capturing december: happiness is...

We didn't take one picture on Christmas day. Not one picture of the look on Ana's face when she opened her typewriter from Santa Claus. Not one shot of Jack dumping out his stocking and seeing little presents and candy. We didn't capture Katie opening present after present.

And we are okay with that. Christmas was a wonderful day. We were all happy and relaxed, though very tired, given the fact that Ana was up at 2 a.m. and refused to fall back asleep except for a couple quick dozes.

But my favorite moment was walking through the quiet house the next morning from my bedroom.

Ana was busy typing away on her new delightful toy.

Katie was playing quietly and happily at the (not new, but still) kitchen.

 

And Jack was happily building with his new Lego set at the dining room table.

 

It was a perfect moment. Exactly what you hope a post-Christmas day to be and feel like. The kids were happy and helpful most of the day, too. And we had a nice turkey dinner with our neighbors.

  

Everyone is happy. I felt like Santa did a good job this year. Today the snow is coming down, my family is nice and warm inside. This is happiness.

merry christmas

Wishing you and yours Joy this holiday season.

funny face

Katie makes this funny face lately. She knows it makes us laugh, too, so she keeps doing it. She also has started calling her pacifier a "pah-pi" which is adorable.

capturing december: family

Spent the morning texting most of my siblings. What started as a conversation of our favorite Christmas movies morphed to gun control, Christmas songs, and finished with Christmas memories, which made me cry.

I love my family.

capturing december: green

We love making Holiday Wreaths for our neighbors. Yummy!

joe and marie get a christmas tree

Since we couldn't be there for Grandma's Christmas Party, we decided to make a video to share with the family. The concept was the kids' idea, Dave filmed and helped elaborate.

My kids are awesome.

this month is such a special one

Let me tell you something about my husband. He is not a man of many words. He mostly keeps his eyes open and his mouth shut, which I think is a good combination. I, on the other hand, am a girl of many words. He usually can't get me to stop talking from the time he walks in the door til we go to bed. (He doesn't really try, though. He's a good sport.)  I'm learning, too, that sometimes it is okay not to say everything I am thinking. So, though I could spill forth all sorts of wonderful things about this man that is mine, though I could write paragraphs on his many qualities and essays on our many memories and a book about his wonderful upbringing by his fabulous parents, I think I will just say this:

Happy 30th Birthday, Dave. I can't wait to spend the next 30 by your side.

capturing december: joy

Katie helped me bake bread today. 

I love being a mother to these little children. It brings me so much joy, any time of the year.

forty two down, infinity to go

I've talked to my dad a few times on the phone the past few days. Whenever I feel worked up or passionate about something, talking to my dad always levels my head.  My dad has that wonderful quality in a parent so that each of his daughters think they are the favorite. (Though I know that I am for real.) He is smart and thoughtful and kind and happy.

If I could describe my parents in one word it would be dutiful. They always do their duty with willing and faithful hearts.  In their 42 years together, they have seen their share of trials, including spending weeks apart at times, and other times living paycheck to paycheck. Yet I have rarely heard a murmur of complaint.  They always humbly thank God for their blessings, always serve faithfully whenever they are asked, and still often take the opportunity to bear testimony of the Gospel to their children.

I thank them for teaching me where to turn to find answers to life's most difficult questions, and for their wonderful examples of faith and fortitude that they have provided for me.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! 
Love, Little E

capturing december: a christmas craft

The kids and I are doing a Christmas Activity Advent. It isn't anything much. Just an envelope a day with an activity to do that day. I like to keep it simple, and most of the activities are things we would have done anyway.

This morning Ana's school had a 2-hour delay, so we did our Christmas activity before school. Today's was a Christmas craft. We made paper wreaths. I love my creative kids.

capturing december: ana style

So, I totally dropped the ball on the picture a day thing. The main reason is because I have been doing an Activity Advent with the kids and I guess I can't keep up with TWO daily things.

Ana, however, has been taking a lot of pictures and I love what she ends up photographing.

I will continue tomorrow with a photo-a-day. (Probably.)

capturing december 3: red

My fabulous mother-in-law always has a candy dish full of nuts (cashews are her favorite) or M&Ms or chocolates on her coffee table. During the holidays, I like to follow suit. I think every candy dish I own is from her. (Although that snowflake one is a votive, but whatever.)

capturing december 2: holiday movie

We took a break from decorating to watch the classic clay-mation Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and eat some ice cream.

capturing december 1: my view

We were a week late getting our tree this year, and it was a beautiful, snowy, cold day to be cutting down our tree. When we got it up, Katie kept pointing at it and saying "tree" like she was really confused about why we had a tree in our house.

(I am doing THIS photo a day challenge for December. Join me! I do not promise that my pictures will be high quality and stunning.)

best thanksgiving weekend ever

I've been thinking all day yesterday and today about how I should write the story of Thanksgiving 2012. It seems I have lost my (writing) voice lately, and my foggy brain is having a hard time forming coherent sentences.

But then, how can anyone describe the most awesome vacation/Thanksgiving ever. Along with 4 of our closest couple friends, we spent three glorious days in a mountain vacation home in central Vermont. The food was abundant and delicious. The home was spacious and warm with a big fireplace and an open kitchen. The kids were generally well-behaved. And the company was fantastic. Three whole days of relaxing, chatting, eating, playing pool, soaking in the hot tub, cooking dough-boys over the fire, a little online shopping and staying up way too late.  We have the most generous, kind, talented, fun-loving friends here in Vermont.

 We took a chance to go around the table and share what we were thankful for on Thanksgiving. As I sat there amongst such wonderful people I thought of how grateful I am that my parents encouraged me (and all their children) to spread our wings, to leave home and make friends and memories wherever life takes us. I remember my mom talking of good friends they have all over the country. I am so glad that when I leave this little corner of America,  I will have memories and friends that will last a lifetime.

I only took a few pictures. Hopefully they will be enough to cement this trip into my mind.

soundtrack to my life : track 1 : how do you solve a problem

A few months ago I purchased the soundtrack to The Sound of Music.  I love that music and listening to it again made me love it all the more.  Several of the songs spoke to me and I felt like it could be the soundtrack to my life now.

Track 1: "Maria"

I was sitting in bed, headphones in, when the song "Maria" came on.

She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee. Her dress has got a tear.
 She waltzes on her way to mass and whistles on the stair.

  ...Instantly, I saw my little Ana Marie.

 
 When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused,
 and I never know exactly where I am.
 Unpredictable as weather, she's as flightly as a feather
 She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb.

Unpredictable is right. I am never quite sure how she is going to react to anything. Somethings that I think will elate her or motivate her, she shrugs off. Somethings I think she'll shrug off she takes to personally. 

She'd out pester any pest. Drive a hornet from it's nest.
 She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl.

 She is gentle, she is mild, she's a riddle, she's a child.
 She's a headache. She's an angel. She's a girl.

There are so many times I have explained something to her several times, just to have to ask and beg and plead some more. But oh, man. She can be so gentle. She loves snuggles and she is a sweet little "mother" to Katie and other little babies around. 

 How do you solve a problem like Maria?
 How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
 How do you find a word that means Maria?
 A flibbertigibbet, a will-o-the wisp, a clown.

Many a thing you know you'd like to tell her.
 Many a thing she ought to understand.
 But how do you make her stay and listen to all you say?
 How do you catch a wave upon the sand?

Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria?
 How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?

When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused And I never know exactly where I am Unpredictable as weather, she's as flighty as a feather She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb
She'll out pester any pest, drive a hornet from it's nest She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle, she is wild, she's a riddle, she's a child She's a headache, she's an angel, she's a girl

Read more: THE SOUND OF MUSIC - MARIA (THE NUNS) LYRICS

When I'm with her I'm confused, out of focus and bemused And I never know exactly where I am Unpredictable as weather, she's as flighty as a feather She's a darling, she's a demon, she's a lamb
She'll out pester any pest, drive a hornet from it's nest She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl She is gentle, she is wild, she's a riddle, she's a child She's a headache, she's an angel, she's a girl

Read more: THE SOUND OF MUSIC - MARIA (THE NUNS) LYRICS

 Just to be clear, I don't consider Ana a "problem." I absolutely adore my daughter. She is so fun-loving. She is happy and energetic and passionate and determined and so many wonderful things. I love her. She has also stretched me as a parent, and as a person. I have put more thought and prayer into my relationship with that little girl than I ever thought I would. I have worried and wondered about how to teach her the right things. There are so many things I think she ought to understand and I feel like the message rolls away like a wave upon the sand.

The last few weeks have been a turning point for me, and I find myself loving her more than I ever thought. She is having some struggles right now, and I am on my knees asking for guidance in solving the little problems we are encountering. I have uttered similar prayers before, and I suspect it will not be the last.

big girl

One day last month I woke up and I looked at my baby.  Except, I didn't see a baby.

 I saw a walking, talking, full-fledged toddler.

The type who climbs on tables, yells during church, un-folds my clothes, and completely melts my heart.

This is the age where my motherhood instinct kicks in and I think that I need another baby. Especially holding my friend's little tiny 6-week old. That being said, I love Katie's age. Quite frankly, toddlers are my absolute favorite and I adore everything about her. I love how much toddlers learn and grow each day. She asks "Dada" to read her a "boo" (book) everyday. Her favorite book is an animal board book I bought from the library for 50 cents. Best purchase ever. When she is hungry or thristy she points to the fridge and asks for a "stng chee" or a "drink." And she loves her brother and sister - and they love her.

Of course toddlerhood has its challenges. She is a constant stream of busy: climbing, dumping, jabbering, un-organizing, but not really playing. Katie, like her older sister before her, is a social player. She is not interested in playing alone. Luckily she has friends that are happy to oblige.

I've determined that I just can't blink anymore.

thoughts on the election and ESPN radio

my family on Independence Day 2012

I've taken to listening to ESPN Radio while driving in the car. I'm not quite sure how that happened. Maybe it was my joining Dave's Fantasy Football league. (And I'm winning the league, by the way. 6-3 record. Just thought I'd throw that out there.) Maybe it was the fact that all the other radio stations either play crappy music or commercials and the classical station comes in fuzzy at times. Maybe it just happened because that is what Dave listens to. Either way, I'm an ESPN Radio fan.

The funny thing about it is that I enjoy it, and more than once I have been inspired by something that was said. A few weeks ago someone said that limitations in a quarterback make them greater because it gives them focus. I don't remember exactly how he worded it, but it reminded me of the scripture, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble. ... for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." I've been thinking of ways the my limitations can bring focus to my life.

Once again today I tuned in. The election news has infiltrated everything, including ESPN.  They talked about the similarities between the CNN coverage of the election and the (over-the-top) game day coverage. Pundits battling it out, speculating on who would win and what the other team needed to do to bring in a win, and die-hard fans refusing to see the good in the other side.  The interesting thing about this analogy is that, in sports, even the most devoted fan of one team can still see talent in someone on the other side. Politics, not so much.

But there was much more at stake last night. It wasn't about a championship ring or a trophy on a shelf. We are talking about our freedom and the future we are building for future generations.  And yet, with so much more at stake, you would hope as a nation we would be more determined to see the good in both sides. Intelligent, patriotic, passionate people are on both sides of the fence, fighting for what they believe to be right. Instead of insults and "gloom and doom" attitudes, we should be looking for the talent and skills that both parties can bring to the table. That is really the only way to solve problems. Answers to complex problems don't come easily. Besides, most people want what is best for the people, and that means we are on the same team, whether or not we agree.

Although things didn't turn out as I hoped last night, I will continue to pray for our country and its leaders. I will continue to look for the good in both sides, and try to be a well-informed citizen. And mostly, I'll remember who really is in charge after all, and focus on raising my children to love God and America. (And sports.)

twas the week before halloween....

The weather has been unseasonably warm lately. That means that every afternoon when Ana gets home from school we go outside for an hour, doing stuff like this:

Spending that time after school means we have been eating a lot of french toast and grilled cheese and soup for dinner. I love soup.

Last week was a little crazy. I spent a lot of it reading Dracula for book club. I really liked it, and I like book club that gets me reading books I would never choose for myself.  And of course there is the typical Halloween preparations. Something about this time of year gets me all crafty and ambitious.

Last Saturday, in between the med school Halloween party and the trunk or treat at the church,  I took the kids outside for our annual Halloween photo shoot. (Previous years HERE and HERE)

What I love: everything about Jack's costume this year. I made the helmet and the jet pack, and then he's wearing a pair of Old Navy Jammies over snow pants. Best Costume Ever. Also, I love that Ana came up with the idea to be a pioneer all on her own after she pulled that dress out of my goodwill bag. It is an adult size. I made her apron and I like how it turned out, too. I also love Katie's alien costume. Easy, fast, and adorable. Especially with Jack as a partner.

Today Ana was home for Hurricane Sandy. We luckily were spared any damage or flooding or power outages, and the weather was actually quite nice. Dave was also home with strep throat, but he was feeling pretty good, so we carved our pumpkins. (I always thought it was weird in movies when people carved pumpkins the day before or on Halloween. But now I understand why you do that .... they mold so fast.) The kids were the designers and Dave and I were the executors.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.