It’s rained non stop all weekend long. And although I’m always giving a holla to the rain and all we-dance-in-it, we-like-it, we-don’t-need-no-sunshine, sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way. Because sometimes when it rains, I get in a Rain Funk. Especially when it doesn’t stop raining and Brett’s little rain collector in the back yard is measuring accumulations of doldrum proportions.

Here’s the cool thing though. I happen to have a black belt in Rain Funk Reversal. A mental notebook, sorta, of numerous strategies that rebirth sunshine and happiness in my otherwise pluvious mood. And it was last night, while Brett was fishing and my dad was watching the girls, that I began to shake it off with the help of Rain Reversal Strategy Numbers 12, 32, and 56…and that would be calling cousin Joann, buying a drug store lipstick, and digging through reject piles of clearanced Crabtree & Evelyn lotions at TJ Maxx, respectively. And it was about the time I scored an avacado body butter for $3.99 that it hit me…what a beautiful thing it is to be able to fully feel sadness and fear, annoyance and bitterness, loneliness and desperation and to know that they are real and meaningful feelings, but they are replaceable, reversible and recoverable–with time, and the more we submerge ourselves in little pleasures from avocado body butters to inhaling the tiny breaths of a snuggled newborn, the more we learn to accept the duration of the rain, to let it seep deep into our soul to renew parched roots, and to find richer beauty once it subsides and its rewards make themselves known.

So it was this weekend. Enjoying the small things amongst the rain…

Things like an afternoon lounge on the lanai, listening to the chorus of bullfrogs the downpour has awakened, and feeling the mist of wind-carried rain that has cooled down an otherwise muggy day.

Or mornings at the park, swapping babies with friends, smearing cream cheese on bagels and sipping coffee from the picnic tables where we watch our littles run off towards the climby things.

Pearls to the Park…looks like our Baylee is headin’ toward being Park Mom #1 someday.

The Birthday Celebration of Lainey’s bud Cameryn and the gathering of littles it brings. Oh, to behold the beauty of a child’s celebration of life and the way it takes all the color, all the childhood wonder, all the smiles encrusted with cupcake frosting and cookie crumbs and brews them together with the grandeur of rich-toned balloons, ruffle-hemmed princess dresses and pink party favor trinkets to yield one perfect day of serendipitous bliss.

Of obstetricians who also happen to be clever with embroidery machines because our Dr. Jody whipped up Nella’s name on her little fairy party duds.

On watching Nella’s new favorite thing to do…she totally digs having her hands clapped…her smiles not only prove it but turn every cell in my body to complete mush.

Seriously though…I can’t get enough of her flirty-eyed grins. And, if we’re really lucky, we get this drunk little laugh. It seriously sounds like a little huh-huh that slurs out of someone very drugged up. But coming from her? Hello, Heaven.

This one was while she was sleeping…and I sidled right up to her and said some lovely little coos. And it makes her smile every time…even if she’s sleeping. And the fact that she responds even in her sleep just solidifies the fact that this girl’s love-ometer reads off the charts.

She does it for Brett every single time he works for it. She loves him, and he eats it up. And every time she does it, he smiles and says, “She loves me, doesn’t she?” And I can tell my “Yes, she does, Babe” validates what he already knows just enough to put his head into happy daddy clouds.

And then Lainey goes and ups the ante.

And enjoying all that? Well, I almost forgot it rained.

Our park is where it happens at 4:00 in the afternoon. They come trailing in–moms of all sorts–when the sun sits high and the playground mulch is dry and scorching in the afternoon sun. They come pushing strollers, dragging pony-tailed toddlers, wearing blue-eyed boys that peek out from slings that are snugly pressed against their chests. The proverbial park mom. She smiles and smoothes the ponytail sprouting from her perfectly placed baseball cap. She evenly dodges her glance from slide to swings to see-saw to keep careful and equal attention on all three of her kids and if, God forbid, one of them say, falls off a swing, she’s there in a New York minute to spray some antiseptic spray (conveniently stored in an easy access pocket in her diaper bag next to a stash of fruit snacks–organic, of course–and wipes) and kiss a boo-boo. She is completely put together, this Park Mom, and when it’s time to pack up and leave, she gives a little whistle and all three kids line up obediently, like she’s Captain Von Trapp, and follow her to a freshly-washed SUV.

Then there’s another kind of park mom…and, I have to admit, this is why I come to the park. I relate to these ones–these “other kind” of moms–and watching them entertains me in a way none other can. These park moms arrive “in style”, as I like to call it, dragging garage sale wagons full of happy kids with messy clothes. They look “lived in,” shall we say, slightly unkempt but suggestive of a day’s worth of fun. Paint stains. Peanut butter residue. Skipped-a-shower braids. These moms pretend to search diaper bags for fruit snacks to look put together when, really, they know damn well they’ll only find crumbs. They forget their wipes and use their sleeves. They keep an eye on Jimmy while losing track of Little Bobby. And my favorite? Oh the entertainment of watching them leave the park. Round up the kids. Call it quits. They start with a plastered smile as they call up, “Time to go! We have to make dinner! Daddy’s coming home!” as if the smile somehow tricks the kids into thinking leaving the park to go make dinner is actually fun. But then it gets better. After two fake-happy round-ups, it starts to get ugly. Like, “I’m not kidding. We’re leaving. No more slide.” and the smile gradually fades. Of course, Jimmy and Bobby know this is all part of the game because, they’ve been here before, and they know all too well they have like 5 free passes before she really gets mad. So, they slide. They swing. They ignore. Until Other-Kind-of-Park-Mom completley loses her cool and everyone in the park watches as she drags her garage sale wagon, stomps her feet and embarrassingly screams out, “That’ it. Get over here now. I’m not gunna ask you again” followed by that stupid ploy we’ve all done at one point or other in our parenting…the fake “I’m leaving” and the exaggerated stomp out. As if we’re actually going to leave our kids. Of course, by this time, me…the innocent park by-stander is completely laughing and waiting for the big finale. The poor, frazzled mom who finally scoops up screaming grown toddlers and drags them through the blazing hot park mulch, into the parking lot and through the doors of a dirty minivan that smells like day-old Happy Meals.

And that, my friends, is why I like to go to the park.
Not to mention, my girl has a great time.

Evidence A from yesterday’s visit:

And, although we may joke on the probability of a positive E coli test on these digging rocks, can I just say these kids have had all shades of fun scooping pebbles in this heap…and amen to watching your kid have fun. Period.

And, we say we come to the park for our kids…but, let’s face it…this mama finds a lot of beauty in nursing my baby on the pebble pit ledge, sharing stories with friends, watching the afternoon sun hit my little sprite’s golden hair, and hearing her breath catch in the back of her grin as her swing soars toward pillowy clouds.

Thank you, Heidi, for all the mama shots you get. Without you, our family albums would be motherless.

…even if I forgot to pack organic fruit snacks.

And afternoon park sun always lends itself for fantastic shadow shots.
“Hi, Shadow,” we say.

That’d be me & Heidi.

And Flirty Smile just happens to be on my Top Ten Things that Make Me Insanely Happy list lately.

And the other List Topper would be finding frogs that Lainey places all over the house…including, um, Nella’s head.

Speaking of insanely happy, the 400 pictures I went through (with Brett’s help) of your lively homes and the love and the laughter you share there…well, there were many times I was in tears. I hope to share more throughout the month because there’s just that many good ones…that much love. Choosing one to win? Well, that was also enough to have me in tears. My “winner” folder I had widdled all the selections down to still had 100 images in it. How did I choose? A little of everything. I first picked images that spoke to me…ones that ilicited emotion…ones I could “feel” just based on what I saw, and that had nothing to do with editing or photography skill. Then, I had Brett help me…I asked him to tell me which ones he could “feel” life in, etc. Even then, we still had about 30. So, I randomly selected one from those thirty, numbering them first and using random.org to generate a winning number (I’m terrified of not fairly representing!).

So, a few more to share first…

Jennifer:

Life in our home begins in the hallway. After we get our 6 month old
daughter ready for the day, we lay her in the hallway that connects
all the bedrooms (and bathroom). She lays there contently just
watching the hustle and bustle of everyone rushing to get ready for
the day….There’s enough movement and life going on
to keep the baby entertained for a lot longer than one might think
considering she’s just laying in the middle of the floor! I just love
to watch her soak it all in, and I love watching my older daughter
kneel down to give the baby a hug before rushing in to get her socks
from her bedroom.

Tracee:

When we bought our home, before our first child was born, I had grand plans for the living room. I envisioned a space that was impeccably decorated and chic but family friendly. If such a combination existed, I would create it. And then we had kids. Four years and two kids later, the living room is just that–a “living” room. It’s where blocks and books and musical instruments are strewn across the floor, where you can always find a jammied boy rolling a matchbox car across the carpet, where the morning sun shines in from the window and warms the where-did-the-blond-hair-come-from head of my I-can’t-believe-he’s-almost-one year-old…It might not be impeccably decorate and chic, but the living room where my boys LIVE, and that’s what makes it the most lively place in my home.

Carin:

Though our house has lots of spots where memories are made, it is outside our house — in our backyard — where life occurs. I’m not sure if it’s the partnership — the ability to swing alongside your sibling — that evokes the most giggles? Or if it’s the feeling of excitement… when you’re pushed to the highest high, your belly does a little flip-flop with the excitement of nearly touching the clouds? Or if it’s Daddy, who tries to sneak kisses each time you sail past him, often pretending to miss you just to elicit louder belly-deep laughter? Or is it the feeling of belonging… where no matter if you’re a boy or a girl, if you have 46 chromosomes or more… you belong right there, right then, on that swing… in that life.

Whatever it is, it’s magic. And no matter how long you spend on the swing, it just isn’t quite long enough.

Dave and Krysha:

Our lively place is definitely our family room, specifically, my daughter, Grace’s little perch in front of our large picture window. In this spot we watch for the school bus in the morning, watch birds feed, play with playdough, stack blocks, read books – the list goes on and on. We don’t have a lot of space in our apartment, but I sure love what we have. It’s a great place to be…

And finally, our winner of the beautiful fingerprint necklace, I’m happy to announce is…Katelyn:

There is no hesitation in my mind when I think that life awakens in our living room.
This is the place that mommy slowly wakes up in the morning as her toddler is running in circles excited for each new day and what awaits us. Where baby took her first steps and first learned to stand. Each day brings animals wrestling and then snuggling in for naps together. This is the room that breathed new life into an abandoned book which was collecting dust in an attic…This is the room that the cat chases sun spots and gets kisses from visiting sisters/aunties. This is the room that daddy watches on proudly and so in love while his little girl dances in the setting sun. This is the room where a little girl was potty trained and where mommy does all her work at the same time…This is the room that was so deserving of a new coat of paint that reflects the life that happens in there. This is the room where this toddler spends more time naked than clothed because she’s discovered that clothing is overrated.

Our living room is where life happens.

Congratulations, Katelyn! Please e-mail me your contact information to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net and we will get your necklace, with the help of Tina Steinberg, in the works!

Fairy Party Project Table is a mess, which is maybe a good sign…

…and I have returned to the happiness of baking with my girl. I’ve been so busy the past many days, but I’ve made it a point, come 5:30, to stop…no matter what else I have to finish…and be with my girls. Ride bikes in the driveway. Paint “my-yows” on butcher paper on the floor of the lanai. Grab our aprons and lick cake battter spoons. Because that’s what really matters.

And thank you to the commenter who steered me in the direction of this amazing song by Macy Gray…my new favorite.

When I look around I see blue skies,
I see butterflies for us.
Listen to the sound and lose it,
Its sweet music and dance with me.
There is beauty in the world,
So much beauty in the world,
Always beauty in the world,
So much beauty in the world.
Shake your booty, Boys and Girls, for the beauty in the world.
Pick your diamond, pick your pearl.
There is so much beauty in the world.

And the last verse had me in a puddle of tears this morning as I listened to it, dancing with my bunny…

Hey baby, when I’m looking at you,
I know this fact is true.
There is hope for love.
There is beauty in the world.
Hey baby,
Hey baby, when I’m looking at you;
I know this vibe is true.
There’s love…
There’s hope for love…
There’s beauty in the world

Heya throw your hands up and holla
Throw your hands up and holla…
Remember God is giving you beauty in the world
So love (Beauty in the world)
Yeah love (Beauty in the world).

I beg of you, find this song. Load it. Play it. And dance.

Oh, I can’t stop dancing. Love. ~k