Category Archives: Kids

5 Favorites because it’s WEDNESDAY!

Yesterday our youngest had her tonsils and adenoids removed. This sweet little, strong-willed girl has had strep so frequently over the last few years she could diagnose it before they swabbed her and so, it finally came to getting those no-longer-doing-their-job suckers OUT. This also resulted in Mama taking off work to be with our little patient for week 1 of recovery (with Papa taking week 2 shift). With some extra “time” on my hands I’m joining in with Hallie and the “girl posse” (coined by Cari) and this week’s

Since it’s been quite some time since I’ve been home during the week, yesterday I enjoyed my most favorite of favorites: The Nap. Yes. On the couch. In the middle of the day. Apparently snoring. Whatever. Getting up at 5, waking the girl up so we could leave at 6, to be at the hospital at 6:30 for her 8:30 surgery, waiting on the doctor, boohooing on Hubby, being with her in PACU, bringing her home….Emotionally and physically done. Mama. Needed. A. Nap.
My iPhone. Seriously kept me busy all morning during surgery. When I couldn’t focus on Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious by Pat Gohn any longer…..I checked Facebook, Twitter, Insta. Quick little taps. Brief little interludes. Then tears when I clicked on Ann Voskamp’s post yesterday. **note to self, don’t read Ann’s heart benders when I am already raw. Once again, I could totally and utterly relate. Parenting=Tough heart work.
Next up. I’m a freak, I know it. Getting chores done mid-week. Laundry is done. Sheets are changed. Floors vacuumed. Eggs boiled. Chicken soup going on soon. Accomplishments without the stress of doing it all after working all day!! #winning
Reading. Which I’ve already mentioned a bit. I am finishing Pat’s book and gathering my thoughts to share with her for her podcast. If you’ve read her book, join in HERE. Also catching up on my Joy Dare notebook, the Catechism and starting a new book since Anne put out her summer reading list!!
Photos. I received my camera back from the shop and the baby is ready to go! I’m brushing up on how to use different settings and get out of the Automatic mode and truly get my photos rockin’ and rollin’. Of course, it’s only Wednesday…and tomorrow I am heading over to my grandmother’s to get a refresher on my new sewing machine.

Go visit the posse and see what other favorites are favorite this week, from Pringles to Play lists…it’s covered!!

Blessings!!

Help a sister out…

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Summer is upon us and so there is a season (10 weeks to be precise)…in which we don’t have to routinely wake children up at the crack of dawn, I have so much time in the morning I am frequently “almost late” to work and the pace overall is just more relaxed. I love it.

This summer has begun with our 11 year-old beginning her orthodontic treatment…beginning with the Herbst appliance.

Let’s just say, yesterday was a little miserable for her. I made more smoothies and shakes in a day than I normally do all month. She’s a trooper though, and we are quite stocked up on Tylenol!

Next week, our almost-10 year old will have her tonsils out. (If you have any pointers here, comment away, I’m alllllll ears). She’s had strep a ridic amount of times and we are ALL looking forward to getting these out. Not so much on the 2 week recovery period! WHAT?!?!??!?

Which brings me to this: next week, post-op, I’ll be home with the girl and have some free time on my hands. Hoping my camera will be back so I can play with some tutorials, or maybe re-design my blog or maybe read a book….wide open. What are YOUR suggestions…do tell….and NOW…..I must get my rear in gear or I’ll be later for work!!!!

She let go

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NO!!! Stop looking at prom dresses and bridesmaid gowns!!

It’s the end-of-the-year craziness and the other night we had to drop our baby (4th grader) off at her teacher’s house for a class party—-she is THE coolest teacher!! Walking up to the group gathered on the front lawn and to say a “howdy” prior to making a break for the band concert with our 7th grader, I subconsciously put my hand out for our little girl to hold on to…which she did….and then——she let go. She. Let. Go. WHAT?!?!?!? THE?!?!??!! WHAT?!?!!?!? I’m still reeling from this. This girl-child. Our baby. Is my shadow, my velcro-baby, the youngest, the diva, the high-maintenance, quality time, physical touch, child. And sometimes I just don’t want to be touched. Sometimes I need my space. Now. I’m thinking I may have gotten my wish as she crosses over to the too-cool-to-hold-hands-with-my-mom age. I’m dying inside. Dying, I tell you.

Let the 3 day weekend begin

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And so begins the long weekend. Can I get an “AMEN”?!?!?—posted a little behing, I’m catching up here.

This morning the Hubs and I are doing a SUP (Stand up Paddleboard) demo. 8 a.m. in the river. It is lovely outside right now. Lovely, I say. I’m thinking the river is going to be cold and therefore I resolve to STAND UP and not fall in. Ok? Ok. Let you know how that goes. **it didn’t, just too windy today, and I actually wanted to stand UP, not swim in the river..

Reading books. Riding bikes. Relaxing in the day. That’s how the rest of our Saturday went down and it was awesome!! It’s a challenge to really relax, isn’t it?? There’s always so much TO DO on our days off. Grocery shopping, house cleaning, lawns, maintenance around the casa, kids to and fro. It’s the season of our life right now and that’s ok, the interesting thing is that when we can and do relax it’s as if our bodies and minds can’t break free from the principles of inertia:

in·er·tia (

-nûr

)

1. Physics The tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or of a body in straight line motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force.

2. Resistance or disinclination to motion, action, or change: the inertia of an entrenched bureaucracy.

and like most parents I know, we seem to be constantly on that straight line of motion…..always moving forward!

And so, somehow we managed to find a compromise in productivity and relaxation that we could live with. I hope the same is true for you!!!

A boy. Reading and relaxing after an afternoon of lawn mowing.

Sneaking in a coffee/donut date after our SUP date was squashed by the wind!

Checking on the Gram and giving kitty some snuggle love

Mother’s Day Wrap-up

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Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, and all moms out there. We’re having a nice day here so far….I woke up with a headache/migraine-starter, 50% chance of rain expected for the afternoon BUUUUUUUUT……I have Excedrin on board, with coffee, Hubby is making breakfast, our youngest couldn’t wait to give me her present (which promptly made me cry) and she promised to smile this year for our picture. Here’s hoping for the best!

Today though, I realize that it hasn’t always been such a super day for me and it isn’t such a super day for everyone else. In fact, today can be a painful reminder for many women. Today I’ll remember my cousins who buried their mom a few weeks ago and other friends whose moms have passed away over the years. I’ll remember friends who are estranged from their mothers and struggle and doubt their own motherhood and parenting (which, BTW is phenomenal!!) . I’ll remember friends who’ve never had a chance to be a mother due to infertility. I’ll remember friends who have lost children. I’ll remember friends who care for special needs children. I’ll remember friends who are single mothers. I’ll remember friends who are struggling with prodigal children. I’ll remember friends who might be let down by the commercialism and in-your-face-ness of the perfect Mother’s Day.

This morning and this day I cried a few times, tears of joy and love, from a heart filled with gratitude toward my husband who is setting a beautiful example for our children through our marriage and his parenting, for children who test me, teach me, love me, forgive me, make me laugh and make each day better just by being part of our family.

Blast from the past!

Me, my Mom and my sister

Last year. Just keepin’ it real. Truly a favorite picture!!

Mom’s photo after Mass, my awesome necklace, cake and card.

And so the kid photo is a little blurry…Hubby is no fan of the iPhone camera and gave me full permission (demanded) I get my real camera fixed….beautiful necklace of which you can design your own HERE, the Publix cake and sweet girl’s card/letter to me. And just think, my birthday is only 4 days away and we can do this AGAIN!!!!

making the trek

Trekking through life: Faith, family, friends and a whole lot of coffee!