The Timehops for today reminded me that once upon a time I had bangs and time to dye my hair blonde. Also that school pictures are brutal.
And that MN weather in November is crazy and unpredictable.
And that Maya's baby cheeks were ridiculous.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Weekend Wrap-Up
Happy Sunday!
Like I mentioned yesterday, there was a lot packed into this weekend.
On Friday night, the girls and I met Boom for an early park play and dinner (at dusk...beautiful sunrays). Then Callie got to have a sleepover at Boom's house. They made pumpkin rice krispie bars, did some Halloween-themed coloring, and visited Elliott, among many other fun things.
Then there was Halloween.
Before all the festivities started, there was dance class. Callie is working on her tap skills...and it was pretty adorable in her Wonder Woman costume.
IMG_0239 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.
When it was finally time for trick-or-treating, the girls were raring to go. Boom, G-ma and Pa came over. I stayed home with wine and passed out candy.
Due to lack of sleep and too much sugar, there were tantrums today. And yesterday.
And that's all I'll say about that. :)
So then today. All Saints Day.
During nap time I took Mary out to the cemetery. We visited Dad's plaque first (she brought lovely flowers), and then drove around for a little bit. On the other side of the cemetery (it is HUGE), we came upon this tree. All of the other trees in the area were completely dead with no leaves left. But this one...it still had all it's leaves in beautiful and vibrant colors.
It kind of took my breath away a little bit. Another reminder of hope.
My mom, sisters, Craig and I went to a grief talk our church sponsored this afternoon. Then we went to the 5:00 church service, where Chris and the Suurmeyer family joined us.
We knew it would be tough, because they read the names of all those from our congregation who have died this year. Dad's name was in the middle of the list.
It was also special because Pastor Kris, who preached, read my blog post from Friday. And she reached out to me to ask if she could quote part of it in her sermon. She told me that it helped her message being able to share someone's genuine and real experience of grief and learning.
After the service she brought our group up to a room to show us a new piece of artwork. It was bought with the undesignated money people gave to the church in memory of my dad. The piece is titled "Celebration," and is colorful and vibrant. Then we all went back to the condo to have dinner together...and I had to get a picture of mom's centerpiece.
It was, all in all, a meaningful day and a hard day.
It's a new month on the calendar, and that is hard too. But life flows on.
I'll leave you with one of my go-to songs that is pretty appropriate for this day:
"When the Saints" by Sara Groves
Like I mentioned yesterday, there was a lot packed into this weekend.
On Friday night, the girls and I met Boom for an early park play and dinner (at dusk...beautiful sunrays). Then Callie got to have a sleepover at Boom's house. They made pumpkin rice krispie bars, did some Halloween-themed coloring, and visited Elliott, among many other fun things.
Then there was Halloween.
Before all the festivities started, there was dance class. Callie is working on her tap skills...and it was pretty adorable in her Wonder Woman costume.
IMG_0239 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.
When it was finally time for trick-or-treating, the girls were raring to go. Boom, G-ma and Pa came over. I stayed home with wine and passed out candy.
Due to lack of sleep and too much sugar, there were tantrums today. And yesterday.
And that's all I'll say about that. :)
So then today. All Saints Day.
During nap time I took Mary out to the cemetery. We visited Dad's plaque first (she brought lovely flowers), and then drove around for a little bit. On the other side of the cemetery (it is HUGE), we came upon this tree. All of the other trees in the area were completely dead with no leaves left. But this one...it still had all it's leaves in beautiful and vibrant colors.
It kind of took my breath away a little bit. Another reminder of hope.
My mom, sisters, Craig and I went to a grief talk our church sponsored this afternoon. Then we went to the 5:00 church service, where Chris and the Suurmeyer family joined us.
We knew it would be tough, because they read the names of all those from our congregation who have died this year. Dad's name was in the middle of the list.
It was also special because Pastor Kris, who preached, read my blog post from Friday. And she reached out to me to ask if she could quote part of it in her sermon. She told me that it helped her message being able to share someone's genuine and real experience of grief and learning.
After the service she brought our group up to a room to show us a new piece of artwork. It was bought with the undesignated money people gave to the church in memory of my dad. The piece is titled "Celebration," and is colorful and vibrant. Then we all went back to the condo to have dinner together...and I had to get a picture of mom's centerpiece.
It was, all in all, a meaningful day and a hard day.
It's a new month on the calendar, and that is hard too. But life flows on.
I'll leave you with one of my go-to songs that is pretty appropriate for this day:
"When the Saints" by Sara Groves
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Happy Halloween!
This weekend is ridiculous: yesterday marked six months since my dad died and tomorrow is All Saints Sunday, a time during the church year to remember those who have died.
Somehow this year, Halloween is smack dab in the middle.
Maybe that's a good thing. Because, well, this:
Remember last year?
Callie has gotten good use of her Wonder Woman costume. She had a party at school yesterday, and a Halloween dance class today.
But my favorite part of Halloween is looking back through the years.
Happy Halloween!
Somehow this year, Halloween is smack dab in the middle.
Maybe that's a good thing. Because, well, this:
 |
| While Maya has rocked the Minnie costume a couple different times this past week, she wasn't feeling it today. So we pulled out the cow costume again, and she LOVES it. |
 |
| That face. Seriously. |
But my favorite part of Halloween is looking back through the years.
Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 30, 2015
Gratitude and Wisdom: 6 Months Later
It has been 6 months since my dad died. SIX MONTHS.
As you have probably noticed if you are a regular reader, I try as hard as I can to look for the light.
Those sunrays. They bring me comfort.
I've been rolling around ideas in my brain for how to acknowledge that we have lived half of a year without him.
As you have probably noticed if you are a regular reader, I try as hard as I can to look for the light.
Those sunrays. They bring me comfort.
I've been rolling around ideas in my brain for how to acknowledge that we have lived half of a year without him.
My brain keeps coming back to the words GRATITUDE and WISDOM.
So here is a list of 6 things I learned that I'm grateful for in these past 6 months. My hope is that you'll see some glimmers of wisdom and gratitude on this list, because those were two things my dad showed on a daily basis.
So here is a list of 6 things I learned that I'm grateful for in these past 6 months. My hope is that you'll see some glimmers of wisdom and gratitude on this list, because those were two things my dad showed on a daily basis.
6. I've learned the importance of showing up for people in times of crisis, and am beyond thankful for the many that showed up for me and my family. Before this happened I had no idea what to say to people who were hurting in ways I didn't understand. Now I know it doesn't matter what you say- it matters that you try. It reminds me that our village is amazing- they have shown up with kindness, hugs, wine (among other sweet gifts) and love. And that makes me feel incredibly blessed.
5. I've learned that I can persevere more than I ever thought I could. I'm thankful my body and mind allowed me to train for and complete a half marathon this past summer, during the most physically and emotionally draining time of my life. Running is something my dad used to do...and something we'd occasionally do together. It reminds me that my dad was always one of my biggest fans. And that makes me cry (in a good way).
4. I've learned that I'm completely in love with the little family Chris and I created together (more than I ever thought possible), and also so very thankful that the girls are still young. Even on good days, parenting can be a struggle. When you're grieving, it can seem almost impossible. But it reminds me that I need to give myself grace everyday because, chances are, they won't remember too much about this hard time. And that brings me relief.
3. I've learned that I'm thankful for teaching. It is more than a job. It is a vocation. My school is a place I go to escape...to feel somewhat normal. It is a place where I feel valued and supported, and where I also feel like I'm making a difference. It reminds me that my dad was so proud of me and what I chose to do with my life. And that makes me happy.
2. I've learned that watching the people you love most in the world fight through grief and do hard things is incredibly painful and incredibly inspirational. It reminds me that my mom and sisters are my heroes. And I couldn't be more thankful for them.
1. I've learned that, despite it all, I'm thankful for what grief has taught me: that even though the world (as I know it) completely fell apart, life flows on.
The thing with unexpected tragedy is that the shock of it brings you to your knees. And the anger about it makes it hard to pray.
But that is where hope and faith come in.
Other people's prayers carry us when we need them. The sun comes up every day, as a reminder that light always overcomes darkness.
We are taken care of. Supported. Loved more than we ever thought possible.
And I'm grateful that I get daily reminders of that love and light.
Other people's prayers carry us when we need them. The sun comes up every day, as a reminder that light always overcomes darkness.
We are taken care of. Supported. Loved more than we ever thought possible.
 |
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Timehop Thursday/Picture Update
Hi All.
I'm combining my usual Thursday and Friday posts today because I have a different post planned for tomorrow.
I'll start with my Timehops.
First up: Callie growing teeth...then losing them!!! Yes- she has lost her first tooth! At the dentist's office! It was hanging on by a thread before her appointment though...
Next up: Charlie and Callie Halloween. There are more pics than this through the years, but this is what I've got today:
Then...sisters:
And last, toddler Callie on the left, toddler Maya on the right:
And some pics from the week...
Girls night!
The one on the left takes 15 minutes to buckle into her car seat because she has to do it all herself. The one on the right got some good loot from the tooth fairy.
A new phone case...one of my favorite pictures of sunrays:
Halloween party at Lund's:
It is hard to believe it is almost November.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Weekend Wrap-Up
Happy Sunday.
We had a nice weekend- 26 hours of which was spent away from the girls. To be honest, it was much needed and I'll get to that in a second.
One thing I forgot to post on Friday was what our sneaky little 2-year-old did while I was in another room for two minutes on Friday morning.
On Saturday morning I took the girls and met Jenna, Charlie and Baby Sylvia at Gerten's for a Halloween festival. Here is your first look of the girls in their costumes!
ADORABLE, right?!?!?! We had a lot of fun at the Halloween festival- there was a petting zoo, jumpy houses, a maze, face paint, pumpkin painting, and even a costume contest!
While looking so cute in their costumes, they were actually little stinkers ALL Saturday morning, so it made it very easy to drop them off with G-ma and Pa for a SLEEPOVER!
Here is what they looked like when we were parked before going into the festival.
So thanks G-ma and Pa! They apparently were little sweeties for them all weekend. Go figure.
Anyway, after dropping them off, Mari and I met for lunch and then went to the cemetery. It was beautiful there. Peaceful.
After Chris finished up his workday, he and I headed down to Faribault (pronounced Fair-Bo) for an overnight stay at a B&B. It was an adorable place to stay, but the town itself wasn't super exciting (Callie asked later, "Did it have many fairs? or Bows?"...it definitely did not). But we had a nice dinner, went to a movie in the next town over, and did some hiking this morning after a nice breakfast.
The girls had a great time at G-ma and Pa's while we were gone. I'm guessing they didn't miss us much.
We were reunited this afternoon after nap time. The girls "helped" us rake and bag our leaves. And then they turned into superheroes, apparently.
Callie's loose tooth is hanging on by a couple threads. It has got to come out soon. Chris and I both tried a little bit, but were kind of chicken. That will be the goal for the next couple of days...
If my dad were here, he would be all over pulling it out himself. He'd tease her about tying a string to a door knob and slamming the door. At least that is what he threatened his daughters with when we had loose teeth. I don't remember that actually happening though...but I do know he kept all of our teeth in an envelope in his underwear drawer for a really long time.
This coming week (on the 30th) will mark 6 months since he has been gone. I'm working on a post to commemorate that day. I'm not sure how exactly to do that, but stay tuned.
We had a nice weekend- 26 hours of which was spent away from the girls. To be honest, it was much needed and I'll get to that in a second.
One thing I forgot to post on Friday was what our sneaky little 2-year-old did while I was in another room for two minutes on Friday morning.
 |
| Sorry Aunties and Uncles, no pics for you, unless you'd like one with a 2-year-old's ill-placed autograph. |
 |
| Wonder Woman and Minnie Mouse! |
While looking so cute in their costumes, they were actually little stinkers ALL Saturday morning, so it made it very easy to drop them off with G-ma and Pa for a SLEEPOVER!
Here is what they looked like when we were parked before going into the festival.
 |
| Don't let the smile on the big one fool you, chances are she just did something totally obnoxious to make the little one scream her head off in the enclosed space of my car. |
So thanks G-ma and Pa! They apparently were little sweeties for them all weekend. Go figure.
Anyway, after dropping them off, Mari and I met for lunch and then went to the cemetery. It was beautiful there. Peaceful.
After Chris finished up his workday, he and I headed down to Faribault (pronounced Fair-Bo) for an overnight stay at a B&B. It was an adorable place to stay, but the town itself wasn't super exciting (Callie asked later, "Did it have many fairs? or Bows?"...it definitely did not). But we had a nice dinner, went to a movie in the next town over, and did some hiking this morning after a nice breakfast.
The girls had a great time at G-ma and Pa's while we were gone. I'm guessing they didn't miss us much.
We were reunited this afternoon after nap time. The girls "helped" us rake and bag our leaves. And then they turned into superheroes, apparently.
Callie's loose tooth is hanging on by a couple threads. It has got to come out soon. Chris and I both tried a little bit, but were kind of chicken. That will be the goal for the next couple of days...
If my dad were here, he would be all over pulling it out himself. He'd tease her about tying a string to a door knob and slamming the door. At least that is what he threatened his daughters with when we had loose teeth. I don't remember that actually happening though...but I do know he kept all of our teeth in an envelope in his underwear drawer for a really long time.
This coming week (on the 30th) will mark 6 months since he has been gone. I'm working on a post to commemorate that day. I'm not sure how exactly to do that, but stay tuned.
Friday, October 23, 2015
A Picture Update: The 27-Months-Old Edition!
Happy Friday Y'all!
Other pics from the week:
It is the 23rd! Maya is 27 months!
It has been a gloomy day so I'm trying to be cheery. So I'll share one of my favorite pics of the week (from yesterday) because it shows pure childhood joy:
Callie- a loose tooth, a kindergarten picture, and a hardworking student.
Maya- always on the go!
Maya and Boom in stripes:
A trip to the college fair with my high schoolers:
I got a new phone mid-week so I feel like I may be missing some pictures from my old phone...but I'm too lazy to check. So I'll end with this:
Sunrays:
Have a good weekend.
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