Lots of blog thoughts, not enough time.

So we've had lots going on and I have often though hey, I should blog about that, but do I ever get to it? Nope! Good intentions, right?  I'm all about enjoying spring right now, hope you are too!!!!

Here are a few highlights of what we've been up to.

Montessori Activities:

The shelves I set up at home in our office. Which I am painting and decorating, YAY! 

The office, not the shelves!

Beginning Letter sounds and matching pictures.

Working on the knobbed cylinders, 

"No, No, No, No, Yes" as she tries to place each cylinder from left to right, till she finds the right spot.

The moveable alphabet I made from die-cuts and fun foam, this has been a big hit!

The knobbed cylinders and letter puzzles I checked out from the Children's Services Network, an amazing lending library for parents and daycare providers! Amazing Find!!!

We welcomed two new baby girls to our family, Ryan's sister and mine each had little girls within a month of each other. Welcome, Maddi and Alli!!!

And now I'm out of time, so to be continued....

Desire, Trust, Rely, CREATE

Moved to tears,

Inspired,

Watch it, you will be too!

"Mom, This Is How Nephi Wears His Shirt"

Let's just say that this phrase was uttered quite often recently in our house, usually with a pulled down shirt collar and bare shoulder. But this outfit was by far the best one to match the statement. This was taken during Lovebug's "Nephi and the Brass Plates" animated video phase, back in December, but I just took the pic off my camera and thought you all would enjoy it as much as I have!!!

Birdnest

So I happened upon this blog http://birdnest.typepad.com and the following post. It put into words so beautifully the feelings I have often felt as a mother. So I thought I would share. Mothering especially is all about perspective, and I find myself continually stepping out and eventually back in, to proper perspective with every change in life, especially the constant change that comes with growing children. On second thought, stepping out implies, I am conscious of the change and willingly take steps to leave the proper perspective, which is not the case at all, in fact SO far from it. It's more like I blink and suddenly I hear myself yelling in frustration at a child who has written on the wall for the umpteenth time, in spite of the many conversations (some in the same day) where she readily states that we write only on paper and not walls, or for a myriad of other situations where I probably should have kept perspective and found a more patient, quiet tone to deal with such situation.  I found comfort in the words of this woman who's face I couldn't pick out of a crowd and yet who's words I know and understand as if they were my own.  It's the comfort of commonality that I am sure many of you will find as you read her words as well. Sometimes all it takes is knowing your not the only one to help you step back in.

Happy Reading!!

November 21, 2008

Cells Divided

I started this post at the beginning of the month, and then the days just passed over like thick, daily clouds before I came back here to catch up. Seems it's still relevant, still appropriate. Even more so when I count the days between last posting.

I barely write anymore. I barely think either. It's just that it's not that kind of life right now. For now, it's in the active details, it's in the moment, it's in the gray space where there is no time for reflection and insight. Instead it's all about care-taking. It's nursing. It's dressing, diapering, washing, cleaning, guiding, peacemaking, gathering, driving, pushing, holding, picking up, chopping, simmering, serving. Oh and a bit of yelling, stewing, glaring and festering. And when all that is done, it is time for rest, or at least something like that. My brain needs to be massaged and my heart needs company and community, but god help me if that takes one more bit of doing. One more ounce of effort that I just can't find very often.

I go out to escape, to force a breath, take in the fresh air with no children clinging to my arms, following me. And yet, I find nothing out there, I feel like I'm just wasting time until I get back, only to have make-ups to do. Back to the house, just in time to catch up on the laundry, the organizing, the care-taking and taking care. It's as if the outside has lost it's color.

I'm not sure how to write this without it sounding as if it's a burden, or that it's "bad." It seems our culture is so quick to make it black and white. That if it's not glorious, it's somehow crap. That if life can't alternate between different states of being, different moments of identity. Isn't that what we are all doing, complaining without meaning to complain, just voicing the drudge to see past it, just sharing the moments when our eyes tear up or our arms feel heavy, just to know that it is true, it is now?


My oldest boy, Jbird, is transforming every moment I see him. Children transform before your eyes. I will say it a million times. It's really not a cliche. Most days you are so sleepy and so frustrated and so busing care-taking that you just can't see it. But if you stop and observe, you can actually see the growth inch along, their small beings spread wider and deeper into the world. Every morning Jbird will stand up in the bed, or in front of the mirror and expresses with joy "Look how much I've grown" "Look how tall I've gotten" "Look how big my belly is today." And yes. It's true. It is apparent. I can see the cells divide and multiply at this very moment.

Posted on November 21, 2008 in day to day, rambling, the little birds | Permalink

FAMILY FUN

Check out these fun new LDS Videos. I aspire to this kind of creative family fun, but it's a work in progress! :) What's your favorite family fun time?

By the way, Thanks for all the blogging comments, they were so fun to read and gave me some new thoughts and ideas on blogging. I liked the thought of a blog being a sort of journal/memory book to help me remember the things we are doing right now as a family and as a means later for my kids to know my thoughts on the various subjects and activities.  I am terrible at keeping a journal, which is really sad since my weak memory is a major source of frustration, but this may be a good 1st step in solving those two problems. Hmm, something more to thing about.

BloGGinG wiTh a PurPosE

So I've been thinking lately about my purpose for blogging and realized I didn't have a specific purpose. Maybe that was the reason I just wasn't "feeling it" and didn't write anything new. Some people blog to share ideas about a particular subject, some blog to keep family and friends updated on life happenings, some blog I think just for the sake of blogging. Hmm, not sure I want to be in that last category. I've decided I need a purpose to my blogging to keep doing it. I'm trying to simplify, and use my time wisely, because lets face it, I can't fit it all in. Sooooo, if you read my blog, why, what keeps you coming back, what do you come here for? Life update, montessori ideas, craft ideas, my witty writing (ha! J/K), boredom, are you really interested in seeing the stuff I just make up, what? And lastly tell me why you blog? This could get interesting.

Time Off

I have been chastised for not updating lately. Okay, it's been longer than lately, I was surprised to see the thanksgiving background myself. Ooops. I just wasn't feeling it though and when you don't feel it, it's really hard to blog. I have lots of things that I thought may be blog worthy but just couldn't get the motivation up. Well I'm starting with updating the background and hopefully will post again soon. Perhaps something a little more interesting than this post to any one who reads this, if there is anyone left at this point. Ha!