After an eventful weekend, I sit here and finish the not-so-exciting paperwork. I have a crying baby bouncing on my left knee, a toddler playing basket ball (literally throwing a soccer ball into a wicker basket on the floor) next to me and a Preschooler begging me to play pretend "go to Candace's house" on the other side of my desk. She asked me to call her on her cell phone when I made a decision as to what time I wanted her to pick me up. How sweet.
Does anybody want a loud car sounding toy with blinking lights and a telephone attached to it? Going cheap.
I don't even know who Candace is.
Anyway, as I finish up this paperwork with the dog licking my jeans, I am reminded that when life doesn't exactly go the way we wish it would, or the way we think it should, or the way we think it could 'if only'...STOP. Think of what you have, not of what you don't have, and say Thank You.
It's simple, really.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Who needs to shave, anyway?
It seems like only a few months ago, I was sitting around the parsonage back in Wilcox, pregnant with our first bundle of joy, busy as ever getting everything perfect. The nursery had to be perfect. Clean and ready for the baby, with the rocking chair placed just exactly so next to the crib. The colors were neutral, in case we were wrong in our expectations. All the ceilings in the house were washed with a dye free cleaner, all the baseboards wiped down with Murphy's Oil Soap, and every cupboard and closet in the place organized to within an inch of it's existence. I was the queen of nesting while my husband tried to ignore the commotion from his office in the house.
I didn't wonder how I'd handle Motherhood, I knew I'd be awesome. I couldn't wait to be reading Berenstain Bear & Dr. Seuss books, doing puzzles on the floor, listening to fun kid music, baking cookies with a cute little helper, and sitting together on the couch doing family devotions at night before bedtime.
Bedtime? What's that? Devotions? Huh?
Now, 5 and a half years later, I wonder when I'll get a shower again. I ponder whether or not I'll ever read the newspaper quietly with a cup of hot chocolate, or finish a novel. I dream about clipping my toenails and shaving my legs on a regular basis. Forget about organizing anything, let alone cleaning. I don't even know where the Murphy's Oil Soap IS anymore, or if it even came in the move more than 3 years ago! I have unpacked boxes stuck in the closet of no return, and I have no intention of even caring to find out what's in it. If' I've lived without them this long, I probably don't need it.
(Though, now that I say that, it might explain why I can't find my lucky notebook, which is full of my life's adventure, up until I got married, and the not yet completed parts. But I digress... )
Suffice it to say, Life has changed. I used to get birthday and anniversary cards out to everybody in a timely manner. I haven't even bought a card in at least a year! And, (nobody tell her) but Mom was right. About everything! And, OH, how I had it easy!
As I sit here at my desk tonight, all the children miraculously asleep at the same time, surrounded by unopened mail, bills that need to be organized, the new computer, the old computer, a calendar with everybody's schedule listed out in a different color, and a desk with 15 cubbyholes that are STUFFED fill and need to be gone through, I picture the laundry on the floor in the other room, the grimy toilet, the fingerprints on the mirrors, the carpet that needs the cheerios vacuumed up, the bath towels that need folded and the dishes that needs washed, and I wonder, "Am I chasing my tail while my kids grow up all around me?" "Am I forgetting that I'm a wife to a really great man?"
What else am I missing while I fret about the unimportant stuff?
Much to my dismay, I'm not getting the award for Mother of the Year, or the prize for Perfect Wife or a BFF label from anybody. I'll be lucky to come out with "Mediocre in Some Areas".
But, by golly, I have an awful lot to be thankful for, and I am. I just need a reminder every now and again.
Fortunately for me, the baby doesn't sleep through the night, the children don't always get along, and I get lots of reminders, as the time ticks by, that everything around me is another blessing from God. Sometimes, it comes in a noisy form, but the reminder is there, none-the-less.
To Him be the Glory Forever and Ever, A-men.
I didn't wonder how I'd handle Motherhood, I knew I'd be awesome. I couldn't wait to be reading Berenstain Bear & Dr. Seuss books, doing puzzles on the floor, listening to fun kid music, baking cookies with a cute little helper, and sitting together on the couch doing family devotions at night before bedtime.
Bedtime? What's that? Devotions? Huh?
Now, 5 and a half years later, I wonder when I'll get a shower again. I ponder whether or not I'll ever read the newspaper quietly with a cup of hot chocolate, or finish a novel. I dream about clipping my toenails and shaving my legs on a regular basis. Forget about organizing anything, let alone cleaning. I don't even know where the Murphy's Oil Soap IS anymore, or if it even came in the move more than 3 years ago! I have unpacked boxes stuck in the closet of no return, and I have no intention of even caring to find out what's in it. If' I've lived without them this long, I probably don't need it.
(Though, now that I say that, it might explain why I can't find my lucky notebook, which is full of my life's adventure, up until I got married, and the not yet completed parts. But I digress... )
Suffice it to say, Life has changed. I used to get birthday and anniversary cards out to everybody in a timely manner. I haven't even bought a card in at least a year! And, (nobody tell her) but Mom was right. About everything! And, OH, how I had it easy!
As I sit here at my desk tonight, all the children miraculously asleep at the same time, surrounded by unopened mail, bills that need to be organized, the new computer, the old computer, a calendar with everybody's schedule listed out in a different color, and a desk with 15 cubbyholes that are STUFFED fill and need to be gone through, I picture the laundry on the floor in the other room, the grimy toilet, the fingerprints on the mirrors, the carpet that needs the cheerios vacuumed up, the bath towels that need folded and the dishes that needs washed, and I wonder, "Am I chasing my tail while my kids grow up all around me?" "Am I forgetting that I'm a wife to a really great man?"
What else am I missing while I fret about the unimportant stuff?
Much to my dismay, I'm not getting the award for Mother of the Year, or the prize for Perfect Wife or a BFF label from anybody. I'll be lucky to come out with "Mediocre in Some Areas".
But, by golly, I have an awful lot to be thankful for, and I am. I just need a reminder every now and again.
Fortunately for me, the baby doesn't sleep through the night, the children don't always get along, and I get lots of reminders, as the time ticks by, that everything around me is another blessing from God. Sometimes, it comes in a noisy form, but the reminder is there, none-the-less.
To Him be the Glory Forever and Ever, A-men.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A fresh coat
Anyone who really knows my husband will tell you that he's slow to make a decision. I'm not just talking about the decision to get up and into the shower each morning, or what to eat for lunch, or the decision whether or not to come to bed before he falls asleep on the couch, or the decision to propose marriage (actually, that only took 3 months), or the decision to wear a certain stoll on Sunday, but decisions in general. He's very methodical. A thinker. An analyzer. Then, we have to discuss it at great length.
Not so with me. I, on the other hand, think about something for about 13 seconds and say, "yes" or "no" and that's the end of it.
Sometimes, those two waves of thinking clash a bit, but after 8 1/2 years together, I'm starting to enjoy the challenge. I guess that's why opposites attract?
Anyway, when he came home from work last week and said, "I think we need to switch the kid's rooms around", I took that as a sign that it must be important to him and very well thought out.
I was up for the challenge. I like to repaint and freshen up rooms from time to time (though, 10 year old wallpaper removal is neither my specialty, nor my first love). We both knew that we'd have to switch the rooms around at some point, as Lars needs his own space, small and dark and quiet. While Eden has been anxious to share a room with her baby sister since the night after she was born, 6 months ago now! Out comes the paint box.
Naturally, we can't just 'repaint' the rooms. Besides moving furniture and outlet covers and curtains, taping off and putting plastic down, we also have to discuss color palates, artistic ability, and the color wheel at length. I am reminded (with a smile) that I failed Art Class in the 7th grade and never took another course to improve myself. My husband, on the other hand, has his canvas paintings covering walls in very important places (his parent's basement).
Which is why I sit here tonight tired, covered in paint, hungry, with sore muscles. While the kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes and laundry is spilling out of the carpet and cascading down the steps. I'm pretty sure that I'm getting high off the paint fumes, too, but not intentionally.
One room done and one to go. We will miss the beautiful pink baby room with the flowery wallpaper, as well as the blue/green vibrancy with the tractors and farm animals adorning the walls. But will welcome the new, subdued colors and (hopefully) sleep well!
Not so with me. I, on the other hand, think about something for about 13 seconds and say, "yes" or "no" and that's the end of it.
Sometimes, those two waves of thinking clash a bit, but after 8 1/2 years together, I'm starting to enjoy the challenge. I guess that's why opposites attract?
Anyway, when he came home from work last week and said, "I think we need to switch the kid's rooms around", I took that as a sign that it must be important to him and very well thought out.
I was up for the challenge. I like to repaint and freshen up rooms from time to time (though, 10 year old wallpaper removal is neither my specialty, nor my first love). We both knew that we'd have to switch the rooms around at some point, as Lars needs his own space, small and dark and quiet. While Eden has been anxious to share a room with her baby sister since the night after she was born, 6 months ago now! Out comes the paint box.
Naturally, we can't just 'repaint' the rooms. Besides moving furniture and outlet covers and curtains, taping off and putting plastic down, we also have to discuss color palates, artistic ability, and the color wheel at length. I am reminded (with a smile) that I failed Art Class in the 7th grade and never took another course to improve myself. My husband, on the other hand, has his canvas paintings covering walls in very important places (his parent's basement).
Which is why I sit here tonight tired, covered in paint, hungry, with sore muscles. While the kitchen sink is overflowing with dirty dishes and laundry is spilling out of the carpet and cascading down the steps. I'm pretty sure that I'm getting high off the paint fumes, too, but not intentionally.
One room done and one to go. We will miss the beautiful pink baby room with the flowery wallpaper, as well as the blue/green vibrancy with the tractors and farm animals adorning the walls. But will welcome the new, subdued colors and (hopefully) sleep well!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A boy & some snow.
It's so fun to watch a 3 year old 're-discover' something with all the excitement a little body can muster. Today, it was snow. When I saw Lars this morning, he was at the window, naming everything with snow on it. He said through his paci, "Mommy, the sky is raining snow!"
"And our new road is snowing, and the grass, and that tree and that tree, and OH NO! MY WAGON is snowing! And the house across the street, and the cows and the...."
He wandered to the back door. "Oh, MOMMY! It's snowing here too! On the concrete, and daddy's race car, and the dump truck. And my swing set. Can we scoop it with a shovel?"
And so, I went to the laundry room and dug out the winter stuff. Finding his boots, he raced to the front door, yelling, "C'mon Mommy!"
We spent 30 minutes making footprints in the snow, pulling the wagon and riding the tractor on and off the snow, watching the prints it makes. He felt the snow on his face, and opened his mouth to the sky. He asked me to lift him up so he was closer to the snowflakes, then thought it was colder up there and wanted back down. He felt it on his hand and rubbed it around the grass.
After naps, we headed out again, this time in tennis shoes. He wanted to see the tracks they made. Then we had to come in for our Crocs. You know, the sandals that have holes in them? Yeah, those. His wet feet didn't bother him, as we criss-crossed back and forth through the snow, examining the prints.
Cold and hungry, we came in around dark, Lars full of smiles. Eden was already in her jammies on the couch and Elia was still sleeping. My girls are the smart ones, I guess!
At any rate, the "less than 1" accumulation", predicted by The Weather Channel, has reached at least 4" and is still falling. It's beautiful, cold, and powdery white. I'm so glad to have a pot of chili on the stove!
"And our new road is snowing, and the grass, and that tree and that tree, and OH NO! MY WAGON is snowing! And the house across the street, and the cows and the...."
He wandered to the back door. "Oh, MOMMY! It's snowing here too! On the concrete, and daddy's race car, and the dump truck. And my swing set. Can we scoop it with a shovel?"
And so, I went to the laundry room and dug out the winter stuff. Finding his boots, he raced to the front door, yelling, "C'mon Mommy!"
We spent 30 minutes making footprints in the snow, pulling the wagon and riding the tractor on and off the snow, watching the prints it makes. He felt the snow on his face, and opened his mouth to the sky. He asked me to lift him up so he was closer to the snowflakes, then thought it was colder up there and wanted back down. He felt it on his hand and rubbed it around the grass.
After naps, we headed out again, this time in tennis shoes. He wanted to see the tracks they made. Then we had to come in for our Crocs. You know, the sandals that have holes in them? Yeah, those. His wet feet didn't bother him, as we criss-crossed back and forth through the snow, examining the prints.
Cold and hungry, we came in around dark, Lars full of smiles. Eden was already in her jammies on the couch and Elia was still sleeping. My girls are the smart ones, I guess!
At any rate, the "less than 1" accumulation", predicted by The Weather Channel, has reached at least 4" and is still falling. It's beautiful, cold, and powdery white. I'm so glad to have a pot of chili on the stove!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 08, 2010
Monday Monday
With Daddy home on Friday, we spent most of the morning in an IFSP meeting for Lars. (More on that in the days to come) and also some time outside enjoying the sunshine and short sleeves, hence the new pics. A chalk city was drawn on the patio, complete with stop lights and cross walks, and the vehicles were out in full. It was a busy day in Sillytown!
I do enjoy the fall, but I've been unusually busy since returning from Michigan, and haven't been able to get out as much as I'd like. The last few days, I've forced myself to let the laundry pile up and the dust to sit while we enjoy what's left of the warm weather. Soon, it will be winter boots and mittens, which is equal fun, but with twice as much work involved!
Saturday, the kids and I walked to the park and played until it was almost dark. Lars contemplated climbing up the steps to the slide, but backed out each time. He did go down one of the small slides by himself, though. Eden is now able to climb up the half dome monkey bar, but still needs help on the way down. She is able to pump her legs on the swings much higher than I can push her, which makes her proud, but she still wants me to push. Elia sat in the stroller, guarded by Samson, who napped beside the wheel.
I think we're starting to learn some more of Lars' sleeping patterns. When he is enjoying an evening activity (penny carnival last week, a loud night running around screaming n playing hide and seek in an empty house last night), he ends up waking up around 0100 and screaming uncontrollably for hours on end, unable to calm down. I hadn't linked the two together before the early hours of today, when I was faced with the question, "what happened between last night and the night before?" and I broke down our two days, coming up with two completely different types of days. I'm now keeping an 'activity and sleep calendar' to see if we can avoid some late nights in the future.
Well, enough of this one handed typing (thanks, Elia). enjoy the week!
I do enjoy the fall, but I've been unusually busy since returning from Michigan, and haven't been able to get out as much as I'd like. The last few days, I've forced myself to let the laundry pile up and the dust to sit while we enjoy what's left of the warm weather. Soon, it will be winter boots and mittens, which is equal fun, but with twice as much work involved!
Saturday, the kids and I walked to the park and played until it was almost dark. Lars contemplated climbing up the steps to the slide, but backed out each time. He did go down one of the small slides by himself, though. Eden is now able to climb up the half dome monkey bar, but still needs help on the way down. She is able to pump her legs on the swings much higher than I can push her, which makes her proud, but she still wants me to push. Elia sat in the stroller, guarded by Samson, who napped beside the wheel.
I think we're starting to learn some more of Lars' sleeping patterns. When he is enjoying an evening activity (penny carnival last week, a loud night running around screaming n playing hide and seek in an empty house last night), he ends up waking up around 0100 and screaming uncontrollably for hours on end, unable to calm down. I hadn't linked the two together before the early hours of today, when I was faced with the question, "what happened between last night and the night before?" and I broke down our two days, coming up with two completely different types of days. I'm now keeping an 'activity and sleep calendar' to see if we can avoid some late nights in the future.
Well, enough of this one handed typing (thanks, Elia). enjoy the week!
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Another typical night.
I realize that some days are better than others, but this is ridiculous.
It began sometime yesterday afternoon when Eden came home from school. The pastor (who doubles as Wonderful Husband and Almighty Dad) was gone all day with bible study, a lunch meeting, confirmation, and a visit that went past the kid's bedtime. Then, Elia woke up to eat and play at 1130 p.m. She went back down about 1230 a.m.
Lars was screaming from the top step at 0130. When I came to his aide, he said, "You forgot daddy!" I had to carry him downstairs to show him that daddy was in bed, sleeping. "Oh. Ok." Back to bed he went.
0230: "psst! mommy!" I hear in a shouting whisper from a certain 5 year old girl. "yes, eden?"
"i need you, can i crawl in your bed?" "sure honey, I would love to have you kick me for the next 2 hours until I slip out to the couch again, no problem."
Now I sit, 12 hours later, forgetting what I was actually going to say.
Hmm, I'm sure it'll come to me...
It began sometime yesterday afternoon when Eden came home from school. The pastor (who doubles as Wonderful Husband and Almighty Dad) was gone all day with bible study, a lunch meeting, confirmation, and a visit that went past the kid's bedtime. Then, Elia woke up to eat and play at 1130 p.m. She went back down about 1230 a.m.
Lars was screaming from the top step at 0130. When I came to his aide, he said, "You forgot daddy!" I had to carry him downstairs to show him that daddy was in bed, sleeping. "Oh. Ok." Back to bed he went.
0230: "psst! mommy!" I hear in a shouting whisper from a certain 5 year old girl. "yes, eden?"
"i need you, can i crawl in your bed?" "sure honey, I would love to have you kick me for the next 2 hours until I slip out to the couch again, no problem."
Now I sit, 12 hours later, forgetting what I was actually going to say.
Hmm, I'm sure it'll come to me...
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