shut doors and open windows.

I can't change time.

I can accept the fact that I am pregnant. All summer long. And I'll be OK with taking it easy.

I can't paint the walls.

I can be happy renting a home.

I can't have my dream yard today, for entertaining and such.

I can plant, and water, and sing to flowers in my borrowed yard, all the while learning.


I've spent a lot of time thinking, "what's the point of investing time, effort, and money in a garden that we'll only eventually leave?"

But lately I've realized it's no different than tuition paid to a school. Effort exerted in a classroom. Time handed to homework.


Today, during the boys' naps, I measured the yard and plotted the ground. It's been therapeutic to chart the things that I can't change (paths, trees, bushes, etc.) and then to look over the many areas I can.

The yard is my oyster.

I am so thankful for the hobbies that give us peace of mind and help us to learn the big lessons in little ways.