Gratefulness

Saturday I began the real immersion into my Inner Life of a Child in Nature program with the Center for Education, Imagination and the Natural World.  It was amazing.  My hopes with this program are to help focus me on which direction I need to take. . .I have some ideas for which way I need to be going for my master's degree. . .but just trying to figure out which will be best for my goals, and also the practicalities in life (the paying the bills part).

I of course am a huge fan of Thomas Berry, the ecotheologian, so I was thrilled when I found this program just two hours away and it was developed out of his ideas, and from discussions with him!  Only one day of meeting the other kindred spirits, some reflection, and solo time and I can already "see" a little better.

So for my masters. . . not sure which route to go in.  On my list are Seminary, Conflict and Peace Studies, Ecotherapy, Ecopsycology, Parks and Rec, and App Studies- Sustainability.  Really- they all are tied together. . .in my mind.  The more time I spend in Environmental Education the more I realize some of the greater issues and problems facing humankind because of our disconnect.

Towards the end of the day Saturday we were given time to walk around, sit, meditate, journal, etc. at the sanctuary.  I spent a lot of time listening and journaling.  I found myself feeling forever grateful.  I am grateful for my Grandma Lareau for my spiritual connection.  I may have taken a different path than her, but without her guidance, I would not have ended up on the path that I am on (or possibly many others for that matter), I am grateful for Steven and the power and strength you gain from being loved, and I am grateful for Grayson for my glimpse of brilliance,  agape love, and the secrets of the universe.  I explained to Steven that I often feel like these newborns are all the answers- they are everything that is sacred.  A direct connection to what is divine.  Becoming a mother was like being brushed as lightly as a feather by all of that.  So much seemed clearer- and I only became hungry to know more.  He awakened me in so many ways.

After some time journaling I found myself walking along a trail.  There was a lone dandelion on the edge of the trail, and I just felt like I would take some time to slow my thoughts and be present.  It was amazing how I started seeing one dandelion and hearing one bird, to hearing several birds and buzzing insects, watching nameless insects crawling all around me.  I had been so stuck in my own mind, that by slowing down I allowed myself to open up and see what was really going on around me.  Our objective was to feel love, real love for all things.  I don't know that I felt that. . .but I do feel like I accomplished feeling grateful, and amazed.  I accomplished being present.

To my Gray-

Often while I was pregnant people would comment on doom and gloom and the fear of bringing a child into the world (I know never seemed appropriate to me either), but I have never felt that.  One I knew (and still know) that you will be a light.  In fact the song A Touch of Grey brings a smile to me.  We will get by.  I am certain of it, and I hope that my practices of keeping in the present and keeping us connected to what is sacred will make all the difference for you and the world.

Hayrides and Pumpkins

 Sunday we headed up to New River State Park for a hayride through the park, and to enjoy fall in the mountains of Ashe County.  It was our 6th wedding anniversary, and seemed like a nice way to spend the day as a family.  Gray is drawn to water (he is very much a fire sign) so of course we headed to the river as well and sat for awhile to enjoy the river, and our time together.  It was nice to be very present.  Gray spent time throwing leaves into the river, and of course had to dip his toes in as well.

Making our snake faces...ssssss

Matching the animals.  He LOVES matching games, and he did awesome at this!

Come on Dad, just a little dip. . .

COLD!!!

Heading back down the mountain we stopped off at Aunt Nita's and Uncle Mike's to say hello and pick some pumpkins.  Gray's birthday gift had somehow traveled in the mail for awhile before heading back to their house, so she also gave Gray his birthday gift.  It was the most thoughtful gift ever, and I just can't say enough.  Steven was very moved. . .and almost shed a tear in front of everyone.  

Is so happy with his Aunt "Nina"

See the beautiful view from their place?  It really is amazing up there on Herman road

A matching brick was laid at the Catawba Regional Hospice.  This place is amazing and the nurses were God sends when Steven's Dad was sick.

We filled the car with pumpkins, and headed on home with full hearts from a wonderful day.

Gorgeous Gorges

Today we headed west to the town of Sapphire to see the grand opening of the Gorges State Park visitor center.  This was one exhibit project I had seen from the very beginning all the way to the end.  I had so much fun during the planning process, and had really great partners to collaborate with.  It was very exciting to see the completion of the project, to see the exhibits in real life, and not just on paper, as well as to see all the people interact with them.  Exhibitry was never anything I had dreamed of going into, but it is an extension of environmental education that I have found myself to really enjoy.  I hope I am able to find myself in another job, being that creative once again.  

HUGE waterfall.  The idea here was to start introducing the concept of waterfalls. It is amazing.

Love the flow.  We totally ran with the idea of the exhibits, visitor center, and the outdoors all being one.  

Known as a vacation site, you can send an electronic postcard from Gorges.

Water table that can be moved around.  Lets the kids build cascades and waterfalls.

Of course Gray was busy making friends with the big boys.  They are admiring a fish "stuck" in a pool in the diorama.

Gray loved the rattlesnake crossing tunnel.  

Mommy had to crawl through too.

Cozy.  This was all part of our plan as well.  I foresee ranger chats here with great storytelling, or music, and other cool demonstrations.

Our artistic waterfall came out wonderful!  

LEED info found all over the building.

Sharon (my replacement) chatting with Gray.  He loved the animal skulls.

Good friends, a retirement, sink, and a Mill Fest

What a busy past few days!  On Thursday, our best friends from Louisiana came to visit.  They had a whirlwind of a trip themselves, so they were only able to stay the one night, but it was a great short visit.  The boys "camped out" in the TV/toy room.  It was WAY past their bedtime already, but it was so cute to hear them whispering to each other.  It is so awesome how well they get along.  

On Friday, I had to head out to a retirement party, some of the gang went to the local science center, and Steven stayed back waiting for the countertop installers.  The retirement party was for my old supervisor with state parks.  It was so good to visit with old friends from the state park system, and to honor and see my old supervisor as he embarks onto the next stage of his life.  He will be missed that is for sure.  All I can say is I am glad I was out first- otherwise I would have been a mess!

After the party, I headed back to see William, Anita and Mikey before they took off, and then headed to meet Steven at a local Fall festival.  

On Saturday we spent a rainy day inside while Steven worked on the kitchen.  He installed the sink and faucet, and wow, does the kitchen already look amazing!  I can not wait to get the cabinets stripped and painted and the new hardware on.  Oh, and the tile backsplash, and floor. . .slowly, but surely.

On Sunday we headed out to one of the local annual festivals, the Murray's Mill Festival, held at the same place Steven and I were married.  We had a great time- made candles, a stool, a tool box, visited some critters at the petting zoo, Gray got his tractor fix, got to see a civil war re-enactment, and got to listen to some great music.