Yellow Belt!

YELLOW BELT!

You know when you work really hard for something, you really try, 

and you think it will never happen? 

 Even when you see your friends get their yellow belts before you, 

and you are still so encouraging for them. 

Even when you try and try and just feel like you've missed the mark?  

And you pray, oh you pray and you are faithful in waiting on God's will?  Because you know when He decides you are ready, you'll be good and truly ready?

Then you get surprised!  Watching and celebrating with your friend, with a bit of broken heart around your eyes that only a Mama can see, your Sensei honours you as well.  

With the yellow belt you worked so hard for. 

And in joy and surprise you fell to the mat, then you got up and ran to me.

Don't ever forget that moment of pure joy in your accomplishment my dear son.

Never forget that exclamation of thankfulness to God, which was so honest and right.

You did it buddy, you earned that yellow belt! So proud of you.

(Luke trains at Revelation Martial Arts, in jiu jitsu, with Sensei John.  

An amazing teacher and friend.)

Linking up today with Brooke and the rest at the M.O.B. Society! 

Won't you stop by and visit the other Mom's of Boys who are linking up to celebrate their boys?

My Beautiful Thing

Beauty in the baking!  Mastering homemade stuffed crust pizza, 'snail bread', burger buns and making banana bread muffins with my little sous chef.  Delicious and beautiful.

Beauty in new growth.  The spring is warming up it feels good.

This little spruce tree is pushing forward new growth.

We too, blessed by God, are also pushing forward in new growth.

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! 
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness 
    and streams in the wasteland.

Linking up with Brooke at http://www.brookemcglothlin.com/2012/05/shes-got-the-look-onebeautifulthing/

Mama Love

Mother's Day is coming this Sunday for many of us.

How do you celebrate your Mom or being a Mom?

He holds my face, seeing not the wrinkles or lines.

He sees my eyes smiling and knows love.

I let him, knowing that this moment is precious.

I see his eyes, and I know joy and love.

Grandmother, mother, daughter.

Auntie, sister, friend.

Each woman can wear a role.

Yet none quite measure up

as being your son's first love.

Being a Mother does not need a womb,

it needs nothing more than a heart.

A heart willing to be broken and healed

over and over again for them.

I never thought I'd be a Mom. Mama. 

Those words I resigned myself not to hear.

But God laughed at my plans and fear

and put in my arms one of His own.

I think of my Mom, and those Mothers I know.

Those Nana's and Grandmas, Aunties too.

Each mothers in a special way, and yet

we all love from the same holy place - the heart.

Oh Lord, thank you for turning this stone to a 

heart of flesh that loves, bleeds, breaks and heals.

Thank you Lord, for blessing me with

a love that has no measure this side of heaven.

Happy Mother's Day Jacki, Marlene, Diana, Zoe and all my other sisters who 

mother their own and everyone who comes their way!

My Little Cowboy

Riding Belle - this is one of his favorite things.  This is her retirement job.

Classic western profile, how I wish your Great Grandpa could see you buddy!

Learning his balance and seat the Mama way...

"Hey Mama, look at me!"

Belle actually listening to Luke...and then deciding if she is going to do as he asked!

Moving nice.

 

"Thanks Miss Belley!  Love you!"

A kiss for his favorite horse...she would have preferred a horse crunch!

That's ranch love!

One more turn

Photo prompt from Magpie Tales.

One more turn, please sir.

Just one to the right.

Should be what

we need

to set

things

aright.

Just one more.

Stop!  That should be it.

If only it were so simple to fix

all the things we have

made a mess of

here on our

beloved

earth.

but

it will take

so much more than

a turn of a hidden cog by a

wrench wielding earth mechanic

to fix what we have done.

We need to start

thinking more

about it.

Home.

She feeds us

she gives us all she has

and all she asks is for us to 

care just a little bit more

than we did before

just a tiny bit

just one

turn.

One turn

to the right, choice,

that is. Make it right and

maybe she'll be able to start

healing and breathing more 

easily, knowing that

her children do

truly know

love.

Magpie Tales photo prompt, but inspired as well by the Lorax. Unless! Unless. 

Two Stripe Man

Two stripes in jui jitsui, I'm so proud of you buddy!

 

Sensei John from Revelation Martial Arts in Steinbach does such a great job with the boys! 

 

Linking up on The MOB Society to celebrate our boys. Won't you join us?

What limits?

Can you give me a one-by-three, red?
How about the hinge piece, in grey?
I need an angle, in blue, but three wide.
Right angles, stacking on top, below.

Some special, some classic.
Given enough pieces and enough time
would a six year old build the universe?

Some from new sets, others so old.
Given enough pieces and enough time
would Daddy build a masterpiece?

Some limits are by scale and size.
Who has room for the whole ship
on the kitchen floor, where we walk?

Some limits are by imagination and age.
Who can imagine what they cannot
picture in their minds fertile and bold?

Movies made in stop action, car chase
sound effects for a space movie
cause that's all you know how to make,

If we are limited by only our heart
and by our imagination then why
are we not changing the world yet?

What if the limits that hold us back
are nothing stronger than the fears
that kept someone back before?

If a mustard seed sized faith does
mountains move, then what does
a faith the size of a one by one stud do?

Love, life and Lego...inspired by my son, playing on the floor, having a Castle, Ninja, Star Wars and Indiana Jones imagination extravaganza with an audience of dogs while the winter sun casts shadows on a drifted yard.  

Rebirth

Tired of being tucked into winter's white duvet,
I'm seeking for spring, looking for an 'away'
wanting the rebirth from the spring warm sun
and wishing for those green grasses to come.

And yet we can't complain, not really.

It's been so nice and sweet this winter.

Snow for sliding, warm sun for basking.

Makes little boys so happy and mama's too.

I do think, though, that the dogs
know the rebirth of spring best.
They can smell the earth 'wakening
and hear her stirring beneath.

Spring has so many wonders
waiting to burst forth and out.
But we shouldn't waste the fun
of playing in the snow!

Rebirth comes while we wait.
But what we do while waiting
is what makes the life worth
birthing again and again.

While I love spring and growing, this winter being so mild has given us snow and days to play outside until we are wet and tired. A perfect balance for late winter, don't you think?


I wanted to write something more 'heavy' on the Poets United "Rebirth" prompt but who can be deep and serious on a day when the snow hills are calling for laughing boys to slide and silly dogs to run?

Highland Cow Attack

A great prompt at With Real Toads, be inspired by another poem.  I can't think of one that makes me smile more than Cow Attack by Baxter Black.  Take a look, if you dare!

To say a cow is just a cow ain't right,
That's like saying a horse is just a zebra
sans black and white stripes.

There's some ol range cows that are
fierce and snotty. They'll tree ya quick,
or they will try to eat ya.

Them's not my cows though I can promise.
My girls are gentle and so very sweet,
never a snotty charge you'll see.

Everyone is safe with them, even a babe.
No one ever gets chased or treed,
well almost no one you see.

There is one cow you'll wanta watch for
if you are careless about cookies.
Cookies you ain't sharin that is.

Ol Blackie has one shape and it is round.
She is a sweetie but a royal pig
when it comes to treats.

Ya can pull her ears or polish her horns,
pet her calf, even scratch her belly
but don't be silly now tho!

If you have a crinkely or a crackly,
a cookie or a carrot, keep em quiet
I'm warning ya!

She'd lick ya and slobber in a mos'
undignafied way tongue out
and running ya down.

Cookies or a treat, even an empty
wrapper can bring'er coming.
Half a head of sweet teeth.

It ain't no real cow attack,not like
with a range cow or saucy bossy.
But it'll skid yer shorts the same.

Don't fool with that big cow,
she's jealous of her treats.

Mos other times she's good tho.
Just empty yer pockets is all.

Cowboy poetry! Copyright 2012 Shanyn Silinski

Young Psalmist

At our house each day is started, by Luke, with a printing exercise of a Bible verse. His very favorite ones are Psalms.  Reading God's word together is such a beautiful way to come closer.  This morning I was surprised with something really amazing.

He wrote his first poem, a psalm, for God.  


Not because his Mama is a poet. But because he learned to praise God in poetry, like the Psalms!


I asked his permission to share with you, and he agreed.

My God

Oh God, the Lord

God O

My only Hope.

By Luke, 6 years old

My farm boy. My utter joy. 

Linking up today with Mom's of Boys (M.O.B. Society)...won't you stop over and visit the other Mom's who linked up as well?

So much depends upon

So much depends upon where you are at.
So much depends upon where you want to go.
Sometimes it depends upon a tractor,
a lot of snow and people who know
that so much depends upon your ability to have fun!

You gotta laugh, because you know,

so much of what crazy idea he has next

depends upon what kind of audience you are.

A perfect slope, a smooth run and a wonderful day

depends upon this man's skill behind the wheel

of that big red tractor and the heart size he is.

So much of what we do depends upon one single thing.

Making memories with him, basking in his joy.

Seeing his face and hearing the laughter that shouts,

"This is the best day ever!"

So much depends upon making the time.
Knowing the most important things
are not things at all.
So much depends upon knowing this.
Everything depends upon this.

Copyright 2012 Shanyn Silinski


Prompt from Poetry Jam, won't you stop by and read all the poets who shared there?  
Don't forget to leave some love...everyone needs love!

Love in Farm Country

Love in farm country isn't all theatre, wine and roses.
Sometimes it is doing the chores first so she can sleep.
Sometimes it is getting a bit of extra lumber for him.

Love in farm country isn't all dressed up and going out.
Sometimes it is warming up a truck on a cold day.
Sometimes it is making sure the fire is going strong.

Love in farm country isn't often easy, not always fun.
Sometimes is breaks your heart in a flood, fire or storm.
Sometimes it jerks you up short in a field fight for two.

Love in farm country isn't often dancing and high heels.
Sometimes it is making the first move on a tough job.
Sometimes it is leaning on a fence, just being together.

Love in farm country isn't easy on girls faces or men's hands.
Sometimes it gives us burns, cuts and wrinkles too early.
Sometimes it gives away so much more than it brings home.

Love in farm country isn't how we make a living, not here.
Love in farm country is how we make a life, right here.
Love in farm country is more, and less, simple and complex.

For my Husband Earl, I love you!


Copyright 2012 Shanyn Silinski

Cowboy's Playing Card Bible

One suit of cards, I chose hearts (no questions as to WHY right?)

Some Tim Holtz distressing ink, printed tags for each card, corner rounder and adhesive.

Punch a hole, add a cowboy star and a distressed ring 

and you've got a playing card Bible, cowboy style.

Does his own stunts

Today I'm linking up with the M.O.B. Society "Let's Hear it For the Boys". Please stop by and see the other blogs linking up there!

 Mama! I got up here myself! I'm a real stuntman!

We know real stuntmen and he is fearless like them.  

Not too fearless though, cause Mama's heart needs him safe still!

 Mama, I love you!

I love you too pal! You are my joy. 

 Sleeping like a cat in the sun...good job buddy!

Thumbs up Mama! This is so much fun!

I'm a Mama to a boy. A farm boy, a stuntman in training, a special boy who loves to learn and play. A boy who can ask about good and evil and Star Wars all day long!  He loves Jesus and God's creation.  

I'm proud of his giving heart, his loving spirit. He is a true witness to grace.

He makes me so proud doing his school work, practicing jui jitsui and looking out for littler guys.  He is teaching his puppy to be a jui jitsui dog because she was abandoned as a baby, tied up in the bush, and is very afraid of so many things.  He wonders about saving hearts and having them grow large in love, and how God works in the world.  He loves reading the Bible with me.

I don't brag about him much, but I'm really proud to be raising this child, this special miracle from God, and praying and guiding him into being a big guy.  His Daddy and I love him, and honour him.

Critters, Fog and Frost

Anna how DID you get up there? Huh! Huh!

You mean this is not a cat shelter? Really...

Frost on a foggy morning.

Hay bales, fog and hoar frost.

Spikes so sharp looking and yet so terribly delicate!

Good thing no one was looking for a groundhog's shadow here today, you wouldn't have found the groundhog in this fog!

A splash of red, hello grosbeak!

Foggy breakfast