13 November

Legoland 2012.
Really, the perfect park for our family.  Lucas shy ed away from the rides at first but by the end was begging to go on them all just, "one more time".  The lego real life city was amazing, I just can't describe it, and build your own lego minifigure......super cool.  And if you want to take any kid to a theme park and not have a single complaint all day about anything, except that she doesn't get to ride in the front row of every thrill ride, that would be Bre.  That girl....totally fearless.  At the end of every ride she would say, "Super fun...Oh my god, Do it again!"  Awesome day.  Tomorrow....Animal Kingdom and Medieval Times!

12 November

Sunday (i'll always be posting a day behind).......We couldn't have imagined getting up on day 1 after all that travel and doing a park.  Since I've learned to totally adjust expectations for these types of things (we hadn't even bought our park tickets yet), as in having NO expectations for how things are going to go.   Day 1 we decided to lay low, rest up and relax to get ready for a week full.  We headed up to Target to buy our weeks full of groceries and a router for the internet (believe it or not the wi-fi here really stunk!).  Bre spotted this little Minnie and well, we caved since she forgot all her "animals" at home.  The kids were totally awful in the store (really hard to contain the excitement when you are five).  After lunch we made a plan for the week, got tickets and headed down to use the pirate ship waterslide pool this place is famous for.  J and I really could sit here (in the hot tub by the bar) all week and watch the kids swim, but alas, the parks await.  Tomorrow....LEGOLAND!

11 November

Saturday was our travel day. The kids were over the top excited about riding on the airplane. Everything went really smooth, no delays. The kids carried all their own stuff through the airports, awesome! Lucas made a puppet out of the airplane barf bag ( and was very impressed with his funny-ness). Lucas' Flat Stanley got to visit tons of new places. All day I was exhausted from getting out of work super late (1am) the night before. We got straight to the hotel and went to bed. Looking forward to an awesome week in sunny and warm Orlando!

Thank you to all who have served.

10 November

Today.....We're leaving on a jet plane for a Vacation to Disney World!  We're keeping it pretty low key (as low key as this time of vacation can be) so I'll be blogging through out the week.  We're so excited and GRATEFUL   GRATEFUL that we both have jobs (as hard as they are)  that allow us to afford to and give us time off to take these vacations! I'll leave you with this little gem from Yesterday.  When I heard Bre was going to be doing the morning announcements at school over the intercom to the WHOLE school, well I was a little scared.  But, she practiced and practiced and had to do her hair special for the occasion.  Well, she was so excited and PROUD and she just shined (tiny video clip below where she says her name and class).  The whole school was silent during her announcements.  I happened to be there this morning to watch and honestly I was holding back the tears. Just one of those feel good moments as a parent where you know that ALL of your hard work.....it's so WORTH it.  Thank you readers for being here and following us on this journey.  See you from Disney!

9 November

{This moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

8 November

And Just like that........Winter is here!

And if you'll excuse me I have to find,  and label winter gear for three very excited children!

7 November

On Our own Coming in.......

The cold and dark days have arrived swiftly  this November.  It's dark now at 4:30. Always at this time of year I begin a bit of fall "nesting" to prepare for the many indoor days ahead (although pretty much all of this bunch says they LOVE the cold weather as long as there is mama's hot chocolate ready for them when they come in).  A fresh coat of paint here, a drawer and cabinet organized there.  Boots and snow pants tried on and ready to go.  Books and games and crafts accessible independently.  As I look around me and see books strewn on the floor here and games and craft projects there (I'm so impressed with the creative ideas one little inspired Kindergartner brings home day after day...can you believe he's scrapbooking!?!), As I look around me at the remnants of all of it,  I am reminded how blessed we are.  Not a minute goes by in the presence of this family that I am utterly surprised by what is said and done, and quite often a smile just creeps across my face because there just are no words to say:)

6 November

And all those signs will be soon taken down and the dinnertime telephone is quiet....finally, the day is here......    As for my own little family, our views and decisions are personal and we won't discuss them in this space.  All I could say is I wonder what good have been done in the world with all that money spent on advertising, and I'm so happy with the progress that we are making.  We're moving forward people!  As for my own little family, I was so happy with their interest (and involvement) in the voting process and how it sparked many discussions of responsibility and views and why we voted the way we did.  The line between grownup stuff and kid stuff is fading my friends.

And I'll leave you with Things inspiring me around the web on this Decision day.
Part of cultivating a good life is trusting that people put their whole heart into making important decisions, and respecting them for what they choose, and staying focused on your own decisions to make.
~Becky Higgins

"This country has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that's not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth.

The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great."

5 November

On How He's doing.

Slowly But surely......better. Even though I haven't shared a ton on this space about the aftermath of Trevor's concussion, It has been a haul.  The weeks feel like months.  He's attending full school days, and doing some homework and reading too.  He's played his saxophone a few times and is going to try band this week. He did 20 mins of swimming last Friday and is going to try more this week. He's been out to play with his friends and brother.  He still gets headaches and stomachaches, but only a few now.  He still has anxiety at bedtime.  Hes' still a little irritable but that's getting better.   We've taken him to the doctor, a physical therapist, soaked his feet in Epsom salts (heard that helps) and given him Homeopathic Stress relief drops.  We've talked to other parents, the school nurse, the gym teacher and the Principal.  We have a "plan" at school.  Luckily, this is not a permanent situation.  I give him big hugs every day when he gets home from school.  I'm still terrified of him getting hurt again, but slowly letting go.  Slowly.

4 November

Well, Trick or Treating took place on November 3rd this year.  And we played a long and didn't really get mad about it (because people, it's not like the town cancelled our wedding).  Trevor went off with his friends (knew this would happen sooner or later), and the four of us traveled just our neighborhood with a big pack of kids going from house to house.  Bre said she was done after two houses, and wanted to go home to eat her candy......but we made it all the way through.  I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of Halloween, in fact I was hoping to skip the whole trick or treating thing all together, but in other ways....doing something once a year is just a great way to mark the passage of time.  I remember many years, trick or treating from the car with Just Trevor while two babies slept in their costumes in their carseats.  I remember cold days and warm days.  I remember going all the way to Windham to visit our friends and party it up in their neighborhood.  (b/c friends didn't matter to our kids back then).  Now, I have one off with his friends and two others waiting in the wings running down the street far ahead of the adults who are pulling a cart of choice beverages and snacks behind them.  Yep, Halloween, its kind of growing on me.

3 November

Adaptive Dance Bring a Friend Day (11-3-12)

We are so lucky that Bre has such an amazing classroom teacher.  She has done such an amazing job of creating a classroom where all the kids are so supportive of one another.  Like when her friend N was jumping up and down excited that she got to go to a dance class with a bunch of girls with Down Syndrome.....well that is world changing my friends:)  All the work that came before and comes now in creating these types of opportunities (and create opportunities we must) for our kids, it's all so worth it.

2 November

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

1 November

Hello November. Your gray skies,bare trees and warm thoughts of the holiday season ahead. So much to look forward to and we welcome you.

Notes from another season of growing:

The last of the harvest has been brought inside.  Lettuce and celery this week.  Winter Rye was planted and raked into all the beds (they say it helps the soil and controls weeds for the next year.) This Year the tomatoes didn't do great (maybe buy plants next year instead of trying to start seeds indoors....as fun as it was).  We got no peppers and pumpkins or watermelons again (even though the plants were huge).  We got lots of cucumbers even though we planted late (fine to plant from seeds). Potatoes were fun, but not really worth it (since we got tons from the farm).  Next year I'll do beets, celery root (It's so yummy!) We have to start over on our strawberry patch and we're hoping to get a little fruit from our newly planted apple, peach and pear trees.  the CSA definitely helped my gardening vision to see what grows when (and we just signed up for the winter share---YAY!), so yes another year of learning and growing, failing, starting over and succeeding  is on the books and such goes life.

31 October

Happy Halloween!

An even though they moved the Trick or Treating in our town (the ONLY town who moved it) to Saturday b/c they were afraid we wouldn't be cleaned up from the storm, we weren't phased in the least.  We didn't even have all the pumpkins carved yet (and Trevor carved his own this year) And Yes, Little brother has to be whatever Big Brother is being for Halloween every year.  Next year, I told them we were going to all have to MAKE our own costumes. And they said, fine.   Really.  Tonight, we baked some banana Bread and all cuddled up on the couch together and watched It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  Best. Halloween.Ever.

30 October

Part of Putting First things first is putting a healthy homemade meal on the table and eating together EVERY night (Ok atleast 4-5 nights a week during heave sports seasons).  A lot of the time, I feel like I am in a perpetual state of planning, shopping for and  cleaning up from meals (J does a lot of the cooking).  Fill Dishwasher, empty dishwasher.....boy am I blessed to have a dishwasher.  This year we are fortunate enough to add organic  farm food to the mix, and we are considering making that a year round practice.  Yep, it's such an important part of showing love.  The mundane every day task of obtaining and making our food is what brings our family together.  Not a lot has changed in the last thousand years, has it.

29 October

My Very First Special Olympics event.   I had my own uniform and my bowling team won second place.  I LOVED it!  

28 October

This weekend......
We skipped all sporting events because we weren't allowed to play, we didn't even go to watch.  Two Soccer games and a swim meet missed.  I couldn't help but feel a little bit refreshed but sad all at the same time.  I can't wait to get to normal again.  I'm so afraid that he will never be the same.  We should have gone to church to pray about this, but we didn't (insert more guilt).  Instead we stayed home to batten down the hatches for the upcoming storm.  Sandy is  supposed to be a doozy. Wow, I guess the house maintenance was pretty low on the priority list this fall (behind soccer,soccer and more soccer!)   Outdoor Furniture put in....check, generator working with newly built teepee and plenty of gas....check.  Grills moved....check.  Screens taken out, windows washed....check.  Lawn mowed and fertilized... check.  . Pellet stove working and shower leak fixed....check.  Dryer fixed......check.  Kids playing gently in a leaf pile, and walking around the yard catching the falling leaves......check :)

27 October

Pumpkin Valley Farm  October 2012....

Luckily the weather was perfect, because today was the only day we had to go (also because all sports are cancelled this weekend for one 10 year old with a concussion....notice the hat and sunglasses.)  Really though, slowly but surely he is doing a little better.    This year, for the first time, we finished the WHOLE corn maze.  All 6 acres of it.  Took about an hour and right answers to 10 trivia questions.  And three LARGE pumpkins we did get (with only three days left to carve those babies before Halloween).  The two uninjured younger kids got to go on the jumping pillow and tractor ride, we fed the goats, stuffed our faces with the homemade, steaming hot kettle corn and then headed home for a Saturday night good old Maine Baked Beans and hot dog dinner.  WE love checking this little gem of a family good time off the fun list every fall.  I think it will be one of those things that we always do, even into the teen years:)  Joy.

In my e-mail inbox today.

We all have bad days and within these days is usually a gem of a gift waiting to be opened.

We all have days from time to time when it feels like the world is against us or that the chaos we are experiencing will never end. One negative circumstance seems to lead to another. You may wonder, on a bad day, whether anything in your life will ever go right again. But a bad day, like any other day, can be a gift. Having a bad day can show you that it is time to slow down, change course, or lighten up. A bad day can help you glean wisdom you might otherwise have overlooked or discounted. Bad days can certainly cause you to experience uncomfortable feelings you would prefer to avoid, yet a bad day may also give you a potent means to learn about yourself.

You may consider a bad day to be one where you’ve missing an important meeting because your car stalled, the dryer broke, and you received a piece of very bad news earlier in the morning. Multiple misfortunes that take place one after the other can leave us feeling vulnerable and intensely cognizant of our fragility. But bad days can only have a long-term negative effect on us if we let them. It is better to ask yourself what you can learn from these kinds of days. The state of your bad day may be an indicator that you need to stay in and hibernate or let go of your growing negativity.

Bad days contribute to the people we become. Though we may feel discouraged and distressed on our bad days, a bad day can teach us patience and perseverance. It is important to remember that your attitude drives your destiny and that one negative experience does not have to be the beginning of an ongoing stroke of bad luck. A bad day is memorable because it is one day among many good days – otherwise, we wouldn’t even bother to acknowledge it as a bad day. Know too, that everybody has bad days, you are not alone, the world is not against you. Tomorrow is guaranteed to be a brighter day.

26 October

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Finally wanting to follow along on this little Friday Ritual......

25 October

Every night.....They both manage their own calendars (little brother does everything like big brother and big brother like Dad)), love that.  They erase what happened on that day and cross the day off.  Super, super cute (and responsible!)

24 October

Every night......this boy makes drawings upon drawings in bed.  I think it's how he releases everything from his day (how awesome).  I never know what they say because he has to scroll them up and put them in the pocket of his little desk.  I love this.

And Worry Less. (Yeah right!)

Love this post.

Love this.

23 October

Fall Kids......We Love this time of year.

22 October

Gammie and Gampie's visit this weekend.......

Cheered on Lucas at his soccer game
Played  lots of card and Board Games and of Piano
Walked in the Woods
Cooked and cleaned up..... guinness stew and biscuits, pumpkin whoopie pies and Zucchini bread, overnight waffles and bacon! 
Played Chess (J is 0-2 against my Dad and hoping for a rematch on Christmas)
Tuned a lawn mower.

21 October

Today......Probably the last game of the year and it went out in cold and windy style that the end of a Maine soccer season is known for.  It seems like the time from August until now passed by in like 15 minutes.  What a great, great team and coach they had this year.  Just so fun to be a part of it all.  My poor boy, was not allowed to play (b/c of his concussion).  We knew this but he wanted to go to the game anyway.  His coach  made him the assistant coach and the team captain (but he was sad and bored anyway....and tried to sneak in a few soccer moves on the sidelines).  I know it's so frustrating boy......hang in there!  Next year he says he might want to try football.  Josh says when he is elected president.  And you know about those promises that presidents make?!?!?

Happy Anniversary

I can’t repay the lessons That you taught when I was small.

Or give you gift for gift The daily treasures I recall...

I can’t return encouragement And loving words of praise.

In quite the way you did for me Through all my childhood days.

But there is one gift that I can give, It’s all the love you’ve earned.

For love is what you always taught... And love is what I learned.

Happy 39th Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

20 October

The Big 8th Birthday Party.

AS soon as we got there to set up, she said "where's my friends??!!"  The party started off with an hour Dance party and class (they learned some hip-hop moves) and then cake/ice cream and presents.  She had a total blast with no issues whatsoever.   I don't think I could have asked for a nicer group of friends.  Their gifts were so kind and sweet and they REALLY knew exactly what Breanna would have wanted.  It just fills me with so much hope.......

Autumn Love.

The smell of the crunching leaves.
The brisk air.
Carving Pumpkins
hot Apple cider and Chai tea.
Kids playing in leaf piles
eating and smelling pumpkin and cinnamon and apple anything.
Trick or Treating.
Yellow orange and red.
Holidays and birthdays.
Soccer and football.
Crock Pot dinners
Sweaters, hats and mittens.

19 October

So how is my new normal going,?   you may ask.  Husband at work, three kids at school, never,ever  what I thought it would be a year ago.  I'm at work 3 days a week.  I have two days and one morning off a week (off work that is).  After the crazy busy weekends, and working at 6 am on Mondays and Tuesdays, by Wednesday I'm cooked.  During those days off, however,  I NEVER sit down.   But you know me, relax is not a word I know too well in my vocabulary.  I vowed to never turn on the daytime TV, but I do spend time at the computer, working on PTA stuff,  figuring out kids schedules, special Ed stuff and lots and lots of e-mailing.  I exercise and go to the gym (I'm grouchy if I don't).  I volunteer in the school 1-2 days a week.  I try to blog a little and scrapbook a little.  I have so many little things to take care of at home now.  I just go from one chore to the next until I can get as much done as I can in the little time that I have.  I just fall into bed at night.  It's hard, three in school and one in work.  It's a little lonely (although I do rather enjoy fixing a really good lunch for myself).  I miss them so much it hurts.  But I'm happy for them, and I feel so blessed that they are able and I'm able to go out and make our places in the world and at home.  It's busier than ever. (And I hate that word,,,,BUSY.)

Part of cultivating a good life is never complaining about being "busy" when "busy" is full of blessings.

Becky Higgins

18 October

Today.  A kind of horrible, no good very bad day.  First I broke my BOSE headphones, while gardening, by accidentally snipping the cord with some clippers (DUMB!).  Then, I had a meeting with our assistant special Ed director (I asked for the meeting) to talk about plans to transition schools next year (grades 3-5 is in a different much bigger school).  Thinking about the future, getting that reality check, it's always hard and emotional for me. Anyway, during the meeting I left my phone in the car, figured it was no big deal since I wouldn't have it on in the meeting anyway.  When I got back to the car around noon there were 9 missed calls and several text messages, one from Josh saying to call him immediately.  There was also a message on my phone from the school saying Trevor had "sustained a significant injury" and needs to see a doctor.  (insert Drama), I started freaking out.  I called Josh and the school and to make a long story short, Josh had Trevor and was already a the doctors office.  He had collided with another kid in gym class,fell and smashed the back of his head on the hard floor and blacked out for a few minutes.  Well, he's fine now, but has a concussion (always thought his chances of getting one in sports were much higher than SCHOOL!).  His head hurts and he also hurt his arm and got a pretty bad scrape on his face from the other boy (that's an old picture, he wasn't doing any reading today).    So no sports for at least a week (his soccer coach is going to make him team captain and assistant coach on Sunday when he watches the game), and brain rest from too much thinking and homework.  Not to make light of it, but I'd LOVE some brain rest:) So there's the drama for the day (week, month...).  I think I'm still shaking, just the thought of my kid lying on the floor without me there....it's hard to get the image out of my head!  Hopefully, he'll be Ok and we'll move on to laugh about this later on.OYE.

17 October

Tonight.....

Lucas last soccer practice., parents vs. kids (and siblings).  So, So fun.  Love his face:)

16 October

Ladies and Gentleman....there was an Earthquake here in MAINE!  I was at my monthly PTA meting at a local restaurant when we felt the ground shake.  WE had no idea what was going on, thought it might be a train or a plane.  Some kids next to us started FREAKING out and crying.  WE were OK, checked facebook to see what it was on our phones.  Found out it was really an earthquake, then back to business as usual.  Probably the only time (I hope) to experience that in my lifetime, but an experience none the less.

15 October

Our MDI marathon Story (October 14,2012).

Kevin and Josh got up early  (about 50 different police car phone alarms!) and walked over to the start for 8 am.  The kids and I slept in, had breakfast , packed up and checked out of the hotel.  It was rainy, misty and dreary.  At around 10:30 we left the hotel and headed up to the race course.  I had my map and I was ready.  The first place we stopped was around mile 18.  There were tons of places to pull over on the side of the road and watch.  We weren't sure when Daddy or Uncle Kevin would be passing so we waited.  About 15 mins later, we say Daddy!  He looked tired, but was still plugging along.  We waited for him to pass and  then drove up further and waited for him to pass again.  We did this for about the last 6-7 miles of the race (got some great photos).  We found a great spot to pull over on the left  of the road (where the runners were running) and everyone got out to give Dad a High Five when he passed by.  Then we say a couple kids running by and had an idea!  Why doesn't Trevor run the last 1 1/2 miles of the race with Daddy?  We waited, and then we saw him....coming up over the very last hill.  Trevor started running with him.  It was rainy and wet, but he didn't care...it was awesome (I cried)!  Trevor ran in the whole way to the finish next to his Dad and Josh said it went by so fast b/c Trevor was there (and he wasn't even breathing hard).  I drove to mile 26 and then could go no further.  I waited in tons of traffic and turned around several times to try to find a place to wait for Kevin, Josh and Trevor to meet us.  Then I saw Kevin!  He was almost done.  I'm so happy I got to see them both running.    When they were done, they only had time for a quick change and we had to head right home (3/12 hour drive) sore legs and all to make Trevor's soccer game at 5.  We made the game at 5:15 the boys won)  and then finally got home for dinner, shower and bed.  Josh said that if there was a harder Marathon than that one, he doesn't want to do it....the hills were quite "tortuous", up and down both.   What a crazy, and tiring (but memorable) day!

14 October

We spent the whole weekend up in  Bar Harbor to get ready for the Big Marathon.  We drove around the whole Island on Saturday taking in the beautiful fall foliage and scenery.  Kevin and Josh  were a bit worried about how hilly the marathon course seemed.  We took the drive up cadillac Mountain and braved the wind and cold for some SPECTACULAR views of the ocean.  We even started a little Christmas shopping and hit an early bird pasta dinner in the downtown bar Harbor area.  Our room was awesome (except for the baby mouse n the bathroom), it right on the ocean and we had views of the harbor and some really big cruise ships.  The kids enjoyed a big breakfast there and  had a fun night swimming in the pool while the grownups relaxed before the big Day on Sunday!

13 October

Thoughts on the CSA.....

All I have to say is that this year, our weekly 1/2 a share (MORE than enough for our family of five) was AMAZING.
For less than 10 dollars a week, we got a full bag of farm fresh veggies every week from Early June through October (and when I say fresh, I mean picked that morning fresh)..
We got to try different things, and discovered how good eating simply really is.
I hope the kids always remember the trips for the farm and important lessons about good food and where it comes from.
it took a little more work and planning than my regular grocery shopping and meal planning, but like anything in life, doing the right thing takes more work and planning.
The smell if rosemary and celery root on my hands today just reminded me how much I love fall(and the smell if fall)
We had Fresh farm tomatoes every week from July through October.
We saved anywhere from 25-75 dollars a week on our grocery bill.
If I could sign up for next year right now, I would (sign ups are in February).
We loved it and we're sad to see our weekly pick up come to an end in two weeks, can't wait for next year:)

Down Syndrome Awareness Month Links

a Life of Suffering
Life After Down Syndrome.
For Parents Who aren't ready to celebrate.
Top 10 IEP tips
Life with Jessie
Just Cate
I love my life
The Social Challenge
Gifts

12 October

Right Now.....THIS boy.

Is temporary tattoos from head to toe.
Says he has three girlfriends and two boys that are friends in his class
Is working on getting five "green days" in a row for  a special movie night.
Is challenging and sweet, sweet then challenging :)

10-11-12

Thirty Eight.

Oh, My.......where have the last 20 years gone?  20 yeas ago, I was a freshman in college, just starting out on my own.....figuring everything out.  Well, I'm still figuring everything out.  And good talks with girlfriends, they help so much.  When My Mom was 40, I graduated from High School.   I'm two years away from that big birthday.  It's gonna be good, I think, the fourties.  I will have figured a lot of stuff out.  I'll be more secure with the quirks (and the ten pounds that keeps coming on and off).  Fourty is about taking charge of your life, delegating and realizing that you just can't do it all.  It's about saying what you mean and meaning what you say (and finding a great eye and wrinkle cream!....let me know if you find one!).

So right now at thirty eight I .....

Have too much on my plate and need to let some go.
Work 24 Hours a week as a pharmacist in a somewhat challenging ever-changing hospital environment
Work 10,000 hours a week at home playing catch up on my to do list (Love errands).
VP of the PTA at the Primary school
Helps out with Girls Scouts and other volunteering at the school.
Love a good hot drink (Chai tea or hot chocolate)
Love a cozy blanket and a mindless TV show (any singing contest will do)
Despise folding laundry and Grocery Shopping
Love trying to find new ways to give back
Love reading and browsing the web for good things to read
Love clogs and boots and great confy clothes that look good and fit well (who doesn't!)
Love Magazines.
Love any holiday.....any reason to decorate and celebrate.
Love working hard to teach my kids things they will need for their whole lives.
Love good Fresh Food, eating out  and the CSA.
Love buying gifts for people
Love sweets (ice cream,cheesecake and anything with cream cheese and Pumpkin) but try to limit the carbs.
Love running and Step Aerobics (especially when I can meet a friend)
Loves long talks and girl time.
Love being a Mom (even on the days when I have to lock myself in a room)
Love window shopping, and the holidays
Love Taking pictures and Project Life.
Love Growing things
Love being inspired
Love working hard to create new opportunities.
Love My family and Friends with all my heart.

10 October

On my 38th Birthday.....

A long morning walk/run with a good friend.
Homemade cards and a new sweater blanket and pillow for the cozy winter days (LOVE)
A visit to the pumpkin patch with the Kindergarten :) (rainy and cold!!)
Grocery shopping, figuring out a bad day at school  and picking up kids (business as usual).
Lots of phone calls and facetime and emails (Love my family and friends)
Roasted pork, grilled farm veggies and white chocolate cheesecake for dessert....my fav!
Looking forward to a lunch tomorrow and a little window shopping with a best friend.
Good Day:)

9 October

The value of Work.
This guy, he's my go-to-guy for all things chore related. He can load up, add the detergent  and start the washing machine by himself better than anyone else I know.  He loads and empties the dishwasher.  He answers the phone, he feeds the dog.  He rakes, he pulls weeds, all without a single complaint about it being "too hard"    I think it's just in the nature of a third child to be hard working, because if you want to keep up (It's pure survival I say) with your older brother who is 41/2 years older than you, you have to be willing to try, and never give up.  I just don't think it occurs to him that he can't do something.  That persistence can be exhausting for a parents sometime, but it's the stuff leaders are made of.  The other two take a bit more convincing,  The middle does a lot but is very erratic about understanding the task and when it needs to be done.  The oldest, yes.   It's going to take a lot of mean mom days, to get him to the level he needs to be at.  Just a function of us waiting too long to increase our expectations of him.  But, hard as it is, times do change my friend.  I will never, ever back down on this one, it's too important to me, and to them. Give them REAL work....and eventually REAL work for other people.

Ever since I've had children who could walk and talk, and most recently over the last year or two, I've had an agenda....an inspiration per se, to rid myself of the fact that 100% of the responsibilities around here fall on the grownups shoulders.  We usually start off great, with checklists and sticker chats and rewards and other stuff, but then I become so horrible about following through with it all.     I've most recently read this book and this one.  Hey, other people have some darn good ideas.  We're all in this together.   My take away message , that I want them to know (20 years from now if I'm here for them to thank me for all of this).  is that it's not about the actual task at hand, but there are so many other important lessons to learn.  Some of the memories that stick in my mind the most about growing up were the times that involved work.  My brothers and I having to bring in wood using only our sleds on a dark and cold January night (b/c we were fighting!)  It gives kids a sense of purpose and belonging.  That the world doesn't always revolve around them and their needs.  Kids thrive on high expectations.  Plus there is nothing better for self esteem than when one has completed something that they thought they could not do.  We will get there

It's pretty easy to protect and provide for our kids.  YOu keep them physically safe  give them an abundance of fun things to do, and the y grow up easily.  That's the American Way.  The better way is to prepare kids for independence  but that is a much harder task.  As they develop, we should slowly reduce the protection and provision, while increasing the preparation.  
~Andy Kerckhoff (Cleaning House)

And as with everything.....everything I do is done in love:)

8 October

Eight.

Eight years ago, I drew the line in the sand between what my life was then and what it is now. Not exactly the life I had asked or or dreamed about, but I celebrate.   I not only celebrate the birth of you, but I celebrate the birth of me, as a Mom and advocate for my children.  Because of you, I am so much stronger.  I am so much more accepting, I see my blessings so much clearer.  You help us all see the happiness in the simple things.  There are challenges, yes.  Somedays I wish I didn't have to walk into "another" school meeting.  Then there are the other days where the lunch lady stops me in the hallway to tell me that you are her "favorite".  Don't think she even knew my other children's names.   there are challenges with all my children.  Everybody has their quirks, no one can predict what their "perfect" baby might grow up to be. Girl you are here to make your mark on the world.  And I'm so glad I get to be a part of it.  So here we are in the present.  You had the "perfect" day for you on your eighth birthday.  You had your favorite pancake breakfast complete with candles.  You opened presents.  You got a camera just the right size for you.  You got a snazzy new purple  bike with stable training wheels.  I love how your brothers made you homemade cards. You got to go for a walk in the woods with your favorite dog on this crisp October day.  You got to take a shower, blow dry your hair and  dress up in your favorite jeans and sweater, and even put on a little of mom's make up.  You got to go out to your favorite pizza place downtown and had a number eight candle in your favorite "white" ice cream for dessert.  I loved how you knew it was your special day and you knew that you were "eight".  I love you with all my heart:)

7 October

Sanford Soccer Tournament 2012

This is the height of the soccer season.  It's  far away and there is a lot of waiting around between games.  There is a ton of spirit.  They sell tons of food and spray paint for hair (all the kids spray paint their hair).  The boys are playing hard.  One game was hard to watch.  The ref didn't have control and the boys were getting super physical.  They ended up with a loss in that game. and one boy from the other team was REALLY hurt at the end, jusst hard and frustrating.   NO one wants to see kids getting hurt.

Trevor played goalie for the first half of three of the games.  I think he likes the pressure and attention of trying to make a good "stop".  By the time this tourney is over, I feel like I'm at mile 22 of the marathon.  Cooked.  It's super fun and fast paced  I LOVE watching this sport (if I ever figure out what off sides means), but it's cold, and rainy and dark most of the time when they boys are finishing up practice.  On the other hand, I feel so blessed that we have this time, a boy who has the ability to do all that he does.  A boy that has the ability to be good friends with everyone on the team.  AS as he gets older, teams are going to be so important.  So proud of you boy!

6 October

This weekend..........is full and FUN!

5 Soccer games (4 of them being 45 mins away and it's cold and rainy)
1 primary school PTA carnival (which I needed to be at the whole time as a PTA volunteer)
Dance class
a neighborhood party.

And Boy, that lollipop tree brings me back to the fairs we used to have at the RAymond School when we were kids.  I think my Mom helped run that stand one year (she was ALWAYS helping:)  Love that.

5 October

I'm glad we had this little talk.

Things inspiring Me lately....

The Mom Stays in the Picture

For Parents who aren't ready

October

December Daily (so looking forward to This)

this Book

Project Life and Project Real life, the class.  (here.  Here   and   Here.)

4 October

These days....

Bedtime battles.  We are wanting to do everything  these days but sleep (color, read, listen to music)!  Kids are needier than ever at this time and to tell you the truth sometimes it's 9 or even 10 oclock before everyone is settled in.  That doesn't leave much for grownup time, so we are frustrated and on edge.  Hopefully, once the school routine settles in a little bit more, that neediness will waver a bit.  FOr now, I'm happy to give that extra hug and that extra glass of water.....and someday I'll look back on all of this and remember how much I was needed, and I will miss it so much.

3 October

The nightly practice.......Getting past the honk, and screech, making notes,  making sound.  Music to my ears :)

2 October

I CAN learn, I want to learn and I'm going to work so hard until I can do something.  No one is going to stop me.  Yep, I'm more like you than different.

1 October

Hello October.   I'm hoping you can bring me more simplicity and peace than September did.   September was crazy.  Here's to turning 38 in ten days.  I'm working on my 38 random acts of kindness.  I remember I spent my 37th Birthday at aucoustic music night at Flatbread after pumpkin picking with J and the kids, it was awesome but I know  this will be the best.birthday.ever.  Giving back is a feeling like no other.

We got this shed and cleaned out our garage.  We've got one car parked in there so far and all of our pellets moved into their respective storage places......all three and a half tons of them.  It feels good, but my get ready for winter list, it's still huge.  ALl that's goinmg on right now, it's too much.  I'm overwhelmed and grateful all at the same time.  I need to find way to slow it all down, but it's hard b/c it is my personality to want to do everything I can....while the kids are still little....While I still can.  I'm going to spend the next year deciding, prioitizing, and simplifying.  Finding my passions and living them.  It's going to be one wild and crazy ride:)