march in photos

I know I probably say this every month, but literally I don't know where March went. This month was full of Adam being out of town (3 trips in all), girls being sick, birthdays (adam, Bella, & Pops), parties, classroom pets, no sugar, violin recitals, piano & violin federation, projects, a newborn, & friends in town.

here is just a few from the last couple weeks...


We've had a lot of big snow storms this month.


A favorite of mine this month that I didn't include in my 12of12 collection.


Our friend Jolie came to visit from OR to audition for Jeopardy. She got in and will be on the show sometime in the next year. Congrats Jolie!


This was our first sick day of the year (I should never have told my hair dresser how sick free we'd been this winter). Bella is in the background watching TV, Megan, who I thought had pink eye, was busy working on her spelling (her idea not mine). Not quite she actually did.


All of us watching wipeout together.


Bella and Meg after their violin recitals. Poor Bella was still not 100% but did it anyway.


A highlight of my month was to witness this little guy's entrance into the world. So honored to have been able to document and be apart of this event in my friend's life.


Admits the craziness that this month held we also brought home Brownie, Tess' classroom pet.


Bella and I at the UofU after her Federation recital where she also got a superior rating.


Last night while the other girls slept Bella spent some time with Adam browsing for books.

better days

[shopping for bella, 14 march]

These two have been sick--coughing, fevers, sore throats, all around down and out. Needless to say it has been really quiet around here, and while I admit to it being nice for a change, I miss the noise they bring home with them after a busy day at school.

Hoping tomorrow brings better days for them.

xo

recent projects

Whenever I had a spare moment during the last two weeks I've either been knitting or crocheting. It was enjoyable to get my needles out again, and like I've said before, ever time I go back to it I always wondering why I don't do it all the time. It's very calming and such a great activity while listening to a book or watching TV.

Here are the two gifts I made for my expecting friends that I mention a couple weeks ago on my blog.


[purchase this pattern here]


[find this pattern here]

Since I had the chance to both knit and crochet simultaneously I decided I prefer the way the needles flows when I crochet (i "throw" the yarn when I knit), but knitting comes much easier. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I've been knitting for longer, but I ended up crocheting two extra booties to make sure I was doing it correctly. It's what I like to call "perfecting my skill"--there was a lot of undoing and restitching on the first two booties. I suppose that's what you get when you teach yourself from a book. Now I am crocheting slippers for myself to up my learning curve, hopefully it's working. I'll share when I am finished.

Do you have any projects in the works?

Have a great Monday!

eleven

She's turning eleven today, quite a milestone for her, for us, as I take another step back and give her more of the independence she is seeking. As my first she's unfortunately become my experiment in so many ways as I try to navigate my way through motherhood--how much to hold on, how much to let go. She is only eleven after all, but a mature eleven year old at that, one that has taught me countless lessons and who's wisdom goes far beyond my own. She has been an incredible gift to me and I thank God for sending her first because not only is she an amazing example to her younger sisters, but she easily forgives and understands that this is new to both of us and we're bound to stumble along the way. Everyday I hope and pray that learning together will be what keeps us strong.

What more can I say than I love this girl to pieces and adore her unique peaceful spirit that she so readily gives.

Happy Birthday miss Bella! I hope your day is as magical and full of goodness as you. love you lots xoxo

giveaway winner

I didn't think it was too difficult myself, but how was asparagus your first guess Ann? Looks like next time I'm going to have to make it harder.



Miss Ann you were correct and the winner. I'll be sending you something delightful soon...or maybe give it to you next time I see you.

xo

giveaway

In honor of today's holiday, if you can be the first one to guess correctly what this photo is, I will send you a little something. I'm thinking jewelry--earrings perhaps.

I will announce the winner tomorrow.

Hope you have a great "green" day.

on my mind

The rain is beating against my window now, but it has been lovely spring weather this week, despite the fact that it hasn't really looked lovely. The trees are still bare, the ground brown, no life to be seen, but I'm hoping a few weeks more will help solve that.



Perhaps the girls knew the weather was short lived because they've been out in it as much as possible. With day-light savings giving them a bit more light in the evenings they've spent their time outdoors playing house, restaurant, and fishing. (I quite enjoyed listening to them play through the window as I cleaned up the dinner dishes.) They even played for a few minutes this morning before they left for school.

My girls are in bed now and I'm posting to take my mind off or rather occupy my mind as I sit and wait for Adam to finally come home. Sadly, my week has been sort of a lonely one. I almost hate to admit it because Adam hasn't been gone that long, but with two trips back to back and both not something I had planned on, his being away has weighed on me. I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday to read, thinking that being around people would do the trick, but it almost made it worse--strangers just made me feel more secluded. Thank goodness for friends and a little bit of a mind game (positive thinking) I was able to end the day feeling myself again.

I've spent a lot of my time this week working on a gift for two friends who are 39+ weeks pregnant. I can't say what it is right at the moment, but I will share when I'm done and have given it to them. They are beautifully ready for #2 and I admit to be a wee bit jealous of their up and coming labor & delivery. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I long to have another baby of my own, rather I loved the experience of bringing a child into the world. There's something so beautiful about seeing your child you've carried for 9 months for the first time--there's just nothing like it. One of them has invited me to be there, to document this moment in her life, and I can't tell you what an honor it is to get to witness such a miraculous event. I pray I can give her something beautiful.

I've been getting bad headaches lately and I can't quite figure out where it's coming from. I'd like to think it's because I'm weaning myself off sugar, but I'm not entirely sure, I mean shouldn't that make my body happy? While I don't think it's anything serious or to be concerned with, I am wondering if there's a catalyst, and if so, what? I remember as a child my mom getting migraines. She would hide herself in her room, door closed, lights off and I never really understood it--unfortunately I do now. I hope it's not an age thing, though I don't recall her getting headaches now.

I hope you never mind my randomly random posts, after all, it's probably the best way to get to know me anyway. Just ask my friends, I am constantly hopping around from topic to topic--not something I'm fond of and would love to change, but for now it's me. I always do find it interesting to see where my mind will go when I sit down to post without something specific in mind. Who am I kidding, even when I've thought something through to post it always comes out different when I start to write it down. I think that's the beautiful thing about writing, often things become clear, answers come, once I work it all out on paper/screen. Do you find that to be true?

I think I shall leave it at that and say good night.
xo

12of12 | march

[click here to enlarge]

01. Started my morning off in bed reading Tinkers. Adam brought it home to me last time he was on a trip and raved about how good it was. I'm quite enjoying it myself so far.
02. Adam and I discussing the events of the day. He left town on Tuesday (last minute trip) and got home Friday and then left again today so we wanted to make Saturday a day together.
03. We had bursts of light rain during our outing.
04. Megan and Adam playing tic-tac-toe while we wait for our food.
05. Adam goofing off with the girls while eating.
06. The girls have been very fond of using my old alphabet templates lately.
07. Thought this was a cute moment between Megan and her dad.
08. After the few crazy storms we've had lately I was so surprised to see this tree full of dead leaves. Cannot wait for spring.
09. Tess and I playing around on the UofU campus waiting for her piano federation recital time. She got superior! (while we did that Adam and the other two went downtown to mess around).
10. Ended up having a discussion about car meters. She was quite surprised you had to pay to park on the street.
11. For a family who has decided to give up sugar (not mandatory: i was doing it, so adam did it, and then the girls decided to join us on their own) for a few weeks it was funny to see us in an ice-cream shop. I had promised Tess, and well, she did so good how could I deny her or her sisters.
12. Tess and I taking some quiet time to read, yet again, after a full day of outings.

There was much that happened at home after we read like making pizza, cookies, and late night movies, but suffice it to say, our day was full and best of all it was all together.

Hope it was another good one for you. If you played along make sure and share using the link below. Looking forward to seeing what you were all up to.

12of12 reminder

Wow this month totally flew by, can't believe the 12th is tomorrow already. In case it felt just as quick for you here's a quick reminder to get your cameras ready to document your day. Looking forward to another round, hope you are to.

:)

a leap

I never knew that much about motherhood when I took it on myself. I mean, the only knowledge I had was based on childhood memories watching my own mother and imagining what it would be like. It's funny the fairy tale I placed in my head about what a mother is. As a child an adult seems so free, in charge, so put together. Never did I understand that once a woman gives life she is forever tied to that small person--her thoughts, her dreams, and desires are never far from her children's heart.

I guess motherhood is a funny thing. You never really understand it until you do it yourself. It's a leap of faith. No one can really explain it, you just have to do it and give yourself over to the experience that will inevitable change your life forever. I jumped without really considering how it would change me, all I knew is being a mother is what I wanted. Not only have I never regretting my decision to jump, but becoming a mother has been one of the greatest gifts in my life and taught me more than I could have ever believed possible.



As a mother I find myself in many situation where I'm the giver, the teacher, but as time goes on I am more than ever before in awe at how much my girls teach me, how much they give me. I am forever changed by my three smiley, messy haired, loud, happy little girls that cover me with kisses as they stand at the door ready for school, their race to be the first one to tell me about their day as we drive home together, or their enthusiasm for cuddling in bed together to watch a movie or read a book.

Life is forever changed in the best possible way, and to think, I may have never known if I didn't take the leap.

xxox
g

g list

I'm once again reminded by a dear friend about the power of gratitude. I am not new to this concept, but upon receiving her email thanking me for the gratitude journal, I realized I haven't been as good as I ought to have been writing in mine. It's been two weeks since I've opened the cover and believe it or not the absence makes a difference. For me being grateful and seeing the ever present blessings each day takes the edge off and makes life run so much smoother--put simply, it makes me happy.



So I thought a gratitude list was long over due.

--i am grateful for a husband who understands me.
--i am grateful he always comes back safely when he travels.
--i am grateful my girls confide in me, that they will talk to me about what is on their mind.
--i am grateful that I've been able to be a stay at home mom.
--i am grateful for the individuals who have come into my life, even in the last year, that have changed it for the better.
--i am grateful for inspiring words--books & talks that help me to keep moving.
--i am grateful for audiobooks that keep me company during my Monday housework.
--i am grateful for a working washer & dryer.
--i am grateful we have good health.
--i am grateful adam has a good job, even if it does mean he has to leave town on a moments notice.
--i am grateful for the clean smell of the earth after a rainy day.
--i am grateful I have no where I need to be today as I'm abandoned at home without a car.
--i am grateful for a calm heart.
--i am grateful for my opportunity to choose.
--i am grateful my motivation to create is returning.

What are you grateful for today?

thirty-eight

This was us or I should say them this morning at our birthday breakfast for our favorite boy. They have been so excited for this day to come, they adore their father, as do I, and couldn't wait for his day to be special. The fact that his birthday landed on Saturday and they got to start the day off with him, at breakfast, was icing on the cake.

Our conversation began at Einsteins bagels with a question proposed by Adam, "What do you love most about me?"
Megan started declaring, "He always gives us presents."
Tess: "He's the best at tickle time and you make the best cookies."
Adam: "Yes, you're right, I do know my way around a 9x13 pan."
me: "He's very thoughtful, always thinks of others, and is a good father."
Bella: "I like it when he gives us riddles and he loves us for who we are."
me: "oh i like that, he definitely wants you do be your own person."
Megan: "oh and he's really really really really nice."

We all laughed and our breakfast celebration continued.

The girls have helped me write this post and reminded me about who said what and when. While we sit reminiscing about what happened an hour ago we all agree, we are so lucky and feel extremely blessed to have him--we are so happy he was born.

Happy Birthday luv!

a rare occurance...

Bella looking a bit overwhelmed facing a difficult story problem. It's quite a rarity to see her so stumped. Dare I say it stumped me as well--actually I could figure it out, but not using the math she was intended to. Still I would never proclaim to be smarter than a 5th grader.


Tess reading for more time than is required. She doesn't enjoy reading and I completely understand as I was like her for the majority of my education. I would have much rather been playing outside or riding my bike than sitting with a book. However, she does enjoy Franny K. Stein and read Invisible Fran in one sitting. Perhaps she just needs to find the right books.


Megan busy in her room putting away freshly laundered clothes and cleaning up. When I happened upon her I wracked my brain to think what could possibly be her reason for cleaning, usually there is some incentive, but this time she was doing it all on her own.

happy photos | february

As a way of saying goodbye to February I thought I'd share a few photos taken in the last few weeks that make me smile in one way or another.