Weekly Update – New Season

I’m obsessed with Instagram – it’s my favorite online home! Here’s a recap from the last week, and for those of you who aren’t on Instagram, come and join me!

Thursday, September 1

I love her so hard. Heading home today from a quickie spontaneous adventure to Bend, Oregon.

Friday, September 2

Autumn is coming. I can feel it in the moody wind, in my anticipation of cozy, in my longings for a new season of my life to unfold with renewal. Hello, Autumn. Your back to routine ways are welcome and adored and needed!

Sunday, September 4

Hello Sunday afternoon. Something about getting ready for school to start (hello Kindergarten!) along with the Fall weather is making me feel all weekendy. Also, I’m wearing plaid, which, you know, makes it all official. New beginnings all around. Magic.

Monday, September 5

At the studio getting ready to play with these colors.

Here’s what I made. I want to add a word, just one, but a little stuck. What words are delighting you right now? (leave in the comments below!)

Tuesday, September 6

Look what just arrived. I’m totally geeking out and super excited to read this brave book. I’m a HUGE fan of Glennon Doyle Melton and the ways she has ushered so many into their love voices.

Getting ready for True’s first day of school tomorrow. Brave rock for his pocket and letter for his packed lunch. We are all a ball of nerves and excitement.

Wednesday, September 7

We walked down the forest trail that leads to his outdoor school/farm this morning. It was misty, damp, and so so lush with all the shades of green. It smells like Oregon. Trees. Dirt. Forest. Hearts are nervous, excited. There has been so much preparation leading to this moment, so much heart and soul tending. He is leading the way down the forest path. He’s been here a few times by now and I can tell he’s comfortable. He has his brave rock in his pocket yet I think I might need it more in this moment. We arrive and there are loving hellos from teachers and parents and off they go into the trees where the forts are waiting. A deer is spotted in the grove and all are in awe. There is a morning circle of song and honoring of the land and animals and Spirit. There are loving hugs goodbye. No tears. NO tears. We slip away, turning our heads back several times to check on him. He isn’t watching us. He is holding the hand of his teacher, involved in gathering a circle of classmates. As John and I walk back up the trail, we marvel. What just happened? We were expecting it to be harder. Much harder. Tears. Bargaining. All of it. But it was as smooth as the brave rock. Wow. Our little sensitive-does-not-like-parting-ways child just had a huge breakthrough. We talk about how we are insanely proud of him, and of us too. We remind ourselves that this particular work with him has been a slow burn, that we’ve all fought hard for this moment. But the fire is building now and the light is bright. We are in awe. Thank you, True. Thank you, parenthood. For all the struggles and soul work and togetherness and growth and becoming and love. It’s weeks like this that make it all make sense. What a journey! I will always remember his bravery on this day, the first day of Kindergarten. Go, True, go.

Thursday, September 8

So I have to tell you what happened when we picked him up yesterday from his first day at the school in the forest. Because, for this little guy who generally struggles with transitions, it was amazing. And I can’t stop thinking about it.

John and I arrived to pick him up. We are nervous. We are still marveling at how well it all went down at drop off that morning. We are beyond hopeful the day went well and that he’ll want to come back tomorrow. Our hearts beat with anticipation. We know it could go one way or another. I can see his little body now. He’s making his way up the trail toward us. He spots us and he is smiling huge. He starts running now and when he gets to me he flings his arms around me and practically screams, “That was THE BEST DAY EVER!” My heart explodes with equal parts relief and happiness for him. He is Mr. Chatterbox for the rest of the afternoon while he tells us about his outdoor school adventures. All the while I’m beaming on the inside: we made the right choice, we made the right choice. Yes, yes, yes. Later during a quiet moment he looks me in the eyes and says very deliberately, “Mom, thanks so much for sending me to that school. It was SO GOOD, you don’t even know how good.” I thanked him for his thank you and told him how happy I was for him. We talked about how amazing it feels when we find a place where we belong, where our hearts come even more alive.

And just like that, a transition has been made that was the easiest one yet (and that is saying a lot). This kid. He is on his way. Today one of his new friends who is a grade above him insisted on holding True’s hand during morning circle. And when they had to part ways the older friend turned around and gave True a big hug and said they’d meet up later in the field.

Heart explosion. Again. Here we go. This new season feels so big, important, like it’s been coming a long time.