Almost 6 and almost 2.5. Crazy.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Weekend Wrap-Up
Happy Sunday!
We kept it low key today and had some adorable sister moments. Starting with bath time.
I'll start by telling you that our 2-year-old didn't nap today. At all. She spent 2.5 hours rolling around, standing up, and playing in her crib.
I'm not sure how she wasn't exhausted, because she has a cold and hasn't slept well the past couple nights. But she was diligent in her efforts to keep herself awake.
Despite the sickness and no nap, this weekend was surprisingly pleasant. We went to the zoo yesterday morning. I tried to get a family selfie but no one in my family listens to me, husband included.
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| Me: Hey! Look here for a second. Hello? Can we get a quick family picture? Hello? Anyone? Them: (completely ignoring everything I say) |
We had a fun, if not a little chilly, morning.
Auntie Cat came over during nap time and introduced us to a fun new game- Quirkle.
Then Callie and Chris went to see the new Peanuts movie.
Maya was still pretty miserable, so we had a snuggle time watching Curious George on the iPad.
We kept it low key today and had some adorable sister moments. Starting with bath time.
Maya and I stayed home from Sunday school so as to not contaminate everyone, and spent most of the time playing in Callie's room.
Then they wore the matching Puma track suits that Chris brought home from Sam's Club. And there may have been a sword fight.
Other than that we didn't do much. I attempted a run, which was brutal because I'm way out of shape now. But I saw the sun.
We somehow made it to 6:30pm without any major toddler meltdowns, so we took that as our cue for early bedtime.
It is now 6:57 as I type this and all is calm and quiet in the crib. I don't want to jinx it, though. So shhhhh.
I hope this ain't the beginning of a new era. We are definitely NOT ready for nap time to go!
I hope this ain't the beginning of a new era. We are definitely NOT ready for nap time to go!
Friday, November 6, 2015
A Picture Update
We made it to Friday.
1 out of 4 of us has a cold (Maya).
1 out of 4 of us are getting a cold (me).
I can only imagine that at least 1 more out of 4 will wake up with one in the morning (Callie, no doubt).
Wish us luck this weekend.
As for the pics of the week...here they are.
Maya got to see both Uncle Craig and Auntie Yoda at Boom's house this week.
It was weirdly warm in early November, so we took advantage.
Maya and Kona played in the leaves at G-ma and Pa's house.
I got to cuddle with the girls. Together. (A rare moment when they weren't melting down or going at each other).
Callie had "Timberwolves Day" at school and her teacher posted some cute pictures on the class Facebook page.
We went to a carnival at Callie's school tonight. The girls had fun playing games.
And lastly, a sunray picture. It was pretty cloudy all day today. But when I picked Maya up and we were getting ready to head home, the sun was almost blinding- peeking through the buildings downtown.
Have a good weekend.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Timehop Thursday
Happy Thursday.
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.
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:
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| 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. |
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| 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.
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"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5
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