The great ness of today came just at dinnertime as we held hands around the table and said a prayer before eating. We've ben trying to keep in the habit of praying before meals and since the kids have caught on, they're asking to be the ones who get to say the prayer. Which is greatness in itself, I might add. For this reason, we've decided to take turns each night as to who gets to say the prayer but anyone can add on once the blessing is said. After Elaina finished her heartfelt prayer, Lincoln asked to add on the following:
"God is great, God is good, thank you for this meal of food that I don't really like and dessert. Amen."
I'm pretty sure that God loved that just as much as we did.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
One of those days
I know it's going to be a bad day when I can already feel the aching tension and pain mounting in the back of my neck even before I mix my morning cup of tea at my desk. Just after lunchtime, I tried a new migraine pain reliever that was given to me as a sample from my doctor. Within the hour I wasn't quite sure that the two of us were getting along. As my migraine began to melt away, my stomach became a little queasy and my head a little dizzy. For me, that was good enough evidence as any that I just needed to be home. After all, that's what sick time is designed for.
I had an hour to rest before picking up the kids and then my evening really took off. I could immediately tell that both kids were overly tired and overly cranky and I wasn't about to let our evening last overly long because of it. We hurried through a frozen pizza dinner and it wasn't until I was giving Lincoln a bath and he began to laugh. His hearty, full laughter that touches my core. The same laughter that makes me fall even more in love with him every time. As if that was even possible. Though my day wasn't particularly easy by many accounts, Eric and the kids all pulled through at the end of the day and made me remember that our days our short. Enjoy them. Savor them and laugh along.
I had an hour to rest before picking up the kids and then my evening really took off. I could immediately tell that both kids were overly tired and overly cranky and I wasn't about to let our evening last overly long because of it. We hurried through a frozen pizza dinner and it wasn't until I was giving Lincoln a bath and he began to laugh. His hearty, full laughter that touches my core. The same laughter that makes me fall even more in love with him every time. As if that was even possible. Though my day wasn't particularly easy by many accounts, Eric and the kids all pulled through at the end of the day and made me remember that our days our short. Enjoy them. Savor them and laugh along.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012
Cheers to a new beginning! New hopes, renewed faith and continued happiness!
It's a new year and this family has high expectations. Every day our kids are growing, maturing and figuring out the world just a little bit more. We've found a new freedom with older'ish children in that we can do more things. We can travel more, do more and just be able to be in separate rooms, accomplishing tasks without fear that a wee one will break into pieces while not under our watchful eye.
For the most part, that is.
So the first day of this month brought such decent weather that Elaina and I left the boys at home and went shopping. She had a one week old Justice gift card burning a hole in my pocket and just needed to see what she could find in the store. While we didn't have much luck finding anything worth taking home, we landed upon some lip gloss and a recorder. Exciting for a 6 year old, right?
We spent the rest of our afternoon grocery shopping and talking about how nice it is to spend time just being together. It's just that it never gets old, I am so eternally thankful for my wonderful daughter and all of the beautiful moments we share just being together.
It's a new year and this family has high expectations. Every day our kids are growing, maturing and figuring out the world just a little bit more. We've found a new freedom with older'ish children in that we can do more things. We can travel more, do more and just be able to be in separate rooms, accomplishing tasks without fear that a wee one will break into pieces while not under our watchful eye.
For the most part, that is.
So the first day of this month brought such decent weather that Elaina and I left the boys at home and went shopping. She had a one week old Justice gift card burning a hole in my pocket and just needed to see what she could find in the store. While we didn't have much luck finding anything worth taking home, we landed upon some lip gloss and a recorder. Exciting for a 6 year old, right?
We spent the rest of our afternoon grocery shopping and talking about how nice it is to spend time just being together. It's just that it never gets old, I am so eternally thankful for my wonderful daughter and all of the beautiful moments we share just being together.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Re-purposing: Birthday Edition
4 decades!! Today my lovely husband celebrates his 40th birthday.
The best part of our day started with Elaina romping into our room along about 6:15 a.m. (per usual) and wishing her Daddy a happy birthday. Very soon she realized that she hadn't yet had time to make him a card and hustled right downstairs to do just that.
About a half hour and a little light sleeping (for us) later, she blew up stairs, envelope and card in hand, and excitedly handed over her creation to Eric. Inside the heart covered envelope was a paper covered, singing Valentine's day card which she cleverly recycled with birthday wishes and her love in the form of XOXOXO and hearts strewn about. She had taped on a new cover and inside message to disguise the Valentine's day message - but when the music began to sing about Cupid and Valentine's day, Eric and I couldn't help but to chuckle! I'm pretty sure that was the very best card ever made!
The best part of our day started with Elaina romping into our room along about 6:15 a.m. (per usual) and wishing her Daddy a happy birthday. Very soon she realized that she hadn't yet had time to make him a card and hustled right downstairs to do just that.
About a half hour and a little light sleeping (for us) later, she blew up stairs, envelope and card in hand, and excitedly handed over her creation to Eric. Inside the heart covered envelope was a paper covered, singing Valentine's day card which she cleverly recycled with birthday wishes and her love in the form of XOXOXO and hearts strewn about. She had taped on a new cover and inside message to disguise the Valentine's day message - but when the music began to sing about Cupid and Valentine's day, Eric and I couldn't help but to chuckle! I'm pretty sure that was the very best card ever made!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas Program
And we're rounding out yet another busy week. This evening, my in-laws arrived in time for dinner and to attend Elaina's first grade Christmas program. Already I like the fact that the school never weaseled out and referred to it as a "Holiday" program. It's Christmas for goodness sake - call it what it is!
The four classes of first graders brought together about a hundred kids and it was utterly amazing how in tune they were with following the music director by hand signals and gestures alone. Elaina had a short speaking part in which she introduced a song and all of the kids were more than adorable.
As we watched them and listened to them sing all of their seven songs, I realized that these really are most important and enjoyable and memorable moments of my life. At no cost and no fanfare. The sheer innocence and glory of 6 and 7 year old voices singing Christmas songs is likely one of the best gifts I will receive this season. Thankful!
The four classes of first graders brought together about a hundred kids and it was utterly amazing how in tune they were with following the music director by hand signals and gestures alone. Elaina had a short speaking part in which she introduced a song and all of the kids were more than adorable.
As we watched them and listened to them sing all of their seven songs, I realized that these really are most important and enjoyable and memorable moments of my life. At no cost and no fanfare. The sheer innocence and glory of 6 and 7 year old voices singing Christmas songs is likely one of the best gifts I will receive this season. Thankful!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Fresh Start
Today was the dawning of a new era at work. One of our co-workers had received the promotion of becoming our new supervisor. While he has a big job ahead of him, the oppression of our previous babysitter supervisor has come to an end. I thought of how much I wouldn't miss her scrutinizing remarks, her snarky comments and her most irritating habits. It was finally a work day worth looking forward to.
In other news, Elaina has been giving us a run for our money in the behavioral department. It's been a while since we've enjoyed the pleasant, calm and rational Elaina. And tonight, she was back! I told her over and over how delightful her behavior was and how much I didn't want to put her to bed tonight so that I could just stay up and enjoy her. I also made mention that when she doesn't behave like this, I want to put her to bed early to give my ears a break.
I'm thankful for the peace in my day, the enjoyment that was brought to each transition of my day and my husband coming home safely after working a 14 hour day.
In other news, Elaina has been giving us a run for our money in the behavioral department. It's been a while since we've enjoyed the pleasant, calm and rational Elaina. And tonight, she was back! I told her over and over how delightful her behavior was and how much I didn't want to put her to bed tonight so that I could just stay up and enjoy her. I also made mention that when she doesn't behave like this, I want to put her to bed early to give my ears a break.
I'm thankful for the peace in my day, the enjoyment that was brought to each transition of my day and my husband coming home safely after working a 14 hour day.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
trip.
Today, Eric booked our trip to Florida! HOORAY!
It's been 2 years since we've gone on a winter vacation and even longer than that since we've gone on a summer vacation for more than 3 consecutive days.
I guess that it's time! While in Florida, we have the pleasure of spending half of the week with my grandma and the other half of the week with my in-laws. It's fortunate that we're going to be saving money on lodging since this Florida vacation will include a trip to Disney! It seem as though I am thrilled to pieces and I'm so looking forward to sharing the Magical Kingdom with my family.
Looking at the prices for airfare and Disney tickets, I am more than thankful that we are able to do this for our kids. That we have the good fortune of having jobs and very little debt that help to make this possible. Most of all, I am thankful that we have two healthy kids that we have the privilege of calling our own to bring this magic into their lives.
It's been 2 years since we've gone on a winter vacation and even longer than that since we've gone on a summer vacation for more than 3 consecutive days.
I guess that it's time! While in Florida, we have the pleasure of spending half of the week with my grandma and the other half of the week with my in-laws. It's fortunate that we're going to be saving money on lodging since this Florida vacation will include a trip to Disney! It seem as though I am thrilled to pieces and I'm so looking forward to sharing the Magical Kingdom with my family.
Looking at the prices for airfare and Disney tickets, I am more than thankful that we are able to do this for our kids. That we have the good fortune of having jobs and very little debt that help to make this possible. Most of all, I am thankful that we have two healthy kids that we have the privilege of calling our own to bring this magic into their lives.
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