Knee Deep

Spring is in full swing here in the midwest.  Warm temperatures have allowed us to wear sweatshirts instead of winter coats.  The windows that I washed in January (yes----January) look dirty...again... and need to be re-washed.  And spring showers have brought us lots of mud puddles to play in and rivers to make. 

Because spring makes the natives restless, today after school went something like this....

"Why don't you boys put on your mud boots and go outside to play in the mud?"  I couldn't believe the words escaped my mouth until they were out (because I had just washed the floor.)

"Mom... did you actually just tell us to go outside and play in the mud?"  Asked Noah.

"Yep."  They jumped at the chance.

Besides mudslinging, to celebrate spring we planted seeds... in our dining room.  Where else would a country girl start seeds? 


My seed saving efforts from last year were foiled by over watering and lack of effort on my part... I will have to make a greater effort this year. 








The seeds have sprouted and have been crushed by our crazy cat several times, while she as in pursuit of flies.  For being a cat, she sure is not graceful.  But, they are still alive and are seeming to recover.

This spring gives way to change... big changes are coming to our life.  Things that I have prayed about and fretted and stewed over.  And, no, I for one am NOT having a baby. Decisions have been made.  Paper work is being completed.  An important deadline was completely missed... so there has been a slight delay that seems to be for the better.  But, all of that is a completely different blog. 

For today, I am just enjoying spring.

A Snow Day

This post is from one of the only snow days we have had this year (which is completely unusual here in the sticks)...


This week I had planned on having today by myself.  I had counted on it.  The boys would be at school and I would get some much needed cleaning, scrap booking, and organizing done. 

But Mother Nature intervened with a blizzard... school was cancelled... and I was accompanied at home by the boys.

Don't get me wrong, I love having them home.  But, I had my life (for this week) plotted out meticulously... step by step... the goals and tasks that needed to be completed day by day... planning that I would have a day alone.  The tasks that I wanted to accomplish---I have a hard time doing when my boys need constant attention. 

So, instead of doing paper work and washing floors and preparing for a much put off tax appointment...

We built snowmen (actually snow boys)....

The 'Mother of All Snowball Fights' was had (and subsequent injuries were treated)...

Cut out cookies were made and frosted...

Heart to hearts were given....

Snow forts were formed and then destroyed and then reformed...

Cold hands were kissed...

Pictures were sketched and painted...

Dad came home early and helped with snow forts...  which, by the way, were much cooler than moms snow fort effort...

The chicken coop was worked on...


I did not get a stitch of cleaning or organizing done.  Instead, we had spent the day doing things the boys wanted to do.  And it was much more special than any amount cleaning/ organizing that I could have completed.

Happy Snow Day my boys!

We are back from a quick weekend get-a-way.  Just in time too... as a blizzard is heading our way.

We eased back into our groove and routines.  But, for whatever reason, our groove is a little sweeter... a little smoother... and everyone is a little happier.

We spent the weekend at a hotel/waterpark on Lake Superior.  It was a blast (after a 5 hour drive.)  It is also the first time we have taken a friend of Noah's over a long distance.  But, all of the boys behaved really well.  Initially I had thought taking a friend with would just be another stress.  Another child to keep track of... another body to keep safe... another mouth to feed.  But, it was just the opposite.  Emmanuel and Noah stuck together, looked out for each other, and had a ton of fun.

Finally---big exhale--- we are the point in our lives where actually taking the boys places is not such a chore.

 I did not spend the entire time exhausted and stressed to the max. 

Here comes the huge bucket of water!  Abram's favorite part of the waterpark.

Little brother wanted nothing to do with momma.  At one point, Aaron had to make a run to the gas station and I was going to play with Abram in the pool---- but much to my disappointment----- he would not go into the pool without dad.  So, he silently waited and waited and waited on a bench for dad to return.

We all were together... away from everyday stresses... and that is all that mattered.  We left Abram's back brace at home and brought a few pieces of homework with, but other than homework, we had no agenda.  Our only plan was to have fun.  And it was just that... fun.

We hit the aquarium one afternoon, much to the boys disappointment--- they wanted to stay in the waterpark and the arcade.  But this momma could only take so much chlorine and obnoxious games and needed a break.

This stingray had affection for Abram.  He was trying to swim right out of the pool!

My favorite part of the trip was our quick stop at The Chocolate Factory.  Yum!  The food was delicious and beautiful. 

A vacation frequently means that the family goes away for a rest, accompanied by a mother who sees that the others get it. - Marcelene Cox



Hello Mr. Frost

This morning (and the last several days) Mr. Frost has graced us with his presence.  Touching everything outside of our cozy home... making everything within eye sight hazy and beautiful.

There is something about frost kissed rose leaves...



Frost settling on sleeping lilacs...


The haze that has separated our little place in the country with our neighbors farm has relentlessly stood for days...



Mr. Frost nipped at the berries that the birds missed...

Then, the sun peeked out.  And within a hurried hour, all of the haze and frost were gone.  The sunlight is nice ("nice" is an understatement) but I will admit that the frost was beautiful.

Secret

Here is a well known secret... big brother does not like/enjoy/allow his photo taken unless there is heavy bribery involved.

As we sit in the piano practice rooms at a university, I am dying to take his photo.  Like the heart wrenching, nauseating... 'if I do not take this photo right now I may die instantly' kind of need. 

Maybe it was because we were waiting for Noah to take part in his first real piano competition.  And I needed something to remind myself him of all of the hard work I he has put into this competition.  All of the months of preparation.  Drilling his songs over and over...

Maybe it was because the first time he played his competition song, I cried.  Silently sobbed while he caressed the notes out of our out-of-tune-hand-me-down piano.  The song was beautiful.

And now as we go through a final run through of his songs, I need to quickly figure out a way to get his photo without him knowing.  Not a chance with the DSLR.  But maybe if I pretend to mess around with the iphone...

Yep.  I was sneaky and I got it!

Congrats Noah!  You did an awesome job.  We are so proud of you!

Oh, what a project our bathroom/ laundry room/ hallway floor has came to be. 

I keep telling myself.... It NEEDED to be done.  We are not doing this---I am not putting my husband and family through this--- because I am selfish and wanted sheet rock that was not water logged, a tub that wasn't chipped, a tub surround that wasn't rusty, and all of the tile to match.

The back plaster of our old 1920's house NEEDED to come off... for insulation and heating purposes. 

I am not selfish, right?

We don't have a draft upstairs anymore.  And our bathroom is turning out more beautiful than imagined.

It's hard to believe that two years ago we started saving and gradually purchasing items for our bathroom.  Porcelain and glass tiles, granite topped vanity, jacuzzi tub.  Little did we know that our plan for starting our remodel last January would be foiled by a snowmobile accident. 

But now Aaron is plumbing and tiling and grouting like a mad man. 

I don't care if he grumps at me when he is upset with himself.  He can't bend and lift and pull like he used to.  Staying up all night working and munching on coffee grounds is now a thing of the past. And I don't care if it takes him until this summer to finish the bathroom, the laundry room and the hallway.  It is just nice to see him do it. 

And it is even nicer when big brother travels 3 hours and stays several days to help little brother complete his goal. I know that I have said it before.... but.... what would we do without Aaron's brothers?  We are so fortunate to have Aaron's other big brother, big in multiple senses of the word--- older and a gigantic 6'7"---- live right down the road from us.  He also gave a helping hand flawlessly cutting tile. 

Miss crazy hair also came to stay with us!  She and Abram had a blast while their dads were working.

The bathroom is almost complete.  Next is the laundry room floor and the hallway.  But that may have to be delaying because the construction of the chicken coop is in our near future.  And Abram has been driving us crazy with chicken talk!

Happy Alive Day

Today is the day.  One year ago, Aaron was in a snowmobile accident that changed our lives.

I wish that I was feeling better today--- so I could go to work.  I hated to call in sick (especially today.)  Work would keep my mind busy.  But, I have been under the weather since Saturday, and decided to stay home today (after dragging my kids to church yesterday and then leaving before Sunday school started because I got ummm... "sick".... during fellowship after church.  I'll spare the details.)

Instead, I am home accompanied by two snoring dogs, a crazy cat, and my thoughts about our journey through the last year.

I think about the frigid cold of last January and the snow that covered the ground.  Bucking icy roads, hurrying to get to the hospital Aaron was flown to--- two hours away from home.

I can't believe this our winter last year!

Get on your knees and be thankful you can stand~~ Irish Proverb

Sitting in the waiting room while Aaron was in surgery... waiting for a total of 18 hours in the same room.  Then, sitting on the hard wooden chair in ICU and crying for helplessness... for my husbands life... for being exhausted. 

And then the journey to recovery began.

Nice socks.

Not only the physical aspects of recovery... but relearning each other.  We both are different people now.  So, we had to rediscover each other and our new normal.  It was going to either strengthen our relationship or break us.  And I am happy to say we are stronger than ever.

This journey has tested us to the max.  But faith, family, and close friends have guided us through.

Happy Alive Day Aaron!!!

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person."  ~~Mignon McLaughlin