Invictus

INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Read about this inspiring poet here.

Liamism

The girls are having an exclusive tea party.
Liam continually asks: "Lundi, can I invite you guys?"
(when he really wants to say: "Can I be invited?")

How can you say no to that?

KKS

Inspiring

"Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don't judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another's weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other." Marvin J. Ashton

KKS

Hills Beach

We went down to see Laurette yesterday. Which was, of course, followed by a visit to Hills Beach. It was (most likely) our last day at the beach for the year. Fall is coming quickly.

KKS

Dear Blog

I miss you. I do. I will spend time with you soon. But it will have to be later. Because the kids want to be signed up for soccer and Caleb broke his hand and I am now cub master and nursery leader and I have a toddler who loves to climb stairs, get hurt and constantly put things in her mouth. I have a garden to harvest and friends to visit and a husband to love and kids to snuggle. School has started, so you know what that means. I have a four year old who is begging me to teach him to read. I have a good friend who is (sadly) getting a divorce and a vacation to plan and decisions to make about how many times I should pick up dirty laundry before I complain. I have my own spirituality to work on and six children who need guidance on how to treat each other and their neighborhood friends. I have strawberries to pick and doctor appointments and tomatoes that need to be canned. I found out today that Lundi still has pain in her foot. She hurt it back in June but didn't want to tell me that it was still hurting because she wanted to swim all summer. She has x-rays tomorrow. I have cobwebs on my ceiling and dirt under the rugs and sheets to be changed and laundry to be washed. I watched someone die last week and I watched someone come to a new life last month. I love my blessed life, and I would love to share more of it with you. But under the circumstances, I feel like I should be elsewhere.

KKS

Lundi's Letter From Camp Tanglewood

Dear Mom,
I made only two friends. Haili and Rissa. It started out pretty bad. I was so nervous that I dumped my water on my plate. I took some pictures and played a card game called Spit. The camp nurse is really nice. Rissa and Haili are like me. Kinda shy and picky and brave. And we all like swimming. And of course, in my cabin there is a bratty girl. I love you.
Love,

Lundi

KKS

Quiet

I have been splitting my time among four kids instead of six this week. Lundi and Harrison are away at camp. Things have been pretty quiet around here. I have noticed, though, that I feel much more relaxed. I find myself being more deeply engaged in the affairs of the four that are home. I feel like I have so much more time to spend with them individually. The dynamics drastically change when there are just two missing. Caleb keeps saying that he is glad to have a vacation from Harrison.

KKS

Quote

"I do not ask for any crown
But that which all may win;
Nor try to conquer any world
Except the one within."

Louisa May Alcott

I Can't Explain It......

.....you just have to see it.

KKS

E L E V E N

S H E I S!!!!

And here are eleven reasons why we love her:

• She doesn't give us much trouble.
• She is nurturing and empathetic.
• She is a hard worker.
• She is a peacemaker.
• She is faithful.
• She is self motivated.
• She is trust worthy.
• She is a talented artist.
• She is a good friend.
• She is responsible.
• She is dependable.

KKS