Working with my hands

I am thankful for work that can be done with my hands and things that can be seen as accomplished.  Finished.

And I need to remember to do it more often.

I started to crochet some mittens for myself since my ones of many years in cold weather are slowly unraveling.

The ones I started turned out to be too small, but the perfect size for my friends cold, small hands (she's probably fine, I'm just implying that they are oh so cold).  So, now I will get to make a second pair for myself.  Kind of fun and they don't take too long (if I actually work on them!).

I'm looking forward to other hand working things that will come this spring - hoping to garden again.  Not sure if we'll get a plot within our community or do a potted garden on the porch.  In these cold days pulling weeds and being outside for long periods of time sound so wonderful.

Too bad these days I'm not enjoying other work with my hands...like cleaning the bathroom or dusting.  Hoping to get to those things soon...

Expectations

I have a few notes of things I am thankful for and a bunch are from this weekend - thoughts and gratitude.  So, those are coming...it's good to have a place that forces, in a sense, me to get these things out.  To put those thoughts, that at times can be so fleeting, onto "paper" and dwell on them longer than I normally would.

Tonight, though, I feel like defending myself.  Sometimes when I know I should do something, but don't have the energy and didn't follow through on it (even though I didn't say I would, but still knew it should be done), I have the desire to defend my life as it is right now. 

I've said it before...Even though I don't love our pace right now, this is where we are at and it is good.  And, it will change once summer hits (granted, there will be a baby as well, but still a slower change of pace...smile.). 

Sometimes I want to say, "I work a full 40 hours (sometimes more) each week, mostly with my 2 year old in tow; I am a wife and mom; I make meals for my family; I am pregnant and not done with the being tired phase; I am so tired each night at the end of my day; my husband is in grad. school full time; my husband also works part time; my husband still does stuff around the house; my own house is not clean right now; we've had a lot of company over the last month ; we've been sick a bit too..."

As I write that, I'm kind of laughing. 

And thinking about how thankful I am that Clint and I do both work and have Evee in tow (what a blessing!). 

And I'm thinking about how wonderful it has been to have great friends and family come stay (and we've been the company to others as well and I'm thankful for the hospitality). 

I'm thinking about how pathetic this all sounds and that it's silly to defend myself because I know full well there is a lot more out there than what I'm dealing with. 

I'm thinking that this is simply a season. 

I'm thankful that we can earn and save money. 

I'm thinking that at any time if we needed to change everything, we could.

Just needed to get that all out there.  Thanks for letting this be that space.  I'm thankful for grace and want to have grace for others - whether I feel understood or not. 

Nice People

Today I'm thankful for nice people.  People who take time to smile or give a little wave.  People who go the extra step to make sure your experience was a good one.

Here are some I'm thinking about...

Evee and I went to use a coupon at Dunkin' Donuts.  (Yes, we are giving in to some ease with the excuse of pregnancy.)  They forgot to put cream cheese on my bagel.  I went back in line to see if they could just add it for me.  The man who made it and the woman at the cash register both apologized.  Then, as he was bagging it up he added a free bag (worth $.94) to the bag.  I wasn't upset or angry, I was totally fine to wait a couple of minutes to get cream cheese on my bagel...but, it was also really nice to get.  It was nice to know that they cared to add a donut to the bag.

The other funny thing to me was that I've always had a fine experience in this particular Dunkin' Donuts, but I would describe the workers as cordial at best (and I'm pretty sure they hate coupons, which is really the only time we go there).  Today my view of them changed.  It was a really nice surprise, even though it was something so small.

The other examples are from picking up kids from their school (I do this 4 days a week).  Each day we casually (from the car) interact with the crossing guards.  One, in particular, always smiles and waves.  Another of my "favorites" is simply a favorite because he takes charge and is good at his job.  Others barely give you eye contact or engage with those crossing (both pedestrians and vehicles).  Again, I know this is something so small, but it makes a big difference in my day.  I "like" those one particular crossing guards. 

So, thank you to all the people who take a moment to be a little nicer, to smile a bit more, to think the best about the other person...  I am thankful to you...you make my days all the nicer and remind me to be this kind of person as well.

Warm Showers

I am thankful for showers - not rain showers, but the showers I take each morning.

And even though our shower is pink, gets moldy easily (sorry to admit that here, but...), and the temperature can be very unpredictable from one moment to the next...it is hot, has good water pressure, and is relaxing.

I am thankful because I know that a hot, nice shower with plenty of water is truly a luxury and not available in every place.  So, this morning, when I'm feeling a little off and needed a warm shower for a time, I am thankful.

True Excuses

So, back in November I gave a few excuses for the lack of blogging that took over December.  You can find those excuses here and here.  And, I truly was tired and busy and exhausted.

I thought I would share now what I didn't write about at that time...I am pregnant!

Yup, we've got baby #2 underway.  After over a year of trying, we are very happy to be 13 weeks into this pregnancy!  We are due toward the end of July and are looking forward to having a new little life in this home. 

Thanks for the patience in December and again no doubt in times ahead.  But, for now, I am feeling good, getting my energy back, and preparing (in many ways) for the arrival that is still a good number of months away. 

Sunshine & Ice Cream

After days of cloudiness and rain, it was wonderful to see the sun today.  It is amazing how much this makes a difference in my day!  From the happiness I cannot help but feel to the songs that start going through my head...it was wonderful.

And since it was a rare warm day in January, it felt like it was in the mid 60's, when really I think it was more like 51 degrees. 

And so we went walking - at the canal trail by our house and then a bit downtown.

 

Plus we had wonderful friends in town, which is always a treat.  We finished our being out in the sun with ice cream (what else!?) from our favorite ice cream shop around here.

I am thankful today for a rhythm that is being created on it's own from our weekly schedule.  With the first week back from holidays being sick, it was a treat to have a "normal" week this week.  Although it was full, it was peaceful as well.

In a couple of weeks it will change a bit with the rhythm of a new semester, but I am certain that the new schedule, too, will start to create it's own system of working for this household.

And, in the fullness of life, I'm all the more thankful for the quiet moments where we have nothing planned and nothing to do.  I am thankful for the meet ups with friends and inspiring conversation.  I am thankful to look ahead in anticipation to fun things coming in the very near future.

And, for your weekend viewing pleasure...

Hope it is a peaceful weekend for you!

Yesterday I helped out and attended the funeral of a 12 year old boy.  It feels almost absurd to sit at a funeral for such a young one.

It makes you think...about how short life can be...how we don't know when our last day here will be...what we are about...what it is we treasure in life. 

At 12 years of age, the many people who knew this young boy could tell you what he was about, what kind of life he lived, what kind of person he was... 

I've been planning to write about a post about taking time to sit, be, and not do.  To not strive, but enjoy.  Today only reminded me to do those things more and more.  Instead of feeling motivated to "do something amazing with my life" it was just another gentle reminder for me - to be more present in each moment and in the everyday things...and with those that I treasure most. 

Little Red Table

This table has been bringing me (and Evee) much joy lately.  My parents passed this on to me to hold on to them for awhile.  The table is one that my mom grew up with, my sisters and I played at as girls, and now Evee is enjoying.

It sits so perfectly by the couches in our living room and is a great place for little ones, as well as adults, to sit and color, do puzzles, or paint.  Many dinners have been had there by Evee as well, as it is only a few feet away from our own dining table.  

We've been making great use of it and will continue to for the time that we have it.

I'm thankful this weekend for friends that hung out with me even though they
could have had a date night :).
They brought pizza and netflix over to our house
(since Clint was away this weekend, we've been sick and are recovering, and so that Evee could go to bed and we could still hang out).
And they hung out with Evee and I and then waited while I put her to bed to watch Season 1 of 30 Rock. 

And I'm also thankful, in a very vague way, to share experiences with friends - no matter whether they are happy, hopeful, sad, disappointing, or any of the many other emotions life can bring.  I just feel privileged to be able to live and share life with others.

Thinking about John 10:10 today - "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Thankful for the opportunity to see it lived out today in such an amazing way...
though it is around me all the time.

Being sick

After a week of every person in this home getting sick (on and off) with a 24 hour flu bug - I am so thankful for

A husband...

who was up late with me washing out bedding, pajamas, and blankets

who wrote me a sweet note in the morning and tried to not wake us up as he got up early and later left the house

who checked in with us to see how Evee is feeling and how I'm managing

who was ever encouraging in a crazy week

The 2 hours that Clint took Evee while I was sick yesterday (since he literally had school and work every other moment of the day)

A 2 1/2 year old who rubbed my back as I puked into the toilet and asked me, "Are you throwing up?" about 5 times, all while I was throwing up.

The supportive people I work for

PBS - is that bad?  But, when you can't move and have a 2 year old, it is a great back up...

Today and yesterday peace has come from being un-rushed.  Amazing, right?

I know it sounds silly, but I've been rushed most of my life.  I like to wait for the last minute to get one last thing done or to have a bit more time on the front side or to let Evee sleep for just 5 more minutes. 

Most of being un-rushed has been due to sickness, but it's also been due to Clint's time management skills.  It's been nice to be on my way somewhere and know that I'm not 1. running late or 2. just going to make it if all the lights are green. 

I'll have to try leaving just a bit earlier in general.  Might make me feel calmer throughout my days.  Besides, the worst thing that could happen would be that I'd actually be early to something! 

This Season

This season of blogging, for me, is one of taking time to be grateful and see the beautiful moments of my days. 

This season of life is one that is busier than we'd like, but there is nothing that we would take out either (in this moment anyway).  Thus, this space here is becoming a place for me to reflect on the peace, beauty, and wonder around me even in this season (for now anyway).  Even in just the past 2 days I see how it is helping me stay present and to see differently.  I've realized in the last week that I was making life a bit more dramatic than it really is and I don't want to live that way.  That definitely does not bring more peace into my life. 

So, here it is, to gratitude, peace, less drama and staying present.

Peace moments of the day

The complete ease of a child...no "adult" cares and concerns.  After dinner tonight, in the middle of a discussion between Clint and I about life right now, Evee was drawing at the table nonchalantly saying, "polka dot, polka dot, draw a picture" over and over again.  Now she is in the bath playing pretend with fish toys....

After Clint had Evee all afternoon, her and I hung out while he got reading done before dinner - drinking hot chocolate while working on puzzles and then moving to the couch to cuddle up for some reading.

Simple things these days, but good reminders of the beauty of my days. 

Thoughts for the new year

A couple things I want to dwell on this year...

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

and

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  

A few things I'd like to implement this year...

Post more regularly on this blog and the Trader Joe's blog - more than how I finished this past year.  Yikes...

Find peace and thankfulness in the midst of a life that currently feels much more busy than we'd ever like it to be (although, we feel peace that this where we are to be and what we are to be doing).  

Read a book a month...not sure of the list of books is yet.  Need to get on that. 

And, a few more thoughts on the new year to come...

p.s. there are so many great pictures from our Christmas time with my family.  If I can, I'll just direct you to my brother's blog (see posts below that one) and my mom's.  They've documented well :). 

my favorite picture of Evee and I is from when we all went bowling and took turns helping her...thanks to my brother for quickly snapping this shot.