4-15: And then something beautiful happened!

We have been fortunate enough to enjoy beautiful weather here for the last couple of days. Yesterday since my young "napper" wasn't napping so much we decided our alternate method for getting L from school would be fun. We tried the new "secret" route passed onto me from our fabulous neighbor who (like most people) showed great concern about riding on the shoulder of a busy road. The route begins through someone's yard, down a deer path, down a dirt road then into another subdivision. I can then safely bike through neighborhoods all the way to the bus stop. I was greatly relieved that the bike trailer didn't get stuck and this actually seemed to cut time off of the other route along the busy road! Awesome! Just as long as the deer don't eat the breadcrumbs I leave behind. . .

Today I had other plans - using my car - since my "official" commitment doesn't begin until May. I really wanted to get my vegetable garden going. Despite my plans, the children weren't very happy to be taking the car to school and were whining about wanting to ride the bus. Then L reconsidered deciding that she wants to just ride in the car because she doesn't like walking to the bus stop. We briefly discussed (while consuming gas and emitting exhaust) how riding in the car isn't always the best choice because the gas it needs and the exhaust it makes hurts mother nature. Maybe we'll ride the bus after school. After dropping L off we returned home right beside the bus! My youngest, S, was very excited saying, "There's my bus, mommy! STOP!" "I don't want to miss my bus!" Then the guilt set in.

Upon returning home, I regained my determination to work on the garden. I hauled about 6 wheel-barrels of nasty clay dirt out of the garden and explored the fantastic miracle that is my composting leaf pile. After hauling the same number of loads of compost back to the garden I was hot, sweaty and tired. Looking to kick back with a glass of ice water for 20 minutes before driving to get L from school I entered the house to find S awake and ready for action. Needless to say, my arm was twisted into getting out the bike. Having only 20 minutes until the bus arrived, thoughts of calling L's teacher crying that I missed the bus lingered in my head as I pedaled my hardest against the wind. Fortunately my prayers were answered and we enjoyed a relaxing 4 minutes before the bus picked us up.

At school, L's teacher asked if I have considered biking the whole way again rather than doing the bike, bus, walk regime. I have considered it and as we walked back to the bus stop I was thinking I will likely try it. Giving up the fantasy that we can make the very next bus I allowed the children to go at their own pace as we made our way back to the bus stop. . .

. . .and then something beautiful happened!

The children started picking flowers (aka dandelions), S was fascinated by the Red Cedar River. We even stopped to watch it for a few minutes. We sat in the shade on the sidewalk to chat and L showed us her artwork from school - which we converted into a "flower purse". As we lingered on the sidewalk, L said, "I don't think many people are riding the bus. Look at all these cars driving! I'm glad we're helping mother nature mommy!" I don't have words to describe the emotion her statement fills me with. . . We moseyed to the bus stop talking, stopping at flowers, running, laughing, watching birds and butterflies, spending quality time together. On the bus we sat close, tired from our walk, talking about the things we saw, looking for the train tracks, the construction site, the fire station, and finally our stop. Then we got in our bike and headed home.

Now I realize that I won't be biking all the way to school. I'm finding so much beauty with my children during the walks and bus rides that I don't want to give them up. The bike is similar to the car as far as my interaction with the children. I'm "driving" and focusing on where I'm going and can't give them my attention. I'm in the front, they're in the back, we talk back and forth to one another but it isn't as good as face-to-face, hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart communication. Tonight I sit here both exhausted and recharged - and even more determined to take on my resolution.