From Henri Nouwen's book "Reaching Out

" Without the solitude of heart, the intimacy of friendship, marriage and community life cannot be creative. Without the solitude of heart, our relationships with others easily become needy and greedy, sticky and clinging, dependent and sentimental, exploitative and parasitic, because without the solitude of heart we cannot experience the others as different from ourselves but only as people who can be used for the fulfillment of our own, often hidden, needs....."

Whoa. That is some deep stuff. I like deep waters, to be in over my head. Glutton for punishment, some call it.

I have not read this book, nor any of Nouwen's. I read the authors who read him and then try to explain it to me. And even then, I only understand a small slice.

But when I do, oh man! Good stuff. That this loneliness could be God breathed solitude creeping in? Bring it on. A perspective shift is always welcome from above. And by welcome I mean after the tantrums & screaming fits are ceased.

Sad monkey photo from Aden's field trip in April. I have always felt the zoo was a lonely place.

Give it a whirl

Back when I offered a feedback giveaway, my dear Kylee asked for more words. I have been trying since to do a post with no pics. Really focus on my words. Because that Kylee, she is a smart cookie.

As long as we are being vulnerable here & trying something new, I thought I would go with this:

10 things I would like to change about myself

1. I listen to movie critics, rather than judge for myself.
2. Keeping it safe in the kitchen. I stay away from new recipes.
3. People pleasing. Is it okay with you if I change this? ;)
4. Harshness. I value honesty but you know what they say about a spoonful of sugar...
5. Discomfort with silence.
6. I am addicted to stuff & it is suffocating.
7. Cynicism.
8. I don't wear pink near enough.
9. Too much emphasis on results. Need to find joy in the journey.
10. My bizarre penchant for lists.

Yea, I did it!

Ready, set, go!

We are beyond ready for summer break. (Read: I am sick of 3 trips to drop off & pick up kids every weekday) I am hoping for a lot of nothing for the next 3 months.

Rest. It is a funny thing, how much work goes into resting well. My boys even, have become frazzled at the sight of an empty calendar. Except Collin of course,who is content with chocolate milk & Scooby-Doo all day, every day.

As hard as a doer/fixer/planner like me finds it to be, I am willing to put forth the effort to not, well,... put forth the effort, all summer long. Ahh, I am feeling a little less stressed already.





One thing I am putting some work into, my new camera. I am hoping to max out my photography potential. Which, if all goes according to plan/not plan, will be a lot of pictures of very boring, very relaxed folks!

If you say so

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted"

...Randy Pausch

A "quotes I heart" submission from my sis, & so true.

Outed

Matt & I have been accused more than once of playing favorites with Aden Mathew. And what is not to love here? The blond locks, the quirky quotes, the camera loves this kid!

I feel comfortable sharing this because while Aden was the favorite for awhile, it has shifted to another awesome Archuleta boy. As it always does, & that is why we think it is okay. I will leave you to guess who the new favorite is.

Luck be a Lady

Really? How did I get this life? With this man? And four healthy, handsome boys? Really? It is too much.




And this darling sister? Who also takes great pictures? Too much, I tell ya'.

Word to your mother

This is my mom, with her mom & her hubby's mom. As if I need to say that is my mom, I look just like her. And, for my whole life I have been told what a great thing that is. To look like a strong, classy lady. Thanks mom! Happy Mother's Day Momma.

10 years of wedded bliss...or somethin' like it

"We need not think alike to love alike." Francis David

Yep, 10 big ones hit us today.

We hurried down to the chapel those years ago to be married by the one & only Armond Taylor. Just a rush of vows & only our moms & a sweet 4 month old Parker there to witness.

Our life still feels a bit crazed & rushed in that same way. I would not want to do life with anyone else & I feel invincible when Matt & I sync up. Of course, we notice the differences & hiccups more than the places we can connect, even though they far outweigh the conflicts. Just our humanness, I suppose.

It feels insufficient to say so little, but really that is it, glad to have made it this far with you sweetie & here's to the next 10. I love you. Happy am I, to be Mrs. Archuleta.




" The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this surely is the ideal." William James

Wrapping it up

Now that the weather has decided to be nice enough to play outdoor soccer, the season is winding down. Aden has done very well with his first go at organized sports. It has been one of many things this year that I have had unnecessary anxiety about, concerning Aden. I am accepting that the anti-social & unyielding nature of his 3 & 4 year old years, is going to be left in the past. I could not be more thrilled. ( I myself am still waiting to grow out of being anti-social & unyielding.)

p.s. Do you spy 2 booger pickers, blissfully unaware of the camera? he...he...he...

Options

Click this if you would like to hear a Good word about the unborn. Or, if that is not your thing, just look at this cute pic of Aden on his 3rd birthday.