1 February

Hello February!  Inspiring Links for your weekend....February Edition.

North of Neverland :The New Normal

Raising a Kind Daughter

Beautiful Rowdy Prisioners

Making Over my Life

19 Mind Blowing Tricks every iPad or iphone owner should know

Breathe Here

Share this with all the Schools, Please

Make Your Own Snacks

The Holistic Ingredient Breakfasts

31 January

This Moment.

30 January

On winter running....

Phew....We're almost ready to say goodbye to January.  Not that I generally wish any time away...but Boy, January has been a long month hasn't it?  So, On winter running....I still try to get out there at least 3 days a week to run.  If it's 30-40 degrees I wear one layer and a sweatshirt, if it's 20-30 degrees I wear two layers on top (one fleece) and one on bottom, a hat and gloves.  If its 10-20 I wear two layers on bottom, three on top (one fleece), hat, gloves AND neck warmer.  If it's below 10 or the windchill is below 10....I usually don't go out. Atleast the days are getting longer!   I've been doing another strength building class 2 days a week with friends...inside.  It was Super hard at first, but now it's fun...and I NEED to build muscle at this age :)  It's something different, that makes my routine this year totally different.  Exercising is a lot about being with friends this year and I love that.  I'm finding it easier to challenge myself without being signed up for any big race.  And that is just great.  Here's to exercising with friends.

28 January

On Popcorn, Marriages, and some fantastic new recipes.  (....aka cook more from scratch things at home in 2014)

My grandparents got us this popcorn maker for a wedding present.  They cited the reason as "no marriage quarrel couldn't be solved by sharing a bowl of hot, freshly made popcorn".  It's probably true....they were so wise.  Anyway, we use it ALL the time and make our popcorn (only buy organic popcorn....no GMOS)  with only a little bit of coconut oil and salt.  We bag up all the leftovers for school lunches and honestly it is the cheapest snack, the kids love it.   And we just tried this cookie recipe.....and honestly they kids LOVED them  (I was skeptical).  No Sugar in these (and I didn't have the dates or the prunes on hand either, and they still came out great).   These are out for school snacks though b/c of the nuts.  But I'll probably be making these weekly from now on.  I bought my almond meal at the grocery store in the gluten free section and omg, it's so yummy.  salty sweet goodness.  Oh, And I used 60% cacao chocolate chips.

 (Photo from Foodbabe.com)

And I heard, blended frozen ripe bananas taste like ice cream...can't wait to try that.  And I'm looking forward to trying to make my own crackers soon:

(Photo from Soulemama.com)

.... (hey the laundry will get some eventually....and with a husband away, I have no problem sleeping next to a great big laundry pile anyway...)

27 January

The weekend Lens....

Our Saturday mornings usually start off later due to my  work schedule.....don't get to bed until midnight or later on Fridays usually.  Saturday Mornings usually call for a shower, dance clothes and Mommy's best rendition of a "messy Bun" ...always.  Love how she calls it "Girl Day".

And...were getting outside, no matter how cold or windy these days are.  The Cabin fever is setting in.

I always promise them hot chocolate when they come in as I'm throwing them out the door....sometimes I deliver.  There's lots of laughter going on at the table these days.  Cabin fever=goofiness.

L decided that he would give $4.75 of his tooth fairy money to the Veterans project at school.

And doing some work on earning our girl scout computer badge....sending out e-cards and making playlists.

Speaking of Playlists....We're jammin out with some serious Dance parties to the The Monster and Timber.  These kids got some crazy moves and I'm trying to convince them that a Hip-Hop class may be in their future.

And Saturday nights wouldn't be complete without some traditional Maine Baked Beans on the plate....

And I love this shot with everyone helping with the dinner clean up...I must have either threatened them or bribed them....hmmmm.  Oh, Saturday is dessert night (ice cream sundaes) so it was most definitely bribing.

And the catalogs are arriving...which leaves me dreaming of warmer weather when there is Sooo much winter still left in these parts.

And Sunday....T made eggs for Breakfast.  We had Church, and .Lots of games,Foosball and an outdoor basketball game.  Our pellet stove broke  and J left after lunch on a business trip to Vegas.  And that my friends is all she wrote.

Inspiring Reading for your weekend.....

Unique Grief of Special Needs Parents

Half a Lifetime Without My Mother

Unique Joy of Special Needs Parents

18 things We should have been taught as Teenagers

Weekend Challenge

Mothers and Daughters

She is Different and That is Ok

What Are we all So angry about

Should I read My 14 Year olds text messages

Give Childhood Back to Children

and THIS (tissues needed)

And THIS....

24 January

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
:)

21 January

I started this little project with L after seeing it on Pinterest last year.....I also Have him sign the back of the shirt with a fabric marker every year.

20 January

So, we had a super Fun Day skiing with friends for the MLK holday (we always ski on this day every year....for some reason the mountains are never crowded).  We went to my childhood stomping ground Shawnee Peak.  I'm not sure why we had never skiied here as a family before, but it was great.  There are big trails and little trails up the same side of the mountain, and the bigger of the two bunny hills was just perfect for B to start skiing totally on her own!  It was completely amazing (not sure why we just didn't let her go a long time ago).  But, after the trouble she had with friends and the dance clinic on Saturday (I cried for two days), THIS completely cured my blues.  I can't stop celebrating :) And I just might have totally overshared on every social media I am on.   And the other kids....seriously the adults just can't keep up with them anymore.  This was a great mountain for us....and for sure we will be going back!

On Friends and Down syndrome

So, Speaking of really being a little down in the dumps about friends.  When B was about 6 months old we joined a playgroup for kids with special needs and their families.  One day another Mom and I were talking about really we just want our girls to have friends, that really is our biggest hope for them.  As B gets older, the struggles that she has in relating to and socializing with her peers are getting bigger.  She is noticing and the girls are noticing.  I know we will go through phases like this, but man, it's hard.  I like to throw myself a little pity party in these times and just cry and think to myself how tired I am of having the only kid who is over the top different., when  the junior high inferiority complex makes a surprise visit, especially when it comes to Moms and Daughters (yes, even I struggle with acceptance).   I found this little video that I love,  B and L  watched it last weekend....
I'm hoping they can use it at school and Girl Scouts......



And I read this.....

and I love these quotes.....

And even when we are a little lost, were learning and moving forward..... (and OMG, MY GIRL SKIIED!!!)

January 18/19

The weekend Lens......

We worked hard on our snowpal for school, trying to find the most interesting things from around the house to glue on....buttons, snowflakes, beans, and a handknitted in progress on the knitting loom hat (that was never going to be finished anyway).  That's my favorite part.

I love the way it turned out.  He's so creative.

T had a swim your own age meet. (Picture is from last year)  this works out great bc he doesn't have to swim against boys who are almost 13 (huge difference between a just turned 11 year old boy and an almost 13 year old boy in development).  He totally rocked it making states in the 50 free with a 31.99 and 5th place finish (he never dreamed he would make states this year so he was over the moon excited).

B had Ballet class then a really big Girl Scout event, the girls did a Dance clinic then got to perform at half time in a Red Claws Game.  Let's just say that the Dancing part didn't exactly work out for Bre (story for later) But the kids all had a great time sitting with their friends.  What a great group of girls and parents.  So proud of them.

Love this photo.....

and This place was a packed house....even on a snowy night.  So, LOUD!

And bravo to the weathermen who totally nailed the forecast this weekend.....Going from a dusting to an inch to a change over to rain to snowing like 8 inches ALL weekend.  It made the roads so messy and we ALMOST ended up in a 3 car pile up as we were going to the game Sat night.  Luckily we turned quickly and went off the road into a field to avoid the car that skidded and was crossing the center line (thank god for 4WD).  Luckily no one was hurt.

These two loved playing out in the sticky snow all day and built "chairs" instead of snowmen.  Again, love their creativity, and I love that they really are best friends.

Then they came in and painted snowmen.  on deck for tonight...T is inviting a friend over to watch the BIG game (GO Pats!) and Tomorrow.....for the MLK holiday...skiing with friends!  Hope you are enjoying a warm, cozy snowy January weekend!

Inspiring Reading for Your weeknd

Rekindled Romance....Enjoying the Small Things.

The What I be Project

Your Pharmacist May Hate You

40 Things I Can Do at 40 That I Couldn't Do When I Was 20

The Private Parent

Hard things you need to do to be successful.

The Path Toward Thriving

46 Powerful things you should hear

Expected Grace

Why Being a Mom is Enough

The Bully too close to home

17 January

15 January

This week and the winter concerts......

Well this week marks the beginning of the winter Blah for me.  REALLY struggling with motivation to get up and go and make things happen and make  positive changes for this big year of mine.  Reflecting on all the mistakes we've made and my vision of where I thought I would be at this birthday year vs.  where I am. What I haven't done b/c I was afraid (like become a world famous singer of Barry Manilow Songs.....ok, not really) So much so that I considered quitting this here blog, because I wanted to write, but haven't been able to really say what was on my mind  for a while now.   It's humbling and Blah, and Ok to keep it real and  not feel thankful and blessed and overcome with gratitude every second of the day.    To question the meaning of all of it.....leaving me with the feeling of just wanting more, something exciting for my life,  and WOAH, that's all so crazy, because  I have so, so much.  I'm a Mom,  A daughter, a sister,  a pharmacist, a wife and a friend.  I have a warm place to call home, and food.  My BOY is taking the bus and fully back to school after FIVE months of struggle.  I have love and all that I  need .  But, I'm emotional and I overthink, I notice and compare and I'm sensitive.  It's who I am (and my kids have it too), it causes me to be loyal,  love deeply with everything I've got, but makes me more vulnerable.   winter Blah indeed.

    The kids had their winter concerts this week.  Both Did Awesome.  T, who said that last Easter when I "politely asked" him to wear a tie that it was the worst experience of his life SUDDENLY needed a tie AND a jacket, which left us all wondering (Hmmmmm).  B, was great as usual, we had to pick out the outfit days before (a leotard underneath so as to not have ANY wardrobe malfunctions on stage...her teacher thanked me, what can I say, we've done this before).  She said she was nervous so we talked about what to do with our hands when she was nervous and you know what........she did it!   All the kids in the Third and 4th grade were so, so good there were soloists and speakers (how proud their parents must have been), a separate chorus, and even a slideshow of their artwork set to music.  I should have been amazingly happy that B could participate in such a great display of  talent.  L turns to me at one point and said....."Mom, she's not singing", and I say "Well, she trying her hardest".  Just being up there with the crowd and the lights and having to sit still for over an hour and sing something she doesn't understand, and can't say, and try to stay on beat with the dances......it was simply amazing.  But somehow left me wanting more for my girl (and myself ).  Like all phases though, I'm sure this will will end promptly with a little girlfriend time, a good cry and a run.  Then I'll be pouring out happiness into this space once again :)

11/12 January

The Weekend Lens......

A final Basketball Game, lots and Lots of time at home (decided to ditch skiing on Sunday in favor of some much needed sleep in time).  Playing "Spy" ("Mom, I think I want to be a spy when I grow up").  Watching lots of football and COOKING, lots on the green egg (pulled pork and pizza), Sunday Morning Blueberry pancakes.  Family Chores and Games.  Lots of talks and helps for some on the verge of teenage worries (can't believe I'm here already). A long and warm yet breezy walk in the woods on Sunday.  Really, just the best kind of January Homey weekend.....

10 January

This Moment.

9 January

So, Before the holidays He would always watch these videos on You Tube where a 7 year old Boy named Evan shows different parts of lego sets once they are built.  Then, he decided to make his own video.  LOVE this.

8 January

First Grade Basketball.....the story.
He begged me to sign up for community basketball, the first and second grade team.  , I was hesitant bc of the illness he had been trough last fall and the trouble he was still having going to school, being tired, grumpy, etc....  We did end up signing up, ans almost didn't make the first game bc of an issue with having the proper drink with us.  We almost said forget it and he didn't play at all.  But he went and he loved it.  I mean, there are some kids on his team that are probably destined to play High School basketball, They are serious about their game.  But L, He'll tell you how excited he was to win knockout one time against all those boys, how his coach bought them all a gatoraide.  He's not there to be serious about getting lots of baskets, he's there to have fun, whether it be blocking the ball by making another kid laugh with his facial expressions, galloping down the court,  or arms up with a fist pump every time his team mate scores (His coaches,....just regular Dads who are so awesome at encouraging "fun" and play no matter what level).  He sure is having fun.....so I would say first grade basketball was a total success!

7 January

Back to the grind of school and Homework (even after quite the EXTENDED vacation) and is loving his new room.....Lucy Too...