Look What's Sprouted Up

So much time has passed since my last post, and so much change has occurred.  As a life well lived, I'm inclined to think.

My garden has suffered a good deal of neglect of late.  But I feel like I'm turning a corner and have some spirit (and hopefully time) to return.

You see, the last nine months I've been busy nurturing the most special kind of life.

Now how 'bout that??!!??

Well, it's been a wonderful journey and the future is chock full of the promise of growth...it is happening before my very eyes.  I'm spending more days than not in amazement on how quickly life changes.  Our wee sprout took her first (assisted) steps yesterday.  I spent the better part of the evening trying to burn that moment into my memory.  It was beautiful.  She was so proud.  Someone just nine months old feeling pride.  That is something to remember.

I managed to get some huckleberry shrubs planted out front.  It took me a few separate trips out to get the job done -- M sucked on a rock (really)

while I got some of the prep work out of the way and then after she sailed off to dreamland I took advantage of daylight saving's time offering of an extra hour of daylight at night and got four huckleberry shrubs planted along the front of the house.

It took some doing and my back is TRES grumpy at present.  (When I've finished this it is off for a stretch session go I.)

But I am happy.  I feel like some momentum is building...it has been for some time but now things are really happening.  It's going to take a whole lot more doing but it feels good to be outside again with my hands in the dirt.  And M seems to like it pretty fine too.  Which makes me smile.  I hope to spend more time with M, up to our elbows in the dirt.

P.S. Speaking of growing...

M learned the word 'stretch' today.  She has a book of words that includes a picture of a little girl with her hands stretched up over her head and the word 'stretch' written below.  When I read the words in the book I try to include visuals (other than pointing at the picture) where I can.  When I read that word, I rest the book against me and stretch my arms up overhead.  Now when we turn to that page, M raises her hands up over her head.  If I say 'stretch', wee bean raises her arms to the heavens.

WHAT A BRIGHT LITTLE LIGHT!!!