Just a Few Things I Love

There is a lot about 2011 that I love.  Of course on the top of that list is family, close friends, and God.  Only He can turn a 'mess into a message, a test into a testimony, and a trial into a triumph.'  And that is how the first 6 months of 2011 went for us--- and are still going..... life isn't meant to be easy.

And I am developing a love/ hate relationship with a new book I am reading:  My So Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife.  But, that is a completely different post.
So, on with the last post of the year...

A few things that I loved about 2011~~~


1.  The Tooth Fairy returning to our home.  Now, it is little brother's turn.

This is what "Open your mouth a little so I can take a picture of your first lost tooth" looks like.

2.  A bathroom project two years in the making has finally begun.  Phase #1 to the eventual addition onto our home.

Good bye old green splotchy walls...  Hello beautiful tile!

3.  Hand made quilts on our beds.

4.  Big brother working to qualify for state with piano.

2012 will bring in a lot of new firsts for Noah--- he will be able to go hunting with mom and dad in the fall!

5.  Learning that boys will be boys and sometimes you just have to let them beat the crap out of each other--- and then intervene.

6.  The daily "I love yous" from my boys and my hubby.  They make my day a little brighter. 

7.  Shelves lined with our fall's bounty.  And the appreciation from our children for the homemade meals that grace our table every day.

8.  Actually learning how to use my camera~~~ and shooting only in manual. 

9.  Small classroom size.  Teachers who love to teach. 

10.  Good healthy, happy boys.  What more can a momma ask for?  (And actually I even have been sticking to an exercise program.  What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!)

I am not a big New Year's resolution fan, but, I do have a few simple goals for 2012.  I am going to try to be more patient... not sweat the small things... try to be a better mother and wife... try to maybe be a little more active in church... ummm... well I could go on and on.

It was a great 2011--- and I am looking forward to what 2012 brings!

Holiday Memories

Coming from a small family, I never realized all of the chaos induced by being married into a large family. 

Aaron actually agreed (with much persuasion) to wear a v-neck sweater to Christmas. 

This weekend was Christmas with Aaron's family.  Over the past year, I can name millions of things to be thankful for.  I have been writing a list in my head and in my heart.  On the top of that list is family and close friends...

Look who loves the Stella and Dot necklace!

We gathered with many of the most important people in our lives at Aaron's oldest brother's (Ryan) home.  And honestly, I spent the beginning of the weekend feeling slightly annoyed.  When so many people gather in a small space, there are many different parenting styles, many different temperaments, and walks in life.  I would think to myself, "Ahhh... do you [meaning my in-laws] not discipline your children... your child just nailed my child in the head with a wooden log and you didn't even bat an eye... no one cares about the spilt whatever that stained Heather's white rug... would you people just watch your own children... your children don't have a bedtime--- what????  Why is no one helping Ryan and Heather.... yadayadayada...  AHHHHHH!!!!"

This picture says a thousand words about the difference between Christmas when I was younger compared to where technology has taken our children (the kids gathered around a tablet instead of a board game or books.)  Good or bad... I am still undecided.

I could tell that my sister-in-law Heather was feeling the same anxiety (and probably palpitations) that I was feeling too.  Never has so many people gathered in her home before.  Two grandparents... one great uncle... nine aunts/uncles (moms and dads)... nine cousins ranging from ages 2-12 (grandchildren)... one old grey hound... two cats... yep... that's about it.

This little guy got exactly what he wanted for Christmas!

But then at one point, midway through our holiday celebration, I realized how fortunate we all are to have each other. 

A giraffe Pillow Pet, is there a better Christmas present for little brother?

Heather doing a much needed french braid in cousin Jasmine's hair.

The annoyance left me and was quickly replaced by the gratitude for all of the these people.  My boys will always have cousins to play with.  We always have family to lean on.  If I forget a casserole in the oven and am in the middle of a Christmas concert, there is always someone to call to run over to our house and take it out (that has happened more than once.)  When Aaron was in the hospital, feeling lower than low, and we needed reinforcements... all it took was a text message--- no questions asked--- and big brother was on his way.  These are people who do not judge you when you are at your worst--- smelly with no make up or being sick or recovering from major surgery.

We are all so lucky to have such a tight knit family.  But I think that when people are really close, their little idiosyncrasies get on each others nerves. I just have to remember to step back and enjoy everyone.  Especially when we are all under the same roof.  We have our own Christmas memories forming.  I love opening my eyes and watching my children's holiday memories come to life.

A Miracle

{Just a clarification:  The following story is not a privacy violation.  It happened in my personal life (not at work.)  And I was given permission to talk about it.  I was once told, "There's no HIPPA in the hair salon."  This did not take place in a hair salon, but you get my drift.}

I have witnessed many miracles throughout my life.  Perhaps more than I will ever know.  So, here is another one...

It was a typical Sunday at church.  I hate to jinx it, but the boys have been listening really well in church... so much so that Aaron and I actually hear the sermon.  The pastor was well into his sermon when it happened.  An elderly gentleman, Ken, passed out in church.  Not too unusual.  I would say almost every Sunday at least one person is brought into the ER from church for this same thing.

But... he did not look right.  His skin was pale and grey. 

"You better go over there," Aaron nudged me.

I found my feet running (in heels.)

To my knees I fell next to him.  Kent, another parish member whispered, "I can't find his pulse."
"Really?" I replied.  Pulse less.  And he was not breathing.  Oh, crap.  Really?  I told Kent (who is a big guy) to start CPR.  The AED magically appeared by me.  I unraveled the cord, pressed the on button, and stuck the pads to his lifeless chest.  Kent continued to do chest compressions. 

Ken's wife looked on.  And then started to take off his shoes.  We asked her to not touch him (because of the AED.)  "I thought he would be more comfortable with his shoes off," she replied.  Now that is love.

There was a slight problem (besides the guy not breathing without a pulse,) the AED would not turn on.  Nope.  Nothing.  Zip.  Zero.  Nada.  No beeps or some weird lady telling you what to do. 

Ken let out a couple agonal breaths, which Kent (now we are talking about Ken and Kent---confusing I know) thought was real breathing.  I told him to continue chest compressions.  I could hear my CPR instructor in my head saying, "Don't mess around trying to find a pulse...if the patient doesn't need CPR- he'll tell you... continue compressions until the patient yells at you to stop..."

Panic started to set in.  I thought to myself, we are not going to be able to save this 76 year old, successful independent business man.  He is going to die right in front of his wife, under our hands.

And then it happened.  The pastor sat down next to Ken's wife and started to pray.  I don't remember what exactly was said but whatever it was must have worked.  Because Ken woke up.  Like something on a movie.  The life was breathed back into him.  He was wide eyed (and nauseated--- but I won't go into that.)  And, he lived to tell his tail.

I have always been a believer in the power of prayer... or even just sending positive energy another persons way.  But something happened this Sunday.  Something miraculous.  Something words cannot describe. 

Scientific wise, we could explain what happened a million and one different ways.  Honestly, I do not think that the doctors really believed me that he was pulse less and was revived.  But, I also know that these same physicians do not believe in God (I have heard them openly say it.)  And someone was looking after Ken that Sunday.

All I know is that it was a miracle.  There is no other way to say it.

Oh Christmas Tree

On a blustery day, after the day after Thanksgiving, my children were driving me crazy with Christmas tree talk. 

For days they have been asking to put the Christmas tree up.  Well...really... it started last summer when they were complaining about how they missed snow!  But I forced them to focus on Thanksgiving before we busted out the tree.

And then they whined and cried after the brief snowfall that graced our home last week melted.  But I assured them, as surely as death and taxes, the snow would return.  And it did.  With avenging winds and sub freezing temps. 

I wanted to try something different this year, a real Christmas tree.  I had hopes of us all bundling up and going to our local Christmas tree farm.... picking out the most perfectly shaped tree, cutting it down, snapping some memorable photos, and hauling it into our dining room.  But I was painfully shot down by Aaron who brought me back to planet earth. 

The reality is that our cozy home contains too many boys, too many dogs, and a crazy cat.  We have a hard enough time keeping our artificial tree intact.  Maybe someday we will have a real tree.

So, we dragged our boxed up tree out of storage and then it started. 

To be truthful, we actually have three trees.  Two little ones- one for each of the boys- and then a big one.  All of which are prelit.  None of which the lights worked. 

Aaron spent hours cutting off the strands of lights (that were zip tied onto every branch of every tree.)  And then begged me, "Please, please, please do not buy any more prelit trees."  I can't argue with that. 

After what was suppose to be a 'quick Christmas decorating morning' (turned to Christmas decorating several days) the trees are up and decorated.  And the boys are ecstatic, which is really all that matters.  They each decorated their own trees, the way they wanted them decorating- it's so hard to give up control!

Even the crazy cat did her part.

We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.  Too much to count. 

So, thank you to everyone who has helped us out in the past year.  We appreciate every one's kindness!

Our Art Gallery

{Thank you K.L. for getting after me to publish a blog... I need to come here more often.}

I have an artist on my hands.  He may just be the next Picasso.  And big brother has helped him gradually turn our home into an art gallery.

Abram begged our friend, Kelly, to make him out of paper--- a "Paper Abram."  And she dutifully did just that. 

Our "Paper Abram" started off going everywhere with us.  He needed his own seat in the car (although he was too fragile to buckle up.)  He ate a few meal with us... at the table.  We even had to give him a paper cut hair cut.  Until, with much convincing, Paper Abram retired to being taped to our pantry door.

Prior to little brother coaxing Kelly to "make him out of paper" big brother made the decision that the cat needed her own space.

So, a cardboard house was constructed... deconstructed... reformed... reformed again... and then parked in the dining room.  Just for the cat.  It was masterly placed under little brother's apple tree.

Yep, we have an apple tree in our dining room.  A very specific design that little brother dreamed up--- literally.  He and I spent an entire day constructing a paper apple tree.  Not just any apple tree, but one with an owl peeking out and paper apples that can be taken off of the tree and hauled in a truck.  This was all very necessary.  And it was serious business--- or so said Abram.

Lately, we have more artwork on our walls than wall space.  And our main floor has transformed into a kid working area.  There are always scraps of paper floating around... scissors and colored pencil shavings the cat chases through the house...

Noah and Abram amaze me.  The way their minds work.  The way they can form such creative things out of paper and tape.  How they can be so specific with the littlest detail.
 

And a little artsy project that I did...

A few people asked me to blog about this project.  It was very easy to do.  My mom and I scoured a few "vintage shops" in our area for some unique frames.  These frames were very reasonably priced for solid wood frames!  I printed the small photos out at home (the large one I printed out at our local drug store--- talk about small town--- but they were so caring with that photo.  I was very impressed.)  I bought the mats, which were on sale, at a craft store and taped the photos onto the mats.  It was easy to do and will be easy to change out the photos with the seasons!

Oh the Craziness

As if life has not been busy enough... why must us wives always add more to the craziness?

Like taking group family photo with too-busy-to-pay-attention-children?  And I know that the natural impromptu photos are the best... but come on... just one where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling... is that too much to ask?

One out of 6,524,671 photos attempted by the blonde and brunette.

Taking up crazy hobbies with my good friends including blogging, gardening, photography, and what else can we add to the mix?



Or throwing in Tupperware parties into the blend of Thirty-One parties, Pampered Chef parties, Stella and Dot parties and so on.  Why must we torture ourselves trying to be over-achievers?

And sometimes when my kids are insanely bouncing off of the walls and I sit silently in the middle of a tornado... I ponder if they are the crazy ones or am I?

But what would life be like without all of the insanity?  How quiet would our lives be?  If their feet went pitter-patter instead of sounding like a herd of elephants--- would life not be the same? 

I dread the day when my boys grow up and do not drive cars around the house...making all kinds of truck-tractor-car noises.  In my minds eye, I can vision them being in their forties and me begging them, "Drive the little cars on the walls just one more time." 

So, for right now, I am learning how to bask in the craziness.  I am enjoying the insanity of raising boys in its entirity.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

 

What I saw

{This is something that I want to publish just so I can remember it.}

The brunette blogger and I started a new photography project...

It started merely as a simple thought, "How do I get better at photographing people when my own children never let me take pictures of them????"  Even the cat was getting sick of having her picture taken.

I have always been kind of artsy fartsy and needed an outlet.  I used to paint a lot with water color and do charcoal art work...but after children...those hobbies got shoved to the backseat.  Then last year, I thought maybe I would look into photography as an outlet.  Aaron bought me a DSLR camera and I bought a couple of books on photography for dummies.  But then Aaron broke his back. It took me many months to compose myself enough to even attempt to put a little time aside for myself.

And then an idea struck me.  It excited me---- the kind of excitement that I have not felt in a long time amidst my everyday. boring. life.

What if we did short sessions, just with a few people at work?  Our coworkers have been talking about taking family photos for Christmas cards.  They complain about the prices of sitting fees and not having rights to their photos by professional photographers....  So, what if we charged a dirt cheap fee, did minor editing, and then gave them their photos on a disc?  What if we decided to take this seemingly simple project a step further and donate all of the money earned---100%--- to charity.

When the idea crossed my mind, I roped the brunette in.  She was all for it.  The blonde was eager to help too... but has been very busy traveling with her hubby and taking care of her children.

So, it began.  The feedback was overwhelming--- so many people interested in giving us a chance to take their photos.  Worst comes to worst...they do not like their photos and their money gets donated to a good cause. 

I was amazed at what I saw...

When I looked through the view finder of my camera, I saw more than a ward secretary or a nursing assistant's daughter-in-law or a cancer survivor's children or a nurse that has taken care of my own family or a supervisor with her family...

I saw a mother's unconditional love....

A child with dimples like no other...



The most beautiful blue eyes...



A ham in front of the camera...

Dad's who could not wait to leave (and actually walked home) and Dad's who were totally into taking family photos...


And oh the feet photos...




And a completely new perspective on lighting (it seemed so wrong---going against one of the golden rules from our previous class---but man oh man it felt so right!)


During these "Short Sessions" as we called them, I learned a lot about positioning people and also about my camera.    I shot every photo in manual--- which was my own personal goal.

Now girls, time for the next class:)

Sneak Peak

The brunette blogger and I have started a photography project...here is a sneak peak...

Any input from the blonde blogger is welcomed!

Thanks for the fun morning!

These Hands

These hands...

Yes, my mom puts pearls and lipstick on to sew.

The hands that raised me...

That scolded me....

That taught me everything that I know when I thought that I knew everything.

Carefully making quilts for each of her family members on the realization that life on this earth is too short and will come to an end.  A keepsake for all of us to remember her by.

These hands gave me confidence to embark on adventures when no one else believed in me.  They showed me that if you worked hard enough, you can achieve anything.  Even with the reality of 'life is hard.'

These hands that used to hold on tight to me, are holding on even tighter to my children.

And even though these hands drive me totally nuts most some days, they are always there for me...just a phone call away.

Thanks for all that you do mom!