Today’s guest poster is a mom after my own heart. Bruna of Bees with Honey is truly special. I see beauty in her lovely blog, get to read her heartfelt words in her posts, but it was really through chatting with her via e-mail and on Twitter that I really saw her inner beauty.
We have never met in person yet I feel like I have had wonderful conversations with a friend when I talk with her.
You are so blessed to get to read her words here today.
I was really surprised when Deirdre asked me to write something for her Pause Life for a Moment series. More than surprised, I was honoured that she wanted me to come on over and share a story.
Those of you who already read my blog or chat with me on Twitter will not be surprised when I tell you that I have three girls ranging in ages from 3 to 5 to 13. I am also a part-time first grade teacher. I work half the week in a classroom and all week at home. My work in the home is never ending. Those of you who are Mothers know exactly what I mean.
Needless to say, life at my house is usually really busy. The hubby and I are constantly trying to balance our work life with being loving and involved parents to our children and spouses to each other. It’s not always easy. Most of the time, we find ourselves flying by the seat of our pants. With only three weeks left until the kids are back in school, we are enjoying every last minute of our summer vacation.
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My Pause for Life moment comes from our only camping trip of the summer. All five of us left our civilized residence and headed out to Harrison Hot Springs in beautiful British Columbia. The intention of our trip was to expose our girls to the beautiful existence that is nature and live without the amenities we have at home. No phone, no electronic games, no computer, no TV, no IPods, no toys. We wanted the girls to see how just the simple things in life can be exciting and fulfilling.
Daddy taught the girls how to pitch a tent. Everyone helped by doing their part. The girls were attentive and when the tent went up, they all got to go inside and set up their sleeping bags and pillows.
Big B took her two little sisters on a mini hikes throughout our stay. They went exploring through the bushes, trees and plants around our camp. Big B kept the girls entertained with various scavenger hunts and some good old make-believe Spy game. I have never seen them so engaged.
During our camping adventure, Daddy took the girls out in a canoe to explore the lake and get a taste of fishing. You can imagine their faces when Daddy caught a fish and reeled it in. Little B helped to clean out the fish guts and Daddy cooked it on the mini BBQ.
We spent a day at a local beach close to the campground. The girls frolicked in the water, covered themselves in the sand and tried building a sandcastle. They played happily, cooperatively and without any whining whatsoever. It was so relaxing.
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At no time during any part of our camping trip did any child complain they were bored. The 13 year-old spent most of her time playing with her sisters or talking with us around the campfire. Our nights were spent singing campfire songs, roasting marshmallows and making Smores. When it was time to leave, the wee girls shed a few tears in protest and asked when we could come back to do it all over again. We assured them a summer camping trip would become an annual event.
Oh, how I miss the days when life was much simpler.
I miss the hours upon hours kids use to play outside with a ball or a stick and the use of their imagination to create the play.
I miss the days when people would sit around and talk or sing songs.
I miss the smell of campfire on my clothes.
I miss the taste of hot dogs roasted over a fire.
My Pause Life for a Moment comes from a wonderful weekend spent camping with my family in the outdoors, under the stars, partnered with nature and away from the busy place we call home.
Please take a moment to share on Bruna’s blog Bees with Honey your thoughts about this post.
