FRIDAY NIGHT FRENZY: CRAZY HAT & HAIR NIGHT

All the little Ws and one bonus W headed out for crazy hat & hair night at Bullwinkle's with the grade schoolers from our church last night. I didn't get pictures of the big boys because they were already at the church and busy doing their thing when I arrived, but I did get shots of the other three (and some extras) beforehand. 

Naomi asked Natie to do her hair for the event. Natie wasn't attending, but she's a champ and granted Naomi's request. Naomi's plan was to have a bunch of braids with wire in them so they could be pointed in various directions. Natie made it happen!

Tyler opted to just wear a regular hat, but the other Tyler had a sparkly blue hat and Gabi donned the turtle hat again this year.

They all had a great time!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for 14 years of meeting with the same person for counseling. Years where we may have only met once to years with regularly scheduled appointments on the calendar. Lengthy visits and quick ones. Knowledge of all people in my immediate family, as well as some in my extended family, and a genuine interest in them, both generally and in how they may factor into whatever topic is at hand. A common faith that's woven throughout nitty gritty details shared and practical advice given. Conversations that launch me into an inevitable ugly cry to moments of laughter or excitement. A history that means I don't have to give a lot of background when we meet because I'm already known. A person who isn't critical of my ugly thoughts and feelings and validates that whatever I'm facing is hard, but also calls me on the carpet when necessary and always steers me back in the right direction. What's something you're thankful for?

BLITZING TO BEND

I had the chance to hang out with Sonja this weekend, time that always fills up my friend tank. We took a group picture shortly after I arrived to send to the other Ws as proof I'd made it to her home. And then I forgot to make a silly face. Repeatedly. So I gave up. As it turns out, I think the cat ear headband making it look like I'm wearing a giant bowtie counts as silly. Whatever works, right?

Ella asked if she and Aunt Bethany could take a picture together. Of course!

Garrett looked so serious as we got ready to run some errands.

Or maybe he just looked tired, because this was him a few minutes later.

 I offered to stay in the car with him so he could get a little power nap while Sonja and Ella ran into Ulta. When they came back to the car, Ella was feeling quite fancy with a little eye shadow sample adorning her face.

Sunday morning I went to church with their family and unexpectedly ran into Joe after the service. Our families spent a lot of time together back in the mid-90s and I'm in contact with his sisters, but I hadn't seen him (or his brother) in about 25 years. It was cool to chat with him for a bit and meet his wife, Melinda.

I finally had to wrap up our time together and head back home late Sunday afternoon, but there were a couple pictures in a text from Sonja waiting for me when I arrived. It was a slumber party weekend at her place on Saturday with myself and one of her nephews staying the night. This picture was taken Sunday morning shortly after we all woke up. Three perky little kids finishing a movie they started the night before and one middle-aged woman easing into her morning.

I think reading to the kids has been part of each visit so far. I love it!

I'm so thankful for a chance to clock out of my responsibilities for a couple days, talk about the ups and downs of life with a close friend, spend time doing ordinary things with her immediate family, and have quick visits with her extended family.

BOOKS I FINISHED - FEBRUARY 2020

*****

Before I Let You Go, written by Kelly Rimmer

Two sisters, one a physician who's about to get married and the other a talented writer with a drug addiction, have to navigate their new reality when they discover there's a drug-addicted baby on the way. Written in alternating voices of the sisters, the story walks you through the closeness the two shared as young girls living through loss, life-changing circumstances of their childhood, and their adult relationship, which was complicated by addiction. A story of love in the midst of brokenness, this novel also makes one think about how our country, and particularly our justice system, treats mothers who are drug addicts. It's a problem with no easy answers, but so much at stake.

p. 141, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star, do you know how loved you are? In the morning, in the night, I'll love you with all my might. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, do you know how loved you are?"

p. 261, "I'll do better. I promise."

"No, Lexie, I want you to do worse," Sam says gently. "I want you to stumble and let me pick you up. I want you to tell me the load is too heavy and let me carry some of it. I don't want you to superwoman me out of your life."

A note from the author - Most of all, I hope that her story reminds you that a person with an addiction is not a label or a problem to be solved: the individual is someone's sibling, someone's child, someone's beloved uncle. Addiction is ugly, but its victims each have a story and a life that matters.


*****

Educated, written by Tara Westover

This memoir was written by a woman raised by parents with an intense distrust of the government and a commitment to a survivalist lifestyle. Wanting more education and opportunities than were offered at home, as well as needing to get away from a physically abusive brother, she moved away for college in what would have been her junior year of high school. Her story is disturbing and fascinating, heart-breaking and inspiring. It's a stark reminder that life is messy, relationships can be complicated, and sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do. Although it's not realistic, I'd love to hear each of her siblings' perspectives of what their childhood and early adulthood was like, as well as her parents' description of the same time period.


*****

No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, written by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Coming from the basis that discipline means to instruct, Siegel and Bryson give lots of information about what's going on in our kids' developing brains, practical suggestions for how to focus on strengthening relationships in the midst of poor behavior, and reminders that connecting with your kids doesn't mean forsaking your authority or expectations. I appreciate that they acknowledge there's no one right way to handle various parenting issues and that every parent will blow it sometimes. Progress, not perfection, seems like a good way to describe their approach.

*****

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, written by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

I read this book before their one about discipline, but there's a lot of overlap between the two. With catchy phrases to help you remember whichever strategies you want to work on in your own home, they give plenty of information, illustrations, and real life examples to help you out.

*****

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for all that public libraries offer - books (paper, audio, digital), movies (disk, streaming), magazines (print, digital), board games, rooms for quiet study, concerts and other performances, outreach programs to the housebound and elderly, puzzles, helpful classes on a variety of topics, summer reading programs, toys, guest speakers, space for group events, story time for toddlers, community service (blood drives, tax help), art displays, and more. What's something that you're thankful for?

TWO SATURDAYS WITH GIRL TIME

I was able to spend the first two Saturdays of the month having some girl time. So fun! 

The first Saturday Kit hosted a tea for several gals who sit near her at church. Most had met or knew each other, but some were introduced that day. We couldn't all fit in a picture together, so we split into two groups. First was Mindi, me, Michelle, and Corrine. 

Next was Kit, Tami, and Cathy.

It was great to spend time eating and chatting, just getting to know each other better. I really appreciate Kit's desire to connect with other gals at church and her hospitality in hosting a gathering.

The following Saturday Heidi was in town and invited some friends to hang out before she drove home. The day started with Heidi, Thea, me, and Toni.

Faith was able join us a while later, just in time for a tasty lunch at Choza. Let me just mention here that I ordered churro bites as a dessert and they were amazing. So delicious!! In fact, the rest of the crew decided to split an order of their own and we all made sure the dipping bowls were wiped clean. 

I've been friends with this crew for 14 years and love opportunities to spend time together. It was awesome to spend several hours shopping (which is always entertaining for us, even when we don't buy anything), talking about the ups and downs of life, and laughter.

Pretty great start to the month!

WILLAMETTE MISSION STATE PARK - FEBRUARY 2020

The little Ws and I headed out for a spontaneous hike at Willamette Mission State Park after breakfast this morning. We've been there many times, but Devon pulled into a different parking lot than usual and we walked a trail we'd never been on before. 

Such a gorgeous day!