1 March

In like a lion.....

and the storm ranged for a good 24 hours (and it's still going).  We had our first snow day of the year today (before this, I was quite certain that the kids were going to be ending their school year in EARLY June). .  Today, In between reading to children, grocery shopping, fixing dinner earlier in the day, cleaning up and doing laundry, I stole a few minutes on the couch to read (a book that Trevor has been begging to read that I had to preview first, Ahem.).  It was at this moment that I was ever conscious, hyper-aware actually of the blessing of right now.  Of this day.  Of everyone home together, on a work day, on a school day, we were all home. I know that these days spent at home together will be fewer and farther between as time passes.  Josh may not always be working at home, the kids will be off and running, with friends, school and activities.  Change comes about swiftly and quickly, and for that reason I'm so glad I can notice the absolute blessing of today, snow in March and all.

29 February

Life with Boys....Part 2

When you are the object of their "mission" you know they love you.  Happy leap day!

28 February

Life with Boys......Part 1

These two, they make me pull my hair out and smile all at the same time (they were taking a "battle break" to read.....this was one of the smiling moments).

27 February

So we did it, we decided to tap two trees in our backyard.  Not because we are going to make lots of maple syrup to last us throughout the year (if we even get one drop), but because it will be fun for the kids to learn the process, and fun to have a day long fire outside to boil it all away:).  Because life is all about the process (and learning) and so far it's just pretty cute to watch them head outdoors every few hours to check their buckets.  It's like magic I tell you, Like magic.

26 February

This vacation we.....

Rearranged our room into different sections to prepare for battle.
Played hockey.
went to the library.
Created one really cool robot costume out of mailing boxes.
Went to see Alvin and The Chipmunks at the movies.
Read Elephant and Piggie Books and Calvin and Hobbes
Went skiing up to four times (depending on who you were.)
Went snow tubing
Had a treasure Hunt.
Went grocery shopping.
Tapped two maple trees
Bought Daddy a suit.
Had dinner with friends.
wrestled.
Went out to to pizza cave and to a burger place.
We cleaned the carpets, did lots of dirty dishes, and folded several mountains of laundry.
Watched some vintage cartoons (the kids are so into them!) Scooby -doo, Tom and Jerry and Looney toons.

25 February

And just in case you haven't seen enough pictures of us skiing, here's a few more from today, our first Family trip to Lost Valley (a smaller mountain).

Lucas: Mom, becuase we went skiing and went out for pizza afterwards, it was the most funnest day ever. (I agree)

24 February

Today....

Tubin' and laughin' and havin' dinner with friends.  I can't think of a better way to round out a vacation.  Good times.

23 February

Because when you are almost five, you need a REALLY big toolbox with a lock (don't tell, the code is SWORD) to carry around all your special stuff, like yarn,  cars, candy from your Valentines party, etc.....Boy, you make my life so interesting (and you ALWAYS make me smile!) Love you!

22 February

moments from our day.....February Vacation 2012

Lucas and Breanna both buckled themselves into their booster seats unassisted (that's a milestone!)
I took Bre and Lucas to the Library puppet show story time (along with the REST of our town) and Bre refused to go into the room (while Lucas made himself at home in the front row), when it was over they picked out Elephant and Piggie, Pigeon, Fly Guy and Bob books (Lucas can read them by himself!).
The kids were awesome at doing chores, Trevor folded a mountain of laundry, they put the clothes away, picked up their toys, loaded and unloaded the dishwasher (Because Trevor wants to prove her is "mature" enough to read the Hunger Games (some of his friends have read it) and watch Real Steel...not sure he is there yet, but I'm enjoying all the chore doing with a happy attitude).
Lucas...."Mom, my name is not Lucas, I am a robot..."  (enough said.)

21 February

It's just awesome when we can be skiing and riding our bikes all in the same week:)

20 February

Today....

We took Daddy up to Freeport to buy him a new suit for some big meetings coming up on his day off.
We ate lunch at Wild Willys (great all natural burger place)
The littles and I went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks and pick out a book at the bookstore, while the BIGS and friends went skiing (again), this time night skiing at Shawnee peak.  Trevor is getting so good at skiing and he loves it.

19 February

I want to remember....

How getting up there and getting skiing (even with our own equipment) takes 2 hours.
How managing all the "stuff" (three kids, ski equipment, clothes, hats, mittens, ski pants neck warmers, helmets, food, hot chocolate) can be a little overwhelming (and we're proud that we have only lost two mittens and a pair of goggles this year)
that gas is only a few miles away from the mountain (thank god!)
How longer skis are no good in icy conditions
How Trevor said matter a-factly, "I couldn't imagine anything more terrible" than the REALLY icy trail that we had to just go down.
How Trevor was favoring the REALLY STEEP black diamond trails (he's a better skier than I am!) to anything else, and how last year at this time he barely had the courage to try a blue.
How I had tears in my eyes when I saw Lucas skiing by himself for the very first time at the end of his ski lesson (no more harness!)
How the weather was perfect (temperature wise, not so much snow wise)
How Bre tried an blue trail for the first time (with the harness).
How we are so much further in our abilities,endurance and attitude than we were last year at this time.
How the ride up always brings about the best ,"talks"
how Lucas listened to his nursery rhymes on the way home (and then fell asleep)
How the nice man in the VERY CROWDED lodge didn't mind at all when Lucas spilled his hot chocolate on him (twice...)

How nine, seven and almost five were just so much fun, big and little all at the same time and how these are the some of the best days of my life:)

18 February

This week....

Fighting cabin fever (this time of year is hard), a few sick days and playing the the backyard after dark
School, work, homework
Piano lessons, Lacrosse, swimming
New and old toys being played with
snow melting
laundry
Favorite moment: Trevor teaching Lucas how to read the words in Calvin and Hobbes (Lucas says he's reading his "Very serious book")
Hanging out with my littlest, and thinking about how these days are coming to an end all too quickly.  Boy, is it going to be tough putting him on that bus for Kindergarten.
Going skiing a bunch next week....looking forward to February vacation.
So many good things to look forward to.

funny stuff

17 February

                              

                        I can't say nine is an easy age......you just want to do your own thing, and were all trying to figure it out, but  Boy.....you are a rock star, and your'e gonna bring the house down someday....Love you!

16 February

The third thing that makes me just like everybody else.  I cut my food with a knife and fork.

15 February

currently...

We have a very long piece of blue painters tape that runs on the floor through the living room, dining room and kitchen up and over some stairs and a couch and a chair.  They play with it for hours.....(hey it's cold outside!)

14 February

They didn't have you where I come from

Never knew the best was yet to come

Life began when I saw your face

And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough, is forever enough

How long do you want to be loved

Is forever enough

Cause I'm never, never giving you up

-The Dixie Chicks

..and I hope you don't need a special holiday to know how much you are loved ....Happy Valentine's Day to the loves of my life.

13 February

To say that the oldest boy is just a little bit obsessed with hockey........would be an understatement.

12 February

The second thing that makes me just like anyone else.  I love to ski (and I'm even better than my little brother at it after only three lessons!)

11 February

Get up, hug mommy, demand a certain breakfast, finally accept the breakfast that I am given, play,fight with my siblings, get dressed (after some argument), brush my teeth, beg for a snack,  play spy wars with my brother, go ice skating, ride my bike, play with my dog, watch a show, ride in the car, play, read some books, eat, take a bath, read more books, go to bed (7 PM sharp:)).

10 February

Happy Fourth Birthday pretty girl!

9 February

First thing in the Morning, Lucas: "Mom, I think my legs are longer...." So after school, I took him on a little impromptu date to paint pottery.  He picked out a football bank.  He kept saying, "Wow, this place is actually pretty fun!" (actually....love that).  I hope to have more of these impromptu little dates, these simple things with each of my children,  Because every day is a celebration....longer legs and all....

8 February

Tonight.....

Trevor's winter concert.  Trevor played his recorder and sang winter themed songs.
The kids had a great time and Trevor even had a piece of art selected for the slideshow....We're so proud of you!

7 February

What were reading.....
Lucas and I go to the Library Every Monday and usually spend the afternoon reading.  (Not Pictured: The kindness quilt....he had to put that one in his backpack for school.).  I'm loving any children's book by Mary Lyn Ray.  Sweet, sweet stories.  And of Course, we have our old standbys that we have to read every day.  Pretty much anything by Mo Willems (because they are "funny") and some Dr. Suess.  What are you reading these days?

6 February

We have ice skated, we have skied, now we can check the box for sledding this winter.  Breanna's school has a REALLY big fun , fast, icy hill out back.  It was REALLY  icy, and there were jumps and bumps, but the kids all had a blast!  Now that the kids are getting a little older, there are so many fun things to do in winter.  Winter here.....it's growing on me:)

5 February

(5 people 12 times February)

Today....

Celebrating Our Patriots team in the super bowl

on the menu:  (something different for everyone)

Buffalo Tenders, pigs in the blanket,veggies and dip, Doritos and melted sharp cheddar cheese , ice cream and popcorn. (and when you run a 10 mile race in the morning....you get to eat all this stuff!)

4 February

Tonight....
a skating party in our neighbors backyard (that's right, they built a rink in their backyard).  The Boys had a blast    (the littles skated with chairs and the bigs played hockey).  The grownups stood around drinking hot chocolate until it got cold.  It was great fun, and next year we have dreams of building a bigger rink right at the end of the cul-de-sac for all the kids to use anytime.  I Love our neighborhood:)

3 February

Just another thing that makes her the same as any other seven year old girl.....she likes having long hair and styling it in different types of ponytails.:)

2 February

Groundhog Day.  Around here, it doesn't really matter so much if he sees his shadow.  It's about 8-10 more weeks of winter either way.  Around here, it is the oldest boy's half birthday, and we don't usually celebrate half birthdays, but we should because every day is a celebration right?  So happy nine and a half, sweet boy, you are going places.. The years spent being your Mom have been the best years of my life.

1 February

Welcome February....here's hoping you are as quiet as January was.

Currently.....

weathering: some snow but nice and pretty warm overall

wearing: new slippers and running sneakers

drinking: green smoothies for breakfast

eating: quick dinners, it's almost grocery shopping day!

listening: to books and music on our ipods (ALL the time!)

reading: Real Simple magazine, a Celebrating Moms publication, Elephant and Piggie ,fox in Sox, funny signs on the wall at work and little brother's survival guide.

Thinking: about friendships and how I can help my little girl with that area of her life

Wishing: I had a Friday off to relax at home.

Enjoying: the little bit of extra daylight that each day brings, we're on our way to Spring!

31 January

Trevor is so creative....you never know what he is going to come home and teach himself how to do (I don't think he has ever been bored a day in his life).....weaving,knitting,drawing,making a huge paper snowflake, building his own Jacobs ladder,playing the piano.  He can do anything he sets his mind to.  Lucky boy.

30 January

Happy Monday!

29 January

5 times 12 January....:)

(five people twelve times in 2012, thanks Heidi for the inspiration)

28 January

Girl.....you have grown up some much this year already, in mind and body.  We are so proud of you:)

Why I do the 365 Project

Inspiring Post here.  Have a good weekend!

27 January

this week...

running, laundry,errands and chores.
noticing the increased daylight (until almost 5 oclock!) It feels good.
Downloading some new music....loving ADELE and Coldplay
Breakfast for dinner
The carwash
Playing some new games
leaving notes.
Preschool, school and a snowman
Catching up on some reading.
a First piano lesson
getting ready for a ski trip
making up songs about eating Captain Crunch's face for lunch.
School projects about Laborador retrievers, division facts and spelling words
coffee with a friend.
LOVNG instagram,and momento.... photographing,documenting , sharing and staying in touch.

life.

26 January

"I think you are the most honest with yourself when you are on a run. The friends I have made through running know me so well. It is crazy the things I have shared with people while out on a run. Things I would never share just sitting around having a cup of coffee. But you are out on a run, and you are just so open." 

- Kara Goucher (from the book "Running the Edge")

25 January

(December 2002)

Today.....my oldest boy, was your first real Piano lesson.  Music has been such an important part of my life...and my families life since I can remember.  I remember concerts in my grandparents living room, I remember being in play in third grade, I remember music giving me friends and confidence through Junior high, high school and college.  I remember the places in the world I got to see because of it.  I hope it brings you some of those same places, and gives you those same things.  My music will always be with me.   You have so much going for you right now my boy, sports, friends, being smart in school and now music.

Music is love in search of a word.

Sidney Lanier

24 January

A boys life....
Stay in my pajamas until I absolutely have to get dressed and eat breakfast eventually (cereal and fruit with a stick....b/c when you are four, all food tastes better on a stick) .
Play with cars and build stuff
Annoy my big brother and sister.
Go to swimming lessons.
Talk about how a tree fell at school in the woods and "took some of the earth with it"
Go to the Library, pick out some new books (at least 20)
Go to the grocery store and have a fit about "not buying the chocolate" even though you got to pick out a special Milk (I didn't waver on the chocolate)
Went to Target to pick out a birthday present for a neighbor.
Went out to lunch for our twice month special Lunch date and got a grilled cheese, chocolate milk and a cookie.
Picked up a few new kids games (for 99 cents!) at our local thrift shop.
Went home, practiced reading and watched Word World.
played more games and built stuff.
Eat dinner, fight with my brother and sister, read more library books and go to bed to dream about what I'm going to build next.

Motherhood

23 January

Remembering.....


Shirley T. Prager

January 23,1924-January 12,2007

You will always be in our hearts.

A copy of this poem (old and yellowed) was found on Nanny's bulletin board, this is how she would want to be remembered for it was the giving to others that gave her the most joy.

To Remember Me--A Poem by Robert N. Test

by Robert N. Test, American Poet

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face, or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man.

Give my sins to the devil.

Give my soul to God.

If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

things about her that I'll never forget.....

The way she loved her family so much with all her heart and soul, and how she cherished every minute of them

The way she never threw anything away---she saved every plastic cool whip container and every plastic bag

The way she gave of herself, even when it was hard or she was tired.

How she was so involved in her community, church and neighborhood, she had too many friends to count.

The way she always remembered everyone's special days.

Her home cooking, her card playing, her conversation

The way she always sat on the end of the table so she could get up if anyone "needed anything"

HOw she always told everyone how much she loved them and how special they were to her.

How she spent time with me when I was a little girl, teaching me to sew and cook and do girl things (I wish you were here to teach me more things now...)

The way she loved music and played the piano.

The way she hugged and never wanted to let go.

The lunches she packed "for the road"

I miss you Nanny....your life touched mine in so many ways, ways that I am still realizing to this day.

We rejoice you and your long, beautiful and meaningful life
:)

22 January

Our Master Bathroom.....Before and after......Josh has some amazing tiling skills (and he won't admit it, but I think he likes it!)

21 January

 Introducing Project Life 2012

I've been doing  project Life since 2008.  I only have one finished Digital album. The rest of the past albums are in various stages of being completed (if they ever are completed).   I was going to do another digital album, this year, but after the announcements of some changes to the format, I changed my mind last minute.  I had purchased a set of cards on amazon to make an "mini" album of sorts all about our marriage.  I already had the page protectors (good thing b/c now they are sold out), and well, I have a whole room full of products to use.  It some way it seems like and extension of my routine of working on my December Daily, but easier.  I am LOVING this project this year, more than ever.  Having the iPhone, Instagram,momento and Pinterest, and how this project is taking the online scrapbooking world by storm is just awesome.  I WILL work on it everyday and have a completed album by the end of the year.  The trick for me has been "five minutes a day" and always printing out my photos at home.  Since I LOVE it, it is easy to find the time. It's become part of the routine the same way brushing my teeth is part of the routine.   I don't worry about having a perfect layout or if pictures or if the journaling is sideways.  The important thing is that it is there, our stories, our struggles, our happiness, our challenges and our joy,  are told.    My family, My husband and my Children these photos, my time, and my handwriting, this my loves, is my gift to you.  Anyone can do this, Kids, no kids, married or single, young and old.  We all have stories that need to be told to go along with our photos.  Most of all, I love the collection of these photos. I love knowing that next year, last year’s photos will be even more treasured. I love imagining that someday far into the future as I sit and look back on these photos and words, I’ll be so grateful I took the time to capture each and every moment. {Cultivate a good life and record it. ~Becky Higgins}

20 January

I don't think these kids could love snow any more than they do and building snow forts and tunnels, well when you are nine and four that is serious business.

19 January

Today....
2 hours of work at the hospital , grocery shopping (my LEAST favorite chore) and a tea break.  Picking up from preschool and the bus, picking up at school and therapy appointments and to the grocery store (AGAIN!), meatloaf for dinner (the kids favorite -NOT!), baking muffins.  Picking up toys, doing dishes, folding laundry, giving baths. doing homework, reading books and tucking in. Wait...I think i forgot to eat lunch.  Now....take a moment for yourself? Where?

18 January

I Love this. How you still need to be tucked in every night.
Every night we say......
Goodnight.....
Love You.....
See you in the morn.......