I won't lie. January has been tough. Not only for my "blog world" motivation, but also for my "real world" motivation. I guess it's the "January blues", but I just can't get myself to stay in a happy, productive mood for more than a few hours at a time. Therefore, the blogging has fallen WAY off the map. So, here I am, somewhat forcing myself to re-enter.
By the way, we did have a wonderful Christmas, and I really plan to add that to the blog eventually. Unfortunately, paired with my "January blues" has been a very fussy computer and a missing camera, which was left at one of our family Christmas events, and we finally thought to get it this week! :)
For now, I have a few scattered thoughts to share....
1. Mark's sweet Grandmother passed away last Thursday, and we just returned home from a few days spent in Abilene. It was four days straight of cherishing family and just being together. We celebrated Grammer, for her life well-lived, and her legacy of love and selflessness she left for all of us. I'm inspired...and convicted...that I need to love more, and worry about myself less. :) We love you, Grandmother, and we will miss you so much.
2. Kendyll had a tough time with Grammer's death. She cried and cried and was most upset by the idea of never seeing Grandmother again. Fast forward a few days, and she is now at peace with the idea of Grandmother in heaven. We all painted a picture of what we know she is doing, and Kendyll loves the mental image of Grandmother and Grandad--together again--dancing on the streets of gold...and, of course, Grammer is in her diamond studded high heels too. Such a sweet picture, and perfect for my little six year old's mind's eye. :)
3. I have felt absolutely uncreative, ineffective, and bogged down by the details of my days. I know, that's not how I should be, but it's the truth. So, it's always a refreshing thing when a sister calls to say "I'm feeling creative, and so I made you a new blog template." Thank you, Cassie, for putting a little pink in my day and making me look creative, even when I don't feel it at all. :)
4. Feeling this way---"uncreative" and "uninspired"---does not work very well when you have TWO daughters with birthdays in the next three weeks. Man, I have some work to do...not to mention the big Valentine's day thrown in there as well! (I am better now, by the way. Just give me a good theme (thanks to Cortni!) and a sister to split the party with (thanks to Cortni, again!), and my inspiration is back! We're having a Mad Hatter Tea Party for all three girls next weekend...SO fun!!)
5. Okay, I need something positive for my #5. I am totally Debbie Downer! Ummm....In June, I get to go to Italy with my husband. This is on my mind because we finally looked at flights today, and it made me excited and a bit overwhelmed at this idea.
6. Okay, the randomness might be getting worse....there are just some one sentence thoughts running through my head....probably because I haven't blogged in so long, there is too much to say!
Today, Abby Kate asked me for ear drops. Do you think the girl is way too used to ear infections?? (She got tubes the week after Christmas, and also had her adenoids removed. Today her ears started hurting again, so she leaned her head to the side, pointed inside her ear, and said "dops, dops". Only later to say "med-sin" and point to her Motrin bottle. Wow.)
7. Mark and I are painstakingly making the decision about Carlie's school next year. At this point...today...we are going to hold her back and have her start kindergarten in 2010. This decision literally wavers with each setting sun. So, who knows what will actually happen. If anyone cares to share their wisdom about this, please do. I never thought of this "issue" when I got pregnant with an August baby. It's tough, I tell you!
8. I have been asked a few times why I don't join Facebook. I really wish I could form an intelligent answer to that question. I don't know exactly. I just know that I can't imagine anything else taking my time. But, I do love you, facebook friends. :) And, someday my answer might change...maybe.
9. February is a BIG month at our house. Not only because of previously mentioned birthdays and holidays. But, it's also READING RALLY at Kendyll's school. This is our first experience, and I'm actually nervous about it! Veteran moms warn that the month is literally spent reading every spare minute. Kendyll's goal is to read 5,000 minutes in 4 weeks. Many of her friends have set the same goal. We'll see if we can do it. (Do you realize that is HOURS of reading a day?! Luckily, if dad reads, they get double minutes! But, still!) I already have a basket of books for Kendyll, and activities for Carlie to pass the time as she listens. Now, as you can imagine, the wild card will be little AK. Don't know how she will handle her first annual reading rally. But, we'll do the best we can! :)
10. I can't come up with a #10....but I really can't end on an uneven 9. So, I'll just add that my BABIES ARE GROWING UP! In so many ways. We have noticed the "little things" that mark the passing of the baby stage with Abby Kate. And, it makes me completely sad and completely happy at the same time. The latest with AK is wanting to do everything herself, from climbing into the car, to "going potty" (never for real), to talking on the phone and cleaning up her toys. I stumbled on a picture of her at 3 months with Grandmother holding her. And, it literally made me stop in mid-sentence. Where did that baby go??
Okay, this has been good for me. I'll be back soon with Christmas...in February. :)
4 comments:
Oh, I wish I lived closer to you. I just did a Mad Hatter themed party at Avery's Kindergarten. I have tons of brightly painted finials, hanging paper lanterns, fun tea sets, even the Alice costume. I am already planning to have a Mad Hatter party for Elizabeth one day just so I can re-use all of the stuff.
And as for starting Kindergarten... we are holding Miller back this year. His b-day is Sept. 23, but the Louisiana cut-off is Sept 30. So he could start next year, and all of his little preschool buddies are all going to Kindergarten next year. We really need to keep him on the TX schedule just in case we move back, but even if we knew we were staying here we would hold back. Basically, I have never heard anyone say that they wished they had NOT made the decision to hold back, but I have heard so many people say that they wished they had held their child back. Miller seems so ready to start "big kid school", but he may not seem ready when he hits middle school. And it's much less traumatic to hold him back right now. It just seems better to be at the top of the class instead of the youngest. It's just what feels right for us.
Welcome back to blogging, my friend! Good job catching up with everything. I just read Holly's comments mentioning paper lanterns, and I do have several colored ones. I know random...but they are in the famous "party closet" if you want them. I also have a lime green gingham lined basket (we used it at the Ho Ho Ho breakfast.) I have no idea why I'm putting all of this in your comments...
I agree about Facebook...the computer already sucks me in for an embarrassing amount of time each day. I can't imagine adding another addiction!
Thanks for the update. I am so sorry that you have felt "down." It is so hard to be the mommy full of love and joy day in and day out. Hang in there! Glad to hear you are coming around...
On the school note... we held Abbey (Aug. 23rd) and Lainey (July 2nd) back because of their birthdays, too. I have never regretted it, not once. Follow your heart. Those summer babies need a little extra growth and love and another year with their momma is just the place for it. Will also always says that it is one more year they can be at home and one year later before we have to send them to ACU away from us.
Cant wait for more posts!
Chelsea - I'm reading a great book right now about creativity and how hard it can be to feel motivated when there are so many distractions. It's called 'Acedia and Me' by Kathleen Norris. Would be curious to see what you think.
Much love,
Uncle Chris
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