BOOKS I FINISHED - FEBRUARY 2024

 

The Elegance of the Hedgehog, written by Muriel Barbery and translated from French by Alison  Anderson

This novel's about an older woman who's low on society's ranks, a young girl who's high on them, and a wealthy man who cares nothing about the ranks. It's about philosophy, literature, art, and beauty. It's a story about trying to hide who you are and of being seen with acceptance, along with a generous dose of snark toward superficial people. I'm still not sure if I liked it or not.

p. 164, At the door stands a courier, chewing on what must be a piece of gum for elephants, given the vigor and range of mandibular activity to which he is compelled.

p. 169, It's really pleasant to listen to him talking, even if you don't care about what he's saying, because he is truly talking to you, he is addressing himself to you. This is the first time I have met someone who cares about me when he is talking: he's not looking for approval or disagreement, he looks at me as if he to say, "Who are you? Do you want to talk to me? How nice it is to be here with you!" That is what I meant by saying he is polite - this attitude that gives the other person the impression of really being there. 

p. 192, And secondly, a teenager who pretends to be an adult is still a teenager. If you imagine that getting high at a party and sleeping around is going to propel you into a state of full adulthood, that's like thinking that dressing up as an Indian is going to make you an Indian. And thirdly, it's a really weird way of looking at life to want to become an adult by imitating everything that is most catastrophic about adulthood ...  < snip > Lastly, teenagers think they're adults when in fact they're imitating adults who never really made it into adulthood and who are running away from life. It's pathetic.

p. 233, Just as teardrops, when they are large and round and compassionate, can leave a long strand washed clean of discord, the summer rain as it washes away the motionless dust can bring to a person's soul something like endless breathing. 

p. 242, (N)othing is more despicable than a rich man's scorn for a poor man's longing.

p. 252, What is the purpose of intelligence if it is not to serve others? 

Know My Name, written by Chanel Miller

For those unfamiliar with the author's name, she was previously known as Emily Doe, an anonymous woman who was sexually assaulted on the Stanford campus in 2015 and whose abuser served three months in jail for his crime. This well-written book about that night and all the layers of its aftermath is equal parts disturbing, inspiring, and powerful. Statistics vary by source, but it's estimated that a minimum of 1in 6 American women have been sexually assaulted, which means that this book is important for people to read.

p. 44, But resilience required rest.

p. 47, They seemed angry that I'd made myself vulnerable, more than the fact that he'd acted on my vulnerability.

p. 78, I was teaching myself to ask for help, and in return beautiful things were happening.

p. 152, I thought of mothers who had commented, My daughters would never ... which made me sad because comments like that did not make her daughter any safer, just ensured that if the daughter was raped, she'd likely have one less person to go to. 

p. 194, During the trial, the jury was forced to pick; is he wholesome or monstrous. But I never questioned that any of what they said about him was true. In fact, I need you to know it was all true. The friendly guy who helps you move and assists senior citizens in the pool is the same guy who assaulted me. One person can be capable of both.

p. 222, Kicking and screaming is not a sign you have lost your mind. It's a sign that you have stepped onto your own side. You are learning, finally, how to fight back. 

p. 288, When society questions a victim's reluctance to report, I will be here to remind you that you ask us to sacrifice our sanity to fight outdated structures that were designed to keep us down. < snip > This is not about victim's lack of effort. This is about society's failure to have systems in place in which victims feel there's a probable chance of achieving safety, justice, and restoration rather than being retraumatized, publicly shamed, psychologically tormented, and verbally mauled. The real question we need to be asking is not, Why didn't she report, the question is, why would you?

p. 312, Victims exist in a society that tells us our purpose is to be an inspiring story. But sometimes the best we can do is tell you we're still here, and that should be enough. Denying darkness doesn't not bring anyone closer to the light. 

p. 325, Awful feelings may remain the same, but my capacity to handle them has grown.

p. 326, I used to shrink at harsh tones, used to be afraid. Until I learned it takes nothing to be hostile. Nothing. It is easy to be the one yelling, chucking words that burn like coals, neon red, meant to harm. I have learned I am water. The coals sizzle, extinguishing when they reach me. I see now, those fiery coals are just black stones, sinking to the bottom.

p. 328, Never fight to injure, fight to uplift.

The Little Book of Prayers: A Collection of Prayers From Around the World and Across Time, edited by David Schiller

The prayers in this book are from multiple countries and an assortment of faith traditions.

p. 183, Grant me to recognize in other men, Lord God, the radiance of your own face. ~ Teilhard de Chardin  

p. 184, If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature - even a caterpillar - I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature. ~ Meister Eckhart  

p. 244,  As my head rests on my pillow Let my soul rest in your mercy. As my limbs relax on my mattress, Let my soul relax in your peace. As my body finds warmth beneath the blankets, Let my soul find warmth in your love. As my mind is filled with dreams, Let my soul be filled with visions of heaven. ~ Johann Freylinghausen 

p. 273, From the cowardice that dare not face new truth, From the laziness that is contented with half truth, From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver me. ~ Kenyan Prayer

p. 276, All that we ought to have thought and have not thought, All that we ought to have said, and have not said, All that we ought to have done, and have not done; All that we ought not to have thought, and yet have thought, All that we ought not to have spoken, and yet have spoken, that we ought not to have done, and yet have done; for thoughts, words and works, pray we, O God, for forgiveness. ~ Persian Prayer

p. 310, My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this, You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone. ~ Thomas Merton 

 

The Mystery Guest, written by Nita Prose

This sequel to The Maid brings back a main character who's learned to stand up for herself since the first book, alternates between a current murder mystery and a relevant back story, and reminds the reader that, for better or worse, there's always more to people than what we can see.

p. 40, "My gran used to say, 'Don't jump to conclusions, lest you trip and fall," I tell her.

p. 120, Sitting at our table, legs dangling, I come to an important realization - that education is not something that happens exclusively in classrooms, that education is a state of mind. 

A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond, written by Amber O'Neal Johnston with foreword by Julie Bogart

This book was a little different than I expected, and it was excellent. Written from a place of humility, respect for others, and personal experience, it's a clear, kind, and thought-provoking guide to creating home environments where the people around us are seen and valued for both their similarities and their differences. It was unintentionally the second book I've read within the last few weeks that recognizes the importance of belonging, whether in our homes, small groups, or larger communities.

p. 18, What I learned is that, given the opportunity to be themselves in a safe space, people will gladly show you all of who they are. What they'll reveal is that parts of themselves are shaped by the culture(s) with which they most identify, while other vital parts can't be pegged to any of our limited categories. That understanding of nuanced, ambiguous, complex, and fluid diversity is what our children need not only to see but believe, because it will inform how they interact with the people they meet and choose to do life with. 

p. 19, Recognizing a person's or group's value and their right to be treated with dignity, celebrating the beauty found in their culture, and empathetically listening to their experiences while seeking to know them better does not mean that you support all they do. Finding connection is not always the same as standing in agreement.

p. 20, You can't embrace authentic learning and growth with your children when you're leading from fear. You don't have to agree with all the values and beliefs of particular cultural, religious, or social groups to teach your children to recognize the value of their humanity. 

p. 22, The distinction may be lost on some people, but I hope you understand we aren't looking to point out how people are different and demand that our kids love them anyway. We're looking to celebrate the differences amid kinship. We are simply helping our children to see clearly.

p. 23, Success is not that our children don't notice diverse images, people, and experiences. Success is that they see people for who they are, notice their beauty, value their presence, and quickly move on because they expected them to be there all along.

p. 35, Though it can be difficult, exposing our fallible humanness to our kids is a gift because it makes it easier for them to see that there is no expectation or possibility of perfection.

p. 64, Myers challenges us to broaden our assumption that children need mirrors merely for the sake of reflection, suggesting that books integrated into children's worldview aren't merely mirrors, but also become maps. And if we follow his premise of books as maps, what path are our children led down when every road leads to enslavement, strife, prejudice, and poverty?

p. 75, Books are by no means panaceas, but the more children read about the reality of lives lived outside their bubbles, the richer their relationships and experiences will be.

p. 91, When so much of their experience validates their existence and supports the notion that society revolves around them, boys should be able to handle books that weren't written directly about or for them. Their manhood depends on it. If we want men to embrace the voices and ideas of the women who show up in myriad ways in this world, we need to keep the hearts and minds of our boys open from the beginning. They need books that validate the existence and worth of women, and they need parents who do the same. 

p. 171, Home is where we cultivate an appreciation for life's beautiful gifts.

p. 223, Give your family's social and community interactions an honest look. If you find that you've somehow ended up in a place where everyone your kids have an opportunity to do life with looks just like them or never looks like them (equally unhealthy scenarios), consider making some changes. The possibilities are endless and are entirely dependent on each family's circumstances, but we owe it to our children to try our very best to make it happen.

p. 235, Change is ushered in on the backs of people who give selflessly to the cause. Sitting in silent indifference while others do the work that you expect your kids and grandkids to benefit from is an expression of contempt for everyone who can't comfortably just wait things out.

The Tiger Rising, written by Kate DiCamillo and narrated by Dylan Baker

The physical captivity of a tiger and the emotional captivity of multiple characters are the backdrop for this novel that we listened to on a road trip. It's a story of two kids walking through their personal struggles together, a story of hurt, trust, and healing.

Where Lilacs Still Bloom, written by Jane Kirkpatrick

Based on the true story of Hulda Klager, this novel is about a German immigrant with an eighth grade education whose interest in hybridizing led her to develop more than 250 varieties of lilacs. It's a fictionalized account of her work with plants, as well as the story of her family's life. Klager lived from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s and her gardens are still open for viewing about an hour from where I live. This book counts for Washington on my 50 state reading challenge.

p. 64, Melancholy seeped in like water filling footprints on a soggy lawn. It was always there beneath the surface that year but didn't assert itself until pressure was applied.

p. 79, "Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a moment have a piece of paradise right here on earth."

p. 79, "A moment of joy is no small thing to give another."

p. 234, "Music cleanses the soul of the pain of daily living," I added.

p. 281, "Bad things happen, and we learn from them, but they do not happen so that we will learn. God is a good God."

p. 357, Suffering, I decided, happened, and so did good things, and the issue of God's power was not so much in questioning why He didn't stop floods or death but in all the rest of the time when He showed us how to be hospitable, generous, and loving.

BOOKS I FINISHED - SEPTEMBER 2022

The Boys in the Boat: The True Story of an American Team's Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics, Young Reader's Adaptation, written by Daniel James Brown and narrated by Mark Bramhall

I started reading the adult version of this book several years ago and just couldn't get into it, so I moved on. However, I checked out the young readers version on Libby through our library on a recent road trip and we all enjoyed it. The book tells of a young man, someone who'd been dealt one major blow after another through his life, and the underdog rowing team he eventually became part of. It's a part of history that serves as an inspiring challenge to never give up. 

Doing Time: 25 Years of Prison Writing, edited by Bell Gale Chevigny with foreword written by Sister Helen Prejean

This collection of essays, poems, and short stories is an inspiring, heartbreaking, uncomfortable, and important look at life behind bars. Broken into eleven different categories and written while the authors were incarcerated, each piece gives those who have never been in prison a glimpse of what various aspects of life are like for the men and women serving their sentences. 

While I expected some crass or rough content because of the nature of the book, and welcomed it because I think it's important to make a priority of learning about those whose lives are different than my own, there were a few pieces I chose to quit before I finished. Even if there are some pieces a person isn't comfortable finishing, I still think the book is a valuable read. There were a few quotes from the first part of the book that I liked, but I lost the paper I'd written the page numbers on.

p. 108 (Pell Grants for Prisoners, written by Jon Marc Taylor), Parolee unemployment is a prime contributor to recidivism, so any program that enhances an ex-offender's employability is of benefit to the community. 

p. 109 (Pell Grants for Prisoners, written by Jon Marc Taylor, quoting Chief Justice Warren Burger), We must accept the reality that to confine offenders behind walls without trying to change them is an expensive folly with short-term benefits - winning battles while losing the war. 

p. 247 (Prisoners of Our World, written by Allison Blake), Now she lives in the could-have-been / Wonders each night if it should-have-been / Too afraid to think of the would-have-been

p. 254 (Pilots in the War on Drugs, written by Robert J. Moriarty), Nobody every won any war. All that ever happens is that one side loses more than the other. 

Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids, written by Crystal Paine

I've followed Paine for a really long time and have enjoyed seeing her shift in parenting over the last few years. She humbly shares from her own experience as she encourages others in their own, which is an approach I've always appreciated about her. This faith-based book is a kind reminder to accept how much we're loved by God and to let that love determine how we treat our kids.

p. 27, I worried more about producing kids who made good decisions than about kids who knew they were wholeheartedly loved.

p. 32, I remember sitting there wanting to defend my parenting choices. And yet, if I wanted something to change, something was going to have to change - and I needed to be willing to have that change begin with me.

p. 37, Love-centered parenting is not about making all the right choices, doing everything perfectly, or never making mistakes. Love-centered parenting is about wholeheartedly loving our kids because we know how much we are wholeheartedly loved by God. 

p. 50, We've created a standard of perfection we feel we must achieve to be a great parent or to have a great kid.  And if we're not hitting that self-made standard, we feel we are failing.

But who put that on you? While we might sometimes feel like there is pressure from outside sources, in most cases it's something we've put on ourselves. 

p. 63, The most impactful way you can help your kids understand God's love for them is to see it lived out in your life on a day-to-day basis. 

p. 74, If you believe it's your job as a parent to raise responsible kids or to raise kids who love Jesus or to raise kids who make good choices, your job performance as a parent is based solely upon how your kids turn out. Not only is this a crushing load to carry, but it will cause you to be hypercritical of your kids' choices because you feel like they directly reflect on your parenting. (This belief will also likely make you highly critical of other parents and their kids' behaviors too.)

p. 83, Do our kids see an example of Christlikeness in us that they would want to emulate? Are we saying we love God and want to honor Him and yet we're going about our day with an attitude of frustration, anger, and unkindness?

Strength in What Remains, written by Tracy Kidder

Deogratias "Deo" Niyizonkiza was a smart, eager medical student and citizen of Burundi, then an underpaid and overworked refugee in America who lived in horrible indoor conditions and the landscape of Central Park. He's now an American citizen who founded and leads health clinics in Burundi. He experienced horribly traumatic things in the genocide of his country of origin and incredibly challenging things upon settling in America, but has chosen to keep moving forward. His inspiring story is one of brokenness, fear, and desperation, but also strength, humility, and determination. 

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OUR 2022 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

Devon quietly finished high school two months ago, but we hadn't done anything to celebrate yet. He didn't care about having a party and a family dinner was challenging to coordinate with four different work schedules, one of which is for a person living out of town most of the time. So it just didn't happen. 

Last night we had a bit of a texting frenzy to figure something out and we were able to all meet up for dinner at Olive Garden this evening. Success! Plenty of food, conversation, and laughter as our family marked this milestone in Devon's life.

This boy of ours is smart as a whip and hates formal schooling, so he's weighing options for long-term career goals that don't require a college degree and working in the meantime. I'm excited to see what's in store for him!

SURPRISE VISIT FROM TIM

Tim woke up yesterday morning, got dressed for work, then found out work had been called off for the day. So I woke up that morning to a text from him saying that he was headed home for the day. Awesome! I had to leave for a bit right after he got home, so he used the time to teach Tyler how to build a fire.

He needed time with all of us, and we all needed time with him, but he and I headed out for a one hour lunch date in the Tony's parking lot. It was nice to have some time alone to just chat about life and eat good food.

It was only seven hours, but it was a fantastic surprise after nine days apart. 

BEACH DAY

I realized yesterday that the weather was going to be beautiful today and that we had nothing on the calendar until evening, so I told the little Ws I was going to do something fun with them. My original idea fell through, but another plan worked out. Then Tim unexpectedly had the day off and got to join us. 

We loaded into the van first thing this morning, told the kids we were going to visit two Oregon coast icons that we'd never been to before, then hit the road. About two hours later we stopped at Pig 'N Pancake for pre-icon food, as five cases of being hangry would have put a serious damper on our fun.

Our next stop was the first icon of the day, The Astoria Column. We bought some gliders in the gift shop, climbed 164 steps to the observation deck, enjoyed amazing views in every direction, and launched our gliders. So cool!

There were several empty cargo ships out in the water.

The building in the top right is the gift shop and this is the direction we launched our gliders.

The peak below the sun is Saddle Mountain, which Tim's hiked once, Silas and Devon have hiked multiple times, and I've hiked once. Just beautiful! 

The only sound in this little clip is the wind, but I walked around the whole deck to show the view. 

Tim's the one who suggested we go there and we're all really glad he did. It's a neat stop. If you're afraid of heights, go anyway because the view from the ground is also incredible. 

Our second Oregon coast icon of the day was the Seaside Carousel. We started to take a group picture before getting on our animals, but the operator told us to move over to the bench, remove our masks for the pose, and he'd take our picture for us. Awesome. 

We did a little browsing and shopping, then walked down to the beach. I think it's cool they have a swing set there! (They also had three volleyball courts, which is also neat, but I don't personally care about playing volleyball.) We spent a couple hours walking, digging, climbing, swinging, throwing, splashing, and collecting.

We made a quick stop at Seaside Candyman so all the Ws except myself could use some of their personal spending budgets on treats to eat later. (I'm not exactly responsible in the sugar department, but I'm more tempted by other treats.) It's quite a sight to see 172 flavors of salt water taffy and 68 Jelly Belly flavors all in one place!

Tim and I had promised to treat everyone to ice cream before the day was done, so we crossed the street to Sea Star Gelato and loaded up on frozen goodness. Only four of us made it into the picture, but all five of us enjoyed our gelato.

To be in a season of life where spending money on gas for a day trip, a restaurant meal, a carousel ride, and dessert for everyone is something we had the freedom to do is such a huge blessing, one I don't take for granted at all. To have everything work out for our whole household to go in the middle of the week was icing on the cake. 

All three kids thanked me separately for the day and said they had fun, which meant a lot to me. I'm not very good at spontaneous outings, especially when it takes a whole day, so I'm thankful that everyone had a good time and that they expressed unsolicited gratitude. 

FATHER'S DAY - 2021

We lucked out and saw Silas as soon as we arrived at church this morning, so we were able to take a couple quick Father's Day pictures before we all went our separate ways during the service. I know we're not guaranteed pictures with all our kids on these parenting holidays as they start to move out, but it's cool that it worked out for this first year of only three kids living at home. Tim and the original little Ws huddled for one shot.

And then another with Natie, the very first holiday picture where she's officially part of our family. So cool!

Although Mother's Day and Father's Day aren't about Tim and I as a couple, I decided to take a picture of us together on Mother's Day because I wouldn't be a mom without him. So I also got one of us today, as he wouldn't be a dad without me. 

Tim's always taken fatherhood seriously. Not that he's always serious (plenty of goofball evidence to the contrary), but he understands the significance of the role and strives to do the best he can. I really appreciate his commitment to the little Ws!

THE KINDNESS TREE

I don't remember exactly how old I was, but at least eight and probably no older than ten. Mom was running errands with my brother, sister, and I when we drove past this tree. Down at the base, sitting under the shelter of the branches, was a woman who'd done her best to protect herself from the elements with a plastic sheet of some sort. 

"She's been there all night. That plastic means she was there when it rained during the night." That's what Mom said. What she did was turn around, go the bakery in the shopping center we'd just left, buy a cup of coffee, and deliver it to the woman who'd spent a cold, rainy night wrapped in a tarp under a tree. 

Decades have past since then, but I still think of those few minutes of my life every single time I pass this tree. 

None of us can solve all the world's problems. None of us can single-handedly fix even one individual person's problems. But we can all look for opportunities to quietly and humbly show kindness to someone who could use it. 

OVERNIGHT VISITS WITH SILAS

Silas and Natie chose an apartment to share after their wedding, but Silas is the one who moved in right away. During the two months he's living there alone he's had each sib and parent spend a night with him. 

Naomi was the first. It was a double parenting milestone for me - first kid to have an overnight guest in their own home, first kid to spend the night with a sib in the sib's home. So, me being me, I asked them to snap a picture to document the occasion. And they complied. 

Then all the guys took turns, but there's no picture proof. I was the last. Tonight's my turn. 

So fun!

MOTHER'S DAY - 2021

Because Kit and I always sit together at church and people often assume we're mother and daughter, I decided we should get a Mother's Day picture together this year. I'm thankful for the way church family can become like actual family.

Parenting can be exhausting on every level and I often feel totally inadequate as a mom, but I love these little Ws and enjoy watching them grow up. One is super funny. One gives the best hugs. One is helpful. One is encouraging.

She's not an official W yet, but her engagement to a little W meant I wanted to get a Mother's Day picture with Natie in it this year. 

Families are built in various ways, but I wouldn't be the mom of Silas, Devon, Naomi, and Tyler if it weren't for Tim. So here's a picture of the original Ws on this Mother's Day.

EASTER - 2021

I feel like there are two parts to yesterday's holiday. 

First, Resurrection Sunday when we remember that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion, just like he said he would. Faith can be hard, belief comes with questions, and spiritual growth has inherent growing pains, but I'm forever grateful that my flawed, sinful self has a savior who loves me. 

Second, Easter when we enjoy fun traditions. This year I decided to have the kids hunt for quarters instead of eggs. We've done it that way once before, several years ago when we were super broke and a friend had given us some fun money. We usually hide real eggs we've dyed, not plastic ones we've filled, so changing it up (no pun intended, but I'm chuckling now) is fun and no kid will ever turn down cash. Silas ended up coming over for a few hours and helped Tim and I hide quarters throughout our central living spaces. 

Then Devon, Naomi, and Tyler went off in search of all the coins. 

Even though we didn't hide eggs this year, there are always some Ws who want to dye them. 

As a sidenote, Naomi called Tim and I over before they all dug into their baskets. And by baskets, I mean piles of snacks and treats that are never actually put in baskets. She said it occurred to her that we always do things for them on Easter, but they never do anything for us. Then she gave us each $5.00 to put in our fun money budget. So generous!

Speaking of Easter baskets, a friend gave me this one earlier in the week. I've enjoyed each treat I've tried so far and the art from Brandi Dayton, but the thoughtfulness behind the gift made me cry.  

So far I've tried Tony's Chocolonely's chocolate eggs, Chukar Cherries' cherry quartet, Jonboy Caramels' Ceylon cinnamon caramels, and Vosges Haut-Chocolat's chocolate covered roasted walnut pecan caramel marshmallows. All delicious! Still left to try? Torie & Howard's pomegranate & nectarine hard candies, Fran's gray and smoked salt caramels, and Little Secrets' chocolate pieces - mint chocolate chip in milk chocolate and peanut butter in dark chocolate. 

And that's a wrap on this year's Easter for our family. 

ONE FLEW THE COOP

For the first time as a mom, one of my kids has an address and house key that don't match mine. Silas has officially moved out.

I'd always figured he'd leave as soon as he turned eighteen, but it ended up taking a little longer. He was ready and able the minute he became a legal adult, but knew a wedding would be happening sooner than later. It just didn't make sense to move twice in a year, once with roommates and again with a wife. 

He and Natie found a cute apartment to live in after they get married later this spring, but it was ready to rent now. So, with the help of Natie and all the Ws, he moved in yesterday and she'll join him after the wedding.  

Such a fun time of exciting milestones!

MISCELLANEOUS JANUARY PICTURES

All the pictures from January that didn't end up in any blog posts, but that I want to remember.

1/5 - I was a mess, in tears on my bedroom floor, when Tyler walked in. He said nothing, sat down, and put his arm around me. He's always been the most snuggly W and apparently his physical affection is exactly what I needed. I calmed down, we snapped a picture so I'd remember his kindness, and we moved on with the day.

1/8 - We've never been to Hawaii, but have some relatives who live there and sent us this beautiful calendar of Hawaiian flowers. 

1/21 - Tyler recently bought some earbuds with a gift card he got at Christmas and thinks it's really awesome to listen to music with them when he cleans the kitchen. He tries really hard to act like it's no big deal, but starts laughing every time we say something about how cool it is. 

The littlest W got the two oldest ones all to himself for the evening. 

1/22 - Tyler cashed in some tokens he'd earned at Senestraro Family Orthodontics to get a new LEGO set. 

1/23 - Just a couple friends returning from some time in the snow. 

Photo credit: Desi

1/25 - Naomi and Tyler were making hot chocolate when the mug Naomi was pouring boiling water into exploded, turning Tyler into Blister Boy. It was obviously painful, but I'm so glad he wasn't burned worse than he was. 

1/29 - We've had a mandatory nap or down time, depending on the kids' ages, every days since we became parents. Then 2020 happened and our consistent routine fell apart at the seams. We're making an effort to get back on track now, so Naomi and Tyler spent time playing with some activity books while listening to the Invisibility vs. Flying debate on Smash Bang Best. 

Fifteen boxes of failure. Years and years of science experiments we never did. The good news is that I'm not alone in my slacking in that area of homeschooling and my kids can still become fully functioning, contributing members of society. The other good news is I'm condensing and purging this stash down to only what we'll use soon. 

1/30 - I had about three weeks away from Facebook, then came back two days early in a strategic move to allow myself the freedom to spend more time than usual on my first day back, but also maintain some new boundaries I set for myself moving forward. I snapped this picture for my first post so people would know my awkward braces smile was back in the mix. 

Naomi had some gift cards to use and asked if I'd take her shopping, so we spent a couple hours having girl time. It was fun!