My Eyes! My Ears! They’re Everywhere!

by motherofwonder

There’s something about this last week that has left me feeling like I have a newborn. Up in the night, crowded bed, awakened by crying… except with a newborn all you have to do is feed them and they’re happy again, and you get to have a teeny-tiny personal all snuggled up to you. These things need specific foods, and it’s never what I’m trying to give them. And where did that stupid box of Kleenexes go? Or the other three of them I just bought? And Littlest pinched Miss. And Miss is trying to shove Biggest out of the rocking chair because she was sitting in it first. Because she was the last to sit in it last night, that counts as first for today. Even though her older brother has been cozied up in it, quietly reading a book for the last half hour. Other than that book he just threw as I walked by- so that I could put it away for him and get him another one.

Suddenly, I find myself wide-eyed, and frustration burning in my ears. They get very quiet and lean as far back as they can, away from me. They know it’s coming. They can hear the kettle’s steam whistle a’whistlin’… I take a very long, deep breath. I close my eyes and I pray outloud. Lord, let me love these crazy, little children. Let me see them the way you see them today.

They looked back and forth between each other. They looked at me skeptically. Are your eyes not working? I hear a small voice ask. Another one chimes in with, Do you not have eyes everywhere anymore? Followed by a whisper between them, Maybe she won’t be able to see us when we’re playing in my room anymore. C’mon, let’s go.

I don’t even bother suppressing my laugh. I just laugh. And I see them. Finally starting to see some relief from the cold/allergy plague that’s kept them down this past week. Tired from their coughing waking them up at night. Stir crazy from being trapped inside, between the sudden cold snap and their colds. But from amid all of that, they see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Mom may have gone crazy enough that she no longer can see us getting into trouble when she’s not there.

And just like that, I am snapped back to reality. I see kids who are tired of not feeling well. MissE has asked several times in the last few days, What can I do to feel better? or Will this make it so I don’t feel like this anymore? And I have made homemade chicken noodle soup, which then turned into chicken pot pie (apparently adding peas and corn made it the most amazing meal for them!). I have made fruit smoothies and poured countless glasses of orange juice. I have taken more showers in the last week (while holding a little one) than I normally do in a month. Ok, that may be an embellishment. But honestly, not by much. And finally I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Snot is drying, coughs are abating, and a little bit of sleep was even to be had. So there is the light. I may have to drag them by their shoestrings, or lure them with chocolate… but I’m dragging them to that light.

{Overheard}

(Biggest E:)You need to flap your wings some more.

(MissE:) Like this? Ok, here I come.

(LittlestE: )Turn! Turn! Mine! Fly! Me!

(MissE:) Do you think Littlest should take a turn?

(Biggest:) No, MissE, he’s too little to fly. Oh, I guess he wants to. Ok, let him try.

(Me:) No more jumping off the top bunk, and for the hundredth time, do not teach your brother to fly!

(Biggest:) Do you think all her eyes are working again?

(MissE:) Yeah. [whispers] Least she doesn’t have ears everywhere so can’t hear us being naughty.

(Me:) Yes, I do. And I heard that.

(All): Scream.

Biggest: We’re never going to have any fun!

Family Life According To Me Things Kids Say

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Most Important Of All

by motherofwonder

A friend of mine recently shared this post, and wants it framed for her son’s room. She said it’s her favorite post of mine. And actually, the post I wrote yesterday already had me thinking about the things I want to teach and show and model for my children, which led me to think of those posts (there was one for my daughter too). So I’ve decided to repost them, and I hope you’ll forgive me. But sometimes, in life, you just need reminders. And today I’m wanting a refresher on all the things I want to teach my children, and really, things I want to (re)teach myself as well.

My Sons, I Want For You…

Be respectful. To everyone. Everywhere. People have hurts that sometimes aren’t visible, treat them accordingly.
Talk to others in a way that wouldn’t leave you embarrassed if you found out your mama was listening.
Learn to listen (for most men this is an acquired skill, I’m pretty sure). Really listen, not just hear someone making sounds, but the words that they’re saying.
Treat all women in the manner you should treat your mother: polite, respectful, helpful.
Be courteous- even if you think it’s not appreciated or deserved. Maybe especially then.
Be honest.
Violence (against anyone) is never really the answer.
Never look down on someone for the way they dress, how they look, or what they believe.
Be compassionate.
Never treat people as disposable. They’re not. Even if you date her for a week and find out she’s suuuuper annoying (even if I agree)… you will still treat her as an individual with feelings. Just not an individual you’ll marry.
When you are dating, try and behave in a manner you won’t be embarrassed to recount to your wife. Or your mother for that matter.
Never make fun of tears. No matter if they’re from a girl or a boy. Pain is pain. (Compassion, my sons!)
A strong man is someone who knows and accepts his weaknesses (or tries to strengthen himself in those areas).
Feelings are not a weakness in a man. Embrace them.
Don’t be run by emotions (or hormones), think things through.
Think before you speak.
Don’t let anyone push you around. Be your own man.
Learn to take charge and to be responsible for things. It’s ok to know what you want- and to go for it.
Don’t just follow ANYONE just for the sake of a) trying to look cool or fit in, or b) not having to make an actual decision yourself. Neither reason will suit you in the long run.
Know that you were made to be EXACTLY who you are.
Know that life really isn’t all about you.
Reach out a helping hand, whenever you possibly can.
A man of faith is a lot stronger than a man with no beliefs.
You’ll stand a lot taller, the more time you spend on your knees.
Family is a blessing. (Whether you like it or not!)
Dream dreams, wish wishes, and love your loves. No matter what others may say or think. (Except for your mother, of course.)
Be secure in who you are, because you will always have people that will support you.
No matter what else you do in life, what you wear, who your friends are, what your job is, how much money you make, or where you live… remember that your mama loves you. And please always live nearby.

***

Yes, some of these are similar to things I want to tell her brothers, because let’s face it, the basis of how we live and treat people (or the ways we should), don’t change depending on which gender you are.

My Daughter, I Want You To Know…

The most beautiful people in the world are not movie or rock stars, but the people that are true to who they are and the things they believe.
While you are a beautiful girl, you should not look for validation through your looks. You will never find it, and it will leave you unfulfilled.
It is more important that you attain inner beauty than outer.
The way you treat people is much more important than the way you look. (Yes, I know these first ones are all similar, but in today’s society everyone comments on how cute or pretty or well dressed little girls are, instead of focusing on how polite or well-mannered they are.)
All that said, I hope you always know how beautiful you are, inside and out.
You cannot find validation through others. That is between you and God.
Never talk to anyone like you are better than they are (no matter what their circumstances are)- because you are not.
Talk to people in a way that shows that you are listening and that their thoughts are worth hearing.
When you have a difference of opinion with someone, consider their side.
Treat men the way you would treat a child. Kidding! Just wanted to see if you were paying attention! Treat men the way you would your father- with honesty, respect, and a little bit of fear. (ha!)
Don’t let anyone (man or woman) tell you that you are not good enough. You are. Always.
Don’t let someone treat you as though you are disposable. If they do, dispose of them. And quickly.
Embrace your feelings and emotions- but don’t let them run/control you.
Be a take charge person! Don’t follow anyone else who’s path does not lead to yourdesired destination.
Be responsible! And take responsibility for your words and your actions.
When you are dating, try and behave in a manner you wouldn’t be embarrassed/ashamed to recount to your future husband. Or your mother for that matter.
Think twice before you speak. Think three times before you act. And then go ahead and run it by your mother first.
Know that you are EXACTLY who you were made to be- and be proud of that.
Know that life really isn’t all about you, don’t expect others to act like it is.
A woman of faith is a lot stronger than a woman with no beliefs.
Family is a blessing, even when it doesn’t feel like it! Where else will you find people who will love and support you, no matter how crazy your ideas are?! (you are your father’s child)
You will never regret reaching out a helping hand, whenever you can.
Be secure in who you are and be the best YOU you can be because I will always support you. Maybe not without voicing my opinions, but I will still support you in your journey.
Don’t be afraid to dream your dreams (and follow them), wish your wishes (and turn them into reality), and love your loves (with your whole heart). No matter what anyone else says or thinks. Except for maybe your mother.
No matter what else you do in life, what you wear, who you know, how much money you make or have, or even where you live… remember that your mommy loves you. And I’d really prefer if you lived close by.

Family Life According To Me Things You Should Say

A Direct Hit

by motherofwonder

Do you ever have one of those days where you want to just turn around, turn the lights back off, and get back into bed? Never? Ok, that’s it. We’re officially not friends. For those of you who know what I’m talking about… here’s to another round of coffee!

Saturday was such a day for me.

I needed to pick up a few things from the grocery store. Not a ton, just a few. The kids weren’t yet dripping, but were sniffling, and I wanted to make them my homemade chicken noodle soup. So I needed some more Organic Chicken Broth, an MSG-free version of Chicken Bullion Cubes, and a few other odds and ends that we were out of/running low on. Not more than a basket-full worth of groceries. When I pulled into the parking lot I was in shock. I’d NEVER seen our little grocery store that busy. The parking lot was full. I might as well have walked there because I think it took me longer to find parking than it would have to walk the just under .5 mile. I finally park, and go inside. There are exactly 2 carts left in the store. This is all shocking because while Saturday’s are typically busy, they’re not so busy that they ever have more than 3 cashiers. (I’m not kidding.) I’m pretty sure it was busier than Christmas Eve. I’m already annoyed at this point, because c’mon people, you’ve known about Easter all year long and yet here you are, frantically scurrying around like the world will end if you do not try every new recipe you found on Pinterest, and trying to take my cart out of my hands and the onion from within my reach.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel for you, and I know what it’s like when you’re not as prepared as you perhaps, should have been. But I’ve got sick kids, and a day of fun cancelled. So my sympathy is a little short-lived.

I finally make it to the soup aisle, trying to gather the last of my soup ingredients. I find the broth right away, but the bullion is being elusive. I stand there, scanning the rows over and over. Knowing full-well it had to be there and I was just missing it. The aisle was full of people, and I was doing my best to stay out of everyone’s way. There was one lady in particular that seemed to be looking for things in the area I was standing. Three times I smiled and moved so that she could get through or in between myself and the shelves. Not once did she apologize, say excuse me, or even smile in return. She seemed exasperated that I was continuously in her way. I apologized saying (more to the store worker who frequently visits with the kids and I on our many walks to the store), My kids aren’t feeling well and I’m trying to make them some homemade soup and I just can’t seem to see what I need, even though I know it’s here. Store worker asks what I’m looking for and I tell him, and he starts to scan the shelves for my ultra-elusive MSG free, gluten free, natural chicken bullion. And I kid you not, while he was looking, the lady had the audacity to half say to me, half mutter to herself, Maybe if you’d have waited till you were an appropriate age to have children, you’d be old enough to know how to cook and where to find things. I froze completely. I look at her wide-eyed and disbelieving. I had to rerun it in my mind to make sure that actually happened.

I stood there a few moments, just staring at her in shock, before finding my voice. I was a little surprised to hear myself saying, I am thirty years old! And I am glad my children weren’t here with me, to be experience your rudeness! (I’m not actually 30… but I’m in the latest of my 20’s, which is close enough.) At this point, the worker realized he may have a cat fight on his hands, interjected with, Her children are some of the most well-mannered ones that come through our store. She rolled her eyes! And then acted all offended and walked away muttering about how if I was really thirty, I would have more manners. I stood there for a moment, just taking it all in. And then I grabbed the bullion from the poor man’s hand and ran to the checkout and got the heck outta there. I knew if I did anything else one of two things would happen. Either I’d find her and deck her, or I’d burst into tears. So I fled. And had a cry in the truck before heading home. Not because my feelings were hurt, but because I was SO angry. I mean, who talks that way to a stranger, let alone anyone! Livid would not begin to explain my emotions.

Looking back on it made me think about when THIS happened, or when I wrote The Muddy Mommy. After my cry (and a few days to calm down) I realized that it wasn’t just that I was embarrassed at the whole scenario or that I was angered by her words. I was angered by the way I was treated by another woman, possibly by another mother. Maybe she is a young grandma projecting her feelings onto me. Maybe she is not a mother, projecting those feelings onto me. Maybe she is just one cranky lady. I don’t know the feelings, or thoughts behind her words. And with most of our daily interactions, we don’t know what is going on in the people we encounter. But I do know that now that I can be rational about this scenario, that I will be more intentional about my interactions with strangers. I’ve had strangers make my day seem worthwhile, and I’ve had strangers make my day infinitely worse. That’s the thing about choosing to live with intention, and wanting to model that for my children… I need to be intentional about the way I interact with others, whether they’re people I interact with on a daily, weekly, monthly, one once in a lifetime. I can be passing out smiles and warm-feelings, or I can aim and fire to make sure of a direct hit, like the one I received. Either way I can choose. You can choose. Life is hard enough, why would we want to add to that? Besides, if you’re so busy aiming at me, you could be missing out on an opportunity for us both to walk away feeling some reprieve of life’s trials.

And next time I attempt a trip to the grocery store on a weekend, let alone a holiday weekend, I’ll make sure I am properly coffee-fueled.

Family Life According To Me

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Fine!

by motherofwonder

Do you have any on-line friends? I know, just the thought conjures up pictures of “gamers” or people with “virtual lives” … but here’s the thing. I have some on-line friends. That I’ve never met. You know not face-to-face anyways. But here in blog-land we share heartfelt thoughts and feelings and most often are met by other blogs and/or comments of others sharing their heartfelt thoughts and feelings. And eventually, you feel you like you know the person. You wish you could entice them to the northern midwest with promises of the Mall of America and… the Hockey Hall of Fame? Two of my favorites are: Stuff I Can’t Put On Facebook and Searching For Middle Ground. Seriously, if I could meet these lovely ladies for a ~~glass~~ pitcher of wine. I totally would. In a world hidden behind computer screens, these are my friends. You know, in a, I wouldn’t recognize you if I saw you on the street, but if I see your gravatar, I’ve totally got your back, kinda way. Anyways. The lovely lady at Stuff I Can’t Put On Facebook posted a blog where she’d been tagged by someone, had to answer a bunch of questions, and then tag some people to do the same. Upon reading, I laughed, I felt her pain, and I thought how brave she was for answering those questions publicly. Slowly, as I went farther down her list, it dawned on me that she would possibly tag ME and I had a few moments of brief hyperventilation. Then I read Searching For Middle Ground‘s post answering the questions. Both lovely ladies had the brilliance to keep their blogs anonymous. Meaning their friends (MOTHERS!) don’t read their blog. And if they do, they don’t know it’s them. That to me just seems like a stroke of genius, to be able to say anything you think and feel without the fear of offense or backlash. I love them for it! Since I do not have that anonymity, but still want to answer honestly, I’ve decided to combine both of their questions into things I feel I can actually answer, and face those who know me! Basically, I’m pretending to do this in fear of being struck by lightening, or being dragged kicking and screaming… but really, it’s just good fun.

Tell me about your worst date ever. Oh. Yikes. It was in college. My freshman year, I think. Maybe sophomore. No, freshman. We went to a movie. He didn’t even ask my opinion on a movie. Just picked. I spent the entire movie trying to make all of my evasive maneuvers to not touch him look casual and unplanned. (How many time does your arms “naturally” have a sudden itch as they try to grab your hand? Apparently for mine, very frequently.) On the way home he asked if I had lots of mosquito bites or something. Yes, yes, that’s it. I even evaded an end-of-the-evening anything by saying, I’m sorry those mosquito bites are just driving me crazy. After such a wonderful evening, he decided to tell me that he wasn’t a virgin. (I didn’t ask.) He went on to tell me how he was reaalllyyy not a virgin and slept with lots of girls. And just thought he should be honest with me. My response? I want to be honest with you too. These mosquito bites are killing me, and I think I need to go take a bath in calamine lotion. And then ran away. Literally.
What is your favorite blog post you’ve written lately? My Sticky Sweet Family. I just love the pictures and the feelings, and memories they evoke. Although, since writing it… I’ve thought of lots of other information and memories I wish I’d included. Plus lots of pictures I wish I had taken.
If I were to ask your significant other what one thing they’d change about you, what would it be? Hmm. I think I’d prefer you don’t do that. He’d probably say that he wished I would take more initiative in the things I want in life, tell him why I’m mad instead of brewing in it, and to put his matching pairs of socks together when I put his clothes away. (My response? I’m trying. I’m trying. Then you put away the laundry.)
What is your ultimate guilty pleasure that you can’t tell anyone (or very very few people) about because they’d totally judge you (tv show, music, books, hobby, etc.)? TV. I want to not want to watch it period. But I do. Which ones? Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice are the ones I’ll admit to. The rest? I’m not telling. And first person to rat me out gets banned from life. At least my life.
Blind or deaf? Why? Oh that is so hard. I’ve gone back and forth on this several times. And I think I’d rather be deaf. Because then I could still see owies that need to be kissed, without hearing the crying. I could see when those I love are broken hearted, without having to hear the whining. And I could still witness life’s greatest moments without hearing the background music that would inevitably make me cry.
Name 3 meals that are go-to’s in your household? Pasta. Tacos. Pizza. (In that order. And all homemade.)
What character in TV or movies most describes you and why? Yikes. No idea. Kepner on Grey’s anatomy. Totally capable, but terrible at putting her foot down and vocalizing her needs. Gets walked on. Invents creative ways to finally gain respect/get people to listen to her. Keeps it all inside until she completely blows up. Except that I’m not so innocent that it’s annoying. And I think the fact that I have three children belays our other difference.
We all want to fly, be invisible or stop time. But, what NON-traditional superpower would you like? The power of organization! With just a flick of my wrist and my everything I touch would turn to organized. That would be utterly amazing.
What is the one life lesson you really wish someone had told you sooner? That just because you’re young, doesn’t mean you’re dumb and just because you’re “old”(er) doesn’t mean you’re smart(er).
What is your least favorite part of the house to clean? Putting away laundry and putting away the dishes. I know that’s not actually a part of the house, and I’m not sure it even counts as cleaning. But it’s my least favorite. Anything else I will do willingly.
What is something that makes you squee with glee? I am very excited that this next weekend I will be taking my doula training seminar!! So excited!!

Post the rules (and here they are:)
Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
Create 11 new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
Tag 11 people and link them to your post.
Let them know you’ve tagged them.

New Questions! (ok, some of them aren’t “new” but whatever:)

1. What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given? Did you take it?

2. What are your top-3 favorite meals?

3. What fact about you are you most embarrassed about?

4. What’s the worst name you’ve ever given a pet?

5. What is something you do that drives your significant other crazy? If you have no significant other, substitute a parent or friend.

6. What was the last thing to really make you laugh out loud?

7. What was your worst first date ever?

8. What is the rudest thing a stranger has ever said to you?

9. What was your favorite childhood toy?

10. What was the last stupid/crazy/un-you thing you’ve last done?

11. Pick your own question.

If you’d like in on this, consider yourself tagged!

Otherwise here is the list of folks I’d give a tag to! (And are always worth a read!)

Sidenote: Mothers, and family members: I did not mean to single you out. I am thankful for your support, thoughtfulness, and comments that you add to the blog. Truly. Except for when I want to write a post you won’t appreciate. (Kidding!)

Life According To Me

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Lego Land

by motherofwonder

So we missed out on visiting my brother yesterday. And Biggest spent a good chunk of time, unmoving, on the couch. Which is pretty unusual for him. By lunch time he was willing to go for a quick stroll to the store for smoothies (hello! pump this boy with Vitamin C!) and ham! (2 of my Bigger Two’s favorite foods. Roll it in spinach and they’d be set for life. I know, my kids are funny, little creatures.) Ok, so I maybe, might have, insinuated that he could pick out a redbox movie. But that wasn’t until we were already on the way to the store. If he really didn’t feel good enough, I would not have taken him. He’s not like death bed sick, but he’s cold sick. Where he has a cough when he lies down, has a bit of the sniffles (thankfully it’s not like the snot running down his face kind), and is all around stuffy. Which, obviously, doesn’t feel very good. But we were down to our last box of tissues and Biggest thought it would be cool to pick out his very own box.

The trip was rather uneventful. Littlest fell asleep while walking around the store. (And of course woke up as soon as we strolled into the driveway.) On the way home we received a phone call from another brother of mine. Whatcha Doin’? He asks in a tone, that for him, always means, I’m a little bored and wondering if you have something to do that I’ll think is fun. That or, I miss the kids. Or I’m hungry, what are you making for dinner? But I digress. I told him of Biggest’s congestion woes and said we’re mainly just having a snuggle-up-on-the-couch kind of day. Having a feeling he’d be showing up, I picked up a couple of his favorite snacks and headed home.

The kids quickly snuggle up on the couch, munching on their ham, to watch a movie while I try to quickly do some “sprucing” before their uncles arrive. Thankfully our deck is arranged in such a way (with lattice for sides so that there’s no railings or slots or anything to worry about children slipping through) that a baby gate keeps Littlest in and he is free to “color” to his hearts content. By color I mean, eat chalk. Since that’s mainly what he seems to do.

Can you see the chalk on his face and the corners of his mouth (from eating it)? Its also all over his legs and arms.

Lo and behold, the Uncles show up. Along with over 15 lbs (that’s right, POUNDS) of legos. Biggest squeeled in delight. MissE squeeled in delight. Littlest dumped it all out, in delight. I also knew hubbyman would love this as well. In fact, I’m not sure who enjoyed building legos more. Biggest or his Uncles.

the tower started out as the chrysler building, but between all the other things being built, he ran out of blue and yellow. The tower is close to 4 feet tall.

While he is still a little sniffley, but he slept all night through- in his own bed. Wanted breakfast. And wanted to play legos vs watch a movie. So I’m thinkin’ that’s progress.

Welcome to Lego City

So…. I’ll just get to it. I am soooo thankful for such wonderful brothers who are amazing uncles!

I am thankful that even though visit with one uncle didn’t work out, we were able to reschedule for this weekend!

I am thankful Biggest didn’t get really sick.

I am beyond measure thankful that Littlest is more than well on his way back to his happy, clowning self.

I still can’t eat in the same room with him (or he won’t eat. He’ll just climb out of his high chair and cry and fuss and WILL.NOT.EAT.), but he has started eating more. And is overall happier. Which means hubbyman can come home without me bursting into tears for the first time in weeks.

I am thankful for a girl who is so mothering that she takes all of Littlest punches with humor. Sometimes literally. (*Sigh*)

I am thankful for warmer weather. (I’m just itching to get the garden all planned out and started)

I am thankful for all the flowers I transplanted from the house I grew up in. It is so fun to see them grow, and know where they came from.

I have more to be thankful for but they’re not quite ready to be shared (No, no baby news… why does everyone go there?). Hopefully next week there will be more to be thankful for, that can be shared out loud! (Or online…)

I’m thankful for hubbyman. My feet get so cold at night, I could never sleep without him.

Also, I am thankful for legos.

I am also thankful they're keeping them off of the floor and out from under my feet!

Family Life According To Me Thankful Fridays Things Kids Say

6 Comments »

To Post Or Not To Post

by motherofwonder

I have a confession. I was hoping to not post today. Or more accurately, I was hoping I had plans that kept me so busy that I would have no time to post today. My brother arrived back in the states early Tuesday morning and invited the kids to have a day of goat playing, milking, and bottle feeding (it’s pretty much the highlight of MissE’s life) and me a chance to visit and wind with my very expectant sister-in-law.

But here I sit, in my pajamas, in my own home. Turns out, Biggest had a fever in the night, accompanied by a cough. His cough has dissipated now that he’s up, and fever is gone too. But it wasn’t worth risking infecting anybody else. So home we sit. And since all the kids seem a little “punky,” I am using this time to finish up a course needed for my doula training! Wohoo! I am thinking about making some chicken noodle soup again. But that would involve a trip to the store (which means walking there today), so we’ll see how the day progresses. I’m hoping for some naps since they were all up at 7am in anticipation of going to visit their Uncle.

Hope your day is going swimmingly… and if it’s not, may you turn it that way!

Life According To Me

6 Comments »

What Are You?

by motherofwonder

So I came across these on facebook and can’t seem to find the real, actual link to where they came from… but I thought they were interesting.

Here’s an article and another article or yet another article they may be based on.

WHICH ONE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN?

This may give away which category I fall into, but I took two tests to find my answer.

The first test I took said that I’m slightly introverted.

(you can take it here)

The second test I took said that I am equal parts introverted and extroverted.

(you can take it here)

It just got me thinking about the way hubbyman and I relate to each other, and in turn how we relate to our children, them to each other, and how our kids relate to us. It makes my head spin a little bit. Each of us generally relate to each other in the way that feels most comfortable to us. But what if we were to relate to others in the way that feels most comfortable to them?

I’ve actually been thinking a lot about that, as I’m trying to figure Littlest out. My happy boy is finally back after weeks of… I don’t even know how to describe it. But it wasn’t good, and it wasn’t fun, and there wasn’t much sleep. But he’s not exactly the same as he was before… and I know, he’s growing and every month he grows by leaps and bounds. Both physically and developmentally. So it only makes sense that he wouldn’t be the same as he was a few weeks ago. He’s changed. And I’m learning him anew. Today, I am trying to relate to him in a way that’s relatable. At least a toddler version. And while we’ve previously done an “Unplugged Monday,” I’ve decided that we’re going to do an Unplugged Wednesday instead. Which means no TV shows, no computer games/programs, and especially no movies- at least not during the day while the sun is out and mommy is caffeinated. I am soooo enjoying the quiet it brings. Which is why now, my friends, I am turning my computer off as well.

May your Hump Day be filled with whatever brings you peace- be it a room full of people or the silence of time alone.

And a good glass of wine.

Family Life According To Me

6 Comments »

My Sticky Sweet Family

by motherofwonder

How does your family measure your growth? A yard stick? Marks on the wall? When you’re big enough to go to the bathroom by yourself? In my family, the sign of growth that we all longed for, and prided ourselves on once attained, was when we were ~~old enough~~ strong enough to carry a bucket full of sap. All on our own. There was a major sense of pride in being able to haul the heavy, five-gallon bucket all the way from the tree to the truck.

Why would one care about carrying around a bucket full of sap, you ask? Fair enough question. With a very simple answer- maple syrup. If you have only had the kind that comes in a plastic bottle from your local grocery chain… chances are you have no idea how much better the real deal is. Amazing enough to rock your socks off. Amazing. I am lucky enough to come from a family of syrupers. It has long been my favorite time of year. And my favorite smell is definitely the smell of the sap boiling, evaporating, and turning into syrup. Friends and family flock to my Grandfather’s “Sugar Shack.” From out of town and out of state.

It’s a family adventure.

Don't judge me- I was 12

It involves many, many hours of boiling, reboiling, filtering, bottling, and not much sleep. And it’s wonderful. The “Sugar Shack” (the building the evaporator, boilers, and bottling machines all reside in) is one of my favorite locations. Sadly, I did not get many photos of the shack itself, but lots of the syruping process. Hope you enjoy this glimpse inside my world. (Syrup Fun Fact: It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.)

Don'tcha just love my boots?

And because there just isn’t enough space to show you every picture of the process, enjoy this slideshow featuring photos of the evaporator, boiling off of the sap, hubbyman fixing some taps that the wind had pulled the buckets off, and more!

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The day after I took these photos, my grandparents received a phone call. It was a Twin Cities news crew asking to do a piece on how the warmth of this winter and spring have effected the syupring season. You should definitely watch the video and hear my grandfather’s response. This year’s season lasted all but 7 days. Most years it’s a full month. At least we’ll always have next year.

Family Life According To Me

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Cream of The Crop

by motherofwonder

We had a friend over last weekend, and her sweet little girl had the worst diaper rash. I’m talkin’ major owwie. And we’ve been there. We’d found a recipe for a diaper cream and were elated that it was labeled as cloth diaper friendly. In the world of cloth diapering, this is a big deal. (Regular diaper creams can cause repelling which is definitely no bueno.) We thought this was the perfect excuse for us to make a batch of the diaper cream!

The sweet little one had her rash covered in it before going home (and we set them home with a jar too!). By morning, the rash was gone. By the following day, the rest of the owwies the rash had caused were gone too! That is pretty amazing! Hubbyman is so thrilled, he wants to go into business! We have yet to use it on Littlest. (Hubbyman said he half hopes he gets a rash, just so we can try it out.) If it’s as good as my friend says it is (I’ve used it on my hands and it feels great!), then we probably will have to do just that!

I’ve spent a good chunk of time working on my syruping pictures, but they’ve been making themselves more difficult than seems necessary. If you’re interested in the cream, you should definitely go over to My Big Cloth Adventure and check out her story of how well the cream worked for her!

Green Homemade Life According To Me

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Ode To Sangria

by motherofwonder

This week has felt like it’s been a taste of extremes. We’ve had moments that felt like they were tastes of heaven, and nights that have surely been a taste of hell. Last weekend Biggest spent the weekend with his grandparents, and so I was left with just the younger two. And we had so much fun. Miss usually hangs with her bigger brother, so it was fun to see her and Littlest learning about playing together.

These two are something else. Miss is a chatter box and Littlest is the proverbial head strong bull in the China shop. They’re a little yin and yang, but usually, it works out. She’s mothery, and he’s fearless. She taught him to climb up all the ladders, and he taught her that the biggest tunnel slides are not so scary.

I just love that I captured their expressions!

On the way back we took a path through the “jungle” (a wooded trail), and Miss paused, looked closely at this pile of birch logs, followed by a sigh and a shaking of her head, nope, those aren’t diamonds.

Our weekend was followed by the crankiest, angriest Littlest boy we have ever seen. He has those terrible “2 year molars” coming in. Seems a little unfair, since he’s not even two. At least if he were 2, he’d have more words to convey his feelings. Yesterday was the first day all week for his nap to last even an hour, and last night he only woke up twice. Which in comparison is pretty good. However, his second waking was at 3:30 and while his teething medicine calmed him quickly, he lay restless and awake until around 5:30. Let’s just say this mama is going to need a lot of coffee for survival purposes today.

In the midst of the sleeplessness and the fussing, I am thankful.

I am thankful for the fun I had with my 2 littler ones.

I am thankful for the fun Biggest got to have- even if it was without me.

I am thankful I was with my dad when I locked my keys in the truck.

I am thankful that teething doesn’t last forever.

I am thankful for my hubbyman.

I am thankful for my family.

I am thankful for my friends.

I am thankful for friends who come over “just to hang out.”

I am especially thankful for the full pitcher of sangria I have sitting in my refrigerator. So thankful, I’m even willing to share. Some.

(for my sangria recipe, go here. Do it. It’s worth it.)