Hi friends. I know it's been a while. You all know why. I am going to make this a "Journal" type post, but I am not going to be a slave to that format, cause there is a lot of ground to cover.
Out my window: Hints of Spring. Edges of yard underneath piles of melting snow. Puddles. Oh, the puddles. My driveway is a mess. It was sixty degrees the other day. 60 DEGREES, PEOPLE! I am not exaggerating when I tell you that we haven't seen 60 degrees in at least 4? months. I went outside. Without a coat. It was delightful and I look forward to more of that.
Clothing myself in: You don't even want to know. I was going to bleach school shirts when I got home and I always manage to get droplets of bleach on myself so I put on dumpy clothes after work. Then I never ended up taking care of the school shirts. Or changing out of the dumpy clothes....
The toddler: Yep, about a week and a half ago, he decided to potty train. So he's been going for it... at home. He doesn't want to have anything to do with it at his babysitter's house. It's a bit of a conundrum but I suppose it'll work itself out. He's been doing pretty great at home with it, so we will see. Other than that, he is funny, and I love to talk with him.
T
he kiddos: My IssyB is going to be 11 in just 4 days. 11! She is just such a lovely person. Really. I couldn't have imagined when she was a teeny-tiny baby what a fantastic person she would blossom into. Kind and loving. Beautiful. On the inside and out. I don't know what I did to get to be the mother of such a wonderful person, but I am really really glad.
My sons are wonderful, too :) Isaac has super duper buckled down and is working really hard on his grades. They weren't bad, but he was being maybe a bit sloppy? I love to see his pride in his work when he knows he has worked hard and it's paid off. My Liam is a little knowledge sponge. He. Reads. Everything. Sometimes to an exasperating degree (like standing there reading a book when he's supposed to be getting dressed for school). But I love that he loves learning. What a cool kid.
My Delle is sweet to the core. I love how she adores Issy. It's wonderful.
In the kitchen: Mostly simple meals since I am pretty done by the time I get home from work- spaghetti, bean/ cheese/rice squares. Joe was going to fry some catfish and make some fish chowder on Fridays. And Issy requested bierocks for her birthday. Yum.
Crafting: Nah. I would really like to make time for it again at some point. I miss it. I have a bunch of mending I need to do though :P
Bringing me joy: The conversations I have with George when I am nursing him before bed at night (yes, he still nurses :) the peace on the 6 minute drive to work after I drop the kids off, listening to good music really loud, the way George joyfully says, "MOMMY! You came back!!" when I pick him up, playing the "Ask Any Question" game with Liam and Isaac, sunshine on my face and skin, the way Adelle skips instead of walks, dreaming about the future with Joe. There is a lot to be joyful about.
Thinking about: Oh, man. So much stuff. This is where I might go off the rails a bit on this whole journal thing and it might become more of a "brain dump" if you will.
I just really like working. It's been good for my personal mental health, I think. I love interacting with adults every day. It helps me to better appreciate some of the things that Joe finds challenging. There is a lot of inner conflict about being away from my small ones. The conflict mostly comes from being grateful for a break. There is a fair amount of inner conflict about things not being "the way things used to be". I feel certain that this is what I am supposed to be doing at this point. But no less guilty about not being there for Adelle and George in the same 24/7, bodily, way that I was for my older three.
I think a lot about what might be next for our family. I thought this would be our "forever home" because that is what you do- find a place to stay, settle down. Now I am not entirely sure that is what we, as a family, are called to. But God's plan has always been better than my plan, so we will see :)
Pictures to share: Alright, its been a ridiculous amount of time since I have posted pics, so I am going to. They are mostly Joe's pictures (maybe all of them?), so all photographic talent is his.
This wasn't posed. Liam really is that sincere in his devotion. He is the my child most likely to become a Priest.
I don't think it is possible for her not to pose.
The path up to the Shrine.
St. Joseph sculpture.
The Shrine.
Real life photo. It truly captured how much George didn't want to participate.
Side altar with a painting of Bl. Miguel Pro.
The dome painted with stars is my favorite. That is saying something, there are many beautiful things to see here.
Changing gears. These were my Valentine's Day flowers.
Before the Father Daughter Dance at church.
The many, many faces of George. He is very animated in his facial expressions. And certainly my son.
