I miss blogging. There seems to have been a shift in how I spend my free time lately. With Tom gone in the evenings and the kids and I busy all day long I just don't sit down at the computer much. In fact, as soon as the kids are in bed I head to my own bed to read a book and escape the day. I stay up as late as I can because I hate going to sleep without Tom. This leaves little time for reflection and writing.
Today I am actually avoiding picking up the disaster that is my house. I don't have a lot of time to be sitting here and blogging because there really is a mess and I need to pick up Lily from an art class in an hour. But I thought I would just sit down for a minute and say hello to my Internet friends.
The time with Tom away is physically easier this time around. Last time he was gone for long periods I was alone to care for babies. This time, I'm alone and caring for more independent children. The only really stressful time is when they are fighting with each other...or meal times. Meal times are my own personal hell. It just seems that I am getting the refills and trying to keep them from annoying each other...not fun. But, anyway, things are easier in that respect. However, I miss him terribly and even whined to the kids this morning that I missed him. They thought that it was hysterically funny that mommy would whine about missing daddy...sleeping by herself....hating the dark...and generally whining. I gave myself one minute to talk to the kids in my most whiny voice.
Drew is really exploring his independence lately. The boy that never used to get in trouble seems to be mocking me at every turn. He speaks in a hateful tone. Hits me during his time outs and is generally hard to get along with at times. This makes me so sad...but I understand that it's part of growing up. At one point yesterday I took him to his room so I could have a time out and when I released him from his room to start his time out he was confused. He said, "I just did my time out!" I explained that no, in fact, that time in his room was to put space between he and I so that I didn't wallop him. ha ha I am anti spanking and avoid it at all costs....lucky for him because he was on my last nerve.
Julianna is talking like a kid now. I have no more babies living in my house. She can sing along with the radio, tell me about her day in paragraphs and generally just is a chatter. She does try and push my buttons, but my age and training from Lily, make it hard for her to get under my skin. She does have to do her own time outs on occasion. She loves to torment Drew while he's serving his time out sentence. And she whines like there is no tomorrow. But she's still sweet and funny and generally hates to cause too much trouble. We'll see how long it lasts!
Lily has been a dream these days. She is mature and helpful and very self sufficient...if I don't mind her messes. She and I have really connected on a new level this summer and I am loving it. She is wise beyond her years sometimes. All the hard work of her early childhood has been paying off. We've been having lots of fun.
So, that's about it from here. We are holding up okay, the new house is fine. The old house sold quickly and we close at the end of the month. We are looking forward to our forth of July holiday at the lake and the kids are going to be in the parade this year. I will try to be a little better about the updates, but I'm not making in promises. I'm too busy living in the moment right now.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
hiding the evidence
Drew came in from the garage with his face covered in chocolate syrup. He then shows me a bottle of the stuff in his hand. "I found this in the garage, Mom," he says. I said, "Oh yeah. Did you eat some?"
"No."
"Hmm....how did it get all over your face?"
"It must of spilled all over my face and arms."
At least he tried to bring me the chocolate. It's too bad he failed to keep the evidence off of his face.
I didn't take a picture because I didn't want to imply finding and sneaking half a bottle of chocolate syrup was a good thing.
It should also be noted that Julianna came in from the garage covered in the stuff.
Lily didn't have a speck on her. She's quite experienced at these sorts of escapades.
"No."
"Hmm....how did it get all over your face?"
"It must of spilled all over my face and arms."
At least he tried to bring me the chocolate. It's too bad he failed to keep the evidence off of his face.
I didn't take a picture because I didn't want to imply finding and sneaking half a bottle of chocolate syrup was a good thing.
It should also be noted that Julianna came in from the garage covered in the stuff.
Lily didn't have a speck on her. She's quite experienced at these sorts of escapades.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
happy father's day
What can I say besides "thank you"?
As I went through pictures looking for some to share for this post, I was reminded of all of your hard work. If there are pictures you aren't present for, it's because you're busy at work. But what struck me is that I was there for all of the pictures snapped in our photo library. I am there everyday, able to document our children's childhoods because you are working so hard to support our entire family. If you weren't pursuing your career and being so awesome at your job, I wouldn't be getting to stay home with our children and doing what I love.
This stage of parenting is not easy. We spend a lot of time just trying to meet the needs of our kids. This leaves little time for letting loose and being silly. But, as you can see in these pictures, we are managing just fine. We are meeting needs, having laughs and making life happen everyday.
I couldn't do what I do without you. For all the desperate phone calls at 5:24 pm with sceaming, crying children in the background...there are a million more days that I am grateful that I'm here with my kids. And I couldn't do this without you. I'm not the rock star of home management that I'd like to be but it's not lost on me, or the kids, that you help take up the slack.
So, thank you. Thank you very much.
Friday, June 17, 2011
I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.....
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you. So, let's make the most of this beautiful day....Since we're together I might as well say....Won't you be, won't you be, please won't you be my neighbor?
Last night when the girls and I got home from the downtown Third Thursday event the neighbors tiny poodle came running over to greet us. Lily was super excited, so we traipsed over to meet the neighbor and her dog Maggie. Tom met this neighbor the first day we moved in. They were super friendly and brought us a plate full of freshly baked cookies. Last night was the first time that the kids and I had met the woman, Candy.
I think Candy and Lily have already developed quite a friendship. Candy was so sweet to the girls and when she found out that Lily was an artist she invited Lily to bring her artwork over anytime. She told Lily she would love to hang some of her artwork on her refrigerator. That was all it took for Lily. She came right inside the house and put together a lovely drawing for her new friend. She then ran right over to her house, knocked on the door and delivered the gift.
I have a feeling that that is the start of a beautiful friendship. Lily loves being with adults. She loves creating and sharing her art. And from the looks of things, Candy feels the same way about Lily. This morning we were out the door first thing but as soon as we came home for lunch, Lily was in the basement making something new for Candy....and has already made her delivery for the day.
I look forward to watching this friendship develop. I know that Drew and Julianna will also love having a neighbor that is so sweet and kind to them. I have always wanted a neighbor just like her!
Last night when the girls and I got home from the downtown Third Thursday event the neighbors tiny poodle came running over to greet us. Lily was super excited, so we traipsed over to meet the neighbor and her dog Maggie. Tom met this neighbor the first day we moved in. They were super friendly and brought us a plate full of freshly baked cookies. Last night was the first time that the kids and I had met the woman, Candy.
I think Candy and Lily have already developed quite a friendship. Candy was so sweet to the girls and when she found out that Lily was an artist she invited Lily to bring her artwork over anytime. She told Lily she would love to hang some of her artwork on her refrigerator. That was all it took for Lily. She came right inside the house and put together a lovely drawing for her new friend. She then ran right over to her house, knocked on the door and delivered the gift.
I have a feeling that that is the start of a beautiful friendship. Lily loves being with adults. She loves creating and sharing her art. And from the looks of things, Candy feels the same way about Lily. This morning we were out the door first thing but as soon as we came home for lunch, Lily was in the basement making something new for Candy....and has already made her delivery for the day.
I look forward to watching this friendship develop. I know that Drew and Julianna will also love having a neighbor that is so sweet and kind to them. I have always wanted a neighbor just like her!
no, you do it!
The book slips off the bed while we are reading.
Me: Julianna, pick up the book.
Julianna: You do it!
Me: No, you're a big girl. You can do it!
Julianna: I can't. I'm sucking my thumb.
Me: Julianna, pick up the book.
Julianna: You do it!
Me: No, you're a big girl. You can do it!
Julianna: I can't. I'm sucking my thumb.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
avoiding bad dreams
Lily: How can I stop having bad dreams? No matter what I do, they just keep happening.
Me: Think happy thoughts when you're going to sleep. When you wake up from a bad dream try to remind yourself that it was only a dream...even if it feels real, it was only a dream.
Lily: I try that...it doesn't work.
Me: Well, what do you dream about?
Lily: Tornadoes. Skunks. Really, skunks.
Me: Do you try and run away from the skunk and you can't run?
Lily: No, I don't run. He just sprays and sprays me.
Me: Skunks don't hurt you. They just make you smelly. It's okay to be smelly. You don't have to be scared.
Lily: I know. I just hate to take baths.
Me: So, having to take a bath is your nightmare?
Lily: Uh-huh.
Me: Think happy thoughts when you're going to sleep. When you wake up from a bad dream try to remind yourself that it was only a dream...even if it feels real, it was only a dream.
Lily: I try that...it doesn't work.
Me: Well, what do you dream about?
Lily: Tornadoes. Skunks. Really, skunks.
Me: Do you try and run away from the skunk and you can't run?
Lily: No, I don't run. He just sprays and sprays me.
Me: Skunks don't hurt you. They just make you smelly. It's okay to be smelly. You don't have to be scared.
Lily: I know. I just hate to take baths.
Me: So, having to take a bath is your nightmare?
Lily: Uh-huh.
baseball
Drew loved playing baseball last night. I'm not sure if it was the game itself or if it's because he's a little more mature this year than last, but the kid was aggressive. He was running after balls, tossing bats and taking names. He had a great time.
On the way home from the game he was asking me why, if it was baseball, was he still having to hit the ball off of the tee. I gently explained to him that we called it baseball, but when you are four, it is usually still t-ball. No matter how gently I tried to make him understand, it wasn't enough. He became IRATE that I was calling it t-ball.
When I said that when kids get bigger girls play softball and boys play baseball, he explained to me that that wasn't true. It couldn't be true because there were girls on his BASEBALL team RIGHT NOW.
When I told him that when he was 7 or 8 he would start to play the game without the tee, he was livid. He was under the impression that the tee was for practices only. And that come game time, some one would be pitching him the ball. IT'S JUST FOR PRACTICE MOM!
"Well, until you're a little bit older, you will still have to use the tee....even if we call it baseball....it's really t-ball."
"IT IS CALLED BASEBALL!!!!"
Okay, Drew. Whatever you say, buddy.
On the way home from the game he was asking me why, if it was baseball, was he still having to hit the ball off of the tee. I gently explained to him that we called it baseball, but when you are four, it is usually still t-ball. No matter how gently I tried to make him understand, it wasn't enough. He became IRATE that I was calling it t-ball.
When I said that when kids get bigger girls play softball and boys play baseball, he explained to me that that wasn't true. It couldn't be true because there were girls on his BASEBALL team RIGHT NOW.
When I told him that when he was 7 or 8 he would start to play the game without the tee, he was livid. He was under the impression that the tee was for practices only. And that come game time, some one would be pitching him the ball. IT'S JUST FOR PRACTICE MOM!
"Well, until you're a little bit older, you will still have to use the tee....even if we call it baseball....it's really t-ball."
"IT IS CALLED BASEBALL!!!!"
Okay, Drew. Whatever you say, buddy.
crossing over
Lily: Mommy, when you were little did you have TVs?
Me: Yes.
Lily: Really?! That was SUCH a long time ago.
I have crossed over into the world where my kid thinks that I grew up in the olden days.
Me: Yes.
Lily: Really?! That was SUCH a long time ago.
I have crossed over into the world where my kid thinks that I grew up in the olden days.
Monday, June 13, 2011
year two of the blog in photos
updates
Drew update:
He is playing t-ball right now. It is called baseball and under no circumstances should it be referred to as anything but. He loves it and said that his favorite part was when someone throws the ball to him.
He is growing his hair out. He wants it to be long enough to be over his ears. I think it looks pretty cute, but it's much more difficult to maintain.
Last week at the lake he ran to the end of the dock and jumped off without hesitation....but had forgotten how to swim. David had to fish him out of the lake and when he did Drew said, "Oh! It's rained and my life jacket doesn't work anymore!" I have no idea how those two things are related. I'm happy to report that that little incident did nothing to dampen his excitement for the lake and swimming. He was all over the lake yesterday having a wonderful time.
Julianna update:
Julianna is more attached to me at this age than the other two were. Is it personality? The fact that she's the youngest? That I baby her too much? I don't know...but sometimes I need her to be a big girl and she refuses to do so. My brother says that Julianna will be the child that moves back in after college and bolts her furniture to the floor and refuses to leave. I love that she loves me...but I would also love for her to allow Tom to take her out of her booster seat without tears and screams for Mommy.
Her hair has finally reached ponytail status. This is a blessing because when we leave her hair down it becomes a beast by lunch time. She looks so grown up with a big girl ponytail.
She is very sensitive and becomes embarrassed if she gets in trouble in public or if she feels like people are laughing at her. I didn't know that two year olds were so sensitive to this...but I'm sure it's true. She also has a fear that I'm going to leave her. Who knows where this comes from because she's hardly even been to a babysitter. She becomes horror stricken when I say to the other two, "Come on! I'm leaving!" as we're walking out the door to go somewhere. She freezes, cries and screams "DON"T LEAVE MEEEEEE!!!!"
Lily update:
The girl is a collector. She takes after my mom in this department. She came home from Colorado with two bags full of rocks, a bag of rusted tin items from a dump site and a skull to what we think might be a bear. I seriously threw away BAGS AND BAGS of trash out of her room before we moved. However, with every effort made to tame the mess and clutter that follows Lily...it's a lost cause. Within 36 hours of being home from her vacation, we could no longer see the floor to her room...and her mess had spilled out of her room, down the stairs and covered the basement. Complete with an autographed carpet drawing for us all to enjoy.
She has art camp this week. Today was the first day and she was glowing when I picked her up. I've never seen her quite this excited about an art class before. We'll need to stay in touch with this art teacher. It was good for us to have some place to get up and go to this morning. I'm hoping that will help our week go a bit more smoothly than last week. As nice as a day at home relaxing on a summer day sounds, it's a no-go for our family....not that this tangent has anything to do with art camp.
Thankfully, we got some good news from her Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. I mentioned before that the paperwork from her tube surgery stated that she was not allowed to swim in lakes, ponds or rivers; no matter what, period. However, upon calling the doctor, we found out that she can actually swim in the lake as long as she is wearing ear plugs. What a relief! It was traumatic to go out to the lake and tell her to not get in the water. I am so grateful that she can float and swim and dive until her heart's content out there this summer.
Tom update:
He left for the road this morning. What this means is that he is now working and living in the middle of no where. Luckily, this has been put off for two weeks...and this week will not be a full week gone because of some meetings he has to attend. I'm hoping that the trend of being on the road...but still home, too, continues. I am making the best of the situation. I am planning workouts for me to do at home, keeping our schedule booked and hiring a babysitter for some afternoons so I can get some relief.
Taylor update:
Oh how I wish I wouldn't post blogs while I'm emotional and feeling frustrated. How many times have I posted something during a bad mood, angry moment or while I'm generally overly emotional? Too many to count. Although, that was how I was feeling at that moment, and last week was a really hard week, I sometimes wish I wouldn't whine so much on the blog. That said, I have received so much support from friends and family after that post. I definitely felt the love and am very grateful.
He is playing t-ball right now. It is called baseball and under no circumstances should it be referred to as anything but. He loves it and said that his favorite part was when someone throws the ball to him.
He is growing his hair out. He wants it to be long enough to be over his ears. I think it looks pretty cute, but it's much more difficult to maintain.
Last week at the lake he ran to the end of the dock and jumped off without hesitation....but had forgotten how to swim. David had to fish him out of the lake and when he did Drew said, "Oh! It's rained and my life jacket doesn't work anymore!" I have no idea how those two things are related. I'm happy to report that that little incident did nothing to dampen his excitement for the lake and swimming. He was all over the lake yesterday having a wonderful time.
Julianna update:
Julianna is more attached to me at this age than the other two were. Is it personality? The fact that she's the youngest? That I baby her too much? I don't know...but sometimes I need her to be a big girl and she refuses to do so. My brother says that Julianna will be the child that moves back in after college and bolts her furniture to the floor and refuses to leave. I love that she loves me...but I would also love for her to allow Tom to take her out of her booster seat without tears and screams for Mommy.
Her hair has finally reached ponytail status. This is a blessing because when we leave her hair down it becomes a beast by lunch time. She looks so grown up with a big girl ponytail.
She is very sensitive and becomes embarrassed if she gets in trouble in public or if she feels like people are laughing at her. I didn't know that two year olds were so sensitive to this...but I'm sure it's true. She also has a fear that I'm going to leave her. Who knows where this comes from because she's hardly even been to a babysitter. She becomes horror stricken when I say to the other two, "Come on! I'm leaving!" as we're walking out the door to go somewhere. She freezes, cries and screams "DON"T LEAVE MEEEEEE!!!!"
Lily update:
The girl is a collector. She takes after my mom in this department. She came home from Colorado with two bags full of rocks, a bag of rusted tin items from a dump site and a skull to what we think might be a bear. I seriously threw away BAGS AND BAGS of trash out of her room before we moved. However, with every effort made to tame the mess and clutter that follows Lily...it's a lost cause. Within 36 hours of being home from her vacation, we could no longer see the floor to her room...and her mess had spilled out of her room, down the stairs and covered the basement. Complete with an autographed carpet drawing for us all to enjoy.
She has art camp this week. Today was the first day and she was glowing when I picked her up. I've never seen her quite this excited about an art class before. We'll need to stay in touch with this art teacher. It was good for us to have some place to get up and go to this morning. I'm hoping that will help our week go a bit more smoothly than last week. As nice as a day at home relaxing on a summer day sounds, it's a no-go for our family....not that this tangent has anything to do with art camp.
Thankfully, we got some good news from her Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. I mentioned before that the paperwork from her tube surgery stated that she was not allowed to swim in lakes, ponds or rivers; no matter what, period. However, upon calling the doctor, we found out that she can actually swim in the lake as long as she is wearing ear plugs. What a relief! It was traumatic to go out to the lake and tell her to not get in the water. I am so grateful that she can float and swim and dive until her heart's content out there this summer.
Tom update:
He left for the road this morning. What this means is that he is now working and living in the middle of no where. Luckily, this has been put off for two weeks...and this week will not be a full week gone because of some meetings he has to attend. I'm hoping that the trend of being on the road...but still home, too, continues. I am making the best of the situation. I am planning workouts for me to do at home, keeping our schedule booked and hiring a babysitter for some afternoons so I can get some relief.
Taylor update:
Oh how I wish I wouldn't post blogs while I'm emotional and feeling frustrated. How many times have I posted something during a bad mood, angry moment or while I'm generally overly emotional? Too many to count. Although, that was how I was feeling at that moment, and last week was a really hard week, I sometimes wish I wouldn't whine so much on the blog. That said, I have received so much support from friends and family after that post. I definitely felt the love and am very grateful.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
waiting for tomorrow
When I think of what I wanted to be when I grew up all that I really remember is wanting to be a mom...or find a job that centered around caring for children in some capacity. In fourth or fifth grade I saw a special on 20/20 that highlighted the orphans in Romania...for many years after that episode I was going to save all the orphans in Eastern Europe. In high school I started working with the developmentally disabled population....for many years after that I was going to rescue all of the people seemingly "held back" by disabilities. I am not kidding you when I say that when I was 11 or 12 I would calculate how many years it was before I could get married and have babies of my own. My parents were married at 20 years old...so I sure I was going to meet and marry someone I met in my freshman year of college.
Now I'm a grown up. I didn't adopt any child, let alone one from Eastern Europe. I currently have friends with developmental disabilities, but I do not have a career in removing their barriers. I did, however, marry a boy I met when I was 9 years old. And I did have three kids before I turn 29.
At the end of most days, when I am in the quiet, I feel at peace with my life and my decision to put careers and wild dreams on hold for raising my kids. However, when I'm living the daily grind of having three kids with no outside of the home responsibility I wonder if I am doing what I should be doing. I love being a mom. I love my kids. But I hate making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday. I hate cleaning up poop. Many times a day I am easily bored with playing cars or babies or play dough. I get tired of being hung on, leaned on, cuddled with and followed around. I avoid household chores...and avoid the children. This does not happen everyday. It doesn't even happen all day of any day...sometimes it's only an hour of wanting to scream and leave the house. But it's there....evoking guilt; making me wonder if I am where I'm supposed to be.
The thing that compels me to stay in my current position is the idea that I might miss some small detail of my kids. I might miss discovering the cobwebs in the grass with Lily or the day my bookworm Drew reads a word or when Julianna finally dresses herself without acting helpless. I do not want someone else to be there when they learn to tie their shoes. I don't want to miss when Julianna does her best to make someone laugh. Or when Lily builds a tent in her bedroom.
But is this a selfish reason to be here with them everyday? Would it be better for me to go and feed my soul somewhere else so that I am more happily present for the fun activities that seem to wear me out right now because they require so much work to get to? Am I enjoying my children to my fullest potential...or am I less because I am resenting the mundane? It's true. I am resenting the mundane. That's hitting the nail on the head. I am worn out from taking care of everybody else. I feel horrible for feeling this way. I feel like I'm not really being the best mom I can because I"m feeling this way....I do not resent my kids. I resent all the work that they are requiring me to do right now. I don't want to do the work sometimes. Isn't there someone to make all the peanut butter sandwiches for me? Isn't there a way to be present for all the good stuff and absent for all the boring, gross and mundane tasks that goes into this parenting gig?
I know that today was just one of those days and I will be happily staying home all day with the kids tomorrow. I know the solution to the problem is to stay busy with all the fun summer activities we've got planned for the summer. I know that I am feeling this way because I didn't get my morning workout, Tom is leaving for the road next week and the week has been long and it's only Tuesday. I totally get that this is not my normal mindset. But, for right now, I would give anything to be at a job. Earning a salary. Feeling like I was more than just a mom.
These feelings are complex and are not always present...but they are true and real and should be said aloud.
Now I'm a grown up. I didn't adopt any child, let alone one from Eastern Europe. I currently have friends with developmental disabilities, but I do not have a career in removing their barriers. I did, however, marry a boy I met when I was 9 years old. And I did have three kids before I turn 29.
At the end of most days, when I am in the quiet, I feel at peace with my life and my decision to put careers and wild dreams on hold for raising my kids. However, when I'm living the daily grind of having three kids with no outside of the home responsibility I wonder if I am doing what I should be doing. I love being a mom. I love my kids. But I hate making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday. I hate cleaning up poop. Many times a day I am easily bored with playing cars or babies or play dough. I get tired of being hung on, leaned on, cuddled with and followed around. I avoid household chores...and avoid the children. This does not happen everyday. It doesn't even happen all day of any day...sometimes it's only an hour of wanting to scream and leave the house. But it's there....evoking guilt; making me wonder if I am where I'm supposed to be.
The thing that compels me to stay in my current position is the idea that I might miss some small detail of my kids. I might miss discovering the cobwebs in the grass with Lily or the day my bookworm Drew reads a word or when Julianna finally dresses herself without acting helpless. I do not want someone else to be there when they learn to tie their shoes. I don't want to miss when Julianna does her best to make someone laugh. Or when Lily builds a tent in her bedroom.
But is this a selfish reason to be here with them everyday? Would it be better for me to go and feed my soul somewhere else so that I am more happily present for the fun activities that seem to wear me out right now because they require so much work to get to? Am I enjoying my children to my fullest potential...or am I less because I am resenting the mundane? It's true. I am resenting the mundane. That's hitting the nail on the head. I am worn out from taking care of everybody else. I feel horrible for feeling this way. I feel like I'm not really being the best mom I can because I"m feeling this way....I do not resent my kids. I resent all the work that they are requiring me to do right now. I don't want to do the work sometimes. Isn't there someone to make all the peanut butter sandwiches for me? Isn't there a way to be present for all the good stuff and absent for all the boring, gross and mundane tasks that goes into this parenting gig?
I know that today was just one of those days and I will be happily staying home all day with the kids tomorrow. I know the solution to the problem is to stay busy with all the fun summer activities we've got planned for the summer. I know that I am feeling this way because I didn't get my morning workout, Tom is leaving for the road next week and the week has been long and it's only Tuesday. I totally get that this is not my normal mindset. But, for right now, I would give anything to be at a job. Earning a salary. Feeling like I was more than just a mom.
These feelings are complex and are not always present...but they are true and real and should be said aloud.
Monday, June 6, 2011
what you can learn from lily
Lily is a wealth of knowledge these days.
Yesterday on the phone Ann was telling the kids that she'd seen a skunk waddling across her backyard. Lily's response was: "Aren't they nocturnal?" I love that Lily knows that skunks are nocturnal, but I love more that she uses the word nocturnal.
Lily can teach you all about the early settlers and how they built their homes. She knows all about building a house from sod...and the hazards of doing so, she will tell you, could mean that their are bugs and snakes inside your house.
Lily also knows a lot about fairy houses. This morning we were eating cherries on our back deck. Lily was making some interesting observations in the yard. She found some tiny spider webs in the grass that were covered in water droplets from the sprinklers. She brought all of us out into the grass to see what she'd found and she even managed to find the tiniest spider that had created the web. She was sharing all sorts of information about the web and water droplets. When I went to move a blade of grass to see, she got after me. "Mom! Don't move it! This is the perfect place for a fairy to build their house. Fairies love this kind of web with water. See the leaves on top? They have already begun building their house!"
Yesterday on the phone Ann was telling the kids that she'd seen a skunk waddling across her backyard. Lily's response was: "Aren't they nocturnal?" I love that Lily knows that skunks are nocturnal, but I love more that she uses the word nocturnal.
Lily can teach you all about the early settlers and how they built their homes. She knows all about building a house from sod...and the hazards of doing so, she will tell you, could mean that their are bugs and snakes inside your house.
Lily also knows a lot about fairy houses. This morning we were eating cherries on our back deck. Lily was making some interesting observations in the yard. She found some tiny spider webs in the grass that were covered in water droplets from the sprinklers. She brought all of us out into the grass to see what she'd found and she even managed to find the tiniest spider that had created the web. She was sharing all sorts of information about the web and water droplets. When I went to move a blade of grass to see, she got after me. "Mom! Don't move it! This is the perfect place for a fairy to build their house. Fairies love this kind of web with water. See the leaves on top? They have already begun building their house!"
Sunday, June 5, 2011
what i may have forgotten to mention
I received a text from my cousin Katie asking about my babysitting job and realized just how little I've shared with my blog friends lately. I thought I would give a little update on our life.
In the biggest news, we moved. I've already mentioned this a few times, but I guess I didn't describe the house. The layout is actually called a quad-level. The top floor has the master bedroom and two other bedrooms and a bathroom. In the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs alone there is more storage than we had in the entire house on 27th. Then main level of the home has a small front living room, a kitchen, an eating area and a mudroom. Right now the living room has one chair in it. Hopefully soon we will be able to put a couch in there and the kids and I have talked about making that our "reading room" where we keep our library. The lower level of the home has a family room, a bathroom with laundry and Lily's bedroom. It's the perfect room for Lily and has plenty of display space for all of her treasures. Below the lower level with have a finished basement that will be our playroom/art area...plus we have another storage room down there. The other two features that probably sold us this home are the 4+ car garage and the lovely deck in the backyard. The neighborhood is quiet and the people are friendly. We're excited to get settled in this new house.
In other news, at the end of the summer my good friend Shanna is due to have a baby. After a lot of thought and consideration a few months ago, I offered to provide daycare for the baby. If you recall, Shanna was Lily's preschool teacher and now is Drew's. She is planning to work this next school year after her maternity leave. So next year during school we will have a sweet baby boy with us. I'm really looking forward to the task as I love babies and love the idea that the baby will be going home everyday at four o'clock. Miss Shanna has become one of my dearest friend and I love that I get to help her out is this way. I am thinking that Julianna will be excited to lend a hand whenever I need help with the baby. I hope that's the case and she doesn't spend too much time being jealous! :)
When Tom and I were first married, and several times since, Tom has worked out of town for long periods of time. It has been at least since Julianna was born since he has had to leave us for any length of time. It used to be that we never knew when Tom might get the call to go out on the road again. We have been spoiled these last two years as he goes to work everyday at 7 and is usually home by 6 and he hasn't had to work a Saturday in months and months. However, that is about to change. Tom has gotten another call to head out on the road for the next 4 to 6 weeks. He was supposed to leave tomorrow, but thankfully it was changed to next week. He will be gone, to the middle of nowhere, five to six days a week for the next several weeks....at least. I am hoping that we are feeling settled enough in our new house and that the kids and I can stay busy enough for this to not be too hard. I have spent a lot of time not letting myself remember how hard it once was when he would leave. I am keeping an optimistic view that because the kids are older and easier...that the time he is gone will be easier too. I am also staying optimistic that this job will not last the entire summer. *fingers crossed*
So that's the Stivers update. We are looking forward to a busy, healthy and fun summer. I love summertime, the lake, road trips, sunshine and even the 100 degree temperatures. It's too bad it's road construction season too.
In the biggest news, we moved. I've already mentioned this a few times, but I guess I didn't describe the house. The layout is actually called a quad-level. The top floor has the master bedroom and two other bedrooms and a bathroom. In the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs alone there is more storage than we had in the entire house on 27th. Then main level of the home has a small front living room, a kitchen, an eating area and a mudroom. Right now the living room has one chair in it. Hopefully soon we will be able to put a couch in there and the kids and I have talked about making that our "reading room" where we keep our library. The lower level of the home has a family room, a bathroom with laundry and Lily's bedroom. It's the perfect room for Lily and has plenty of display space for all of her treasures. Below the lower level with have a finished basement that will be our playroom/art area...plus we have another storage room down there. The other two features that probably sold us this home are the 4+ car garage and the lovely deck in the backyard. The neighborhood is quiet and the people are friendly. We're excited to get settled in this new house.
In other news, at the end of the summer my good friend Shanna is due to have a baby. After a lot of thought and consideration a few months ago, I offered to provide daycare for the baby. If you recall, Shanna was Lily's preschool teacher and now is Drew's. She is planning to work this next school year after her maternity leave. So next year during school we will have a sweet baby boy with us. I'm really looking forward to the task as I love babies and love the idea that the baby will be going home everyday at four o'clock. Miss Shanna has become one of my dearest friend and I love that I get to help her out is this way. I am thinking that Julianna will be excited to lend a hand whenever I need help with the baby. I hope that's the case and she doesn't spend too much time being jealous! :)
When Tom and I were first married, and several times since, Tom has worked out of town for long periods of time. It has been at least since Julianna was born since he has had to leave us for any length of time. It used to be that we never knew when Tom might get the call to go out on the road again. We have been spoiled these last two years as he goes to work everyday at 7 and is usually home by 6 and he hasn't had to work a Saturday in months and months. However, that is about to change. Tom has gotten another call to head out on the road for the next 4 to 6 weeks. He was supposed to leave tomorrow, but thankfully it was changed to next week. He will be gone, to the middle of nowhere, five to six days a week for the next several weeks....at least. I am hoping that we are feeling settled enough in our new house and that the kids and I can stay busy enough for this to not be too hard. I have spent a lot of time not letting myself remember how hard it once was when he would leave. I am keeping an optimistic view that because the kids are older and easier...that the time he is gone will be easier too. I am also staying optimistic that this job will not last the entire summer. *fingers crossed*
So that's the Stivers update. We are looking forward to a busy, healthy and fun summer. I love summertime, the lake, road trips, sunshine and even the 100 degree temperatures. It's too bad it's road construction season too.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
when it's time to change you've got to rearrange
We've moved. And I'm never moving again.
I had no idea that I had such an aversion to change until something actually changed. I had an unexplained stress response in the days leading up to the move and then I think I made myself nearly sick with anxiety over the whole thing.
So far things are slowly falling into place. We're just a few more hours of work from finally having the other house ready to put on the market. The new house is large and has lots of storage so it's been easy to just put stuff without a home somewhere out of sight until I can get to it one at a time.
The kids have transitioned beautifully to the new house. They love the space outside with the giant garage and driveway to play on. Drew spends hours (no, seriously) riding his bike around and around and around. Lily has a classmate from school that lives just across the street. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, but the one afternoon that we spent outside at home this week the girls ran back and forth between the houses and had a lovely time.
I think Drew and Julianna have a little anxiety about the space of the house. At first they had to be in the same room with me at all times. Now, they are okay to just be on the same level as me, or even just close by to be able to play without me. I love nap times in this house because I do not have to spent the whole time staying as quiet as possible and I don't have to harp on Lily to stay quiet. I have even done laundry while the kids sleep.
I would say, based on the amount of cleaning I've had to do at the old house...I am not a very good housekeeper. I'm thinking with my wages from babysitting next year I might splurge on my very own hired housekeeper. I'm hoping that with the help of a professional my house will not get to be so dirty. I'm guessing if I couldn't manage 1000 square feet, 2000 is going to be out of the question.
I do not miss our old house. I don't even feel a little bit emotional about leaving it. Maybe it's because we have spent so much time over there cleaning...or maybe it's because we outgrew it so long ago. Either way I'm relieved that we've moved. However, I do not feel like the new house is home yet...I am waiting and ready to feel settled. The change has not been easy...but definitely worth it.
I had no idea that I had such an aversion to change until something actually changed. I had an unexplained stress response in the days leading up to the move and then I think I made myself nearly sick with anxiety over the whole thing.
So far things are slowly falling into place. We're just a few more hours of work from finally having the other house ready to put on the market. The new house is large and has lots of storage so it's been easy to just put stuff without a home somewhere out of sight until I can get to it one at a time.
The kids have transitioned beautifully to the new house. They love the space outside with the giant garage and driveway to play on. Drew spends hours (no, seriously) riding his bike around and around and around. Lily has a classmate from school that lives just across the street. I wasn't sure how that was going to go, but the one afternoon that we spent outside at home this week the girls ran back and forth between the houses and had a lovely time.
I think Drew and Julianna have a little anxiety about the space of the house. At first they had to be in the same room with me at all times. Now, they are okay to just be on the same level as me, or even just close by to be able to play without me. I love nap times in this house because I do not have to spent the whole time staying as quiet as possible and I don't have to harp on Lily to stay quiet. I have even done laundry while the kids sleep.
I would say, based on the amount of cleaning I've had to do at the old house...I am not a very good housekeeper. I'm thinking with my wages from babysitting next year I might splurge on my very own hired housekeeper. I'm hoping that with the help of a professional my house will not get to be so dirty. I'm guessing if I couldn't manage 1000 square feet, 2000 is going to be out of the question.
I do not miss our old house. I don't even feel a little bit emotional about leaving it. Maybe it's because we have spent so much time over there cleaning...or maybe it's because we outgrew it so long ago. Either way I'm relieved that we've moved. However, I do not feel like the new house is home yet...I am waiting and ready to feel settled. The change has not been easy...but definitely worth it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
