In the month of December, the Christmas tree is like your high school crush. You can't wait to see it. You spend time near it each day, fantasizing about how great it will make your life. It ushers in all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings and you can't imagine life without it. But in January, it miraculously turns into the kid with chronic pink-eye and bad breath. All of a sudden you can't even bear to look at it and you just want it gone.
We have an artificial tree, and as much fun as it is putting it up each year, it is a real pain to take down. All of the little artificial bristles poke and stab while I take the lights off. Then I have to flatten each little branch down just right in order for it to fit back into any kind of storage container. I loathe taking it down. So still it stands. To be fair, I did move it from it's December spot in the living room a couple days ago. I dragged that sucker (dropping and breaking one ornament because I didn't feel like taking the time to remove them first) from the living room to the dining room, which is one room closer to the basement where it will ultimately be stored. So, that's progress.
Four days ago my husband asked me when we were going to take the Christmas decorations down. He said "we" even though he meant "you" (me) because he has been married five years. To me. And he knows "me" and he knows that "I" would not have wanted to be told when "I" needed to take the decorations down, so he said "we". He will, however, not lift a finger to take any of the decorations down. This is because I won't let him. This is because he will do it wrong. (Aka, not my way.) When he asked when "we" were going to take the decorations down, he already knew this as well. Marriage can teach us a lot.
So today, my friends, I WILL take the tree down. I have dragged it's large storage container from the basement. I have removed the lights and the ornaments and the garland. I have put on a long-sleeved sweater to protect my arms from artificial bristles. I have stalled and blogged instead of actually taking down the tree. And now there is nothing more to do than to take it down.
Look for it tomorrow and you shall not find it here.
P.S. My fall decorations are still on my front porch.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Winter Wuv
With the "Holiday Season" over, winter is getting a little annoying. If I don't have Christmas music or Christmas decorations or Christmas food to look forward to, I really don't see what the purpose of being all cooped up inside is. I'd rather be at the lake or running in sprinklers or tiring the toddler out at the park. Instead we are...home. Just...home. Blah.
I know that there are many practical reasons for winter, and I don't deny the spiritual reasons for it either. I'd never appreciate a spring if I hadn't had to live through winter first. And yes, the first snowfall is fun and beautiful and I love taking pictures of it or watching it from my window as I sip hot chocolate. But in all practicality, as a mother of small children (one who needs to move and run and tire herself out so mommy can have a LONG quiet rest during her nap), I do not LOVE winter.
It is, however, unavoidable at this time. We are not snowbirds. We will not travel to warm weather to live out the winter months. We will not relocate to a house in Hawaii or take a Caribbean cruise. We do not own a winter home in the tropics or have a timeshare to some beach resort. We are, in fact, stuck here. In Nebraska. In winter.
So, we are getting creative. Of course there are always the fallbacks: pack up the toddler and the infant and take a morning trip to the Children's Museum. We visit the library either Tuesday or Wednesday morning for toddler story time. We could hit one of the indoor playgrounds or take a winter walk (if it's not too cold for the infant). But these are special occasion trips, not everyday happenings. So while we are cooped up indoors we are thinking of fun things to do to pass the time, get out some energy, and try to LOVE winter. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Music and Move Time- we play silly songs (or just sing our own) and dance! Or we watch a Nick Jr. show that encourages this and play along (Jack's Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba are two of our favorites).
2. Water Play in the kitchen sink- pretty self explanatory and loads of fun for my little girl who loves playing in water.
3. Tag or Pillow Fights- the toddler's favorite games by far!
4. Quiet Music and Book Time- we play soft instrumental or worship music and read books or do puzzles. (This is helpful if the kids are getting too wound up or if Mommy wants quiet time.)
5. Color or Paint- we got our little girl an art desk for Christmas and she loves coloring and painting at it! She doesn't do it very long, but its great for her fine motor skills and still a fun activity.
We also have designated T.V. time during the day. Not to make sure we watch T.V. during that time, but to make sure we DON'T watch T.V. during the other times. During winter it's hard to get motivated to do...anything, and it's very tempting to be couch potatoes. So I set a schedule that our entire family follows, with only two blocks of T.V. time during the whole day for a total of one and half hours of T.V. a day. And this is only if we end up watching T.V. during the times blocked off! I need the challenge to stay active and creative with my kids during these winter months, especially with the toddler who is like a little sponge- soaking in all of the world around her.
So, what are some of your favorite things to do in the winter?
I know that there are many practical reasons for winter, and I don't deny the spiritual reasons for it either. I'd never appreciate a spring if I hadn't had to live through winter first. And yes, the first snowfall is fun and beautiful and I love taking pictures of it or watching it from my window as I sip hot chocolate. But in all practicality, as a mother of small children (one who needs to move and run and tire herself out so mommy can have a LONG quiet rest during her nap), I do not LOVE winter.
It is, however, unavoidable at this time. We are not snowbirds. We will not travel to warm weather to live out the winter months. We will not relocate to a house in Hawaii or take a Caribbean cruise. We do not own a winter home in the tropics or have a timeshare to some beach resort. We are, in fact, stuck here. In Nebraska. In winter.
So, we are getting creative. Of course there are always the fallbacks: pack up the toddler and the infant and take a morning trip to the Children's Museum. We visit the library either Tuesday or Wednesday morning for toddler story time. We could hit one of the indoor playgrounds or take a winter walk (if it's not too cold for the infant). But these are special occasion trips, not everyday happenings. So while we are cooped up indoors we are thinking of fun things to do to pass the time, get out some energy, and try to LOVE winter. Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Music and Move Time- we play silly songs (or just sing our own) and dance! Or we watch a Nick Jr. show that encourages this and play along (Jack's Big Music Show and Yo Gabba Gabba are two of our favorites).
2. Water Play in the kitchen sink- pretty self explanatory and loads of fun for my little girl who loves playing in water.
3. Tag or Pillow Fights- the toddler's favorite games by far!
4. Quiet Music and Book Time- we play soft instrumental or worship music and read books or do puzzles. (This is helpful if the kids are getting too wound up or if Mommy wants quiet time.)
5. Color or Paint- we got our little girl an art desk for Christmas and she loves coloring and painting at it! She doesn't do it very long, but its great for her fine motor skills and still a fun activity.
We also have designated T.V. time during the day. Not to make sure we watch T.V. during that time, but to make sure we DON'T watch T.V. during the other times. During winter it's hard to get motivated to do...anything, and it's very tempting to be couch potatoes. So I set a schedule that our entire family follows, with only two blocks of T.V. time during the whole day for a total of one and half hours of T.V. a day. And this is only if we end up watching T.V. during the times blocked off! I need the challenge to stay active and creative with my kids during these winter months, especially with the toddler who is like a little sponge- soaking in all of the world around her.
So, what are some of your favorite things to do in the winter?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Revolution
New Year's Day never actually feels like a new year to me. It's just as cold is it was the day before, just as dark, just as busy. In fact, it doesn't really hit me until I am required to sign some document with the date when I inevitably sign the previous year and then realize a new year has begun. But there is no denying that every year, a new year comes. God designed it that way. Our earth revolves around the sun and completes one revolution in 365 days. After 365 days, it starts anew- the same path, seemingly, but always with different results. The weather is rarely exactly the same on the same day year after year. Although the sun takes the same path, it always sees different results: perhaps cloud coverage here, perhaps a winter storm there, perhaps rain this day last year but drought this year. Its path seems predictable, but no one really knows what it will encounter or cause on the journey. We just know it will take 365 days to complete. A year. One full revolution.
Our paths our similar to the sun's, don't you think? I mean, there are some things we know for sure about this upcoming year. There will be four seasons, the sun will rise in the East every morning and set in the West every night. It will rain some, snow some, be dry, be wet. In spring, flowers will bud and bees will wake. In fall, these same things will slumber. There are some things we just know. Yet, there is still so much we don't know. For instance, we don't exactly know, right now, when the sun will rise and set each day. We don't know exactly when the first snowfall or rainfall or thunderstorm will hit. We can't be sure what day the bees will wake and what night the bears will start to hibernate. We just know they will happen at some point along the way. These things are consistent and familiar, even if we can't predict everything about them right now.
I am thankful for some familiarity and consistency in this world of knowns and unknowns. Mostly, I am thankful for the familiar and consistent God who makes things this way. He is reliable and trustworthy. He is consistently faithful and familiar. I know Him. No, not everything about Him- my little mind can't handle all of that knowledge and experience. But here's what I do know: "*because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning...". His compassions never fail and just as the morning is new each day- it is consistent and familiar- so is God's compassion for us- consistent, familiar. Just as we have a guarantee that God will raise the sun each morning, we have a guarantee that God will be compassionate and loving towards us EVERY. DAY. When we know the morning will come but don't know all it will hold, we can know this: it will hold the love and compassion of the Lord. Always. Every day of these 365. And it is because of Him that no matter what our days hold we "are not consumed" on this revolution of our lives.
Your journey may look the same to you as you face it anew this morning. Maybe your stuck in the dreariness of winter, or perhaps you're lost in fears or grief. Maybe you feel hopeless as this new year begins because you feel like things never change. Or maybe you are hopeful, this new year, as you put sorrow or pain or disappointment from last year behind and hope to write a different story in this new year. Wherever you are, whatever troubles you face or recall- there is a familiar and consistent God on the throne Who is compassionate and loving towards you every day. I know it doesn't always seem like this is true, but maybe this new day, this new year, every year, is a reminder of just that. No matter where you are or what you're going through, even when you are dealing with something so big and so hard you feel like the whole world should stop and take notice- it doesn't. 365 days, each day, the journey continues. God continues. With you.
Expect Him.
Our paths our similar to the sun's, don't you think? I mean, there are some things we know for sure about this upcoming year. There will be four seasons, the sun will rise in the East every morning and set in the West every night. It will rain some, snow some, be dry, be wet. In spring, flowers will bud and bees will wake. In fall, these same things will slumber. There are some things we just know. Yet, there is still so much we don't know. For instance, we don't exactly know, right now, when the sun will rise and set each day. We don't know exactly when the first snowfall or rainfall or thunderstorm will hit. We can't be sure what day the bees will wake and what night the bears will start to hibernate. We just know they will happen at some point along the way. These things are consistent and familiar, even if we can't predict everything about them right now.
I am thankful for some familiarity and consistency in this world of knowns and unknowns. Mostly, I am thankful for the familiar and consistent God who makes things this way. He is reliable and trustworthy. He is consistently faithful and familiar. I know Him. No, not everything about Him- my little mind can't handle all of that knowledge and experience. But here's what I do know: "*because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning...". His compassions never fail and just as the morning is new each day- it is consistent and familiar- so is God's compassion for us- consistent, familiar. Just as we have a guarantee that God will raise the sun each morning, we have a guarantee that God will be compassionate and loving towards us EVERY. DAY. When we know the morning will come but don't know all it will hold, we can know this: it will hold the love and compassion of the Lord. Always. Every day of these 365. And it is because of Him that no matter what our days hold we "are not consumed" on this revolution of our lives.
Your journey may look the same to you as you face it anew this morning. Maybe your stuck in the dreariness of winter, or perhaps you're lost in fears or grief. Maybe you feel hopeless as this new year begins because you feel like things never change. Or maybe you are hopeful, this new year, as you put sorrow or pain or disappointment from last year behind and hope to write a different story in this new year. Wherever you are, whatever troubles you face or recall- there is a familiar and consistent God on the throne Who is compassionate and loving towards you every day. I know it doesn't always seem like this is true, but maybe this new day, this new year, every year, is a reminder of just that. No matter where you are or what you're going through, even when you are dealing with something so big and so hard you feel like the whole world should stop and take notice- it doesn't. 365 days, each day, the journey continues. God continues. With you.
Expect Him.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
A Slower Christmas
Every Christmas, every year, we roll out of bed in our pjs, quickly brush our hair, and then rush the Christmas tree to open our presents, forsaking breakfast, showers, and (gasp) maybe a fresh pair of underwear! As a child, this was, of course, the only way to do Christmas morning. Who needed fresh undies when there were presents under the tree with my name on them!? And who could even think of showering at a time like that?
As I've gotten older and become a parent, however, I've learned a few things, or should I say, am in the process of learning a few things. Right now, I'm in the process of learning how to slow down. I invite so much stress into my life by moving too quickly, staying busy all the time, always wanting things just right, right now. My daughter plays and I clean up toys and sweep behind her. My husband drinks a glass of water, I place the glass immediately in the sink. I wake in the morning and straighten the pillows on the couch, fold blankets, put away any toys I missed, on my way to the back room where I spend time with the Lord. I feel like I always have an agenda that rarely includes just existing for a while. Yes, there is a reason I am that way. Toddlers are messy. I need to stay on top of the mess or it may overwhelm me. Our dishwasher broke and I am its replacement. I need to wash dishes after every meal or there will be a huge stack of dishes waiting for me at night when I am too tired to clean anything. We have hard wood floors which are beautiful but apparently also a magnet for dust. They look terrible if not swept often.
Even though all of this is true, I still feel as if some days, I'm too fast and too busy to actually enjoy the day. So, I'm learning to slow down. Let my mind slow down for a while. Not always run my to-do list in my head. Play with my daughter instead of clean up behind her. Leave the dishes till later if there is something more important or slower to do instead. Rest my legs for a few minutes when there is opportunity. Just, slow down.
What's this have to do with Christmas morning? Well, last year, I really wanted our family to get all gussied up in the morning in the their Sunday best. I wanted to put my daughter in her beautiful dress, see my husband all shirt and tied out, put on a fancy dress myself (which this year may be a problem since all my dresses have joined forces with the monster in my closet). And then I wanted to take lovely pictures by the tree and the decorated mantle, etc. I know, it's nothing huge or largely important, but it seems fun and I would love the pictures with all of us looking half-way decent instead of the "we just rolled out of bed" shots. This will require some planning and some slowing down Christmas morning to make it possible. But, I think we'll give it a shot. The nephew will be largely disappointed with this new sequence of events, but he loves to get all dressed up so that should ease his pain. I will be thrilled that our children will actually wear the Christmas outfits purchased for them (last year Naomi wore her dress for 10 minutes two days before Christmas so I could get a picture, that's it!) And maybe we'll all benefit a little from getting to slow down Christmas morning. Maybe, as we get ready and dressed in the morning, we can also take some time to think about what Christmas is all about- far beyond the presents waiting under the tree. And maybe I will love being in fresh underwear. :)
As I've gotten older and become a parent, however, I've learned a few things, or should I say, am in the process of learning a few things. Right now, I'm in the process of learning how to slow down. I invite so much stress into my life by moving too quickly, staying busy all the time, always wanting things just right, right now. My daughter plays and I clean up toys and sweep behind her. My husband drinks a glass of water, I place the glass immediately in the sink. I wake in the morning and straighten the pillows on the couch, fold blankets, put away any toys I missed, on my way to the back room where I spend time with the Lord. I feel like I always have an agenda that rarely includes just existing for a while. Yes, there is a reason I am that way. Toddlers are messy. I need to stay on top of the mess or it may overwhelm me. Our dishwasher broke and I am its replacement. I need to wash dishes after every meal or there will be a huge stack of dishes waiting for me at night when I am too tired to clean anything. We have hard wood floors which are beautiful but apparently also a magnet for dust. They look terrible if not swept often.
Even though all of this is true, I still feel as if some days, I'm too fast and too busy to actually enjoy the day. So, I'm learning to slow down. Let my mind slow down for a while. Not always run my to-do list in my head. Play with my daughter instead of clean up behind her. Leave the dishes till later if there is something more important or slower to do instead. Rest my legs for a few minutes when there is opportunity. Just, slow down.
What's this have to do with Christmas morning? Well, last year, I really wanted our family to get all gussied up in the morning in the their Sunday best. I wanted to put my daughter in her beautiful dress, see my husband all shirt and tied out, put on a fancy dress myself (which this year may be a problem since all my dresses have joined forces with the monster in my closet). And then I wanted to take lovely pictures by the tree and the decorated mantle, etc. I know, it's nothing huge or largely important, but it seems fun and I would love the pictures with all of us looking half-way decent instead of the "we just rolled out of bed" shots. This will require some planning and some slowing down Christmas morning to make it possible. But, I think we'll give it a shot. The nephew will be largely disappointed with this new sequence of events, but he loves to get all dressed up so that should ease his pain. I will be thrilled that our children will actually wear the Christmas outfits purchased for them (last year Naomi wore her dress for 10 minutes two days before Christmas so I could get a picture, that's it!) And maybe we'll all benefit a little from getting to slow down Christmas morning. Maybe, as we get ready and dressed in the morning, we can also take some time to think about what Christmas is all about- far beyond the presents waiting under the tree. And maybe I will love being in fresh underwear. :)
Monday, December 20, 2010
Homecoming- One of Ours
He's coming home today!
I wake with the sun and say a prayer of thanksgiving and protection for the sandy-blonde haired boy who will soon be in the sky, on his way home. Mom will pick him up where his plane lands in Kansas City and drive him home. I am filled with sleepiness and anticipation. He is coming home!
Then there is work to do and the day to do. Little ones to feed and change and tickle, dishes to wash and laundry to fold. But there is last minute preparation, too. Newly washed sheets on his twin sized bed. His stocking to hang. I am excited!
I picture the scene of his home-coming:
Kisses and hugs from all around. I will comment, like aunts and mothers do, on his growth and will ask about school and want to know the names of friends. I guess that Naomi will run to and hug her cousin/brother who comes and then stays away long times but she doesn't know why or where. We will introduce to him to Lincoln who he will share a room with when he is home again this summer. Then we will eat the hot food waiting for the Nebraska-born but now Texan boy who is no longer used to the cold of winter. And we will joke and tease and laugh. We will maybe play a game or watch a movie- our family, TOGETHER. And then we will sleep. And my heart will be full just like every bedroom. And I will sleep a little easier for a while because he is home. He is one of ours, and he is coming home.
I wake with the sun and say a prayer of thanksgiving and protection for the sandy-blonde haired boy who will soon be in the sky, on his way home. Mom will pick him up where his plane lands in Kansas City and drive him home. I am filled with sleepiness and anticipation. He is coming home!
Then there is work to do and the day to do. Little ones to feed and change and tickle, dishes to wash and laundry to fold. But there is last minute preparation, too. Newly washed sheets on his twin sized bed. His stocking to hang. I am excited!
I picture the scene of his home-coming:
Kisses and hugs from all around. I will comment, like aunts and mothers do, on his growth and will ask about school and want to know the names of friends. I guess that Naomi will run to and hug her cousin/brother who comes and then stays away long times but she doesn't know why or where. We will introduce to him to Lincoln who he will share a room with when he is home again this summer. Then we will eat the hot food waiting for the Nebraska-born but now Texan boy who is no longer used to the cold of winter. And we will joke and tease and laugh. We will maybe play a game or watch a movie- our family, TOGETHER. And then we will sleep. And my heart will be full just like every bedroom. And I will sleep a little easier for a while because he is home. He is one of ours, and he is coming home.
Me and Kameron- my nephew
Friday, December 17, 2010
VBAC Discussion- My Thoughts
Well thank you all so much for writing in. It's an interesting article and I think that everyone is going to have an opinion based on their personal experiences.
Katrina, I am so sorry that your first experience with birth was one that left you feeling so unhappy. It's supposed to be an incredible experience, not one you want to forget. I really do hope that your next experience works out better for you. Remember, you DO have a say in how you give birth! Do your research and use your voice!
Miriam, thanks for sharing your opinion. I was really hoping you would as I know you have had some incredible birth experiences (including a home birth). I appreciate the perspective you bring!
Lindsey- first of all, thanks for reading every day! That's encouraging to me since I'm new on the blogging scene. Thanks for sharing your input! I hope the article and all this VBAC talk doesn't scare you since you are a new momma to be! There is a lot of research out there and there are a lot of decisions to make regarding the type of birth you want. It's really easy to get overwhelmed, but it's important to know what you want.
Here's my take on the article:
I disagree that she wasn't brave. Regardless of how educated you are, I think it takes a certain amount of braveness to do something so many people tell you not to do. She went against the opinions of many medical doctors, hospitals and probably friends and family. I think that is pretty brave. I love that she went for the VBAC and got the kind of birth she wanted, but I personally would not have risked a home birth. I would have seen birthing at the hospital 90 minutes away as a great option. In any birthing situation, no matter what the circumstances, there is always a chance that something will not go as planned. Sometimes, this can result in harm to baby and/or mom, even with the best mid-wife or doctor present. It would have set my mind at ease to be in a hospital in case of an emergency, especially since there was an increased chance that she could have had complications. It was really great that this worked out for her, but I wonder how people and she herself would have responded if something did go wrong? If she or the baby had been harmed or had even died? Because there was a chance of this happening, I would have opted to have a vaginal delivery, but in the hospital where emergency personnel could respond if need-be.
So, that's my two cents.
Thanks again everyone for writing in! I love chatting about this stuff! See you next week!
Katrina, I am so sorry that your first experience with birth was one that left you feeling so unhappy. It's supposed to be an incredible experience, not one you want to forget. I really do hope that your next experience works out better for you. Remember, you DO have a say in how you give birth! Do your research and use your voice!
Miriam, thanks for sharing your opinion. I was really hoping you would as I know you have had some incredible birth experiences (including a home birth). I appreciate the perspective you bring!
Lindsey- first of all, thanks for reading every day! That's encouraging to me since I'm new on the blogging scene. Thanks for sharing your input! I hope the article and all this VBAC talk doesn't scare you since you are a new momma to be! There is a lot of research out there and there are a lot of decisions to make regarding the type of birth you want. It's really easy to get overwhelmed, but it's important to know what you want.
Here's my take on the article:
I disagree that she wasn't brave. Regardless of how educated you are, I think it takes a certain amount of braveness to do something so many people tell you not to do. She went against the opinions of many medical doctors, hospitals and probably friends and family. I think that is pretty brave. I love that she went for the VBAC and got the kind of birth she wanted, but I personally would not have risked a home birth. I would have seen birthing at the hospital 90 minutes away as a great option. In any birthing situation, no matter what the circumstances, there is always a chance that something will not go as planned. Sometimes, this can result in harm to baby and/or mom, even with the best mid-wife or doctor present. It would have set my mind at ease to be in a hospital in case of an emergency, especially since there was an increased chance that she could have had complications. It was really great that this worked out for her, but I wonder how people and she herself would have responded if something did go wrong? If she or the baby had been harmed or had even died? Because there was a chance of this happening, I would have opted to have a vaginal delivery, but in the hospital where emergency personnel could respond if need-be.
So, that's my two cents.
Thanks again everyone for writing in! I love chatting about this stuff! See you next week!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Controversial VBAC- What do you think?
Hey All,
I'm starting a 5 day series next week you won't want to miss, called Minded on My Mission! AND I've got a giveaway coming up, too! I KNOW! So much bloggin' fun in such a small amount of time!
Until then, let's stir up the controversy pot a bit. :) Just kidding. Sort of. Because I did get an email from my husband today with a link to an interesting article. He thought it'd be interesting to blog about. I agreed. It's an article about a woman who had 3 C-sections and then chose to do a VBAC at home with her fourth child. Check out the article and then tell me what do you think about that decision? Brave or Stupid? Weigh in today and I'll share my thoughts tomorrow!
I'm starting a 5 day series next week you won't want to miss, called Minded on My Mission! AND I've got a giveaway coming up, too! I KNOW! So much bloggin' fun in such a small amount of time!
Until then, let's stir up the controversy pot a bit. :) Just kidding. Sort of. Because I did get an email from my husband today with a link to an interesting article. He thought it'd be interesting to blog about. I agreed. It's an article about a woman who had 3 C-sections and then chose to do a VBAC at home with her fourth child. Check out the article and then tell me what do you think about that decision? Brave or Stupid? Weigh in today and I'll share my thoughts tomorrow!
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