preparations

a very simple seasonal table for holy week

i guess i've taken a little blogging hiatus this lenten season.  it wasn't really intentional.  things have just slowed down around here quite a bit since christmas.  we've spent lots of time inside, waiting for the rain to stop and the sun to warm things up.  we've been reading a lot, resting a lot, organizing a little, crafting a little, resting some more, and trying to ready our home and ourselves for a new baby.  that new baby's due date is tomorrow!   i wouldn't say we necessarily feel ready at this point, but i think we all feel calm.

it's hard to know quite how to prepare for easter this year.  i think whether we have a baby or not by then our festivities will be really simple.  i haven't had the energy for much crafting but i think the kids are happy enough with the small things.  i recently brought down a basket from the attic of little nests, eggs and chicks of various sorts for isla, and she's been carrying it all around the house making interesting set-ups and telling stories.  we made candles last night with a friend, including a red one for holy week and a white one we'll use for easter.  the kids are excited to color eggs and read our easter stories.

i haven't really had an intentional lenten discipline this season, but i think it's been useful just quietly preparing my heart for this new little life.  noah was born right after easter as well, and i remember it being a very powerful time to celebrate new life.  sometimes i feel anxiety about mothering three children, about having enough patience and kindness and creativity, about being able to lead them toward the good and the beautiful and the righteous.  but this is a good season to dwell in hope, and to embrace the power of the story of christ's triumph of life over death.

early spring garden: daffodils up, tulips just beginning to poke up, hellebore in the middle
and white bleeding heart in the background.