what every mother needs

As moms I think it is so easy to feel like we don't live up to what we 'could' or 'should' be.  There are so many days that I feel like I am running ragged- getting one thing done, only to be hit with three more things that need to be completed.  It is hard to ever feel like I am 'caught up' and hard to ever justify sitting down and relaxing for very long.

I don't know why, but it is so easy to cut myself down.  Why is it so easy to only remember the things that still have to get done, and forget the many things that have already been accomplished?

The other day I was having one of those moments... feeling so behind. The fundraiser that I coordinate for the elementary school is such a rewarding, worthwhile event to dedicate my time to but it really, I mean really sucks up my time. Isaac has been in school every Tuesday and Thursday now for 2 months and I am just now feeling caught up from the beginning of the year. The laundry piles are back to their normal levels, the photo sessions are mostly edited, and the carpet got vacuumed!

So the other day a simple, friendly question illicited this feeling of inadequacy within me: "Are you guys going trick or treating at the y tomorrow?"

My answer was 'no'.  I had not even thought about Halloween costumes, let alone going to the Y event the next day.  Now Tiffie is reading this and feeling like maybe she upset me.  But NO it is exactly the opposite. Her response to me was what every mother needs:

Seriously as soon as I read that response, I was like, "Oh yeah.  I have been really busy with more important things. COSTUMES SCHMOSTUMES." And went on with my day feeling validated and like the choices I am making are the right ones for me and my family.  And honestly that is all that matters.  

We need to stop comparing ourselves to others-- or to what we perceive 'ideal' to be, and live our lives. I am really going to try to be better at doing this.  

I am so thankful for the friends that I have.  I know that they love and support me for simply being me. And I really couldn't ask for anything more.

Happy Birthday to .... me!

I am now 39 years young!  This little gift Lucy made makes me wonder where she draws the line... will she change the little sign she made on my birthday gift next year? I guess time will tell! ;)

As you can see, I had another birthday this week.  It started off with a bang in my favorite Club Moves class at the YMCA.  I got to set the song line up- which means it was extra awesome!  It has been a good 6 years since I started going to Zumba/Club Moves classes and I still love it like I did in the beginning.  I love letting it all out and getting a great workout for that hour.  There could not have been a better way for me to start my day!

The rest of the day was pretty low key.  Isaac and I ran some errands, made his Halloween costume and relaxed for a bit.  Tiffy brought me some pretty flowers and my favorite hot cocoa from Dunkin' Donuts. ♥  Andy took me out the weekend before to my favorite place- Casa Mexicana- and then we went to see Jack Reacher at the theatre. The bonus there was that the kids could babysit themselves as they are old enough now as long as we are in town!

This past Saturday Lucy made me this amazing cookies and cream cake.  It was a Pinterest find-- and a keeper of a recipe!  So rich and delicious.  She did 95% of it by herself- I just helped with a little of the actual frosting of the cake... and after tasting the frosting, I am sure she inherited my frosting making skills.  Her buttercream is to die for! (I am not the greatest cook or baker but I can whip up a pretty tasty frosting... and have become a frosting snob... there is NO canned frosting allowed in this kitchen!)  We enjoyed the cake with Grandma and Grandpa L tonight and have plenty of leftovers for breakfast.

I have to admit I am feeling pretty good for 39.  I feel so blessed to be able to be home for the majority of the time, helping in the kids schools and classes, doing photo jobs as they come, and still fitting time in for some fun.  I am getting used to a little more freedom now that Isaac is in school part time, and now that Andy and I are able to sneak away for a little bit by ourselves. Each stage we go through presents us with new challenges but also new gems.

I am so excited to see what this last year in the 30's holds for me!

Grandma and Grandpa

I know of so many people that don't get along with their in-laws.  I feel really bad for them.  When I got married 16 years ago, not only did I get my amazing husband, I also got another set of amazing parents.  John and Terri just celebrated 39 years of marriage, and I finally convinced them to let me snap a few pictures of them.  I love them to pieces and am so thankful we have them in our lives. ♥

daddy's dates

Every year for their birthdays Andy takes the kids out somewhere special.  They get to choose where they want to go, and what they want to do.  And they REALLY look forward to their special date with Dad.

This year Isaac wanted to get some breakfast at Friendship house, complete with a cup of cocoa that he drank with a straw. :) Cassidy chose to spend an evening bowling with Dad. ♥

the next, next stage

Andy and I came home from a date night to a quiet, clean house.  Three of four children are asleep. The fourth is holding down the fort.  As my children age I have learned that moving to the next stage is bittersweet... as I watch them grow and develop before my eyes a part of me cries while another part of me sings.  We are getting a taste of the sweetness of a little more independence now... and I think we are ready.

soaking up every last drop of fall

foggy northwoods beauty...

 Fall clean-up out at the lake

Refusing to believe that the froggies have all gone to their winter homes deep down in the mud...

 exploring some fallen trees out in the woods

Peak season

The fall is the most beautiful time up north here. The leaves everywhere make the trees look like they are glowing with fire. I am in constant awe as I drive around doing my daily errands.  Our yard fills up (and I mean FILLS UP) with leaves.  Last year we probably raked 5 or 6 times.  We learned pretty quickly, though, so this year we only cleaned them up twice.  That gave the kids ample time to play in them and enjoy them for a bit.

We are past prime now, but there are still trees here and there that refuse to let go.  And that is just fine with me.  We will hold onto these warm(er) fall days for as long as we can.

Sundays at Grandpa and Grandma's

We sure do love our Sunday's at Grandpa and Grandma's house after church.  Sunday quiz, yummy dinner and some time playing with cousins can't be beat.

Sometimes you just need a little fun with friends!!

too close

About 3:00 on Friday afternoon I got a phone call from a number I didn't recognize from Eagle River. Typically I don't answer numbers I don't recognize but with the Strut going on lately I have had calls from school members with questions regarding the run, so I took the call.  On the other end of the line I heard a slow, deep voice.  "Hi Katie this is John." 

It seemed familiar but different.  He kept speaking and I remember my mind going 'is this really my father in law? Why does he sound like that?'  I answered  his question, that I was not busy right then. I then remember hearing that voice say, "I am in Eagle River in the ER, would you be able to come get me?" I told him yes, asked what had happened, then heard the words that send me into a tizzy. "Katie, I nearly drowned today.  I fell out of my boat when I was scouting muskrats (he is a trapper) and almost didn't make it......" 

My world was spinning. I talked to the nurse who assured me that they were currently warming him up, that his vitals were strong, and that everything was okay in that respect, he was now at 96 degrees and just needed to be warmed back up to 98.6. It took me a bit to collect myself after trying to process all that I had just learned, then to collect some dry clothes for John to change into.  I headed up there with my brave face on and entered his room.  He was laying there in a special warming bed. He looked tired but his face lit up a bit as the kids and I walked over to him.  

We embraced and he told a harrowing story of sheer determination that seemed to be cut short at every turn.  There was a failing flotation device combined with sheer exhaustion which forced him to turn back to his overturned Scanoe floating just under the surface of the water in the middle of the lake.  There were shoulder waders which seemed like an obvious burden while on in the water, but were in reality what helped to keep him warm and insulated for so long.... something he learned after they were down below his waist and bound around his ankles.  Too many instances to recount.

He admitted there were times when he felt things seemed grim and that the end may be near.

He somehow managed to use his floating Scanoe as a buoy to get about 200 yards through tangled weeds and lily pads to a spot where he could at least touch the bottom.  Cold set in and all he could do was hold the boat--- which was keeping him upright at that point--- and scream.  

Well miraculously someone heard that scream at just the right time and called 911.  They pulled him into a rescue boat as he blacked out.  They loaded him into an ambulance and did all they could to keep him conscious and to warm his body up.  He was dangerously close to body system failure from hypothermia at this point.  He says he doesn't remember much about the ambulance except for a familiar voice from a friend, Gene, who ironically was the same man who responded to a call many years ago when John had a heart attack.

I cannot express how scary this event was to us.  I cannot even imagine how scary it was for him. I know that God had a hand in saving his life.  John is the strong leader of this extended family and we need him so badly.  To simply try to comprehend what a close call this was is excruciating.  I love this man like I love my own father.  He has so much to offer, and brings so much enrichment to our lives. He serves the Lord and his fellow man with his whole heart and every ounce of his being.  He is loyal, he is faithful and he is loving.  He has so much wisdom to share in such a variety of areas.  And he is the best storyteller I know.

I read this scripture in the Book of Mormon last night, and all I could think of as I read it, was John.  

Helaman 15:10

"And now, because of their steadfastness when they do believe in that thing which they do believe, for because of their firmness when they are once enlightened, behold, the Lord shall bless them and prolong their days, notwithstanding their iniquity—"

I firmly believe that his life was spared because of his unwavering faith and devotion to living the Gospel.

We are all just so very thankful to still be able to have him with us on this earth.

I took this photo one week ago today (and a whole bunch more!) to commemorate John and Terri's 39th anniversary. ♥  We are all so very thankful he will be here for their 40th next year.

Strut

PEP RALLY!

Last year I came up with a new fundraiser for our school.  I was so tired of selling overpriced cookie dough and trinkets we didn't need. Instead I put together a run where the kids get exercise, have fun, and generate school spirit all the while collecting donations that benefit the school.  100% of those donations go towards things like field trips and school projects. I coordinated our Second Annual Pelican Strut for FUNd this fall and we collected nearly $7600!  That may not sound like a lot to some people, but when you consider that 62% of our school's population is below poverty level, it is a ton.  I am so proud of the volunteers, family members, friends, teachers and students that  helped to make this year a success.

I had my camera on hand (of course!) and snapped a few photos of my kids enjoying the event.  It was a rather cold, misty day but that didn't seem to matter.  I love seeing all the smiles on the kids faces.

Part way through the day channel 12 came and interviewed me and then Cass.  We both made the news :).