SoulePapa Blogs :: The Mama

Thank You SouleMama readers!!  For all of the kind, encouraging and touching responses that you've shared with me during my time here, as interim SouleMama.  It is fulfilling on so many levels, to put words and thoughts and feelings out there to share with this community.  I also get a greater appreciation for the effort and love that Amanda puts into this space.  Not to mention the time she puts into her crafty creations, her books and, of course, her children.  Well, perhaps I will mention that time.  The many nights I crash into bed and fall asleep to the productive sounds of SouleMama, emanating from her studio.  The corresponding mornings where I have the unenviable task of peeling her from the bed, before I leave for work, to spend her days with three growing, beautiful yet oft times, demanding children.  Sometimes, even I don't know how she gets it all done.  Maybe it's the power inducing combo of ice cream and wine.  Maybe it's the children that sneak into her studio and perch on a chair just to chat with mama and "help" for a few minutes.  I guess maybe it just has to do with love.  She shares a lot of that (She doesn't share the ice cream).

I know this is an interesting chapter in our lives and we've heard from and been inspired by so many of you out here.  For that I give a heart felt, Thank You.

Comments

[Melissa]

Thank you for standing in for us :o)

[jean]

thank YOU soulepapa. and she is indeed amazing.

[Meredith]

Loving your blogs soulepapa, and glad to see a glimpse of Amanda in action (I am so jealous of her studio too! Oh my!)

I love the wine/ice cream combo. Perhaps it might induce me to be more productive and creative too!

[amanda]

Aw. Thank YOU!

And wow - look at the model of good posture, and healthy nutrition in that photo! Geesh!

[Eren]

That is the amazing thing about this community...the inspiration and warm thoughts go both ways. Thank you for your words the past several days.

And, btw, what ever happened to your Soulepapa blog? My husband was reading while on deployment and then he could no longer find it.

Blessings to you and yours this early morning.

[bubbachic]

"power inducing combo of ice cream and wine"

ah...a magical combination!

I have hugely enjoyed reading your blog and perspective on life..you have a very unique and inspiring family

Dee
x

[Gry]

Good morning Soule Family.

Thank YOU SoulePapa for lovely writing and filling in for Soule Mama.I'm an addict when it comes to reading your blog. I have followed you since miss A was born, and I feel kind of like I know you and now I want to come for a visit;-) I suppose I'm not the only one of your readers that would like to spend a weekend with the Soule family. Any way; hope you have a nice weekend. Fall break starts in Norway today, so we are going away to visit grandparents for a few days. The sun shines bright on the yellow trees, promising for a great weekend. Hope yours will be too!
Gry

[Angel]

It is always a wonderful treat to see your writing on here!

[emily]

it has been a pleaure (and, frankly, an honor, too) to read your reflections on life and family and papa-hood this week.

and really, i'm wondering now, what flavor is the ice cream!?

[SoulePapa]

eren - i discontinued my neglected blog after a few months and the thought of your husband, on deployment, checking for it makes me wish i hadn't!! tell him - sorry about that -
for me ;)

[Diane]

It's so nice to see two people's perspectives on their lives, but who sit on the same fence - so to speak - but have a different view on this life thing we all do.
I've so enjoyed reading you, Soulepapa. It's been a joy.
Amanda, my posture is the same. Have started doing desk yoga to correct the damage I'm probably doing. What with that and the sewing! For me, I mean...

[Plumtickled]

How nice to see parents that are so creative and talented with their writing!

I have so enjoyed your week with us and hope to read more entries in the future!

[julia]

thank you soulepapa for sharing with us these past few days. it's so nice to get a little glimpse (from all sides) into your beautiful lives.

[Zoe]

Thank you from me as well. Although you are both amazing parents, one of the most inspiring things about this blog for me is the relationship between you and Amanda. So often couples get wrapped up exclusively in their children and forget that the relationship between the parents is just as important. I have friends who have had children and the focus is so entirely on the kids, they forget why they got together to have them in the first place.

When I see a post about the two of you going out for dinner, to a concert, going away for a weekend or just doing something on your own, growing your individual selves and your relationship with each other, it reassures me for when I someday (hopefully) have kids :-) Keep up the amazing work, both of you, and thank you for being so generous with your time and your thoughts.

[Madeline Rains]

I love wine and ice cream at night! Have indulged in this combo. too often, especially when my kids were smaller and I needed lots of self-rewarding all at once at the end of my day. You are such a cool pair of parents. Thanks for sharing your lives with us.

[Heather]

I echo the thanks to both of you!

I am also addicted to this blog; there could be worse things, I guess. I am inspired by Amanda's craft-ability and her voice not to mention the spirit of your children and their imaginations.

When you fill in for Amanda and share your thoughts I am reminded that I too live with a different perspective (also named Steve). I go home, pour a couple of glasses of wine - in what ever clean vessel we have, step over the piles of laundry, and invite him out on to the porch to listen to the crickets and share his day.

Thank you both for reminding me that you can find peace in chaos.

[camerashymomma]

i'm a firm believer in the power of ice cream. great words, soulepapa. thanks for sharing this moment of your life with us. although i can't wait to see what's up next for soulemama. her creativity and passion for life get me going each morning with a steamy cup of chai. enjoy your weekend!

[donab]

I have so much been enjoying the soulepapa blogging recently. There is a lot of love in your home, and it is wonderful to get a glimpe of it from a different perspective.

[colleen]

oh man, all these years i was wondering why i resist the siren call of the sewing machine at night. i should have ice cream and wine at my side instead of endless NPR. DOH!

[beauty that moves]

it's been a very good week, indeed. steve, you have held this space beautifully.

[Heather]

I just love the feeling I get looking at all the pictures of your home on this site (and reading about the things you do with your kids). I love my home but its not so picturesque and relaxing looking. Things at our house look more like a messy daycare center! I also NEED a craft room!

[Nelly]

Thank you for being my daily addiction. First thing after coming home from work... reading and inspired. Count me in for a weekend (after Gry).I'll bring Moshofilero. White, dry, greek wine. The best.

[Linda]

I'm touched every time I read your blog (whether by you or by SouleMama) that you are willing to let complete strangers (along with lots of friends and family, I'm sure) view a glimpse of your life. Thank you for sharing.

[Meg]

I am in awe at the love and support in your family. Not only for your children, which are being raised into fine people, but you and Amanda. Thank you for sharing your feelings about it.

[Kristy]

I've loved your posts Soulepapa - what lucky children - what a lucky family!
I think that wine & ice cream/chocolate are the most powerful mama combo possible. We have to keep our energy up somehow ; )
You are all very inspiring. I truly don't know how you do it. I wish that that fiesty pirate could come swashbuckle around my backyard.

[leilalu]

Well, it's no wonder. Between the two of you there seems to be plenty of inspiration to go around. It's always a treat, reading this blog:) Though I do wonder at the flavor of the ice cream as well.

[Anne]

This has been fun, I hope we hear from you again.

[Sarah]

Red wine and ice cream in a charming studio! What more could you ask for?

[Grace]

Great to see Mama, hard at work, sewing machine on in the background, and that beautiful fairy tale fabric!

[Christina]

It has been wonderful getting to read your blogs! They have been an inspiration to all of us I am sure.
Thank you!

[suzie sews]

Oh boy I am so enjoying your posts, it is so heart felt, to see everyones favourite blog from a different perspective. It now makes sense why you guys have the life you do..Sharing, respect and love...a great and very inspiring combination...Three cheers for wine and ice cream. Have a great weekend.
Suzie Sews

[Veronica TM]

thank you, soulepapa, for your beautiful words and thoughts and feelings. and for sharing them with us.
and thank you for helping amanda do all she does so well.
xo

[Alicia A.]

Well, after this week I can see why she loves you so much.

Thank YOU, Soulefamily!

[Leslie]

It's always such a treat to read your thoughts, Soulepapa. Every significant other should be so fortunate to be so loved and appreciated by someone like you! Amanda's a lucky lady! (And you're one lucky guy!)

[Sonya]

You are creating magic, you know that? Both of you. No... five of you... magicians! And although it's easy to write about the good sides of life I know that when you have that very same spirit - your spirit, even the bad things do no harm, am I not right?
I am happy to have encountered your marvelous world.
Thank you for being there :)

[emily]

Thank YOU! What an honor it is to read this blog and get a glimpse of your family. Truly.

[Jeni]

I always enjoy reading here and this week was particularly enjoyable. You two are well-matched, and I am very inspired by how your family works together so well.
Thanks for sharing this week with us.

[Mary Beth]

SoulePapa; I love reading about your support and admiration of Amanda. She is a lucky Mama!

[Ellie]

This brought tears to my eyes, because this little ode to your beautiful wife is one more reason why she can do all that she does. Because of you - your love, dedication, commitment, energy, joy, sharing, encouragement.... and the pulling her out of bed each morning (as much as the letting her sleep in each day). Thank you for your view of family life.

[Angela]

SoulePapa and Mama make an amazing couple and family together! I enjoyed reading your blogs Soulepapa - from the dad/husband perspective. And I can't wait for Amanda's book!

[Shannon Hodgins]

Go Papa, go Papa. You can see your personal strength and spirit in your writing. Shannon

[Livia]

Wine and ice cream! Wow, finally we know the source of Soulemamas creativity!

[robin]

Ya know, I am waiting for one or the other of you to run for president one of these years...until then, I thank you for sharing your lives with us. It has been a joy to see your little ones grow up before our very eyes. I have been a faithful reader almost from the get-go and look forward to taking a peak into the world of the Soule family every day. Thank you for that, both of you!! <3

[Florence]

I have loved reading while you've been standing in Soulepapa!

x

[Jessie Bryson]

Wine and Ice Cream?! What a fabulously delicious combo!!!

[Les in NE]

Ice cream and wine. The perfect diet, imho! :)

I always look forward to reading Soule Mama's blog, but now I'm thoroughly enjoying the new voice on the pages. What a remarkable writer you are Soule Papa! If you ever embark on a journey of published writing (fiction or non-), I'd happily buy your book. You have a way with words. They sparkle like polished gemstones, each and every one perfectly chosen. Thank you for taking time out from your busy day to keep us up-to-date on the happenings in your lives.

[lori]

chiming in to say i agree totally with your family being who you are in closeness and uniqueness because of two parents who support each other.
i also have enjoyed the papa's perspective of the family along with everyone else's comments here.
i am a mama of five children (4 girls, 1 boy), i have been homeschooling for 11 years now and my kids tend to live along the same lines as yours do in creativity and music, cooking....well i guess the way of living at our house is much like yours except for it being a single parent home.
love the river photo from the other day too. :o)

[Amy]

What a great photo - and a beautiful post. Wow!

[melissa]

i've so enjoyed your posts on here, soulepapa! i think i need some wine and icecream, now. ;)

[jesica]

It is not very often that a blog post puts tears in my eyes but this one did. Maybe because I can relate to being peeled from bed in the morning or maybe because it is so lovely to see how supportive and loving you are and recognizing that being a mother that is so able to not only craft but also be a present and active teaching mama is made so much more possible when someone believes what we are doing is important and valuable. Having just read Finding Your Inner Mama and having told everyone I know, quite literally, about the book and lying beside my husband as he diligently reads it too, I am reminded of the Craftsanity interview and I really hope your own book on fathering will soon be arriving. I think you have a wonderful voice and there are so many father's out there who yearn for a book like Finding Your Inner Mama that is written for and about their own experience. Thank you for your words and being a supportive father.