EAT PRAY LOVE

I finished the book and saw the movie last night. I have to say that Elizabeth Gilbert's worldview is very different than my own but like so many of her readers I appreciate her intentionality and her open wrestlings.


It's nice to jump inside someone's head very different than your own. For me, it brings up new thoughts and questions and at the same time affirms some of my own understandings. And of course, like most times you get a chance to know someone on a deeper level, you find similarities and at times opportunities to see aspects of yourself more clearly.

Gilbert gives the reader a chance to step into her thought processes and glimpse the lack of grace and abundance of judgments she begins the journey with. An opportunity to stop and analyze, "What does my thought process look like?" "Am I gentle to myself?" because MAN, that sure looks painful, what she's doing!

Sometimes when I'm in the middle of a book, I begin to pick up on their writing style and find some similar narration coming into my own head about my life. Does that happen to you? I took more notice of my thoughts while reading this book and became more intentional in where I let my thoughts go. It really is amazing how quickly we can shoot ourselves down. My spiral downward really did used to resemble a falling plane. I catch myself much earlier these days (mostly). Like Gilbert seems to begin doing, I know the signs and try to respond.

I have so many thoughts on this book, perhaps I'll find time to share a few more. If anyone reads this and has a thought, share.

Character

I'm beginning to realize that my daughter has a temperment. Now, I know that does not sound surprising, but IT IS to me. It surprises me that some of the things I see now might always be. It surprises me how different she is from me in some ways. And yet, I know that as a 4 year old it is hard at times to get an accurate picture.

I'm beginning to think that maybe the way Noelle is, has something to do with her and not just with me. I guess it points to the fact that I put a lot of stock into the "nurture" over "nature" theory and am surprised to find that some of her behavior and attitude really do seem to come from hard-wiring. I can't help but wonder how the pregnancy and all of my "stuff" and Ryan's "stuff" and life's circumstances play a part in shaping her. But I am beginning to realize that there are some things that have been pretty consistent from day one.

I'm also reminding myself of something I learned in school. I learned that the type of temperment of your child isn't as important as the "goodness of fit" or the connection that is formed between the child and the parent. In more recent weeks I have been encouraged to really try and gauge the needs of my child and attempt to understand where she is coming from. So, I am attempting to really "see" my child and attempting to connect with her the best I can, look her in the eyes, comfort her, enjoy her and think about her.

At 4, I'm beginning to realize more and more that she is so separate of me and is a complete individual. I think it's Noelle that is supposed to be going through the process but here I am.

And on that note, I felt these pictures captured some of her character:

Loving kindness
Noelle has a big heart and has always been very sensitive. She is sensitive in many ways, one of them being that she can sense others emotions and is affected by them. She really knows how to love well and we see it come out at times. I love when she loves on her sister.

So there is one thing that she seems to have in common with me, her love of dance, posing and attention. Here she is on the soccer field, sauntered off from the disorganized class and taking a minute to pose by the goal.


Intensity
But unlike me, she has a little fire in her that can show up in her passion and intensity, like on the soccer field, in her art and in her interaction.

Determination
Noelle is extremely determined. I think about the line in the movie clueless that said, "it's just a jumping off point for negotiations" or something like that. In this picture, I wouldn't get down something she wanted and so she started piling (in frustration I would add). Natalie just decided to pull the tall barstool over, a reminder that keeping a level head about what you're trying to get at sure helps ;).

Sweet Lily Tutus

A friend had Natalie model a few of her tutus that she makes:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/49403746/pink-and-orange-tutu-with-hot-pink

These pictures are so precious! Thanks Cheri for letting us share in the fun!

Vacation is...

I used to always associate vacations with sleeping in and sleeping well.

Not anymore.

And let me tell you, nothing could take away the beauty, joy and calming sensation of waking up to this....

And although I love waking up to this...





I really didn't want to wake up to this...

Every morning, usually earlier.