MollyMadonna.com

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full.

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Do you ever have one of those nights where you just want it to be ok that you’ve not planned anything for dinner? Me neither. I always have a piping hot meal waiting for Jason when he gets home from work…

Actually, quite the opposite. I love to cook, but I don’t love to cook under pressure, or when I feel like a sous chef because certain babes (who used to eat anything I’d put in front of them) are now going through varying phases of dislike or disgust at the dinner table. Still, I’m a pretty big proponent of making sure we do gather around said table, even on the off days when the meal I’ve prepared is overly simple or not to everyone’s taste.

I meant what I said the other day when I shared about my gramma and her ability to gather people around a meal, ordinary or elaborate. It wasn’t the table that called us, but the fact that it was her table and that we were her guests. Some tables are just like that.

As we continue to gather people we love around a meal here at home, I am always amazed at what happens when family and strangers sit together over food. I love to provide a space for that, but I also love to join others in spaces that have opened up to me.

The best part of invitation is the heart exchange that happens when one person extends him or herself to another, and the other accepts. It is a soul-changing thing on both ends–to be invited, and to experience welcome.

Tonight, Jason and I had the privilege of entering into a beautifully prepared space because we said “yes” to an invitation–not just an invitation for a meal, but one to engage with others where our hearts and what God might want to do in our hearts collide. There’s no perfect way to articulate this kind of exchange…it’s just something that happens when we have the honor of saying “yes” to another. Hearts open. Doors open. Holy things take shape that we can’t yet see and may not ever fully know this side of eternity.

I am full tonight, not only because we shared a meal with others around a table, but because we said “yes” and others said “yes,” and the result was a humbling ripple effect that will no doubt carry into all of our days tomorrow as we think about what we saw and heard and shared together.

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My worlds collided this evening in a way I can’t entirely describe, but that I want to remember for a long time to come. I was reminded again that this life we’re living is so richly full, that we cannot see each other unless we really see each other, and that doing life together can be as simple as sitting down together around a table (but that it’s so much more than that, too).

Sometimes, we have to break out of the dinner routine to realize we’re craving something better. Sometimes, we have to break out of comfort zones to discover God has something more than the usual in store.

We can’t receive the blessings of an invitation unless we accept the invitation for ourselves and extend it to others. Then, when our tables are full of people we love and our stomachs are full of food, our eyes might open up the intense beauty of our surroundings, making room for our hearts and spirits to open up widely as well.

After a night like tonight, it suddenly feels like Christmas for all of the right reasons (and I couldn’t be happier about it)!

grace around your tables as you invite and open yourselves up to invitation,

molly madonna

 

 

 

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farmer’s market goodness.

A few weeks back, while mollymadonna.com was in the midst of a facelift (hooray!), I had the privilege of guest-posting over at redandhoney.com. I met Beth briefly at Allume last year, and we share similar passions for health, wholeness and family. Naturally, I enjoy her blog and love that she’s welcomed me into the fold this summer.

It’s not a secret that I love the farmer’s market, nor that I frequent ours as often as possible. I love visits when I can sneak away by myself to nab the best produce and flowers in the early a.m., but I love even more to take the kiddos along and make it a regular event. As was fitting for mid-July and my first post for Red and Honey, I thought I’d share exactly why I love taking the kids on a weekly basis and the value we find in going as a family.

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Since I didn’t have the chance to share when the post was first up (construction woes over here ;), I thought I’d link it here as I get back up to speed in this neck of the woods. If you haven’t read it already, I do hope you’ll enjoy a taste of our farmer’s market…and all of the sights, colors and flavors that make it one of my very favorite places to be. Happy reading!!

still reveling in the richness of summer,

mm

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every good and perfect gift.

Eloise is twelve days old today. Naturally, the past twelve days have been a mix of beauty, adjustment, re-entry, sleepiness, joy, challenge, and great blessing. We are acclimating to life as a family of four, and I, as a mama to two–two babes that God has entrusted to our care, and two who serve as an all day reminder of the responsibility God has placed on my life as a mother. I have never experienced a greater sense of calling, nor have I been more humbled by the way God has surrounded me with His presence and care.

For so long, I prayed over the details of my second labor and delivery, and for so long, I battled new fears and self doubt–all the while wanting desperately for God to be glorified in the process of His creation and design. Someday soon I’ll tell the story of all that God did to be present and to cover Eloise’s birth and my heart. For now, I’ll simply say that He is good, and that His love is palpable and accessible and wonderfully present these days. Ellie’s labor and delivery were just the very beginning of this humbling season…

I hardly know where to begin telling the post-birth chapter. We shared the news of our baby girl’s arrival, and love poured right on in from the very first minute. God has shown up in visits and prayers, in thoughtful gifts and wonderful, home-cooked meals. He has shown up in sweet, sweet times on our couch with dear friends as they meet Eloise, in overly-generous gestures of celebration and shared joy. He has been present in dishes washed, laundry done, vacuuming checked off the list. And most especially, He has cared for our hearts in the care of our sweet Henry. Family and friends have certainly not forgotten (and most definitely celebrated) H’s new, big brother status and the challenges that can come with such change. In turn, I have been blessed with the joy of watching our eldest enjoy others, and also with the gift of time for our new little one. Getting to know her with room enough to still snuggle our first munchkin has added peace to my heart.

I’ve learned a lot in twelve days, and I’ve had to realize over and over again that God’s overflow is something I can’t begin to measure. The cup and portion are simply too big. In the same ways that Henry has taught us so much about joy and laughter and discernment, I have a feeling that our new little lady has been delivered to us to teach us a new depth of love and a softness that our lives could all use. She brings with her a peaceful calm I can’t ignore. What gifts from The Lord!!

Before long, I’ll begin to write thank you notes and make a very feeble attempt to express our gratitude for all that God is doing through those around us. It will, no doubt, feel an insignificant gesture by comparison to the love we’ve witnessed these past few weeks. Even still, maybe God will doubly bless those who bless us. May it be so!

admiring God’s handiwork in the new life before me, and thanking Him over and over again for the gifts of love and friendship that have come along with ellie’s arrival,

one grateful mama

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midnight snack.

Milk for you. Cheerios and blueberries for me. Just in case you ever wonder when we started having sleepovers–we didn’t wait one bit. You and me? We’re having a pajama party every night these days. Loving this snugly time with you when you’re just a bundle of scrunchy, warm love in my arms.

We pretty much exist in our own little world at this time of day–you, making sleepy-eyed faces at me and I, singing made up songs and trying to learn you in every move and detail. I’m fairly certain we get along alright so far. 🙂

loving you at every hour of the day and admiring your pretty little face,

your mama

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in a (honey) nutshell. (13)

At this very moment, I am eating my second smallish bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for the day. I rarely eat cereal anymore, except, apparently, in the last six weeks or so of pregnancy (when I eat a bowl nightly to attempt avoiding 3am hunger pangs). I tried rotating in all of the super healthy, crunchy granola type cereal I’d otherwise choose, but at this point, Honey Nut Cheerios are the thing. I don’t have very many pregnancy cravings. I guess this would be the big one.

Jason is out for a run as I type this, and when he gets back, there’s Captain Sundae waiting for us in the freezer. I’m going to eat that, too…and guilt free, because we’re in the home stretch here and it sounds delicious. I pushed the dairy-free, refined sugar-free thing pretty hard for most of this pregnancy. Turns out a little slipping up here and there does not seem to impact (or cause) any re-occurring headaches at this point, so I’m cutting myself some slack. That, and my body was aching for calcium, despite all of the whole foods sources and amazing vitamins and supplements I take. Baby needs what baby needs.

And on the subject of baby, the tiniest of the bunch is currently hiccuping to get my attention. He or she has had my attention all along (and should hopefully know this by now), but this weekend has been full of attention getting behavior on the Button’s part, so it’s clear we’re gearing up for some big event in utero. I can’t imagine what that might be…

The eldest of the tiny bunch was vying for my attention tonight as well–he nearly hyperventilated upstairs from crying so hard that he “needed me.” This was not your normal cry (nor has it been for the past number of nights), but more like a full tilt panic/scream that would have any parent’s heart in a knot. We’re trying our best to strike a balance between coddling and supporting, and I think there’s a very fine line when your two year old is likely just feeling the growing pains of baby sibling’s impending arrival. H’s needs have been on this rise this past week, and as much as we adore him and want to make sure he feels loved, it’s been trying to say the least. The munchkin is now (finally) sound asleep upstairs after wearing himself out and four separate visits from mom and dad to calm things down. I’ve never learned patience to the degree that I’ve learned it in the past month. I suppose the heat had to turn up at some point as we ready ourselves for the babe on the way.

Aaaaand, lastly, as I wrap up my thoughts on the day, the nursery is 90% or more done after this weekend, and it feels amazing. I know baby wouldn’t know if it weren’t finished, but we would know, and it was getting to both of us. The only thing left is to hang the mobile above the crib and photos on the walls (and I need to go looking for a floor lamp this week if time permits). Beyond that, the projects still on the list are crafty ones that I’m committed to only if life and motherhood allow, and we’ll see what the next week or two hold. In the meantime, teensy clothes are washed, folded, and tucked into drawers, the crib is made up, bookshelves are hung and stocked full, new light fixture is in, all is in place. SO good!! Now if I would only pack a hospital bag for baby and myself, we’d be golden. Then he or she could come at any time without all of the rushing I’ve dreaded might take place. No more dreading. To do list, relatively conquered. Amen.

So that’s the report on this second to last Sunday before my due date. We’re making our way here–all of us. Each differently and dynamically, but we’re making our way.

thinking about baking a blueberry crisp, and it’s 11pm. nest much?

mm