What Have We Become?

Yesterday as I was in line at the grocery store, the cashier asked the patron in front of me, "Ready for Christmas?" To which the patron replied, "I'm ready for it to be over!"

Today I noticed a friend's status on Facebook basically saying she couldn't wait for the holidays to be over with.

Could imagine overhearing your friends and family telling each other how they couldn't wait for your birthday to be over and done with? Could you imagine seeing your friends and family endure such self-inflicted stress all in your name?

I know that this time of year can be hectic. Visiting, shopping, baking, decorating, serving, debt, holiday programs, hosting, traveling . . . so overwhelming. When do we even have a moment to remember?

Each year we proclaim that it's not about the gifts, it's not about the baking or the decorating, but year after year we make it all about that. Each year we're pulling our hair out and proclaiming to strangers in grocery stores that we can't wait for the holidays to be over with. The world "holiday" derived from "Holy Day." How have we made our holidays more holy?

Today I'm going to treasure having my children home with me all day. Tomorrow I'm going to treasure having my husband home as well. We are going to snuggle up together and relish our time together.

Instead of wishing for the holidays to be over, I'm going to mourn when they do end and we're pulled back to school, work and other distractions. But for now, I'm so grateful for this time of year when we can focus on each other and the One who made it all possible. I'm grateful for that first Christmas family - who set the example of what the Holy Days are all about - celebrating the birth of a king in a simple love-filled way - just being together, no grandiose celebrations, no ornate decorations, no fancy meal.

Merry Christmas. May your holidays be, in fact, Holy Days.

Halloween Cuties

Mommy and Me on the Farm

I signed Jonathan and I up for a Mommy and Me farm class at Superstition Farms. I actually signed us up MONTHS ago, but each time the class came around someone was sick, so we had to keep canceling. But, finally, today was the day!

We started by feeding a baby cow some milk from a bottle. Aggressive little things . . .and they drink fast! We learned about making milk. Each cow produces about 8 gallons of milk a day. Wowee!

Jonathan got to feed and groom some goats. We went on a hay ride and had some ice cream. Jonathan also got to go into the chicken coops and gather eggs!

Day Five: $21.00

We spent the morning at Mother Nature's Farm. I got a coupon that got me in for free. We had fun feeding the animals some hay, getting a hay ride, running through a hay bale maze, and decorating some pumpkins.

Although we had a lot of fun, my idea of what a farm is and Arizona's idea of what a farm is are vastly different ideas. Where were the fall leaves? The apple cider? The trees? The open and beautiful land? An actual pumpkin patch?

Day Four: $45.00

An entire day at the zoo! We can't wait to go back (when it's a little cooler).

Day Three: $0.00

Today was movie day! Initially I had planned to take the kids to the movies, but since Carena has a really annoying cough and because there were really no movies at the dollar theater that we were interested in seeing, we opted for watching movies at home.

I blacked out the windows in the family room, made popcorn, made chocolate chip cookies, and we watched movies all day long. It was fun! And free!

Day Two of Fall Break: $22.00

Today we went to Jump and Shout - a huge indoor playground/jungle-gym thingy. Tuesdays the kids get in for $5.00 (instead of $9.00 on other days). They had a BLAST. I think they could have stayed the entire day. Next time we go, I'll be more prepared for spending an entire day there. I meant to bring a book to keep me busy, but of course forgot it sitting by the front door. I also should have packed snacks and/or lunch. They have a little snack bar area that we could have eaten at. Oh well, next time.

As we were leaving we noticed Yodipity across the street. I'd heard of it, but had never been. The kids were hot and sweaty from so much jumping and shouting so we decided to try it out. Self-serve yogurt with self-serve toppings - yum! Let's see who can make the grossest combination. I think Carena won, although she wasn't planning on it - sour green apple frozen yogurt sprinkled with chocolate caramels.

A really fun day. It was also nice to come home and sit in my big comfy chair reading a book while the kids watched tv and did crafts at the kitchen table.

Fall Break: Under $100.00

I've been feeling a little sorry for myself (and sorry for my children). A week off of school for Fall Break - and no plans. No cabin in the woods to retreat to, no exciting trip to DisneyLand or SeaWorld, not a whole lot of funds to do much of anything, my husband not having time off work (meaning whatever we do is up to me!).

I woke up this morning with an idea to do something each and every day and not spend more than $100.00 the entire week. On top of that, I must make this Fall Break fun and memorable. I want my kids to have a ton to talk about when they go back to school.

DAY ONE - TOTAL COST $6.00 (for the parking permit):

I packed a picnic lunch of sandwiches, cookies, apple slices and water. We headed to the river. A mere 10 minutes from our house.

The kids had a blast splashing in the water, collecting rocks and shells, and playing in the sand. I brought a big blanket and tucked it away in the shade and watched the kids play. Colt and I dug in the sand looking for the neatest shells and rocks. Carena threw mud pies into the river. Jonathan found a stick and did lots of digging with it.

But the BEST part was this:



Know what those are? Bald eagles!! We saw three of them! What a treat. I've seen a bald eagle once in the wild - and it was only a glimpse. These circled and called for quite some time. They were right over head. We were all in awe. By the time I thought to get my camera they had gone higher. We also saw a blue heron and a turkey vulture that was hanging out on a speed limit sign on the side of the road waiting for some snacking on a dead skunk in the road.

More Carena Treasures

Lost Treasures

I have decided to get caught up on Carena's scrapbook. Yes, I am nine YEARS behind. And truthfully, her first year scrapbook is pitiful - only a handful of pictures. Due to extreme exhaustion and postpartum depression, there just weren't a lot of pictures of her first year. Or so I thought!

Last night I came across a bunch of backup disks from a previous computer. I decided to check them out, perhaps there was a lost picture or two.

There were HUNDREDS! Hundreds from her first year! Pictures of my belly, pictures from the hospital, and sweet firsts. Due to my exhaustion and postpartum depression I didn't remember those pictures. So, for me, finding the pictures was better than Christmas morning. I got all choked up looking through them - a time almost forgotten, but suddenly pulled to the forefront. I remember! I remember!

It's 2:30 AM

My headaches are back. Not my usual daily ones - but the debilitating knock-me-out ones. For the past four days I've been blindsided by these headaches. I've been fairly non-functional. There will be moments when the pain lets up for a little bit. That's when I'll run around getting things done before I get knocked on my bum again.

Tonight, as I was in bed it was just getting so bad. Chris suggested I take some Excedrin Migraine. I hesitated because it does contain aspirin - which upsets my stomach. But I was desperate, so I took some.

And here I am - 2:30 AM, my headache isn't as bad, but my stomach isn't very happy. In fact, it downright hurts and I can't sleep because of it.

I need to do something about all of this. I've researched, read books, scoured the internet, been to various doctors, been to herbalists, had CT scans, MRIs, x-rays, changed my diet, been on various crazy-inducing migraine medicine, exercised, etc. And nothing has helped.

So, starting tomorrow (I mean today), I am going to attempt an elimination diet. Now, I've done this to varying degrees over the years, but without much luck. However I've only done it here and there. A lot of my research has found that there are quite a few headache triggers in the diet - the biggest being dairy, wheat and sugar. Today I will cut those things out for at least a month and see where that gets me.

This is going to be very difficult for me. What is there left to eat once you get rid of dairy, wheat and sugar? Seriously.

Wish me luck. Have an understanding heart if I tend to flake out on stuff.

It's About Time

With my 2003 Kia Sedona headed to the mechanics for the second time in seven days with another astronomical repair bill looming,we took the plunge and got this beauty - a 2011 Kia Sedona! I'm super excited to have a safe reliable vehicle. I'm also looking forward to Chris spending a lot less time hanging out at the auto shop. I cringe to think of having a car payment when we haven't had one in years. But I figure we're trading repair bills for a car payment and I'm pretty sure it all evens out. And, there really is no price for peace of mind.

Thanks to my awesome husband who made this all happen (and surprised me with the silver one!).

A Schedule and Some Sanity

I miss my kids when they're at school. Boo hoo. However, I so appreciate the schedule a school-year brings. I like somewhat knowing what the day will bring, the way it will play out.

So far this year is going a lot better than last. Last year we were so over-scheduled: horseback riding three times a week, karate two times a week, Scouts once a week, piano once a week, Activity Days every other week. There was barely a moment to sit back and relax. And if other little things cropped up, it just pushed me over the edge.

This year we've wheedled down our activities. Horseback riding isn't happening. Perhaps later in the year (when it cools down) and it will only be once a week. Colt cut Scouts out. He'll revisit that activity when he turns 8. So, that leaves karate and piano. Very manageable. And, with this extra time I'm not feeling so overwhelmed and can actually grocery shop, prepare meals, do laundry, clean the house and visit with friends. The kids now have downtime and time to be able to invite their friends over. We also have time for other things to crop up - doctor's appointments, etc.

Last year was tough but it makes this year seem so much easier!

Worth Watching

You may need tissues.
(the video may not work on here, if it doesn't, just click where it reads, "Watch on YouTube")

Happy New Year!

Ack! Another school year is upon us!

Carena is super excited to join orchestra this year. Her instrument of choice: the viola!

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

I absolutely love this rendition.

(if anyone is interested you can find this here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4axKHtMNKw)

Back to the Inferno!

We're back in Arizona. The kids start school tomorrow. We'll be back to some old routines in no time at all. Our days back have been busy. Yesterday we were gone from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and then gone from 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm. Our day consisted of dental appointments, Dunkin Donuts, haircuts for the boys, doctor's appointment, Staples for school supplies, Kohl's for clothes shopping (got one or two items), Old Country Buffet for lunch, Burlington for clothes (got nothing), The Room Store for a new bunkbed for the boys, Best Buy (merely dreaming), Target for more clothes shopping (score! they had a lot of stuff that were the kids style), haircut for Carena, home for a few minutes, then back out to Meet the Teacher night. Thankfully, Chris took the day off to help us out. Otherwise I don't think we would have gotten done half of what we did.

We all went to bed exhausted. But, we got everything done yesterday which means today, the day before school starts, is going to be a nice laid-back day.

Summer Pictures

Ice cream at the Tasty Swirl:

Carena got to spend a week at Eco-Explorers Day Camp. She LOVED it.

A walk to the Old Foundation on my parents' property.

Lincoln Log time:

Boat rides on the ponds:

The traditional picture. I take this picture every year. It's fun to see how they've grown!

Blueberry picking at Grassy Pond.

New friends!

Ahhhh!

One of five new family members:

There's nothing like a porch swing!

Chris's replacement:

Jonathan turned 4 and got a DS!

Arg! Mateys! Lunch at Cooper's Restaurant in Scranton:

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

Chris was able to come out for a few days and was here for Jonathan's birthday!

A water balloon fight.

Inseparable cousins.

Birthday waffle!

Strong man

She's serious.

Our time is almost over. Boo hoo! But the memories will remain. This summer has FLOWN by. Soon we'll be back battling the Arizona heat and getting back into the routine of school and after-school activities.