Author: Lindsey P. Brackett

When I'm not wrangling four kids and a middle school classroom, I sit on my back porch in the mountains and write southern fiction that's short and long. I believe in Jesus, library fines, supper at the table, the Edislow life, and strong coffee. Pretty much in that order.
http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · reflections · thankful Thursday

Small Graces

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

7:54.

That’s what time the oven glared at me, red and accusing this morning when I ran back in the house for my coffee, my keys, the phone book.

We had one of those mornings. And I needed a number to double check directions to an appointment and I needed to call while I was driving them to school so I could make sure I was where I was supposed to be on time and time had gotten away from us and now my kids were late to school.

I know it’s not a big deal.  It’s a little thing.  A mistake.  A blip on the parenting radar that would be forgotten but the looks on their faces when I jumped in yelling, “Buckle up!  You’re late!”, were so hurt.

Late?  They’d have to sign in at the office, right?  Isn’t that what you have to do?  And I would have to wrestle Amelia back into her carseat because I couldn’t very well leave her in the minivan while I ran in to sign the paper that condemned my kids to a tardy notice on their report cards.

“Mommy, how can we be late?” Madelynne asked all quiet from the backseat.

They’ve inherited perfectionism from their mother.   But anti-lateness?  That came from their father.

We whipped in the turn lane with me silently thankful that we are in the school only two miles from the house. We cruised down the drive and….stopped.  In a line of cars too backed up for 7:59.

“Mommy! Doughnuts!”

It’s Krispy Kreme fundraiser morning and as they stumbled out the automatic doors, the sweetest elementary counselor waved me on.

“No one’s late today!  We got behind.”

Small graces.  And a $5 package of doughnuts.

Thank you, Lord.  I just needed that small reminder.

http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post · reflections

Counting Blessings

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

If you’ve been reading my blog this summer you’ve probably heard me mention the book One Thousand Gifts or seen my posts mentioning Ann Voskamp’s blog A Holy Experience.  You might even feel like I’ve talked about this, well, a thousand times.

But it’s never enough.

I’ll be honest with you.  I’ve been down. Scared.  Frazzled.  Overwhelmed but underworked.  Guilty.  Mean.  ML came over the other day and Madelynne greeted her with, “Mommy’s mad.”

That’s not a good way to be.  And I can’t even name what I’m mad about.  Except that I want more.  More time.  More money.  More house.  More life.  I’m never content and the further I get from walking where I should, the nastier my soul becomes.

You see, I build up these expectations of how things should be and what will become.  To reference a certain 19th century redhead, I build up castles in the sky and then fall into the depths of despair when they come crashing down.

Idealism isn’t wrong, but it can be a sickness.  Like perfectionism.  I want it all and convince myself I deserve more.  And then I become so buried beneath the clutter I’ve consumed that I miss the moments I need.

Source: etsy.com via Teresa on Pinterest

The poplar leaves are turning already.  I don’t think I’ve ever noticed them before.  Usually it’s later in the fall before I realize the earth’s changed colors and I should find my sweatshirts.

These are the gifts I want to see.  I want to give gratitude for.  I want to delight in.

542.  Splash and Bash for the last of summer at church.
543.  Belle giving the dunking booth her best shot.
544. Peeling apples for homemade applesauce.
545. All day they both wonder where their sibs are and have to be content with just each other.
546. She stole her sister’s apple.  And then ate it.  Core and all.
547. How marvelous when all this…

548. becomes this….
549. So we can enjoy this.
Cream Cheese Apple Bundt Cake
served warm on Saturday night…and Sunday…and Monday…and Tuesday….
perfectly imperfect

I Should Be…

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments
I should be 
doing the dishes
but I’m looking at pretty ones instead.
I should be cleaning this house
instead of dreaming about this one.
I should be making the labels I bought yesterday
instead of hoping that we’ll get this 
before they’re too big for it.
I should be grateful we don’t have stairs for Amelia
to tumble down ten times a day
but I really want these.

Source: houzz.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Or these. Even though Joshua would hate it.
I should be rejoicing we have a backyard
that’s not under water or being burned by wildfires
rather than imagining these.
I should be thankful I have a kitchen
and a pantry-ish corner and cabinet
that are usually full of something
even if it’s not what we always want
instead of trying to figure out how I can have this
in the home I have.
We all want more.
It’s hard.
Especially when the budget realities are woes
and the 3 a.m. wakefulness
is hard to surrender to my Provider.
How are we going to do this one income thing?
The way we’ve done it before.
With faith. And trust. And stewardship.
But everyday I have to remind myself 
that it’s not about things
it’s about this.

And learning to not be afraid
to admit
that I am not perfect.

cooking · madelynne · monday

Miscellany Monday

Lindsey P. Brackett1 Comment
Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters
One.
So since I’m staying home, I’m trying to be more crafty. I have this misconception that SAHMs are all crafty and decorator-y (it’s a word) and cute.  Notice I said misconception. I am well aware that most of the time we have pop-tart on our shirts, messy hair, and are lucky if the kids matched this morning.  But a girl can dream.  So for my first project:
We made some morning routine placemats. The craft itself was easy, well as easy as contact paper can be.  The fighting of the sissies, not so much.  Turned out alright, though.  And they use them.  Every morning.  So now I need new Expo markers.  And I no longer have a classroom to steal from.
Two.
My girls like to dance.  On top of the coffee table.  While dressed like fairy princesses.  
Don’t tell their daddy.
Three.
Madelynne lost another tooth.  So she spent Saturday morning crying because the tooth fairy forgot to leave her money (don’t worry we soon discovered the TF left it by the tv. I mean, what was she thinking?) and sucking juice through the gaping hole in her mouth.  Awesome.
Four.
I’m on a mission to try new recipes.  Cook more from scratch because ultimately it is cheaper. Even with coupons.  BUT if you’re going to do that, it’s useful to follow the directions of ingredients one might not be familiar with.  Such as the difference between regular yeast and rapid rise.  Calzones turned out alright, though.  I’m still enjoying leftovers, myself.  And I did make that marinara from the tomatoes off the bush in my backyard.  Which made me happy.
Five.
Homework.  It’s begun. And it’s math. 
I feel your pain, baby.
Link up your own randomness over with Carissa at lowercase letters.
Happy Monday!
Friends · thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

This Thursday, I am exhausted.  I know you don’t want to hear that, but I am.  Who knew staying home was so much work.  Am I doing it wrong?

Anyway, I am oh, so grateful, this week for so many folks who are helping me with my problem of over-commitment.  I think it’s an illness I’m hoping to put in remission soon.

First up, I’m beyond blessed by this sweet friend.  Somehow during her kids’ naptime yesterday she managed to help me do my MOPS job, calm my nerves, and encourage my heart.

Then there’s this….

who doesn’t love baby showers?  And though I was a little apprehensive at first that I shouldn’t have tried to plan something on a week when I’ve got a dozen other commitments, the blessings that have come my way during this week have been amazing.  And the shower’s not even for me!  When our host site was already booked, another wonderful friend offered to host at her beautiful new home (that’s right across the street!), ladies are planning dishes galore and everyone can’t wait to decorate in blue for this family’s first little boy (he’ll be welcomed by three big sisters).  But for me, the best part has been finding the most wonderful deal on the perfect gift.  Can’t wait!

It’s not this…though that would have been fun!  Who wants to do this for the next baby shower?

Finally, we’ll be traveling over to E-town for the first time all summer to celebrate birthdays and the anniversary of my grandparents at our annual family event: Lazy Hazy Crazy Daze of Summer Meltdown.

And that’s an event sure to be blog-worthy.  Good food, fabulous fam, big waterslide.  And a meltdown or two, I’m sure.

Have a fabulous weekend (you know you’re already planning it)!

Linking up with the crafty Julia at Black Tag Diaries.
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