Out my window: 47 and sunny. Beautiful fall weather.
Clothing myself in: Blue sweatpants, orange Old Navy fleece I got when I was pregnant with Isabelle.
Around the house: The garage sale was successful, glad it is over, now I need to decide what to do with the rest of the stuff. I have a little bit of hoarder in me, so it kind of pained me to sell the baby clothes, even though I kept all the pieces that were special to me. It is good to be unattached from "stuff". Although it isn't really the "stuff" that is special, but the time it reminds me of. It is good to move on to a new season in life, although sometimes a little hard to let go of the old one.
The toddler: Parenting him is very 1 step forward, 2 steps back. I should expect this, it is just difficult. He is very sweet and adorable when he says, "good morning, Mom" when I come get him in the morning and I love it when he says goodnight to me, his Barney and his racecar blanket. I just need to remember that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint.
The kiddos: I like that they like school. I like the quiet when they are at school. And I simultaneously miss having them around. I miss the old days of homeschooling sometimes. Although it is really, really nice not to have the pressure of wondering if I am teaching them enough, the "right" things, challenging them the "appropriate" amount.
In the kitchen: White chicken chili, bierocks (!) crock pot chicken, chicken noodle soup.
Crafting: I have several things half finished and am in the process of writing a couple hat patterns. Need to finish things instead of leaping into more projects.
Bringing me joy: Apple picking, Adelle and George building a relationship, Isabelle's mature helpfulness, the filtered sunlight in autumn colored trees, clean laundry, cider-scented candles.
Thinking about: What the new season of life holds for us. Still.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Journal: Settling in to September
Out my window: 57 and clear. It's evening and the waxing moon is out. Finally feels like September. It's supposed to be warm and humid and rainy on Wednesday and Thursday and then back to fall. That's fine- we need the rain.
Clothing myself in: Jeans, pink and grey striped shirt, brown cardigan, tennis shoes. Dreaming about new shoes, as all mine seem to be falling apart. I have no "causal" shoes right row- nothing between tennis shoes or flip flops and heels. Maybe for my birthday?
Around the house: This weekend, we worked on clearing some stuff out of the basement for a garage sale next weekend. Went through the toys, because they were all out in the main basement room from when we cleared out the playroom (which is now Issy's room). I whittled it down to a manageable amount of toys, which will go in respective rooms. That felt good.
We put up the fall decorations, which I love, love, love. Fall is my favorite season and I love decorating for it, probably more than for Christmas even. Love the colors, love the feel, love the warmth. Yay, fall.
The toddler: He very nearly made it all Mass without needing to be taken out on Sunday. I think I had to take him out after the Lamb of God? This is the longest he has been in Mass the last six? eight? months. Perhaps longer. Most of the time, he wouldn't even make it to the readings. A combination of books, Barney and some whispering distraction in his ear almost got us there. Someday!
Him and Delle were better last week than the first week of school, thank goodness. Some fun walks, good naps, and lots of redirection helped. Patience, patience, patience and gentleness are what he needs.
The kiddos: School is still great for Liam, Adelle is looking forward to preschool coop tomorrow and Issy and Isaac are enjoying their new found basement freedom.
Good Liam story: The school families take turns cleaning the school each week and it was our turn last week. On Friday after school, I was in Liam's classroom wiping off the tables and taking out the trash. His teacher smiled and said, "Your son is very, um, interesting" as she chuckled. I laughed and told her that I knew but I asked her in what way she meant. They had a journaling assignment about a fish. She told me she had assigned it in the morning and it took him all day of thinking. She was trying to prompt him, so she asked him what color the fish was. He decided it was blue. He thought for a while. She asked him what the fish was doing.
She said that he thought for a good twenty minutes before he started writing. After a moment, he looked up at her and said, "How do you spell fertilizing?"
His story was, "There was a fish. He was blue. He was fertilizing eggs." She laughed and said she was amused and impressed by his correct use of the term "fertilizing eggs." Apparently, first graders don't usually discuss that, lol. That's ma boy.
In the kitchen: Chili? Bean, cheese, and rice squares? Fish tacos? I hate that few days before grocery shopping :P
Crafting: One sleeve is successfully done on little baby sweater. Looks good, need to do the other one, which should be easy because I diligently wrote down what I was doing. I finished a hat I started last winter when a friend announced her pregnancy and I love it. Need to figure out what I did so I can write down a pattern for it.
Bringing me joy: Walking home from school on a beautiful day with my little ones. Life is hard sometimes, but it is sweet, idyllic times like that that make it so worth it. Last Friday, it was beautiful and wonderfully quiet in the house during naptime. For two hours. Two. whole. hours. I knit in our reading nook and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze in the windows. The way that George's voice raises pitch in excitement. It is kind of hard to explain. He says, "Boo and snunnel?? At naptime?" and his voice raises at the end of each question and he raises his eyebrows in this adorable way. Cooler weather, the start of fall colors, rainy Sunday, fall decorations.
Thinking about: Still God's will for our family. For me. Sometimes I feel restless in motherhood. I feel like I have more to gave outside of these walls. I don't know what it is.
Clothing myself in: Jeans, pink and grey striped shirt, brown cardigan, tennis shoes. Dreaming about new shoes, as all mine seem to be falling apart. I have no "causal" shoes right row- nothing between tennis shoes or flip flops and heels. Maybe for my birthday?
Around the house: This weekend, we worked on clearing some stuff out of the basement for a garage sale next weekend. Went through the toys, because they were all out in the main basement room from when we cleared out the playroom (which is now Issy's room). I whittled it down to a manageable amount of toys, which will go in respective rooms. That felt good.
We put up the fall decorations, which I love, love, love. Fall is my favorite season and I love decorating for it, probably more than for Christmas even. Love the colors, love the feel, love the warmth. Yay, fall.
The toddler: He very nearly made it all Mass without needing to be taken out on Sunday. I think I had to take him out after the Lamb of God? This is the longest he has been in Mass the last six? eight? months. Perhaps longer. Most of the time, he wouldn't even make it to the readings. A combination of books, Barney and some whispering distraction in his ear almost got us there. Someday!
Him and Delle were better last week than the first week of school, thank goodness. Some fun walks, good naps, and lots of redirection helped. Patience, patience, patience and gentleness are what he needs.
The kiddos: School is still great for Liam, Adelle is looking forward to preschool coop tomorrow and Issy and Isaac are enjoying their new found basement freedom.
Good Liam story: The school families take turns cleaning the school each week and it was our turn last week. On Friday after school, I was in Liam's classroom wiping off the tables and taking out the trash. His teacher smiled and said, "Your son is very, um, interesting" as she chuckled. I laughed and told her that I knew but I asked her in what way she meant. They had a journaling assignment about a fish. She told me she had assigned it in the morning and it took him all day of thinking. She was trying to prompt him, so she asked him what color the fish was. He decided it was blue. He thought for a while. She asked him what the fish was doing.
She said that he thought for a good twenty minutes before he started writing. After a moment, he looked up at her and said, "How do you spell fertilizing?"
His story was, "There was a fish. He was blue. He was fertilizing eggs." She laughed and said she was amused and impressed by his correct use of the term "fertilizing eggs." Apparently, first graders don't usually discuss that, lol. That's ma boy.
In the kitchen: Chili? Bean, cheese, and rice squares? Fish tacos? I hate that few days before grocery shopping :P
Crafting: One sleeve is successfully done on little baby sweater. Looks good, need to do the other one, which should be easy because I diligently wrote down what I was doing. I finished a hat I started last winter when a friend announced her pregnancy and I love it. Need to figure out what I did so I can write down a pattern for it.
Bringing me joy: Walking home from school on a beautiful day with my little ones. Life is hard sometimes, but it is sweet, idyllic times like that that make it so worth it. Last Friday, it was beautiful and wonderfully quiet in the house during naptime. For two hours. Two. whole. hours. I knit in our reading nook and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze in the windows. The way that George's voice raises pitch in excitement. It is kind of hard to explain. He says, "Boo and snunnel?? At naptime?" and his voice raises at the end of each question and he raises his eyebrows in this adorable way. Cooler weather, the start of fall colors, rainy Sunday, fall decorations.
Thinking about: Still God's will for our family. For me. Sometimes I feel restless in motherhood. I feel like I have more to gave outside of these walls. I don't know what it is.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Journal: School is in session
Out my window: 94 and humid. Apparently, those mild weeks in July and August decided to come to September :P
Clothing myself in: Blue t-shirt, jean capris, tennis shoes.
Around the house: We painted Liam's room this weekend. And the Great Marney Room Swap is complete. They are loving the weekends in the basement bedrooms together and everyone seems to be getting better sleep during the week. Well, I guess I should say the room swap is almost complete. In some undetermined amount of time, when we decide George is ready, he will start rooming with Liam. He is totes not there yet.
Seriously, we have a ton of outside stuff to do. Now, get with it, cooler weather.
The toddler: Oh. My. I am trying to think of a nice way to say that parenting him has been, um... extremely difficult? lately. But his birthday was pretty great- he played at my friend's house in the morning, took a good nap and really liked his presents. We just need to get through this stage with as much grace as possible. Please, God.
Continued on Tuesday
The kiddos: They are doing great getting back into the school routine. Liam thinks school is "awesome!". He actually asked me to take him back at about 4:30 in the afternoon one day last week. His teacher said he is doing just fine. I am so relieved. I hope things continue to be awesome. Or at least good, for him.
Issy and Isaac are old pros at the first day of school now :) They are adjusting to their new classrooms and teachers. Issy is adjusting to the more work/ increased pace of the 5th grade. I can't believe they are getting so big.
I am meeting with three other moms about doing a preschool coop once a week for our little ones. Pretty exciting- Adelle will love that. She is cutting out nap (at least on the days she isn't going to sleep with Issy) so she has been having "quiet reading time" in the afternoon while George is down. And then we usually do a little activity. She is just such a delight.
In the kitchen: Trying out Chicken and Gnocchi soup per a friend's recommendation. Looks yum. Tuna burgers and a bunch of other ol' standbys. We are kind of stuck in a rut. Any family-friendly, easy, healthy, economical ideas?
Crafting: I've worked a little on the baby sweater and I am trying to figure out gauge for the baby hat that I am trying. Slow and steady.
Bringing me joy: The way that Liam says school is "awesome!" with such enthusiasm, the joy it brings for Adelle to color with markers in her purple, sparkly notebook, the way her eyes get big and she gasps with joy when I tell her it is Friday and she can sleep with Issy. Isaac letting lose and acting goofy. The complete quiet of naptime when George is asleep. The adorable way that George scoots his trike around the living room. The way he says, "Super George! To the rescue!" Seeing Issy blossom from child into young lady a little bit every day.
Thinking about: God's will for our family. If I have the courage to bring my will into accord with His, even if it seems difficult.
Clothing myself in: Blue t-shirt, jean capris, tennis shoes.
Around the house: We painted Liam's room this weekend. And the Great Marney Room Swap is complete. They are loving the weekends in the basement bedrooms together and everyone seems to be getting better sleep during the week. Well, I guess I should say the room swap is almost complete. In some undetermined amount of time, when we decide George is ready, he will start rooming with Liam. He is totes not there yet.
Seriously, we have a ton of outside stuff to do. Now, get with it, cooler weather.
The toddler: Oh. My. I am trying to think of a nice way to say that parenting him has been, um... extremely difficult? lately. But his birthday was pretty great- he played at my friend's house in the morning, took a good nap and really liked his presents. We just need to get through this stage with as much grace as possible. Please, God.
Continued on Tuesday
The kiddos: They are doing great getting back into the school routine. Liam thinks school is "awesome!". He actually asked me to take him back at about 4:30 in the afternoon one day last week. His teacher said he is doing just fine. I am so relieved. I hope things continue to be awesome. Or at least good, for him.
Issy and Isaac are old pros at the first day of school now :) They are adjusting to their new classrooms and teachers. Issy is adjusting to the more work/ increased pace of the 5th grade. I can't believe they are getting so big.
I am meeting with three other moms about doing a preschool coop once a week for our little ones. Pretty exciting- Adelle will love that. She is cutting out nap (at least on the days she isn't going to sleep with Issy) so she has been having "quiet reading time" in the afternoon while George is down. And then we usually do a little activity. She is just such a delight.
In the kitchen: Trying out Chicken and Gnocchi soup per a friend's recommendation. Looks yum. Tuna burgers and a bunch of other ol' standbys. We are kind of stuck in a rut. Any family-friendly, easy, healthy, economical ideas?
Crafting: I've worked a little on the baby sweater and I am trying to figure out gauge for the baby hat that I am trying. Slow and steady.
Bringing me joy: The way that Liam says school is "awesome!" with such enthusiasm, the joy it brings for Adelle to color with markers in her purple, sparkly notebook, the way her eyes get big and she gasps with joy when I tell her it is Friday and she can sleep with Issy. Isaac letting lose and acting goofy. The complete quiet of naptime when George is asleep. The adorable way that George scoots his trike around the living room. The way he says, "Super George! To the rescue!" Seeing Issy blossom from child into young lady a little bit every day.
Thinking about: God's will for our family. If I have the courage to bring my will into accord with His, even if it seems difficult.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Journal: Labor day!
Out my window: 57 right now, overcast. A cool front came through last night, thank goodness and it only supposed to be 73 today. But, it looks like it'll be very much back and forth for the next week or so between the 70s and high 80s, which is kind of ridiculous. Oh, well, I will take the 70s where I can get them, I suppose.
Clothing myself in: Grey tank top and black sweatpants with a blue stripe. Blue paint speckles on my arms from yesterday still. Because of....
Around the house: Painted Isaac's room yesterday. It is very very vibrant blue. Robin's egg, actually. He seemed to really like it. I need to get some better pictures that are true to color, because the cell phone picture I took doesn't do it justice. We picked out some paint swatches for Liam's room. Joe and I have one that we liked, now we just need to convince Liam, lol.
We have about a gazillion outside projects we need to do now that it (hopefully) will be cooler. Building up the dirt by the front of the house, building a bat house, power washing the house, painting the shutters and deck. And of course, the woods have lots of downed branches and such that need clearing. Home ownership is never dull.
The toddler: Oh, he had a bit of a rough week. I mean, he is always kind of ornery, but he was just trickier than usual- getting into things, being rough with people, clingy, tantrumy. Maybe he isn't feeling well? Or maybe he is just being extra toddlery?
His birthday is in four days! How did two years pass? I started labor on Labor Day weekend and it came and went and came and went until he was born, bright and early at 6:35 the Tuesday after Labor Day. If you would like, you can read his story here.
The kiddos: Adelle and Issy's room adjustments went fairly well last week. Monday night was the first night apart and Adelle wasn't so sure she wanted to sleep without Issy. We let them have quiet reading time in Adelle's room and then Issy helped tuck her in. Issy was very tender with her and Adelle said, "I am going to miss you." in the sweetest voice ever. Adelle came out several times to tell us that she didn't want to sleep without Issy, but she didn't last too long. Issy came up about ten o'clock, looking rather sheepish, to say that it was too quiet without Adelle and she couldn't go to sleep. They had a happy reunion on Friday night for their "sleepover" in Issy's room. I think it'll work out well.
School starts tomorrow! Liam, in particular, seems excited :)
In the kitchen: Bbq pulled pork, chili, taco soup for dinner. Need to make some muffins for before-school breakfasts.
Crafting: Finished the body of the revamped baby sweater and am working the sleeves. So far, so good. Thinking of a baby hat pattern I need to jot down.
Bringing me joy: Three day weekends with Joe, anticipating our upcoming getaway in October to the Twin Cities to see Josh Groban- it has been forever since we've gotten away. How excited the kids are about their new rooms.Fire pit fires. Listening to kids playing in the woods.
Thinking about: God's will for our family.
Clothing myself in: Grey tank top and black sweatpants with a blue stripe. Blue paint speckles on my arms from yesterday still. Because of....
Around the house: Painted Isaac's room yesterday. It is very very vibrant blue. Robin's egg, actually. He seemed to really like it. I need to get some better pictures that are true to color, because the cell phone picture I took doesn't do it justice. We picked out some paint swatches for Liam's room. Joe and I have one that we liked, now we just need to convince Liam, lol.
We have about a gazillion outside projects we need to do now that it (hopefully) will be cooler. Building up the dirt by the front of the house, building a bat house, power washing the house, painting the shutters and deck. And of course, the woods have lots of downed branches and such that need clearing. Home ownership is never dull.
The toddler: Oh, he had a bit of a rough week. I mean, he is always kind of ornery, but he was just trickier than usual- getting into things, being rough with people, clingy, tantrumy. Maybe he isn't feeling well? Or maybe he is just being extra toddlery?
His birthday is in four days! How did two years pass? I started labor on Labor Day weekend and it came and went and came and went until he was born, bright and early at 6:35 the Tuesday after Labor Day. If you would like, you can read his story here.
The kiddos: Adelle and Issy's room adjustments went fairly well last week. Monday night was the first night apart and Adelle wasn't so sure she wanted to sleep without Issy. We let them have quiet reading time in Adelle's room and then Issy helped tuck her in. Issy was very tender with her and Adelle said, "I am going to miss you." in the sweetest voice ever. Adelle came out several times to tell us that she didn't want to sleep without Issy, but she didn't last too long. Issy came up about ten o'clock, looking rather sheepish, to say that it was too quiet without Adelle and she couldn't go to sleep. They had a happy reunion on Friday night for their "sleepover" in Issy's room. I think it'll work out well.
School starts tomorrow! Liam, in particular, seems excited :)
In the kitchen: Bbq pulled pork, chili, taco soup for dinner. Need to make some muffins for before-school breakfasts.
Crafting: Finished the body of the revamped baby sweater and am working the sleeves. So far, so good. Thinking of a baby hat pattern I need to jot down.
Bringing me joy: Three day weekends with Joe, anticipating our upcoming getaway in October to the Twin Cities to see Josh Groban- it has been forever since we've gotten away. How excited the kids are about their new rooms.Fire pit fires. Listening to kids playing in the woods.
Thinking about: God's will for our family.
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