I'm thankful for friends who I can share my "dirty laundry" with, knowing that they'll find the perfect balance between sharing in my frustration and not letting me wallow in it, between validating my feelings and expecting me to deal with things appropriately, between letting me freak out and grounding me in reality.
What's something that you're thankful for?
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
BOOKS I FINISHED - MAY 2012
Europa, Europa: A Memoir of World War II, by Solomon Perel
This book was referenced in Can I See Your I.D.?, which I read last month. It's the autobiographical story of a Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust by living life as a German boy in the Hitler Youth. It's amazing what a person can and will do to simply stay alive, ridiculous how much we assume about a person simply by how they look or what they wear, and always neat to hear stories of people who did the right thing, even at great personal risk.
We Bought A Zoo: The Amazing True Story of a Young Family, a Broken Down Zoo, and the 200 Wild Animals That Change Their Lives Forever, by Benjamin Mee
I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes to movies, but I saw a poster for this at the store and decided to read the book before watching it. What this family did is certainly interesting, but I'd have been happy if the book had been shorter. That being said, people who like lots of details about animal and/or medical information would probably be perfectly content with how it's written. Neat story, long book, looking forward to seeing the movie.
Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces, by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
Just looking at how people decorate and organize their homes.
The Safe-Keeper's Secret, by Sharon Shinn
I heard about this, the first in a trilogy, on the Sonlight forums and really enjoyed it. In fact, I just picked up the second book yesterday. This is the fictional story of Damiana, the Safe-Keeper (one who people tell their secrets to because she'll never repeat what she's told) of her village, and the two children she raised - the daughter she bore and the son who was brought to her home by a stranger.
Where Children Sleep, by James Mollison
Where Children Sleep, by James Mollison
Super easy read, as this is just a book of photos with captions for each picture. Each page has a photo of where a child sleeps, from a mattress in a field to a mat in a hut to a fancy suite in a mansion, a photo of the child, and a paragraph telling you a little about the child's life. It was fun for the kids and I to see all the different places that kids konk out at night.
Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Real Design Solutions, by Max Gillingham-Ryan
More looking at how people decorate their homes.
A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp, by Mike Kersjes
More looking at how people decorate their homes.
A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp, by Mike Kersjes
Melanie had recommended the movie by the same title to me, but I accidentally reserved the book, which I didn't know existed, from the library, not the movie. Oops. The title is pretty self-explanatory, the book is written by the teacher, and I enjoyed the book. Now I need to reserve the movie.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
BLISS
Want to see what I made this morning?
Notice the shells? The sand? I was on the beach!
I just spent four nights and three days out of town. With four other women. In a beachfront condo. With hours of Bananagrams, plenty of books and magazines, time for movies and shopping, a pedicure, more food than I ever should have eaten, a couple hours with my step-sister, and a quick visit with a friend on the way back home.
So thankful for the chance to escape reality for a few days!!
Notice the shells? The sand? I was on the beach!
I just spent four nights and three days out of town. With four other women. In a beachfront condo. With hours of Bananagrams, plenty of books and magazines, time for movies and shopping, a pedicure, more food than I ever should have eaten, a couple hours with my step-sister, and a quick visit with a friend on the way back home.
So thankful for the chance to escape reality for a few days!!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
I LOVE OUR HOUSE #4
I've been talking about decorating and painting projects lately, but it's been a while since I did a post about something I love about our house. Periodically I'll think of things that would make a good post, but it's always when I'm changing a diaper, cooking dinner, or driving down the freeway. Not very convenient times for posting.
Anyway, here's another little thing I love about our house. The bathroom window.
I've never had a bathroom with a window before. It's wonderful! The mirror on the opposite wall that reflects much of the natural light is a bonus.
I love the fact that we very rarely have to turn on a light in this bathroom. I love opening the window to let the steam from a scalding hot shower go outside. I love a fresh breeze blowing in on a warm spring day.
Anyway, here's another little thing I love about our house. The bathroom window.
I've never had a bathroom with a window before. It's wonderful! The mirror on the opposite wall that reflects much of the natural light is a bonus.
I love the fact that we very rarely have to turn on a light in this bathroom. I love opening the window to let the steam from a scalding hot shower go outside. I love a fresh breeze blowing in on a warm spring day.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
IT'S BAAAAAACK!
Two years ago we had to find a temporary, but long-term, home for our piano. A family at church had kids who wanted to take lessons, but they didn't want to buy a piano and then find out the kids weren't that interested after all. So, they got a free piano to try out and we got free storage for two years. They waited for us to move out of the apartment, have a baby, get settled in our new house, and then delivered our piano back to us last night.
I can't wait for this wall to be green with a bunch of white-framed family pictures on it, but for now it's great to see the backs of three little Ws' heads as they play some music together.
In unrelated news, anyone want to guess which little W hung the paper chain in the corner and what it's for?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
I'M REARRANGING. HELP!
When one has five million things to do, is single parenting, and wants to crawl into bed, then it's the perfect time to start rearranging. Right? Well, that's what I'm doing right now.
Want to help me brainstorm? I have a brain cramp and can't figure out what to do.
Disclaimer: This post is going to be very "real life" because my house looks like it's been ignored for a few days. Why? Because that's exactly what's happened. Sick kids and an absent husband lead to house neglect. Why bother tidying up those messes, though, if you can make a bigger one by rearranging?!
Anyway, here's where I started. Please ignore the stripes of green paint. Just trying to figure out what color to paint this part of the house.
Disclaimer: The electric fireplace that's been sitting in the middle of the floor for three weeks will eventually go to the garage and get put on Craigslist. Tomorrow, in fact. I can't lift it myself and Tim hasn't really been around this month to do it for me.
We're getting our piano back next week and it's going on this wall. I'll be hanging our collection of white-framed family photos above the piano. We've had this desk and a rocking chair in that corner, simply because we hadn't figured out a good place to put them, but the piano will take up virtually all that space. So, I set out to find a new space for the rocker. (The desk is going to the garage while I decide whether or not to keep it.) There's not any place for the rocker in the living room, so I thought about putting it in the master bedroom.
Off to the bedroom we go.
Disclaimer: We don't normally keep potted plants on the bedroom floor, but I was afraid they'd topple off the furniture I was moving.
There's a mirrored closet on the right, which is where that funky reflection is coming from. Sorry about that.
The space to the right of the window used to have a dresser in it, but I thought the rocking chair might fit there. It did, but it just seemed ... I don't know. It didn't look like it belonged there. Maybe there's another way to make it work in our room, but I'm not seeing it. I'll give you a peek at the rest of the room, in case you have some brilliant idea I'm missing.
Disclaimer: We don't normally keep everything we own on top of our bed. However, Teebs has been quarantined to our room for sleeping until Naomi is healthy and I threw his pack 'n play on top of the bed so I could move the dresser and vacuum. And the cardboard box? Filled with the family pictures that will go above the piano. And the laundry basket? Filled with random stuff I picked up around the house that needs to get put away. And the pile of other junk? The things I intended to take care of today but was too busy to deal with. All put on the bed for the same reason as the pack 'n play.
That's the bed and nightstands. No room for a rocker there.
Disclaimer: We don't usually keep puzzle tables in the middle of our room, but it just got taken down by one of the little Ws and I haven't had a chance to put it away.
This is the wall to the left of the bedroom door and that's the dresser that used to be to the right of the window. The dresser that will be white someday. No room for a rocker there because it's the path to the bathroom.
In case you were going to suggest moving the bed to under the window, we can't because it covers the one and only heating vent in that room. Sooooo ... yeah. I don't think it will fit in our room.
Here's where I put it.
This is opposite the piano wall and next to the non-opening side of the sliding door. I don't know if I like it there or not, but I don't dislike it. It's the best option I've come up with so far. Suggestions?
So there's rearranging problem numero uno. The rocker.
Next up? The secretary. Here's the picture I took right after I painted.
I love, love, looooove this piece of furniture, but I don't like it there. It seems too formal for the room or something. I have a dresser that stores toys in another room and I pulled it in to see what it would look like. Moving the book-filled secretary is a big job, so I'm not doing that unless I know for sure where I'm going to put it. So, here's a shot of the dresser in front of the secretary. At least it gives you an idea of what it would look like shoved against the wall. I like it a lot better!
Disclaimer: This 103 degree bundle of childhood is part of the reason the rest of my house looks neglected. Poor kid.
That white dresser used to be in the dining area and it's the only other place the secretary would fit, but I don't think I'll like it there. Well, I suppose it could go in our room, but I don't think it would look right in there either. Here's the dining room option.
For reference, the piano will be just on the other side of that laundry room door. The previous owners actually had a huge hutch right in this spot, but I just think the secretary would look odd right next to the fridge. Don't you?
And just to throw one more little thing in the mix, I present this chair.
It's the same stain as the secretary and I love it! It's been in the garage because the seat needs to be repaired, but this is a major case of "out of sight, out of mind". The only way it's going to get fixed is if I see it every day and want to sit in it. But .... I don't know where to put it. Shocking, I know.
So, anyone want to tell me what to do?
Want to help me brainstorm? I have a brain cramp and can't figure out what to do.
Disclaimer: This post is going to be very "real life" because my house looks like it's been ignored for a few days. Why? Because that's exactly what's happened. Sick kids and an absent husband lead to house neglect. Why bother tidying up those messes, though, if you can make a bigger one by rearranging?!
Anyway, here's where I started. Please ignore the stripes of green paint. Just trying to figure out what color to paint this part of the house.
Disclaimer: The electric fireplace that's been sitting in the middle of the floor for three weeks will eventually go to the garage and get put on Craigslist. Tomorrow, in fact. I can't lift it myself and Tim hasn't really been around this month to do it for me.
We're getting our piano back next week and it's going on this wall. I'll be hanging our collection of white-framed family photos above the piano. We've had this desk and a rocking chair in that corner, simply because we hadn't figured out a good place to put them, but the piano will take up virtually all that space. So, I set out to find a new space for the rocker. (The desk is going to the garage while I decide whether or not to keep it.) There's not any place for the rocker in the living room, so I thought about putting it in the master bedroom.
Off to the bedroom we go.
Disclaimer: We don't normally keep potted plants on the bedroom floor, but I was afraid they'd topple off the furniture I was moving.
There's a mirrored closet on the right, which is where that funky reflection is coming from. Sorry about that.
The space to the right of the window used to have a dresser in it, but I thought the rocking chair might fit there. It did, but it just seemed ... I don't know. It didn't look like it belonged there. Maybe there's another way to make it work in our room, but I'm not seeing it. I'll give you a peek at the rest of the room, in case you have some brilliant idea I'm missing.
Disclaimer: We don't normally keep everything we own on top of our bed. However, Teebs has been quarantined to our room for sleeping until Naomi is healthy and I threw his pack 'n play on top of the bed so I could move the dresser and vacuum. And the cardboard box? Filled with the family pictures that will go above the piano. And the laundry basket? Filled with random stuff I picked up around the house that needs to get put away. And the pile of other junk? The things I intended to take care of today but was too busy to deal with. All put on the bed for the same reason as the pack 'n play.
That's the bed and nightstands. No room for a rocker there.
Disclaimer: We don't usually keep puzzle tables in the middle of our room, but it just got taken down by one of the little Ws and I haven't had a chance to put it away.
This is the wall to the left of the bedroom door and that's the dresser that used to be to the right of the window. The dresser that will be white someday. No room for a rocker there because it's the path to the bathroom.
In case you were going to suggest moving the bed to under the window, we can't because it covers the one and only heating vent in that room. Sooooo ... yeah. I don't think it will fit in our room.
Here's where I put it.
This is opposite the piano wall and next to the non-opening side of the sliding door. I don't know if I like it there or not, but I don't dislike it. It's the best option I've come up with so far. Suggestions?
So there's rearranging problem numero uno. The rocker.
Next up? The secretary. Here's the picture I took right after I painted.
I love, love, looooove this piece of furniture, but I don't like it there. It seems too formal for the room or something. I have a dresser that stores toys in another room and I pulled it in to see what it would look like. Moving the book-filled secretary is a big job, so I'm not doing that unless I know for sure where I'm going to put it. So, here's a shot of the dresser in front of the secretary. At least it gives you an idea of what it would look like shoved against the wall. I like it a lot better!
Disclaimer: This 103 degree bundle of childhood is part of the reason the rest of my house looks neglected. Poor kid.
That white dresser used to be in the dining area and it's the only other place the secretary would fit, but I don't think I'll like it there. Well, I suppose it could go in our room, but I don't think it would look right in there either. Here's the dining room option.
For reference, the piano will be just on the other side of that laundry room door. The previous owners actually had a huge hutch right in this spot, but I just think the secretary would look odd right next to the fridge. Don't you?
And just to throw one more little thing in the mix, I present this chair.
It's the same stain as the secretary and I love it! It's been in the garage because the seat needs to be repaired, but this is a major case of "out of sight, out of mind". The only way it's going to get fixed is if I see it every day and want to sit in it. But .... I don't know where to put it. Shocking, I know.
So, anyone want to tell me what to do?
Friday, May 18, 2012
MENU - SECOND HALF OF MAY 2012
Here's a quick review of the new recipes I've made since posting the last menu. Ready?
M&M blondies - I have some M&Ms I got for virtually nothing a while back and did a little online hunting to find something to bake them in. I opted for these bars and they're deeeeelicious!
Mediterranean black bean salad - I always like finding new bean recipes and this one was a keeper. Lona, whose site I got it from, has a blog you may enjoy taking a peek at. It's linked at the top of the recipe and is filled with pictures and info about their life on a farm - crops, sheep, weaving, etc.
chocolate chip cookie bowls - I already talked about these once, but maybe you missed it.
mint lemonade - I had leftover mint from the Mediterranean black bean salad and wasn't sure what to do with it. Tea doesn't interest me, so I asked for ideas on the Sonlight forums and this was one of the suggestions. So good!
And here's what we'll be eating the rest of the month.
BREAKFASTS
* fruit & doughnuts x2
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, hot cereal syrup, and energy mix as optional toppings x7
* nutty fruity granola
* egg & potato scramble (potatoes are baked the previous day)
* leftover oatmeal pancakes
* coconut almond muffins
DINNERS
* leftovers x2
* tacos x2
* baked potatoes/peas & corn
* black bean tortilla pie/green salad (Tim's cooking)
* quinoa, apple, & almond salad over spinach/whole wheat drop biscuits
* death by garlic/green salad (Tim's cooking)
* quinoa & black beans/tomato slices
* new recipe (not that great)/rice/fruit & nut green salad #2
* sausage balls/pineapple rings/fruit salad (Devon planned & will cook this meal)
* brown rice & lentil salad over spinach/toast
* crockpot ziti/peas & corn
SNACKS & DESSERTS
* popcorn
* produce
* oat & almond bars
* carrots & black bean dip (from the freezer)
* chocolate chip peanut butter bars
* M&M blondies
M&M blondies - I have some M&Ms I got for virtually nothing a while back and did a little online hunting to find something to bake them in. I opted for these bars and they're deeeeelicious!
Mediterranean black bean salad - I always like finding new bean recipes and this one was a keeper. Lona, whose site I got it from, has a blog you may enjoy taking a peek at. It's linked at the top of the recipe and is filled with pictures and info about their life on a farm - crops, sheep, weaving, etc.
chocolate chip cookie bowls - I already talked about these once, but maybe you missed it.
mint lemonade - I had leftover mint from the Mediterranean black bean salad and wasn't sure what to do with it. Tea doesn't interest me, so I asked for ideas on the Sonlight forums and this was one of the suggestions. So good!
And here's what we'll be eating the rest of the month.
BREAKFASTS
* fruit & doughnuts x2
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, hot cereal syrup, and energy mix as optional toppings x7
* nutty fruity granola
* egg & potato scramble (potatoes are baked the previous day)
* leftover oatmeal pancakes
* coconut almond muffins
DINNERS
* leftovers x2
* tacos x2
* baked potatoes/peas & corn
* black bean tortilla pie/green salad (Tim's cooking)
* quinoa, apple, & almond salad over spinach/whole wheat drop biscuits
* death by garlic/green salad (Tim's cooking)
* quinoa & black beans/tomato slices
* new recipe (not that great)/rice/fruit & nut green salad #2
* sausage balls/pineapple rings/fruit salad (Devon planned & will cook this meal)
* brown rice & lentil salad over spinach/toast
* crockpot ziti/peas & corn
SNACKS & DESSERTS
* popcorn
* produce
* oat & almond bars
* carrots & black bean dip (from the freezer)
* chocolate chip peanut butter bars
* M&M blondies
Thursday, May 17, 2012
5/17/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful that we live somewhere with easy access to formula and that Teebs has adequately wet diapers again.
What's something that you're thankful for?
What's something that you're thankful for?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
LETTERS ON MY WALLS
First, the letters S, D, N, and T. Where? The bathroom. Why? Partly because I wanted something dark on the walls of a fairly light and neutral room. Partly because I wanted there to be no question at all which kid is responsible for any towel that may be left on the floor. An empty letter equals a guilty kid.
Second, the letter W. Where? The living room. Why? Because I've dreamed of having a wall of Ws for a long time and finally have the opportunity.
Oh, how I love this wall!!
I intentionally spread things out to fill the space and so that there would be room to add other Ws I accumulate over time. The frame on the left was filled with five Ws a couple years ago and hung horizontally. We need to redo it with six Ws and I'd like it to be vertical this time, so I just hung it that way and we'll make new Ws soon. There are a couple silver ornaments that were given to me by friends, a wooden type setting block I got while at the BFM last year, two other Ws found while hanging with friends in and around Seattle, a woven W made by a friend, magnetic Ws from friends, a cookie sheet my sister put a W on and turned into a magnet holder for me, and a few Ws with no special story behind them. And my crafty W, of course, which ended up supplying a nice punch of non-black, non-white, non-silver to the collection.
The only thing that didn't work out the way I planned was the jewelry holder you see on the left of the TV cabinet. I picked it up a couple months ago, back when I thought I was going to put all the Ws above the fireplace, and intended to put it on the mantle. It's too big for the shelves I hung on the wall and looks lame on the TV cabinet, but it's the only place I have to hang my W charms. I'm mulling over some other options, but for now it's staying by the iPod dock.
I really wanted a random, bright, bold, fun living room and it's finally coming together. Love it!
Second, the letter W. Where? The living room. Why? Because I've dreamed of having a wall of Ws for a long time and finally have the opportunity.
Oh, how I love this wall!!
I intentionally spread things out to fill the space and so that there would be room to add other Ws I accumulate over time. The frame on the left was filled with five Ws a couple years ago and hung horizontally. We need to redo it with six Ws and I'd like it to be vertical this time, so I just hung it that way and we'll make new Ws soon. There are a couple silver ornaments that were given to me by friends, a wooden type setting block I got while at the BFM last year, two other Ws found while hanging with friends in and around Seattle, a woven W made by a friend, magnetic Ws from friends, a cookie sheet my sister put a W on and turned into a magnet holder for me, and a few Ws with no special story behind them. And my crafty W, of course, which ended up supplying a nice punch of non-black, non-white, non-silver to the collection.
The only thing that didn't work out the way I planned was the jewelry holder you see on the left of the TV cabinet. I picked it up a couple months ago, back when I thought I was going to put all the Ws above the fireplace, and intended to put it on the mantle. It's too big for the shelves I hung on the wall and looks lame on the TV cabinet, but it's the only place I have to hang my W charms. I'm mulling over some other options, but for now it's staying by the iPod dock.
I really wanted a random, bright, bold, fun living room and it's finally coming together. Love it!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
SHOCKING NEWS
I did a craft.
Really. I did.
I've seen string art in various places online and decided to try making a "W".
But that's not all.
I used pink string.
Need some CPR? A defibrillator?
I'll wait for you to catch your breath.
Ready?
Want to see it?
The lighting isn't great, but it's light green paint on the background, black nails, and variegated pink string. And the lumpy spots you see on the paint? Well, artists, such as myself, call that texture and in this case it comes from applying the second coat of paint with a cotton ball.
I'll start teaching art classes next week. Feel free to sign up.
Or not.
Maybe I'll just tackle the next string art project I have in mind instead.
Really. I did.
I've seen string art in various places online and decided to try making a "W".
But that's not all.
I used pink string.
Need some CPR? A defibrillator?
I'll wait for you to catch your breath.
Ready?
Want to see it?
The lighting isn't great, but it's light green paint on the background, black nails, and variegated pink string. And the lumpy spots you see on the paint? Well, artists, such as myself, call that texture and in this case it comes from applying the second coat of paint with a cotton ball.
I'll start teaching art classes next week. Feel free to sign up.
Or not.
Maybe I'll just tackle the next string art project I have in mind instead.
Monday, May 14, 2012
TASTY TREAT
Several years ago Tim and I used to make chocolate chip cookie bowls to serve ice cream in. We'd found the recipe in a magazine, but somewhere along the road it had been shoved into an envelope and packed away. Years went by and I forgot about it.
Well, a few weeks ago I was sorting through a big stack of recipes I've gathered from various places and found the magazine page with the cookie bowl recipe in it. I was so excited to make them again and busted out a batch on Saturday. They're a fun way to eat ice cream and the kids loved them!
Well, a few weeks ago I was sorting through a big stack of recipes I've gathered from various places and found the magazine page with the cookie bowl recipe in it. I was so excited to make them again and busted out a batch on Saturday. They're a fun way to eat ice cream and the kids loved them!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
MOTHER'S DAY - 2012
Love the little Ws! And I really enjoyed having the 6th W in my lap, rather than in my uterus, this year!! The three bigs all made cards for me, Tim gave me a bouquet of roses from our yard, my pseudo-MIL sent me a card, Tim and Silas washed my incredibly dirty van, and Tim picked up dinner from Luis's Taquiera. Not too shabby of a day!
Want to do something fun? Look at the past Mother's Day pictures. I can't believe I've been blogging long enough to have four years of pictures here! It's fun to see how much the kids have grown.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
SANITY RESTORED
My days of single parenting have ended and not a moment too soon. Tim got home at 3:00 this morning and slept in til about 9:00. I made breakfast, dinner, and dessert, then left at 10:00. Alone. It was soooo nice to get a break!
I had a couple errands to run, but also spent some time just browsing other stores in the shopping center. Mindlessly wandering around, talking to no one, thinking about nothing. Fantastic! By the time I was done it was naptime at our house, so I decided to head out to Silverton for a little while. I love driving through all the farmland out there and seeing Mt. Hood in the distance. Beautiful! I browsed through a handful of shops, then headed home.
I feel so much better now!
Last time I checked in here was day nine and I had told you about the ladies at home group letting me cry and taking turns holding Teebs (day seven) and Orma coming to rescue me (day eight). Well, I just kept getting blessed by different people.
Rachel showed up after swimming lessons on day nine and brought lunch for all of us. She also played croquet with the bigs, gave Teebs his first successful bottle feeding, and chatted with me while the kids watched a movie.
We went to Bible study on the evening of day ten. Teebs had woken from his nap early, so he was tired, and his feedings were all wonky because of this limbo land we're in with bottles and nursing. I was pretty sure I'd get paged during the service, but it never happened. When I went to pick him up I discovered why. Tammy had been sitting back by the nursery and had heard him crying. And crying. And crying. She knew the nursery workers were going to have to page me, but she also knew I wasn't exactly having the best week of my life and wanted to let me stay in the service. So she headed in to the nursery, grabbed my sad baby so that the nursery workers could focus on the rest of the kids, and got him to fall asleep in her arms.
Day eleven was a Tim Hawkins show that we'd been given tickets to way back in November. We couldn't find childcare, as most people we knew were also at the show, so we were going to bring all the kids. Not ideal, but there didn't seem to be another option. Then Pam offered to hang out at our house with the littles. She came over, gave Teebs a bottle, took both kids for a walk, and read with Nomes. We came back from Tim Hawkins and I discovered a bouquet in my kitchen. Toni had passed through our area and dropped off these flowers for me. Are they fun or what?!
No one rescued me on day twelve, but we managed to have a pretty good day anyway. Shocking, huh? We walked to the library, kicked balls around the park, and watched Robin Hood.
I'm so incredibly thankful to everyone who helped get me through this last week!
I had a couple errands to run, but also spent some time just browsing other stores in the shopping center. Mindlessly wandering around, talking to no one, thinking about nothing. Fantastic! By the time I was done it was naptime at our house, so I decided to head out to Silverton for a little while. I love driving through all the farmland out there and seeing Mt. Hood in the distance. Beautiful! I browsed through a handful of shops, then headed home.
I feel so much better now!
Last time I checked in here was day nine and I had told you about the ladies at home group letting me cry and taking turns holding Teebs (day seven) and Orma coming to rescue me (day eight). Well, I just kept getting blessed by different people.
Rachel showed up after swimming lessons on day nine and brought lunch for all of us. She also played croquet with the bigs, gave Teebs his first successful bottle feeding, and chatted with me while the kids watched a movie.
We went to Bible study on the evening of day ten. Teebs had woken from his nap early, so he was tired, and his feedings were all wonky because of this limbo land we're in with bottles and nursing. I was pretty sure I'd get paged during the service, but it never happened. When I went to pick him up I discovered why. Tammy had been sitting back by the nursery and had heard him crying. And crying. And crying. She knew the nursery workers were going to have to page me, but she also knew I wasn't exactly having the best week of my life and wanted to let me stay in the service. So she headed in to the nursery, grabbed my sad baby so that the nursery workers could focus on the rest of the kids, and got him to fall asleep in her arms.
Day eleven was a Tim Hawkins show that we'd been given tickets to way back in November. We couldn't find childcare, as most people we knew were also at the show, so we were going to bring all the kids. Not ideal, but there didn't seem to be another option. Then Pam offered to hang out at our house with the littles. She came over, gave Teebs a bottle, took both kids for a walk, and read with Nomes. We came back from Tim Hawkins and I discovered a bouquet in my kitchen. Toni had passed through our area and dropped off these flowers for me. Are they fun or what?!
I'm so incredibly thankful to everyone who helped get me through this last week!
Thursday, May 10, 2012
5/10/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful for the women who have supported me during a stretch of unexpected single parenting. I'm also thankful I'm on day 11 of that 12 day stretch, which means it's almost done.
What's something that you're thankful for?
What's something that you're thankful for?
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
DAY NINE
I thought I'd follow up on my meltdown post from Sunday.
Yesterday was amazing. It was warm and sunny, so we scrapped school and the bigs played outside all day. Meanwhile, I started tackling the house. Actually, I started by mowing the lawn, then headed inside. The whole place was a disaster and I didn't know how much I could get done, so I decided to do one room at a time until that room was completely done. My day may have ended without getting the whole house taken care of, but I knew having some rooms looking great and some looking bad would feel more productive than every room looking half done.
And that's how our morning went. Kids playing, mom working.
About 12:30 I offered to let the nappers stay up and play outside, but they'd have to go to bed early at night. They were enjoying the beautiful day and took me up on the offer. And I kept working.
On Sunday I had asked for help from my friend Tammy and she was planning on coming over yesterday afternoon, but life interfered and that plan got scrapped. I wasn't feeling so overwhelmed and discouraged, though, so it was fine.
However, my friend Orma called right around the time Tammy would have come and said she was on her way over. What a treat that ended up being! She came in long enough to see my blue walls and check out the house (she hadn't been here yet), then told me to get back to whatever I was doing and went outside with the kids. She played with them for three hours. Three hours of happy adult attention. They've barely had 20 minutes of that for the last .... oh, eight days.
It was perfect timing, as it was right during their usual nap time. She brought a parachute and beach ball, which they played with for a while. The kids brought out croquet and she played a game with them. Then Silas came in to decorate a cake, Devon played alone, and Orma read books she's brought and some of our own with Naomi for a while. Then it was back outside for some more croquet. What a treat for the little Ws!!
I worked my tail off while she hung out with them, taking one break to feed Teebs. By the time she left my house was under control. Sure, there are some things I still need to take care of, but they fall into the realm of normal clutter. The paint supplies that had soaked in blue water for ten days got cleaned up. The slipcovers that had been hanging to dry for five days got put back on the furniture. The dishes that were spread all over the kitchen counters got washed. The dining table that was buried in random stuff got cleared. The floors got swept. It was wonderful!!! So very thankful for a chance to work uninterrupted and for my kids to have fun at the same time.
We wrapped up the evening with stinky, sweaty kids taking baths and showers, the bigs cashing in gift certificates for mini Papa Murphy's pizzas for dinner, three kids in bed before 7:00, and one kid quietly reading and watching Tim Hawkins online until hitting the sack.
Needless to say, it was a much better day than Sunday!!
The bottle issue got put on the back burner because I just couldn't deal with it. While I don't have enough milk, I do have some and it's enough that Teebs won't starve between now and whenever Tim is around again. I did, however, give him a little bit of banana, his first solids.
Today is day nine of no husband or father in the house and I think it will be a good day. The sun's out. The kids have swimming lessons this morning. Rachel offered to come visit this afternoon and will try giving a bottle. We snagged Sword in the Stone from the library and will watch it (for approximately the 839,036th time) this evening. Then we'll call day nine a wrap.
Yesterday was amazing. It was warm and sunny, so we scrapped school and the bigs played outside all day. Meanwhile, I started tackling the house. Actually, I started by mowing the lawn, then headed inside. The whole place was a disaster and I didn't know how much I could get done, so I decided to do one room at a time until that room was completely done. My day may have ended without getting the whole house taken care of, but I knew having some rooms looking great and some looking bad would feel more productive than every room looking half done.
And that's how our morning went. Kids playing, mom working.
About 12:30 I offered to let the nappers stay up and play outside, but they'd have to go to bed early at night. They were enjoying the beautiful day and took me up on the offer. And I kept working.
On Sunday I had asked for help from my friend Tammy and she was planning on coming over yesterday afternoon, but life interfered and that plan got scrapped. I wasn't feeling so overwhelmed and discouraged, though, so it was fine.
However, my friend Orma called right around the time Tammy would have come and said she was on her way over. What a treat that ended up being! She came in long enough to see my blue walls and check out the house (she hadn't been here yet), then told me to get back to whatever I was doing and went outside with the kids. She played with them for three hours. Three hours of happy adult attention. They've barely had 20 minutes of that for the last .... oh, eight days.
It was perfect timing, as it was right during their usual nap time. She brought a parachute and beach ball, which they played with for a while. The kids brought out croquet and she played a game with them. Then Silas came in to decorate a cake, Devon played alone, and Orma read books she's brought and some of our own with Naomi for a while. Then it was back outside for some more croquet. What a treat for the little Ws!!
I worked my tail off while she hung out with them, taking one break to feed Teebs. By the time she left my house was under control. Sure, there are some things I still need to take care of, but they fall into the realm of normal clutter. The paint supplies that had soaked in blue water for ten days got cleaned up. The slipcovers that had been hanging to dry for five days got put back on the furniture. The dishes that were spread all over the kitchen counters got washed. The dining table that was buried in random stuff got cleared. The floors got swept. It was wonderful!!! So very thankful for a chance to work uninterrupted and for my kids to have fun at the same time.
We wrapped up the evening with stinky, sweaty kids taking baths and showers, the bigs cashing in gift certificates for mini Papa Murphy's pizzas for dinner, three kids in bed before 7:00, and one kid quietly reading and watching Tim Hawkins online until hitting the sack.
Needless to say, it was a much better day than Sunday!!
The bottle issue got put on the back burner because I just couldn't deal with it. While I don't have enough milk, I do have some and it's enough that Teebs won't starve between now and whenever Tim is around again. I did, however, give him a little bit of banana, his first solids.
Today is day nine of no husband or father in the house and I think it will be a good day. The sun's out. The kids have swimming lessons this morning. Rachel offered to come visit this afternoon and will try giving a bottle. We snagged Sword in the Stone from the library and will watch it (for approximately the 839,036th time) this evening. Then we'll call day nine a wrap.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
ONCE UPON A TIME I HAD A MELTDOWN
Tim has worked 15-17 hour days for seven days in a row. He'll continue that schedule for another three days.
Enough said?
During this already rough week my milk supply has started dropping, which is par for the course when my babies hit five months old. Tim is always the one who does the first bottles when we get to this point, partly because it's a "first" that he can do and partly because they accept the bottle easier from a parent they don't expect to nurse them. After the first few bottles, then we're good to go.
Well, I have a baby who is getting 1/2 - 2/3 the amount of milk he should be and a husband who won't be around for another three days. So I tried giving a bottle today. It was a total failure - screaming baby, spewing baby, sobbing mom, and a sibling who took the spewage covered baby into another room, changed their diaper, and put dry clothes on them while I pulled myself together. Well, the sibling part wasn't a failure.
I'd hit my breaking point.
Three little Ws went down for naps, one little W baked a cake during their down time, and I hid out in my room. That helped.
I hopped online and vented on the Sonlight forums. That helped.
Then I shot a note to a friend and asked her to come over tomorrow to try feeding Tyler a bottle, help with household stuff, and give me some adult interaction. She'll be coming in the afternoon. That helped.
Then we went to home group and I cried some more. We intentionally chose a home group with people that are all in their 50s and 60s, one where I call the women "home group grandmas". Not to be confused with "church grandmas", which are another set of older women at church who dote on Teebs. But that's beside the point. Anyway, I cried and they let me dump my sob story on them, the home group grandmas took turns holding Teebs through the evening, one held Teebs through worship and hung with him in another room so that I could participate in the group, one snuggled him to sleep later in the evening, and others (including the men in the group) chatted with the other little Ws and watched one of their magic tricks. That helped.
I'm still fried. I'm still eager for this stretch of single parenting to end. My house is still a mess. My body still isn't making enough milk. It's very likely that I'll shed some more tears before this week is over.
But ...
I'm thankful for my Sonlight sisters who encourage me when I'm down. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to come to my rescue in practical ways when I'm overwhelmed. I'm thankful for friends who are kind to my kids when I'm psycho mom.
Enough said?
During this already rough week my milk supply has started dropping, which is par for the course when my babies hit five months old. Tim is always the one who does the first bottles when we get to this point, partly because it's a "first" that he can do and partly because they accept the bottle easier from a parent they don't expect to nurse them. After the first few bottles, then we're good to go.
Well, I have a baby who is getting 1/2 - 2/3 the amount of milk he should be and a husband who won't be around for another three days. So I tried giving a bottle today. It was a total failure - screaming baby, spewing baby, sobbing mom, and a sibling who took the spewage covered baby into another room, changed their diaper, and put dry clothes on them while I pulled myself together. Well, the sibling part wasn't a failure.
I'd hit my breaking point.
Three little Ws went down for naps, one little W baked a cake during their down time, and I hid out in my room. That helped.
I hopped online and vented on the Sonlight forums. That helped.
Then I shot a note to a friend and asked her to come over tomorrow to try feeding Tyler a bottle, help with household stuff, and give me some adult interaction. She'll be coming in the afternoon. That helped.
Then we went to home group and I cried some more. We intentionally chose a home group with people that are all in their 50s and 60s, one where I call the women "home group grandmas". Not to be confused with "church grandmas", which are another set of older women at church who dote on Teebs. But that's beside the point. Anyway, I cried and they let me dump my sob story on them, the home group grandmas took turns holding Teebs through the evening, one held Teebs through worship and hung with him in another room so that I could participate in the group, one snuggled him to sleep later in the evening, and others (including the men in the group) chatted with the other little Ws and watched one of their magic tricks. That helped.
I'm still fried. I'm still eager for this stretch of single parenting to end. My house is still a mess. My body still isn't making enough milk. It's very likely that I'll shed some more tears before this week is over.
But ...
I'm thankful for my Sonlight sisters who encourage me when I'm down. I'm thankful for friends who are willing to come to my rescue in practical ways when I'm overwhelmed. I'm thankful for friends who are kind to my kids when I'm psycho mom.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
5/5/12 WORTH REPEATING
Step outside your comfort zone, give freely and generously of your resources and time, and live your life with arms outstretched. And I promise you’ll be blessed beyond what you can imagine!
Crystal at Money Saving Mom
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Wipe your elevens.
~ Belinda Moffit's way of telling her kids to wipe their runny noses
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Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the person who has it.
~ Buddy Robinson
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But trying to use willpower to overcome the apathetic sort of sadness that accompanies depression is like a person with no arms trying to punch themselves until their hands grow back. A fundamental component of the plan is missing and it isn't going to work.
Allie at Hyperbole and a Half (Heads up that there's some profanity in this post.)
********
None of us can obliterate worldwide poverty, but if each of us wisely steward our finances so that we can give generously, we can collectively have a powerful impact in reaching those who are incredibly needy. And I’m inspired to continue on this journey of living simply so that others can simply live.
Crystal at Money Saving Mom
********
Stop saying things like, “I don’t care what anyone thinks about me.” First of all, that’s not true. And second of all, if it is true, you need a perspective shift. Your reputation matters – greatly. You should care what people think of you.
~ Kate at Lily Pads
Thursday, May 3, 2012
BOOKS I FINISHED - APRIL 2012
FOR SCHOOL
I'm going to confess right now that I have barely done any reading with the boys lately. Between a hard pregnancy, moving, Tyler's birth, the lack of sleep during the first few months of his life, and getting into a new rhythm, I've been pretty removed from school this year. So thankful for kids who can work independently and for books on CD!The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Pene du Bois
Read aloud for Devon. This was our second time through this book and we've enjoyed it both times. The way of life on Krakatoa, from the cool inventions in each house to the way the way their meals are planned is really intriguing, even when it's not very practical or realistic.
FOR MYSELF
Can I See Your I.D.?, by Chris Barton and illustrated by Paul HoppeThis book was from the juvenile section of the library and was filled with chapters about various people who have assumed false identities. Easy read, interesting stories.
Lives of the Writers: Comedies, Tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought), by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt
Jess told me about this book, also from the juvenile section of the library. It had tons of trivia about several authors. Random, but fun and easy read.
Two Tickets to Freedom: The True Story of William and Ellen Craft, Fugitive Slaves, by Florence B. Freedman
William and Ellen Craft were two people written about in Can I See Your I.D.? and I wanted to know more about their story. This book was from the juvenile section of the library. I plan on having Silas read it, as it fits really well into his study of U.S. history.
5/3/12 THANKFUL THURSDAY
I'm thankful that we always have plenty of food to eat.
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
What's one thing that you're thankful for?
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
MENU - FIRST HALF OF MAY 2012
We only tried one new recipe on the last menu and it was a miserable flop, so there's nothing to share with you on that front. We'll just get straight to the current menu.
BREAKFASTS
* fruit & doughnuts x1
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, hot cereal syrup, and energy mix as optional toppings x11
* food provided by friends while out of town
* almond coconut granola x2
* breakfast casserole
* oat & almond bars
* leftover oatmeal pancakes
* pumpkin bread (double & freeze some)
DINNERS
* leftovers x2
* tacos x3
* death by garlic/green salad
* Jen's chicken/rice/Leslie's salad
* tortellini pesto salad
* beef eldorado (base from freezer)/green salad
* Mediterranean black bean salad
* broccoli & cheddar quiche with brown rice crust
* grilled chicken caesar salad/breadsticks (store-bought from my Franz freebies)
* rice, kale, & eggs (this finishes off my freezer stash of last summer's kale)
* southwestern chicken stew (crockpot)/cornbread (from freezer)
* Cajun sausage & beans (crockpot, make double batch & freeze half)/rice
* freezer fest/carrots
* chicken & green bean stir fry/rice
* chicken salad sandwiches/fruit
SNACKS & DESSERTS
* popcorn
* produce
* carrots & black bean dip (double & freeze half)
* celery & peanut butter
* ice cream in chocolate chip cookie bowls
* cake (Silas is making this)
BREAKFASTS
* fruit & doughnuts x1
* oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, milk, raisins, hot cereal syrup, and energy mix as optional toppings x11
* food provided by friends while out of town
* almond coconut granola x2
* breakfast casserole
* oat & almond bars
* leftover oatmeal pancakes
* pumpkin bread (double & freeze some)
DINNERS
* leftovers x2
* tacos x3
* death by garlic/green salad
* Jen's chicken/rice/Leslie's salad
* tortellini pesto salad
* beef eldorado (base from freezer)/green salad
* Mediterranean black bean salad
* broccoli & cheddar quiche with brown rice crust
* grilled chicken caesar salad/breadsticks (store-bought from my Franz freebies)
* rice, kale, & eggs (this finishes off my freezer stash of last summer's kale)
* southwestern chicken stew (crockpot)/cornbread (from freezer)
* Cajun sausage & beans (crockpot, make double batch & freeze half)/rice
* freezer fest/carrots
* chicken & green bean stir fry/rice
* chicken salad sandwiches/fruit
SNACKS & DESSERTS
* popcorn
* produce
* carrots & black bean dip (double & freeze half)
* celery & peanut butter
* ice cream in chocolate chip cookie bowls
* cake (Silas is making this)
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