It Finally Happened . . .

I had nearly given up.

It felt like I was being thwarted at every attempt I made,

One step forward . . . three steps back.

But I didn't give up.

I kept up the dream,

the hope,

and the work.

And it finally happened  . . .

MY GARDEN IS PLANTED!

WooHoo!

feel free to join me in performing the happy dance

Oh, she is such a beauty!

Here are the seedlings I bought at Kredl's the other night.  (I must add, I do feel a slight twinge of guilt over the fact I did not grow my own seedlings this year AND that I did not incorporate it into our homeschool lessons.  Ugh!) I have corn, sugar snap peas, brussel sprouts, green peppers, cucumbers, and romaine lettuce in there!

And here is my baby . . . my potato patch.  You do not understand how giddy I am over the fact that I am growing potatoes.  It makes no sense, but ask Mr. Level-Headed, and he can attest to how ridiculously in love I am with the idea of growing my very own lil' spuds.  I know . . . crazy!!

I also planted some zucchini and pole beans from seed so we'll just have to wait and see if they are a go.

I am in complete and utter shock that it is finally planted.  I keep checking on it and basking in a job well done.  I can't believe I almost didn't put one in this year!

It was with great sadness on Sunday evening that I told myself to give up on the garden.  I had it in my head it was too late to plant one and too unrealistic to think that I could find the time to put it in.  So I chalked it up to one of my many failings this year and decided to try again next year.  It really saddened me because I remembered how much I loved my garden last year, how excited I was at each harvest, how proud I was when my family enjoyed a meal from the all of our hard work, and how satisfied I felt after a long day of playing in the dirt.

I am still a kid at heart!

Then, like all the other times when I feel overcome by defeat, my inner Tiger Mama kicks in and roars . . .

Girl, quit your whining, pick up some plants, and get to work . . . NOW!

And I always listen to her because, frankly, she terrifies me.

She shuts up my inner perfectionist and my inner nervous Nelly and pushes me to become the woman I want to be . . .

Yes, you've guessed it, this is no longer just about my tiny little garden.

This year has been filled with disappointments and challenges, and I have come very close to throwing in the towel, saying goodbye to my hopes of becoming a mama again, and closing the door on our homeschooling adventures.

But I didn't, and I won't.

Instead, I am going to take my three-steps-back in stride and make sure that my one-step-forward is a giant leap, and then, by the grace of God, I might just make it.

And, oh, how sweet it will be.