Nature Calls

Such a beautiful day, the Lord blessed us with, today. The sun casting it's wonderful heat, gently down. The sky, a peaceful blue, with white puffy clouds scattered around it. The air, reminiscent of a cool, breezy spring day. Certainly beats the winter days that await us, this coming week.

I almost missed it.

I went to church and enjoyed learning about how my friend runs her class. I came home and feasted, a little too much, on left overs, pizza rolls, and ice cream. (I know... so healthy.) Then I tended to some farm chores. I fully intended on getting a shower after that last one, but my youngest 3 blessings had disappeared.

They weren't at their play area. They weren't in the house. I couldn't see them out front. Just as I was about to have a panic attack and start shouting at my older 3 to help me find them, blessing #2 spotted them through her window, on a trail.

At first, I was going to make them come back. I marched out there, to see what they were doing. But the sun felt so good and the air was so refreshing, that by the time I reached them, I was glad to stay outside with them.

I'm the type that usually gets caught up in all the things that HAVE to be done, that as much as I love the simple things in life, I have a hard time actually making time for them. There is just too much to be done.

That's one reason, I believe God created children. To remind us and inspire us to enjoy His creation. This was definitely evident on our adventure up and down the trail. About an hours worth of spontaneous exploration. Followed by time playing at their playground.

On this journey, we discovered torn up hornet nests,

signs of deer, the remaining feathers of a former bird,

patch after patch of raspberry canes, (which brings anticipation for our next harvest season). There were puff mushrooms,

goldenrod flies, and soft beds of needles under the pine tree canopies.

A world of wonder awaited us, and they eagerly journeyed into the depths of it and I with them.

True, there is plenty that still "needs" to be done. Things I haven't even started with, like never ending laundry. However, as my friend often reminds me, it's the memories that matter. The messes will be gone one day.

Scientist in the House

We often ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. We act like what they do now isn't as significant as what they will be doing.

My oldest blessing has taught me, kids already are. She already is a scientist. A degree may make it official and give her opportunities she won't have without it, but it will not make her a scientist. A degree doesn't give one the passion, fascination, exploration, or eagerness to know all you can. Whether she pursues an official title or not she IS a scientist.

Because of her we've added field guides to our library, collected animal bones and snake skins for display on our shelves, participated in Project Feeder Watch, and so much more.

She doesn't have to be asked to share the knowledge she has gained. When an opportunity strikes, she'll tell you all you will let her.

Today, I found a bird in my Christmas wreath. I was taking it down to put away and there, snuggled into the top, was a stiff and lifeless winged creature.

My instinct was to sadly dispose of it. But then, her father asked if she wanted us to keep it for her, since she is out working on a project. Of course, she did.

So here it lies, on a paper towel, on my kitchen counter. There it waits for her to examine it in person.

Why? Because she is a scientist. That is not all she is, for she has many skills, talents, gifts, abd passions. It is merely *something* she is.