sinus, vitamin war and heart attack

my blogging has always been about memory keeping.  for myself, for my family.  kind of a scrap book.  all things i want to remember.

today i blog from my bed.  i've been fighting what i believe is a sinus infection that started last week when the weather here in MO went wonky dropping from 60 degrees to 30 within a few hours.  i felt that drop and it hit me like a bag of bricks. 

i've taken the morning off, allowing myself to rest which i haven't done much of these past few nights.  i'm not a good mouth breathing sleeper.  it just doesn't work for me.  poor Art, sleeping with me hasn't been easy on him. 

i didn't wake up thinking i would take the morning off.  it just happened.  it was one of those mornings i wished my kids rode a school bus.  after much grumbling on the girls part and mine, we made it to the car and on our way to school.  i said a pray as we drove that no other adult would see me or approach my car only because i am looking rough.  sandpaper on concrete rough. 

every morning i give my girls two vitamins.  it's juice plus and through the winter i don't back down on them taking these.  i'm a believer they help and with the nastiness going on in the schools this year, i'm on it.  well one of my kids takes these gummy vitamins with ease.  sarah resists every. single. morning.  and it never fails she is still sitting at the kitchen bar, nibbling on her vitamins at seven o'clock which is when she needs to be upstairs dressing, getting ready.  every morning she saves her veggie vitamin for the car.  so we have the joy of fighting to get it down, on the car ride.  this morning was no different.  she's been late getting to class because she hasn't had it eaten in time.  (yes! i am that mom).  do you see this face.... this is the face i see each morning as she nibbles.  isn't it just precious :).

man i love her.  i love her so much i make her take a vitamin.  best. mom. ever. if you ask her (ha!). she got it down and headed to grab her things and told me she loved me.  sweet words since we had just had a vitamin war.  *vitamin back story... i've started having her sit in the front seat in the mornings to eat these, so i can watch her.  she's sneaky i tell ya.  Grace and i were cleaning out the car and guess what we found under hear seat?  16 uneaten vitamins.  caught!*  little stinker.

driving home i felt the need to blog.  i get it in my head, i even think through what i would write.  fast forward and here i am at home and i've unmade my bed that Art lovingly made, the dog is at my feet keeping them warm (i hope Art isn't reading this).  my warm chai tea is by my side, sweat pants are on, big, bulky, warm Cardinals sweatshirt is my choice of clothing. i took my vitamins and the little red pill that helps stop the constant dripping of my nose, i have flonased.  i'm ready to rest. 

but i blog because i feel drawn to.

*heart attack back story....  so my dad had a heart attack on december 19th of last year.  i got the call from my sister at 3 a.m. that he had been taken to the emergency room.  i was packed and on the road by 4.  looking back now it was all a blur, but then it seemed to last forever.  dad was in the hospital for 5 days and if it weren't for him being in good physical shape beforehand, it would have been a longer stay.  tests were done, pointing them to a triple bypass.  i don't think any of us (siblings) knew exactly what was involved until talking to the surgeon.  when the doctor told us about the procedure and the point when they would cool down my dad's body and stop his heart.... 

what?... what did you say?..can you repeat that?... stop his heart?!?  is this really happening? 

stopping.his.heart. ya'll.  it took awhile to process it.  so many emotions, questions, thoughts went flooding into our brains and conversations.  the surgeon was super positive but come on, stopping the heart.  this is huge!

four very long hours after the surgery began we got to see him. there are no words to describe it.  they warmed us to what he would look like but as his kids, we all fell apart and were in shock. there were so many tubes coming in and out of him, there was blood, he was pale, hooked up to machine that kept him breathing, monitors everywhere, lights, sounds everywhere.  it truly felt chaotic but we knew it was needed.  

he woke up slowly.  we communicated with him and he wanted to talk but he couldn't with the air tube.  he seemed agitated so we kept telling him to rest, all was okay, mom was okay and he was going to be fine.  he nodded, i cried, blubbered.  it was him responding which in his state was just what we all needed.  it was relief.  i still get teary eyed just thinking about it.  

he had some rough nights in ICU coming off the anesthesia.  he was determined to get out of there and amazed them with his walking and strength the next day.  none of this surprised his kids though.  he wanted to get back home to mom.  Christmas eve came, dad had been doing really well, completing all the tasks they had asked of him.  the surgeon had talked of sending him home and that was our plan as well.  hospital time is not on our time.  it's slow and insane.  we waited all day for the surgeon to come.  we weren't patient.  we were frustrated, tired and ready already!  we found out later that afternoon that the surgeon had been called in for emergency surgery.  we understand but darn....  when the surgeon did show up at 5:00 i was ready to hug and kiss the man.  i withheld and prayed, waiting to hear the word "discharge".  two hours later, our wish came true and we were in the car.  again, it was a moment of relief but also of pure joy.  it was christmas eve and dad was going  home.  he would have Christmas at home.  God is good.  

we arrived to a house full of family, i think we overwhelmed him.  when we got him through the front door my mom had tears.  through her confusion she knew he was there and she expressed joy.  dad went straight to her, hugged her, kissed her head.  it felt like light filled the room.  it was one of those moments i will never forget.  true love right there.  joy right there.  prayers answered right there.  God working in our lives, right there.  oh Jesus, thank you.  thank you for this moment right there.  Dad was home.

so i need to stop there and move on because crying does not help one with an already stuffy head and nose.  the story continues, but it will be another post.

now i rest.  my story is partially told and documented. i can rest.

oh and my prayers were answered.... got in and out of the school parking lot without being seen.  SCORE!

Recollection Friday - vball, halloween and donut brain

another week, flown by.

sunday brought a decision on which club team to choose. grace got offers from the two we tried out for and sarah got one offer and one alternate.  by lunch time, after church it was made... we'd be going back to where we started. both girls are thrilled.  we were headed into commitment week as i like to call it.  it's THE week we commit ourselves into a crazy schedule of practices and games/tournaments, a commitment to long nights - staying up late to finish homework, commitment to eating out more than i like, commitment to hard core scheduling and note taking to keep myself sane.  why do we do this to ourselves?  Oh yeah, these two...

they love the game and it has so many benefits to their self esteem.  of course we have to do it! #lovenysvolleyballers

 

monday was halloween.  

halloween should be on a friday night, every year, seriously.  that's alot of work for a monday!

this year the dressing up was a breeze which this momma appreciated.  grace went as a volleyball player and sarah as a greek goddess (her sisters costume from last year).  they literally threw things on that night which was easy.  

each girl had their own friend over to t or t.  this is how you do it.  it used to be art and i with the girls but now, friends.  it was actually great, we all had fun.  we parked ourselves at the end of the driveway with our fire pit, roasted hot dogs, ate chips, cookies, drank lemonade - talked about how much candy was in store for us.  this is our first halloween in the neighborhood so we weren't sure what to expect.  we headed out once it got dark and were not disappointed.  our neighbor, her daughter and friend agreed to show us the ropes on merlin drive and i learned some new things.  

what did i learn about my new neighborhood you ask? 

1. my alderman lives two 4 doors down - he's very nice, introduced himself to me with a handshake and an offer for a candy bar.
2. orlando pace lived in my neighborhood, we trick or treated at his house.
3. there is a very old grave site, three to be exact, fenced off in a culdesac. it's so old, you can't read the stone.  me thinks i  will look into this 
4. our  neighbors go all out at halloween with elaborate decorations, full size candy bars, drink stations at homes with every bottled drink imaginable.  my kids were spoiled and their friends said they would be back next year! ha!

it was fun and i got 15K steps.  a win-win!

got a text from church, late night which is usually not good.  one of our little two year olds was taken to the hospital.  she was inconsolable and not moving her head/neck.  many tests and the threat of meningitis brought the conclusion of an abscess on her neck and surgery was done.  i visited this little girl in the hospital where we had taken grace when she had her seizures.  it brought back many memories, scary moments.  i understood what this mother was going through but i knew her daughter was in good hands at this children's  hospital.  i had a few sleepless nights over this little girl, she's a sweety.  she is home now, after surgery and recovering.  God is good.  it made me come home and love on my girls a little longer, scares like this make you reflect.  while i'm not sure what His plan was for grace and for this little girl, i do know he is perfect in all His ways and he was there for me and this other momma.

art's birthday is next week, coming up fast.  other than a new coffee mug i got nothing!  absolutely nothing!  art's not the easiest guy to buy for (he says the same about me).  i've asked for ideas because the girls want to get him something but nothing as of yet.  he traveled this week which  means i don't rest well.  house seems very big when he's gone. sarah ended up sleeping with me. she of course loves when he travels :).  truman has spent alot of time on our bed which is a no no while art's at home. he brings warmth and comfort that dog of mine.  

sarah's class won the candy contest.  they collected the most candy for the schools trunk or treat.  they won a cinnamon donut and apple cider party.  her teacher contacted me at the beginning of the week to see what she could have.  i have donuts and would send one.  that was wedensday when she asked, i wrote it on my planner and guess what friends?!? i forgot!!!  epic fail not only for my girl but for her teacher!  darn my absent minded brain, especially since i had written myself a note!  i made up for it though, i brought the teacher 6 plastic bins for operation christmas child shoe boxes.  no i wasn't trying to make up for my mistake.  in my defense i had purchased the bins before realizing i had forgotten the donut!   i made it up to sarah as well.  i delivered that forgotten donut to her for an after school snack.  all is well now.

but my brain people! if i don't write it down it gets lost in space (apparently even when i do write it down it's lost).  my system has failed me or maybe i've failed it.  either way i gotta get serious and get my head in the game.  it's times like this i think i'm headed down the dementia road already!!

back to donuts... i have officially sworn in hump day as our official, family donut day!  there's a donut shop not even two miles from our home.  it's also on our way to school (yikes for my waistline).  we could bike there and feel less guilty about indulging right?!?  good donuts are my weakness!!!  everything in moderation...

all this talk of donuts, now i'm hungry.

until next week...

so much has happened this summer

we've moved.
it happened.
we weren't planning on it however God made us aware it was needed.
we lived in the car more than our house in the big woods.
it was tiring and took its toll.
we prayed, purged, cleaned and put the house in the big woods on the market.
three weeks later it was sold.
we were amazed and somewhat ready for the next adventure.
the girls were reluctant to the change.
all they had known was the house in the big woods, oh the memories we had made there. wonderful memories.
moving day came. we had our final walk through.  we stopped and prayed. tears came pouring out of us. it was all so bittersweet.
we left and like a scene in a movie, we watched the house in the big woods fade as we drove away.
kind of surreal for all of us.

God had his hand in it all and now we are here getting settled.
there are still boxes to unpack and will be for awhile.
there is a honey do list a mile long.
but we're home and we're already seeing the benefits to living closer to all the things we do and love.
the girls still question the change at times but being able to decorate their new rooms has been a plus.
with each new box we open they feel more and more at home.
God brought us to the house in the little woods.
i'll share more as we go along. some of the things that made art and i fall in love with the house in the little woods.

for now, here's a glimpse.

oh the wheels

so i was cleaning out the garage this weekend

it was in desperate need of a good sweep and decluttering

i came across a pile of old wood that was stashed under Art's work bench

jackpot baby!

this was the beginning of my brainstorming

because my mind went to this pin

or this

there would be plenty of leftover wood to do this

or this

Art would be a busy honey if only we could slow down.

this keeps us busy

:)

rut

(I penned this post in my head a couple of weeks ago, it's a part of documenting life, the good, the bad, the joy, the challenges. So here goes.)

Rut is a negative word.  Especially when it and marriage are in the same sentence.  This is the conclusion that Art and I came to one late, very tiring Saturday evening.  We both agreed we were there.

Before I go on let me say that Art and I are 100% committed to each other and 100% very much still in love.  Our conversation was started in the late hours when we were both frustrated with each other, with our busy lives.  We’ve known for a long time that things weren’t as they should be.  We talked, expressed things we needed to let out even it if meant hurting one another.  It was painful at times but also cleansing and at the end, we prayed together.  We laid there, in each other’s arms, putting our marriage into God’s hands.  We’d become so busy with things, with schedules, with commitments that we’d forgotten each other.

 My focus was the girls and the home.  Everything I did, I did for them and I got into a rut, thinking that was all I needed to do.  I felt alone at times.  I felt unappreciated and in a sense unloved.  We women need to be reminded every day we are cherished by our spouses, we need to hear it, feel it and see it displayed.  I am the type to REALLY NEED it.  When we were courting I had that butterflies in my belly feeling, the kind of feeling that is exciting and makes you swoon and blush at his smile.  I loved that feeling and I missed it.  24 years later, two kids, a dog, a house, commitments, jobs – here we are, that feeling a memory and not a reality with where we are at. 

Art needed me to be more attentive to him.  Sounds simple enough and it is.  We agreed that with both of us learning from this and putting into practice what we had learned we could rekindle a spark of our courting days.

We both saw how easily it is to wrap ourselves around our kids, our jobs, our home and loose sight of our commitment to each other.  We could understand how marriages fall apart easily because people drift apart.  We were scared somewhat of where we were headed but grateful God has brought us to a place of communication.

So now we are committed to some changes.

More date nights.  Not just dinner but new adventures, something fun for us to do together, no kids.

Appreciation.  Expressing it and showing it in little ways.

Affection.  It’s one of my big needs and it takes Art out of his comfort zone because he is Mr. No PDA J. However his love and commitment to me is stronger than his discomfort.   Affection does not have to be physical touch either.  It can be a sweet note, a text, phone call or even a simple gesture.

 

More fun time together as a family.  Yes, including the girls in this will not only strengthen our marriage but our family.  We also realized we have 7 Summer breaks left with Grace (before college), that’s scary.  We need to connect with them. 

Busy-ness.  Something has to give.  We need to let go of some things.  That goes not only for the girls but Art and I.  When Fall comes we will be extra careful to abide by this one and not be swept away.

Pray together.  I have felt closest to Art when we pray together.  It is intimacy in a way we both need. 

Make God the Center of our marriage.  Yes we all know this but how often do we live it.  I don’t know about you but we tend to want the control when God is working.  We need to let him lead in all we do.

We are not perfect and we have proven that.  Marriage is hard work.  It’s ongoing and needs refreshment.  I love my guy and can’t imagine life without him.  I’m glad he’s with me on this journey.

  

what have I been up to?

I feel like the question should be what haven't I been doing since April 1st!

I've been documenting life via instagram.

I will spare you with the picture details since I will get my April and May layout done someday soon.

Here's the highlights though:

Easter parties at school
Hikes down the ravine (our back yard) to Grace and Sarah's secret spot
Easter egg hunts
Restart - new theme introduced at church
New job - more on that later
New swimsuits from the Easter bunny
Lots of exercise at the gym
Time at our lake getting the boat in the water
Cardinal season beginning
Power green smoothies
Spring break
St. Louis Zoo - penguins and sea lions
Perfecting my egg in a nest breakfast
Lots if rain
Storms - overnight guests in our room
First trip to Sugar Fire BBQ
Trip to gluten free bakery
Starting a garden
Spring blooms
Sarah turns 9!
Barbie makes a visit to yoga with me
New apple cider vinegar drink found
Sarah's school Spring musical
Painting patio furniture
Pool is open!
Pollen
Busy Tuesdays
Yoga
Healthy lunches at Sams (not)
Car full of groceries
Grace and Sarah performing at LHS Music Festival
5th grade D.A.R.E. graduation
Broken glass
Gluten free cupcakes
Birthday sleepover
Birthday girl celebration
Irises blooming
Creating, collaborating on fun ideas at work
Arkansas
Hannah's graduation
Mothers Day
Barbells
Strep
Wafflecakes
Last SCCYO performance by Grace
Amerikids performance at church
Last day of school - here we come 4th and 6th grade
Lazy days outside
Pool time
Sickness, like the yuckies sick
Car shopping
Car trade in
Car purchase
First batch of strawberries
Finding more green smoothie recipes
Cleaning out/organizing spaces at work
Swinging at Sams Club
Beautiful, brilliant blooms
Aly's graduation
Summer Library program
You Rock - Grace Marie is moving up at church
Serious shopping
Fruit yummies
New breakfast omelet
Dead battery
Plants/herbs

and as of today....

Volleyball Camp

And we are current.

Summer is here.  Swimsuits purchased.  Warm temps. Grilling.  Eating fresh from the garden.  Slower schedules.  Sleeping in.  Enjoying life.

instagram

I have taken to instagram.
When I started out on it, I would post less frequently.
Until Grace started asking about it.
For a long time we held off, trying to protect her.
Many times we heard her say, "but all my friends have it" (which we knew was not the case).

Christmas 2014 she got her new tablet she had been wanting.
With that and many, many conversations about responsibility and the scary side of instagram, Art and I agreed she could have an account.
It has come with many rules and many nights of me screening her posts and those she is viewing.
Her account is private and she only lets people in who we say are okay.
So far, so good.
Giving a little, even though we weren't 100% comfortable with it, is a good thing.
We've asked her to show us how she can be responsible but yet haven't really given her many chances to prove it.
Here was her chance and happily, she's respected and listened to our requests showing us she is growing up.

We need to give her more of these chances to prove herself.
Like tests and her school work.
We've really tried to teach her how to study this year, on her own.
We've released her these past two quarters to do it on her own with the expectation that if the grades start to slip, we will step back in.
At the beginning of the year she wanted all the benefits of being responsible but wasn't ready to take it on her own.
Now she is.
It shows me her maturity.
It is another step in independence which is bittersweet.

Independence with Instagram and studies - all are ways to help her shape her.
She's learning she is accountable to both and she's following through.
What was so painful last Fall is now much easier for our girl.
Wow.

God is good and his movement in my girl is amazing.

today i put makeup on my daughter

(I didn't think I would do that for at least a couple more years.)

My girl doesn't realize how truly beautiful she is.

This morning after a talk about inner beauty, I put a bit of concealer on my girl.
Growing up is hard.
Change is hard.
Body changes.
Emotions.
Pimples.
Ugghhh...

I remember those days.
I hated my hair.
My skin color.
My birthmark.
I didn't look like the others.
I heard things similar to this, this morning.

I told her I understood her feelings.
I also told her what my mom said,
"You are special,
there's no one like you,
God made you that way,
you are perfect in his sight."
It wasn't received well (eyes rolling).

I get it.
No amount of my talking this morning would help my pre-teen who feels she is judged by her looks, by her peers.
So I hugged on her, told her this was normal, everyone goes through it and I pulled out my concealer.
While I truly believe God loves what he sees, we still need to convince Grace of that.
Until we get there, there's concealer.
She walked out feeling better about her day.

While I will continue to work on this my worry is that anything coming from me will be taken as, "You're my mom, you have to say that."
Again, I've been there, done that.
Felt the same way when my mom would talk to me.
But now, I get it.
It took maturity.
It took getting past the awkward teen years for me to see.
And Grace will get there too.

It amazes me that when a friend of mine gives Grace a compliment, she (Grace) perks up even though I said something similar before.
I'm grateful for said friend and hope she knows that her words mean the world to me and Grace.
I'm grateful for Art who can change the way Grace thinks because she knows, she is his princess and always will be.

I understand my words only go so far, as her mom.
So I press on.
I remind her she is lovely.
I pray for her to see it too.

She is truly beautiful.

_______________________________________________________

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

1 Peter 3:3-4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

not your normal snow day

Today was a not so normal snow day here.
Not normal in the sense we were already out of school (Presidents Day).
And it was our first "big" snow of the season.
We went to bed last night to flurries and finger crossed for snow to play in.
We woke up to a blanket of white.

So we did what we normally would, we played.

Snowball fight.
Sledding.
Snow angels.
Even threw in a snow cartwheel.
Truman even enjoyed the moment.

We're loving every minute of our first snow.

"relationship" reminder

This sits on my desk at home.

Right there beside my laptop so I can focus on it from time to time.

It's a reminder of my 2015 refreshment.

It's fitting that my refreshment for 2015 is "relationships" and this symbol of my commitment ends up propped up against a picture of Art and I. :)

I can take for granted how great I have it.

I have a husband who loves me.

Is committed to me.

Is a great father.

He provides for his family.

He's been my rock in 2014.

So I did something out of the ordinary for us.

I got a babysitter.

Art and I don't do a monthly "date night" like we know we should and need to.

But I took a step and reached out to a teen in our church.

Our church is hosting an I <3 U Valentine event on the evening of February 13th.

We are going, we are eating, we are enjoying each other and we are dancing.

So I will work on this relationship I hold dear.

I will take my man out of his comfort zone (dancing).

I will laugh with him.

I will enjoy the gift of marriage to this guy.

top three bestie gifts

I thought I would document the top three bestie gifts I got this Christmas.

Because it's fun to see how or what I really use(d).  Like one of last years gifts (more on that later).

But for this year my favs are:

Number 3

Our new bread maker.  You can tell by the fingerprints on it, it's been used.  I made my first batch of GF bread (it was a success), regular wheat bread and GF pizza dough.  You know the cheesy commercial of the family that comes running when the cinnamon rolls are in the oven?  Makes you want to buy cinnamon rolls doesn't it?  Well that's what happens here with my cheesy family when I make anything in this.  The aroma - oh the aroma.  Just marvelous and it takes me back to my grandmothers kitchen, her kitchen always smelled of her latest cooking adventure.  Yum.

Number 2

My one piece pajamas.  I NEVER thought I would like these, I mean come on, they remind me of baby pj's.  But I do and actually I LOVE them.  How much do I love them?

Enough to share this photo with you (you gotta love how Anna is staring at me).
Enough to wear them all Christmas and New Years day.
Enough to come home after dropping my girls off from school and put them back on.
Enough to be wearing them right now as I type.
And if I could I would wear them out in public.
Yes folks, that's how much I love them!

They are:
Comfy
Soft
and most importantly - Warm

{I have a certain friend [she knows who she is] who dislikes being cold as much as I do.  These could be a great Valentines day gift for her from her hubby hint... hint... and they came from the great Land of Wally...}

Number 1

New slippers.  Sadly my last pair, after three faithful years, started to wear through.  I didn't think anything could replace them but I was wrong.  I wear these all day long at home.  Warm, cushiony and they go clean up my leg :).  Love that. Did I mention their warm?

Can you tell I like warm? :)

So there you have it, 2014's top 3.

my thoughts on 2014 & 2015 refreshment

The book has been closed on 2014.

This year was hard for me and my family.

Personally, emotionally and financially.

I have much to be thankful for and many blessings from 2014 but I must admit, I am not sorry to see it go.

There are parts that I would rather forget about.

There is hurt and pain that I need to let go of and move on.

I need to find forgiveness.

I continue to pray and strive for this.

Today is a new year.

Feels strange that in the span of 24 hours we can have a new beginning.

New possibilities.

New experiences.

New blessings.

New changes.

(Why does it take a new year to push us for change?)

Resolutions.

I don't really believe in them.

It just seems that most times they cannot be lived up to.

I believe that God gives us moments of refreshment throughout the year, various times, special moments we share with those we love.

I had such a moment while sitting amongst my siblings, their spouses and children recently.

Family time is good for the soul.

It refreshed me.

Renewed me.

(big sigh of relief)

My family has suffered this year.

In different ways both within my immediate family and extended.

We are healthy, praise God.

We all have food, clothes, a home to shelter us.

We all believe in the Savior who came to save.

We love each other.

(what more could we ask for?)

Well....

Personally, I need to prioritize these relationships.

With my family.

With friends.

I need to pray for these relationships.

My marriage.

My kids.

My siblings.

My parents.

Their marriages.

My nieces and nephews.

My in-laws.

My friends.

I need to renew my relationship with Christ daily because with him I can do all things.

Without him... I don't even like to think about it.

So if this new year in 2015 brings you a renewal, a zeal for life, a purpose, a reason to move than congrats!  I pray you find your refreshment and dive deep into it.

My refreshment spurs me to work on one thing - 

"Relationships"

Happy New Year to you!  

Happy New Beginnings all year long!

November went and December here

Where did November go?  While it might seem that November was uneventful since I didn't post anything that month, it was busy and full.  It was full of here and there running, the everyday schedule, the many trips to church, laundry, cleaning, three birthdays, Thanksgiving, first snow, family functions, a wedding, an engagement, veterans day, lunches with friends, haircuts all around, math tutors, dance class, violin practice, piano lessons, drama productions, orchestra, math tutor, subbing and so on. 

It’s December now.  The Christmas season is upon us once again and I’m trying to remember to put joy where disappointment has made its home, in my heart.  I’m okay, I am.  I don’t want to worry the five of you who read my blog J.  2014 has been a rough one.  I press on with prayer and patience, loving my heavenly father for giving me another day to celebrate life no matter what the circumstances.  He IS good all the time, this I know.

We've begun our Christmas shopping already.  I’m not feeling the pressure really, I know it will all get done and I’m grateful I’m at home this year and have more time than I did last year to take it in phases.  I decided this year we weren't going to let Santa fill the stockings with “junk.”  You know, the little stocking stuffers that really aren't needed because you already have 20 of a similar type in your home.  Our girls love the big eyed Beanie Boos but if we get another stuffed animal…. I might scream.  You should see how long it takes for my girls to make their beds in the morning with the pile of friends they feel they must put on their bed.  I've had to say only three furry friends can sit on the bed, it’s a compromise. 

Art is always hard to buy for.  We are at the point we need each other’s help and ideas for what to get.  Kind of takes the fun out of it but it’s helpful in simplifying things.  He is hard in the sense that he’s particular, not that he’s picky, he just knows what he likes and wants.  So I have get creative to get him at least one thing he didn't think of.  I’m dry this year.  I’m hoping I get inspiration soon. 

We went to Sarah’s advent service at her school.  She sang like a bird, very much into it.  I love to see her like this especially when it’s praise music.  Grace has hers next week and I’m looking forward to hearing her play with the school band.  She is in a trio, with her own part, should be lovely J.  She’s come a long way with her violin, Sarah has as well with piano.  The other day they were together, chatting quietly and ended up in the dining room (where the piano is).  They had figured out they both knew how to play Silent Night on their instruments and decided to try it out together.  It made my heart melt.  Since Sarah started piano I had hopes that they would one day play together and to enjoy it enough to do it again and again and there they were… doing it!  I stopped everything I was doing and just stood there, beaming.  They of course were like “no biggie mom.”  I look forward to many more duets in the future. 

Grace has been sick this week with dreaded flu bug, just like everyone else!  It really wasn't all that bad, we were lucky, no heaving happened.  She had a fever, stuffed up nose, cough, worn out but it was gone after two days.  I’m waiting for Sarah to get it now, or me, or Art.  Isn't that how it works?  We have a crazy weekend coming up so I hope I am wrong or that it will hold off.  I've washed all of Grace’s bedding with the exception of her duvet cover.  This is the part I dislike most about my kids being sick, the cleaning up after, makes laundry more of a chore.  Ugghhh….

I was reminded this week again how I need to cherish and be thankful for the friendships I have.  One such friend has been there to hear me cry, moan, groan and talked me down from making stupid mistakes.  She didn't judge me, she understood my feelings, she listened and most of all LOVED.  Oh what a blessing.  Everyone should have at least one of these friends in their life. 

Today is warm.  40 degrees but the sun is out and shining which for our area lately, is a balmy day.  I can handle these temps with sunshine.  I know I shouldn't complain and I’m trying not to, after all it’s only the middle of December and it comes with living in this state I love.  As I type I’m letting the sun touch my face, ahhh bliss.

12 days of Christmas will start tomorrow for my girls.  It’s where they receive something special each day, leading up to Christmas.  It could be a small gift, a treat or a family activity.  I got some new ideas this year from the ever helpful Pinterest and am looking forward to sharing them with the family. 

I’m ready for the Christmas break.  Ready to sleep in, not make lunches, less schedules – just a break.  My girls are ready too.  I still have much to do until that day comes but when it does, you will find me at home in my slippers.  This weekend alone we have orchestra practice, dance recital, violin recital and church Christmas program.  I’m looking forward to them but I will also enjoy checking them off our list.  

School is almost done, time to pick up my girls and see how their day was.  Grace will be super tired coming off the flu and being at school all day.  She has much homework to do this evening to catch up and we have our last dance class before the recital.  Salmon for dinner then baths and bedtime.  Another December Thursday done.  Sleep well all.

blistery day, halloween and random

What a cold blistery kind of Fall day.
Every time I hear someone use that word, "blistery" I think of Winnie the Pooh.
We watched that video many a times when my kids were babies.
I miss those days.

My blistery day is simple.
Ran Truman to the groomers, he needed a haircut sooo badly.
Drop off drycleaning.
Work on church needs.
Throw a load of laundry in.
Fold a load of laundry.
Meeting at church this afternoon.
Defrost dinner.
Set out costumes, make sure everything is ready.
Call orthodontist for appointment.

Art's working from home today so every once in awhile he comes up for air to talk.
I love talking to him.
Having his full attention.
Seems those moments are fewer and fewer with the busyness of life.
Our talks usually are catch ups as our heads hit the pillow and we doze off each night.

Tonight is Halloween.
We will stay put, going from neighbor to neighbor.
The girls love our neighbors.
They give out normal candy bars, like the big ones and they buy them just for our girls.
Who wouldn't love that!?!

Pizza is on the menu tonight.
This afternoon, pumpkin carving with Daddy.
Truman even has his own costume.

This picture makes me kind of sad.
Look at those chubby cheeks on Sarah.
Grace is tiny here, so sweet.
Man I miss those days.

Got a text this morning from a friend who's kids go to my girls school.
Was lovely to hear they struggled with math last night as well as us.
Boy oh boy is 5th grade math a challenge for G this year.
Praying for her today.
We were so focused on math that I don't think we gave adequate time to Social Studies and there is a test today.
My little girl who used to listen and follow her momma and daddy's directions is now a big girl, questioning her parents and trying to assert her own independence.
It's good and bad.
When you know they will fail at things because they didn't listen to you.
It's a life lesson.
Hard for me to let go.
I mean look at her face, that sweet, little face.
So hard.

Blistery day = wind = more and more leaves falling to the ground.
I mowed yesterday and had the yard all nice and green again.
You wouldn't know it today.
I do enjoy watching them fall to the ground though.
Now raking them is not so much fun.
Just sayin'.

Project life app is not working.
Bummer.
I'm thinking it's on my end.
Not sure.
Gonna have my hubby look at my ipad to see if it is a space issue.
My ipad is getting up there in age.
I refuse to replace it though.
Not sure I'll buy another "i" product when it dies.

I'm finally getting over this sinus/allergy yuckiness.
At least I think I am although I currently have a headache from it.
These up and down temperatures are havoc on my head.

I am ready for the weekend.
I am ready for some down time with  my girls.
I am ready for some fun tonight.

Happy Halloween everyone!
Enjoy this weekend.

apple picking

We went apple picking over the weekend to our favorite orchard.

The girls look forward to this every year.

We picked our favorites - Blushing Gold (below) and Mutsu.

Yum.

Caught my girls picking.

Love those freckles.

Got the annual picture of the gang (minus me) walking the aisle.

There I am!
See, it's documented.

Feeding the lambs.
:)

There were alot of giggles doing this.

Fun with Art.

Another tradition.
The see how tall I've grown picture.

So pretty.
Serene.
Beautiful day too.

Hididng in the corn.

Again more freckles.

Wonderful afternoon with my family.
Now onto the apple recipes.

it's fall outside

Got our Fall decor out and had some fun this weekend getting it all set out.

Our friendly scarecrow is out again, this year with a new shirt provided by Art.

This guy helped appease Grace and her need for something scary this Halloween.

I had three extra jack-o-lantern buckets from my teaching days so they became a project.

This is what Art and I came up with.

He glued and mounted them on the board.

Filled them with Christmas lights.

We purchased the hat and presto! 

Three headed pumpkin witch.

Or something like that.

It's a Sanderson original.

I think her name should be Hazel.

This summer we had a tree cut down that was dying and endangering our swimming pool.

I found a neat idea on pinterest, on what to do with the big chunks of wood.

Art worked with it, taking off the outer bark, sanded it down and sealed it for a neat side table we've used in the backyard.

I love how it turned out.

He brought it around for me to use on the front porch this time.  

The whole front porch.
Ready to greet trick-or-treaters come Halloween.

Thanks to my crafty hubby, we are decked out to scare {somewhat} :).

out with fall flag

in with the Cardinals.

This was Art's doing.

I guess I will allow it :).

GO CARDS!!

how we welcomed fall

First day of Fall lands on a Tuesday and my house is full of its' scents.
I have my apple candle going.
I also have pumpkin muffins in the oven.
{Recipe is HERE.}
I added cinnamon chips. :)
The aroma of pumpkin, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and apple = bliss.
I've been looking forward to making these for two weeks now and finally I can {without guilt}.
The girls will be thrilled with their after school snack.
I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off of them :).

I purchased some new fall decor.
Boo pillow.
I was told by Grace that we didn't have enough "scary" Halloween items.
I guess I've never been into that.
Our Halloweens growing up were G rated.
I guess this is as scary as I get...

This little guy makes me happy.
I thought he was too cute to pass up for $1.
Not sure what to do with him yet, currently he sits in my dining room.

And I put up some of the old.
Welcome Fall!

The weather has been so great here in Missouri.
The mornings start off crisp and cool and then by late afternoon it is warm and sunny.
Just gorgeous.
I love Fall.
It is my favorite of all the seasons.

It means sweater/sweatshirt and boot season.
It means pumpkins, leaves changing colors, mums blooming.
Campfires, smores, Fall festivals.
Apple picking.
Cuddling under the covers.
Big woolly robes and house shoes.
New beginnings at school and church.
A time of refreshing.

Fall came officially last night around 9:29 p.m. our time.
We welcomed it in by staying up late, doing math with Grace.
I think I've said it before but math might just be what kills us this year.
I will admit math was my dreaded subject in school and I struggled with it, especially in Algebra and Geometry.
So my help in this area is limited.
Art has taken it on, he can wrap his mind around it so well.
He will admit he dislikes English, spelling and literature.
So together, using our own strong skills, he and I make up one complete teacher.
Thankfully it works for Grace's sake.
I came into the room last night to find them working on the big white board.
She has a test today.
My prayers are going up.

In the scheme of things, it's small, but for my girl I pray she can pull through the test and come out at the end loving the subject.

Muffins are done.
I guess I should clean up.
I need to vacuum the bedroom.
I need to start another load of laundry.

In the midst of normal day to day life, WELCOME FALL in all your glory!

turning eleven

Grace turned 11.

What happened to my baby?

I love this age but I also get a lump in my throat at how much she's changed this past year.

So many changes, too fast for me to keep up with.

We made her day special.

Making her the breakfast she asked for.

She's into bagels and cream cheese.

So with that, banana and sausage we created a happy face.

This was her first set of candles to blow out.

We gave her most of her gifts.
Nail polish, volleyball clothes, new flip flop slippers, violin wall hanger and a stuffed owl made her list.

This was the real gift.
A sleepover with 6 of her BFF's.
We had a great time.
Even Art and I.
These girls are so great.
So easy going.
They truly like each other and there was no drama.
Ahhhh.... bliss.

They loved the props.

Oh my girl.

Truman got in on the fun, even if he didn't want it.
He was a big hit, these girls love our dog.

We crafted with paint, tape and each had a canvas.
{Thank you pinterest for the great idea.}
It was a hit.
I love how they all made them their own, unique like each girl.

Grace requested my ice cream cake complete with Jojo crust and crumbles throughout.
It was a hit and another set of candles she blew out.

We played flashlight hide and seek.
Art went around scaring the girls which they LOVED.
He enjoyed it too much :).
Oh the screams!
It's one of the perks of being a dad to girls.

We painted our nails, minus Art.
Again, each girl was unique in their choices and style.

We ended our night watching Rio 2.
Gotta have a movie to calm down the masses :).
It worked like a charm, they were out by 12:30.

This poor guy was tuckered out from all the love and attention he received.
Poor pooch.

Overall a great evening, celebrating 11 years of Grace.
This one will be talked about for a long time :).