circles
Lately, Adelaide has taken to being heavily involved in the direction of our evening meals. Everything from orchestrating who should get which napkin to whether we need forks or spoons; and then announcing "Dinner is ready!" at the top of her lungs (Oh! I need to get that girl a dinner bell).
We all sit down, hold each others hands, and she declares loudly and with confidence, "This is a circle!" We all laugh and move through our blessing and the semi-chaos that is our meal. But my mind and heart always linger at her statement of simple truth, and the awareness that yes, indeed we are a circle in both simple and profound ways. I carry that thought with me always.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
circles of peace around us all!
noah is running through the house, just now, shouting "PEACE! bless this house!"
Posted by: amanda | March 21, 2008 at 09:37 AM
what love...
Happy family, happy spring!
Posted by: Jenna | March 21, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Yes! Isn't it always the little ones that remind us of what we need to do/focus on most at the end of the day. Before dinner each night we light a candle, hold hands and say our blessing as well. It goes "Dear God, For trees so tall, and skies so blue, for family, freinds and food, we thank You! Amen" Hope (2 years) is always sure to interject "and tank you mama milk" or "mama's patience" or "daddy's work" or something sweet like that.
Such sweetness found in these toddler days!
Posted by: ''Heidi | March 21, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Thank you for sharing this. Children do have such a way of reminding us of our blessings don't they? My baby isn't old enough to speak his blessings yet, but he reminds me of mine everyday.
Posted by: MandyGerth | March 21, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Oh gosh that's good!
Posted by: Stefani | March 21, 2008 at 09:59 AM
oh, you guys...
Posted by: heather | March 21, 2008 at 10:00 AM
there's something about holding hands that keeps us all connected with each others hearts!
Posted by: camerashymomma | March 21, 2008 at 10:01 AM
somehow, when the little ones get it, everything becomes so clear.
Posted by: emily | March 21, 2008 at 10:32 AM
I love the reference to the circle with Easter weekend! I grew up Unitarian Universalist - and we always ended each service with everybody in a circle holding hands while saying "Go well now into life, and always remember that here you will find the hands of friends." I think I might be missing part of that phrase - but your beautiful post reminds me of that circle and interconnectedness - or as we often called it, the web of life. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of what is truly important.
Posted by: elliebelle | March 21, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Oh I just remembered the whole phrase!
"Go well now into life and when you need us, always remember that here you will find the hands of friends."
Posted by: elliebelle | March 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
such a sweet photo, amanda! it is so lovely how you are able to document the real beauties in life. i'm so inspired by your photos!
Posted by: jessica | March 21, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Very inspiring thought. Just love how kids simplify things!
Posted by: Karen | March 21, 2008 at 10:55 AM
A wonderful reminder.
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy | March 21, 2008 at 10:59 AM
“Our family is a circle of love and strength. With every birth and every union, the circle grows. Every joy shared adds more love. Every obstacle faced together makes the circle stronger.”
Amanda, I enjoy your blog very much. This is my first time commenting and your "family circle" time caught my eye. Above is a favorite poem of mine. Enjoy your family today. Blessings, Tami
Posted by: Tami | March 21, 2008 at 11:01 AM
It is a lovely thing to start a family meal with a blessing esp. when the kids get to have their say
: )
Caroline
http://carolineinckle.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Caroline | March 21, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I yearn for a circle of my own...
Give your little ones and your love an extra squeeze today on behalf of those of us who don't have another hand to hold...
Posted by: faithful reader | March 21, 2008 at 11:14 AM
My five year old (only) daughter is in a Christian preschool, and demands that we bless every snack, drink, meal that we enjoy! It has always served as a good reminder of how grateful, we are to be! What a dear Adelaide is for helping everyone remember "the circle".
Posted by: Christy/MommaOnTheMountain | March 21, 2008 at 11:31 AM
oh, such sweetness. Happy Easter!
Posted by: elizabeth | March 21, 2008 at 11:39 AM
How sweet. Have a blessed Easter!
-Sara
Posted by: Sara | March 21, 2008 at 12:03 PM
happy happy Easter Soulepeeps. xo
Posted by: jean | March 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I love how you bring the best and most important of rituals into your home and family life. It's like you peel away all the outside layers and get to the core meaning of the tradition. hope that makes sense.
Happy easter to you all!
Posted by: melissa s. | March 21, 2008 at 12:27 PM
i love your family blessing, we were trying to remember it the other night. happy easter to all of you!
Posted by: brandie | March 21, 2008 at 12:28 PM
lovely, lovely, lovely, such a happy family!
and lovely your blog!
Posted by: kosenrufu mama | March 21, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Amanda,
you and your little girl are so sweet. have a great, great, weekend and enjoy your very special circle!
Posted by: katie | March 21, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Happy Spring... enjoy the snow ;)
Posted by: Stacey | March 21, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Out of the mouth of babes. Only if we all thought about our circles more often!
Posted by: Mary- The Yellow Door Paperie | March 21, 2008 at 01:00 PM
lovely.
Posted by: kat | March 21, 2008 at 01:00 PM
what a little blessing she is.
out of the mouths of babes as they say...they sure can teach us ALOT>
my daughter just told me the other day how meaningful it is to her to have dinner together and how it makes her feel special and loved...
tara
Posted by: tara pakosta | March 21, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Oh how sweet!
Posted by: Ileana | March 21, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Amanda, we hold hands to pray before dinner. With starting college and being a single parent I have forgotten how important that piece of our day is-thanks for the reminder.
family meal time is so good....
Lori
i have been contemplating the strength of my family here as a whole lately....strong enough to weather life's ups and downs as long as we love each other.
Posted by: lissilulu | March 21, 2008 at 01:27 PM
How very sweet! Thank you for the delightful post!
Posted by: Carrie | March 21, 2008 at 01:28 PM
i love my childrens sweet little hands, so small and kissable!
Posted by: samantha | March 21, 2008 at 02:04 PM
little hands, so small and sweet...
Posted by: samantha | March 21, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Your Adelaide makes me look forward to having babies one day. So sweet.
Posted by: Laura | March 21, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Very sweet! And what a nice reminder to cherish the family times. I am always inspired by your thoughts on family, so thank you.
Have a great weekend,
Ula
Posted by: Ula | March 21, 2008 at 03:28 PM
How sweet and amazingly stated. I visit my Dad in a nursing home and the residents spend most of their day getting ready to make it to and from their circle. Most are unable to dress themselves or even go to the bathroom on their own. I feel I have taken this simple part of everyday life for granted. How neat that your daughter realizes how special it really is.
Posted by: kelli | March 21, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Happy Spring to you and your littleones. What a peaceful truth. I come here to breathe slowly!
Posted by: Denise Morrison | March 21, 2008 at 04:26 PM
My 3-year old made the exact same comment last night! So sweet!
Posted by: Sonya | March 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Very sweet photo. Happy Weekend, too!
Posted by: Morgan | March 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM
everything goes in circles or is part of a cirle : from a simple nest, seasons, to life & death...
joyeuses pâques to you & your family !
Posted by: SierraMoon | March 21, 2008 at 05:34 PM
SUCH a lovely picture and post....have a wonderful weekend :)
Posted by: asti | March 21, 2008 at 05:43 PM
So simple and so sweet.
Happy Easter...
Posted by: Claudia | March 21, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Totally off the subject, BUT, I just got an email saying that your book that I ordered has been shipped!!!!!!! I can't wait to get it! It probably won't get her until April since it's being shipped Media Mail. Just wanted to let you know.
Posted by: Anna | March 21, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Hi- I'm new to your blog. Love it! :)
Adelaide is a great name. One of my favorites. And her declaration, "This is a circle!" just warms my heart.
Posted by: sizzle | March 21, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Beautiful.
I've been blurking for awhile but I've run into a design dilemma for a quilt I've been working on so I decided to come out of the woodwork. I was wondering if you or any of your readers wanted to stop over at my only partially craft blog and help me.
www.princessmax.blogspot.com
Thanks,
Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | March 21, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Are you always trying to make me cry?!!! :)
Happy Spring(ish) to you and your lovely circle.
Posted by: Paper Dolls for Boys (Tracey) | March 21, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Every family should be a circle. I like that thought. Thanks.
Posted by: Ericka B Traven | March 21, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Going to add this photo to my Flickr Favorites right now! So adorable. Have a good weekend!
Posted by: Megan | March 21, 2008 at 10:45 PM
what a beautiful sentiment!! There is so much truth in what kids say! :)
Posted by: Kristin | March 21, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Oh, precious! We had a very special Good Friday reading of the Bible with our little ones tonight. Easter is indeed a blessed time and made even more so with the presence and unity of our children. A happy Easter weekend to you, Amanda and your Blessings.<3
Posted by: robin | March 22, 2008 at 01:50 AM