this past summer was our last one in the family house. However, it is with the memories close to my heart that we begin new traditions in grandma's house and the same sandy beach.

The little moments....

 

Although Paisley and Harper have another blog dedicated to capturing their lives through photographs:something I started when my sister Lauren told me how it was a great way to trace their childhood, I have decided to keep a separate blog. It will be one intended to appreciate the little moments. In truth, I want to take the quote below to heart:

Remember the little things, for someday you will look back and realize that they were the BIG things. 

It is this quote that strikes me often these days as I am watching Paisley prepare for her first days off at pre-kindergarten. Full days that will begin her long path of education, the education she will get out of the home that is. It is the start of a world that is less known to us; a separate, yet connected life that she will lead with her friends and teachers. A world that will help her continue to grow into who she is and who she will be. It is with much excitement that I prepare to drop her off on her first day next week, yet much sadness that I will not see her for those long hours each day.

In contrast, I am about to gain two days a week alone with Harper: a special, treasured time that I had with Paisley, but as the second child, Harper has only had glimpses of. 

I find myself consumed in the little things in a day that take my breath away and allow me to pause and love just what is happening: focusing on the moment. Tonight, as we drove home from shopping together as a family, the huge and clear moon just rising in front of our path, the girls sang The Sound of Music songs and regailed us with "concerts." They laughed at each other's made up lines and Dave and I could not help laughing as the song was changed to say, "So long, farewell, it's time to say goodbye" from "So long, farewell, auvitashen, goodbye." I apologize for the butchering of the spelling..but one can imagine the humor in the moment of childhood innocence.  

It is so easy to get caught in the day to day events, while not pausing to really absorb these little moments. Inspired by a friend's blog: hellohoneypot.com, I have found myself lately yearning to write something that will contain some of these little moments that I can later pass on to my inspiration: Paisley and Harper.