Hold On

I've been frantically doing laundry the last week. Like a gazelle, like a crazy person, like it's personal.  Really, something in me clicked and I felt a passionate hate toward the accumulating piles that bordered every room in the house.  It feels like no matter how hard I work, the dirty laundry worked harder.  So, I've been making a focused effort at getting every stitch done.  This is an impressive feat when you have a 9 year old athlete, a thirtysomething year old explorer, and a 5 month old vomitmachine in the house.  The laundry is extra daunting because our dryer has a very small capacity and, while we are saving religiously for a new one, that doesn't help me now, during Laundrypocalypse 2012.

Being a stay at home mom is something new-ish for me since we've had little brother.  I have learned so very much about time management in this time.  For example, there are some days where I simply cannot do anything but play and push buttons and collect toys to create a new little pile for baby.  I have learned to accept that and continually tell myself that a clean house should always, always be second to a happy baby.  Some days I get a lot done. little brother is happy sitting at one plaything or another.  All I have to do is take periodic breaks to feed and change and sometimes just sit with him.  As long as I keep at it, I am able to tidy up the house.  Either way, time management has been key for me.  From taking a bathroom break to folding a load of laundry, the logistics have been a skill I have finally mastered.

I am thankful today that I don't have to juggle a job as well as the logistics.  I am thankful that I can focus on my dear young boys during a time in their lives where knowing their mother is available unconditionally is crucial.  Cutting back on things, trimming bills and working hard to get by is worth it when I know I am not missing a moment in their lives. (it's not an overnight skill, see my newest book under the 'Books' tab)  They are so dear. I am thankful for my Darling Husband, who works so hard and has such a good heart.  I am thankful for weekends, because it's his shoulder that has vomit running down it instead of mine.  He's a great dad. A great, great dad.

I am thankful for my cats, too.  Although it often goes unspoken and they are so easy to forget or pass over, they make the smallest tasks so much more enjoyable just by being around.  During Laundrypocalypse 2012, they have been right beside me to lay on a freshly folded, still warm shirt, or to scoot off the counter so I can fold.  They are such pleasant little creatures to have around and I am thankful for them.

The Queen of Egypt

The Queen of Egypt sometimes sleeps the whole day on my bed or in the pink chair.  Alley Cat sleeps in the laundry bin.  She's a quirky girl.  Both cats are always around, though.  It's so nice to have them.

Alley Cat

real kitties have curves.

sneek peek of the authors!

 We are taking a few day, small family trip in May.  May will be an eventful month for us.  Darling Husband will be celebrating a birthday (thank you for being born, my love) and little brother will be turning 6 months.

Big brother will be very busy with baseball.  His first game is next week. He thinks he will be pitcher or first base.  "Pretty much the most important positions."  I'm nervous to travel with little brother.  I'm still trying to figure out how we'll fit a swing, high chair, pack n' play, diapers, and a hundred playthings in the back of the Subaru....logistics...

So much to be thankful for.

-S.

April

garage

quiet.

inspire.

springtime.

Easter houses.

mossy.

hesitation.

angel.

blessed.

odd couple.

saturday morning.

veggie.

Sunshine On My Shoulders

Today Little Brother turned 5 months young.  He is such a happy baby and he has the most beautiful smile, just like his mother.  Sweetheart has been hiking around the property within the last week.  She walked 1.5 miles to get Big Brother off the school bus while carrying Little Brother.  During this journey, a red admiral butterfly tried to land on Little.

On April 15, 2010, I proposed to Sweetheart.  We celebrated that moment this past weekend by having a great movie day and chocolate malts.  Thank you Sweetheart.

D.

Don't Wake Me

It's been a hectic week here.  Big brother started baseball.  Little brother is going through a major growth spurt.  When he grows, I get hungry. When I get hungry, everyone eats! Things are growing around here.  Sometimes we walk past it a million times before we actually notice it, like this:

a spare guy

 

 

hello!

I must look at that patch of land a thousand times a day and never see anything.  All of a sudden, asparagus!  There were some pretty dainty ones that looked so delicious and tender.  I was going to let them grow a little more before I served them for dinner but some critter got to them first.  Survival of the fittest around here, I'll tell ya.

can you puree those?

rutabarbara

My days at home with little brother have been full.  He's growing so fast.  His naps are becoming shorter and his meals are becoming longer. Lately, we've been met by the sweetest turkey every day.  I named her Penny. She has a boyfriend, Tom, but he doesn't come around every day like she does.  She scares really easily, so I have to creep to the window and snap a picture really fast.  It took about three days for me to get just this one, but it captures her personality well, I think.

madam penny mchenny, esquire

She makes me so happy.

A few months ago, we had our septic dug up and some repairs done in the back yard against the house.  This process ended up killing two rosebushes that were very beautiful and healthy before.  I had a really hard time  watching it happen. The bobcat vs. rosebush battle of 2011 was a doozy.  Anyway, D got me 2 new rosebushes for Easter and they are lovely!  Already blooming and they aren't even in the ground yet!

And here come the irises!  I've been waiting. They were so tight in their little buds. I couldn't wait.

And! And! peonies! They are my all-time favorite. They were what I carried in my wedding. They remind me of my grandma. I love their little ant babies!

Easter went well. Except that the school system made spring break the week before we hosted Easter for the second weekend in a row, thus making it nearly impossible to do so with a clean house.  No one seemed to notice.  At least they didn't say anything.  Silly school system. The boys got a lot of gifts. Big got a new Bible and a watch, baseball equipment, and legos. Little got Sophie the giraffe from my sister (hands down-best toy ever.), some books and clothes and an exersaucer.  Man, that thing is intense!

And, finally, I've been starting the seedlings for our garden. Our laundry room has been taken over and smells like dirt and plants.  I don't have a great history of keeping plants alive but I'm babying these little guys and talking to them, telling them how pretty they are. Encouraging them and saying little prayers. I'd appreciate if you all did the same.

2 green bean sprouts! isn't God fancy?

sunflower.

 -S.

Viola Lee Blues

Big has a new tackle box full of fishing lures.  Little has new beach toys.  However, the highlight of the week was Sweetheart singing all the lyrics to rubber ducky.  You impress me everyday.

D