snow fort

We had a good cold streak going for a while. It was the kind of cold where you don't really want to leave your house-- even a few days where you would cough if you breathed too deeply.  But we got a ton of snow over that period of time. The only problem was that the snow we got was rather 'dry' powder and not very good for building anything.  Isaac has been wanting to build an igloo for quite a while now. Yesterday it was a balmy 42 degrees outside. The snow had started to melt, but we have so much that it just kinda created some nice wet, packing snow.  It was perfect weather and perfect snow... the perfect recipe for a little igloo action.  I wasn't sure how we were going to make a regular dome shaped igloo, so I talked him into a pretty neat fort that he could hide in during snowball fights and stuff.  We worked outside for a good 2.5 hours.  We'd take breaks for snowball fights and giggles. It was such a beautiful day and my boy was in heaven.  Heck, I was too.  It was so nice to be able to concentrate on that moment in time and enjoy it to its fullest.

** side note-  Do you like my Columbia circa 2004?! I keep it just for activities like this.

CTR

I remember when Jack was old enough to go to the children's Primary at church.  It was such a milestone!  I remember feeling like 'How could I possibly have a child that is old enough to be in Primary!?'
Well, this last Sunday Isaac came home with his CTR (choose the right) ring, a ring that children receive when they are in their second year of Primary. Waaaaait a minute..... wasn't Jack just....... oh. That was 9 years ago. 😨

week 3: my view

So I have been stressing about how I wanted to interpret week 3's photo project prompt: my view. My first thought was to look to my back yard.  But that doesn't really incorporate me... although snow does seem to impact the majority of the things that I do in a day for a good chunk of the year! Then I thought about taking some photos of my kids playing in the snow, however this digressed into a fight and tears, and while this is part of reality, it wasn't what I was going for.  I tried to get some photos of Cassidy and I dancing together as we like to do but the end result still didn't feel right.  I wasn't happy with the lighting and the shadows. I took a few of the kids getting off the bus, but they aren't as clear as I would prefer.  I felt as I typically find myself feeling this time of year when the light quality is just WAY less than desirable inside and it is just too cold to spend too much time outside. Discouraged.  I love photography and want to keep growing in this area, but dang-it, it is hard!  So I spent last night pouting and wondering why I put this on myself.  I went to bed early and got up refreshed after a good 9 hours of sleep.

After a good workout at the YMCA, I always feel ready to conquer the world.  I started thinking about the project again and some of the other photos I have taken.  I happened to snap a few of Jack  -- not really anticipating using them for this project, but wanting to freeze in time, the way he is turning into a teenager.  He wakes up slowly in the morning typically emerging from his bedroom wrapped in his soft black blanket. He heads to the kitchen table, plops himself down, and tries to fall back asleep most of the time!  His hair is all tousled, perhaps a bit of crust still in his eyes, as his mom nags him to eat some breakfast.

In all of my contemplation, I have decided to use an image of him. I am not physically in this photo of him, but I sure do invest a lot of time in this little individual. (little= still 5 inches shorter than me). He is such a complicated, unique individual.  He has been loving school this year, and has stepped up his game.  He came home first semester with all A's and B's and  Andy and I were on top of the world.  He is getting it!  He is applying himself!  Things are clicking!  As we always have, we received compliments regarding what a positive, kind person he is in the school environment.  One teacher even told us that in his class, Jack serves as a positive leader and roll model to the others in his class.  He has come to love attending church now that he is with older youth and a member of the Young Men's and Scouting programs.  On the flip, as he always has, he enjoys challenging Andy and myself in nearly every arena.  And that 'ugly monster' we used to see when he was a young child has evolved to much more of a teenage-type 'monster'.  He has his strong opinions about what he wants to do, how he wants to do it and isn't afraid to express his opinion.... sometimes to his detriment.  But the sensitive soul that exists down deep inside eventually apologizes, changes his actions and presses on- even if it takes a while.   The words "Strong willed children turn into leaders and hard working individuals' that someone (I wish I could remember who!) told me many years ago still bring comfort as I am doing my best to help mold and guide him.  It isn't easy!!  My view of this child is that of an intelligent, sweet, strong-willed, little boy who wants to be loved (but sometimes has a funny way of showing it!). Each time I look at him, that 'little' part gets a little further from the truth, but the love that I have for him continues to grow.

Week 2: makes me smile

So I thought a bunch about what I wanted my photo to be for week two.  There are a lot of things that make me smile. I thought about it for a couple days.  Zumba. Grape soda. Good friends. Beautiful light. Joanna Gaines. Junking. Photography.  And then I went to put Zeekie to bed one night.

He is the fourth of four.  My baby even though he is five.  I know I baby him more than I do the others... and realize he probably gets away with more because he is 'the baby'. He definitely needs me more than the others right now. And I LOVE that he needs me so much.  He constantly makes me smile throughout the day.  Whether it is his requests for dokily, the way he nuzzles his blankee, his adorable, yet thoughtful prayers, the way he scrunches up nose when he smiles, or the way he snuggles into me in the middle of the night when he should be in his own bed, he makes me smile. He always has me smiling.

For my entire life, I have wanted to be a mother.  The one who gets to hold, and love and teach and provide.  The one who can make things better.  The one who is wanted when things aren't going according to plan. I am so thankful to be one.  And while I am that person to all four of my beautiful babies, and they all make me smile, he happens to be around the most right now.  He happens to be the most needy.  He happens to be my choice for this week. ♥

holiday concert

Today was Lucy's Holiday program.  It had been postponed due to the district cancelling school for a few days before Christmas break because of a Pertussis outbreak.  Even though it is January, it felt like Christmas again because Mother Nature is busy at work laying down a fresh clean blanket of snow.  We are supposed to get a whole bunch today.  I would much rather have it be in the high 20's with snow, than hovering around zero like it has been the past two weeks or so.

Lucy played her piano solo, Carol of the Bells, beautifully.  And fourth grade is the year that the kids learn to play recorders too and I have to admit I am always impressed with how good they actually sound. They sang a variety of new and classic songs and even did a little dance. Her music teacher puts a great show together-- the Holiday spirit was there in full force today.

2017 photography project - Week 1 Goal

I have been thinking about a photography project for this year for a while now.  With the holidays, the hustle and bustle of the season, and all of the little pukers over the last week in this house, I got preoccupied and forgot to do the research I had planned on doing. I knew I was going to do something so I had planned on finding 'it' when the kids went back to school yesterday.

I got the three big kids onto the bus, got Isaac his breakfast, sat down to eat mine and did a quick check of my Facebook.  Marta had tagged me so I went to see what it was.  Girlfriend must have been reading my mind (she did when I was home with puking kids and she brought me doughnuts!) because the link took me to a photography project put on by 'Click It Up a Notch' - an amazing photography blogger.  The project is called "Portraits of Me".  I quickly read the post and when I came to this line: "I wanted my children to have photos of me in their everyday lives. I was there," I knew instantly that it was perfect for me. I am always the one behind the lens.  There are very few images in this blog (turned book) that include me!

I am excited to work on mastering the light (or lack there of here in the frozen WI tundra) this time of year, learning to better use my tripod and shutter release and excited to come up with unique creative photographs and to capture some everyday moments that showcase who I am.  The project offers prompts that (I may or may not use to) help guide the project.  I am trying to keep the parameters to a minimum so that when things get hectic around here, I am still motivated to keep going.

Well, without further ado, here is my first photo:

GOAL

I guess as they say--- "go big or go home!"

This photo in itself symbolizes my goal to partake in a photography project. Right here I just started it!! And it shows what a big part of my job as a SAHM is: cleaning.  Here I am vacuuming the kitchen floor...  but you'll notice that I am rockin' out pretty hard.  Yeah.  It is hard for me to turn that part of me off.  There happened to be music playing and that whole zumba side of me is very difficult to keep in check.  You can ask my kids-- I am constantly breaking into a dance routine. It doesn't really matter where I am.  (And they'll tell you how embarrassing it is.)

New Years

Well 2016 is gone!  Where did it go? As I think back over this past year, we have so very much to be thankful for.  Most of all, we have our health and we have each other.  With those two things, I feel like we can conquer the world.

Andy is just over 6 weeks out from his surgery and is doing well.  He faithfully completes his exercises every day and his PT told him he is weeks beyond the typical ACL reconstitution patient. This doesn't surprise me.  However, this doesn't mean that he is pain free, or that he is completely healed either.  He is to the point where being able to spend 5 minutes on the treadmill and elliptical feels like it's not enough, but he resists temptation to push it because his graft is not fully healed and at a crucial point.  Pushing it could mean injuring it and having to start all over.  He has made it clear that he NEVER wants to go through this again and I am sure that the memories of the first few weeks post surgery are enough to discourage him.  We are pleased that he is making good progress and have even begun looking at excursions for the cruise that we will be taking in late March!

I cannot express how proud I am of my children.  They are GOOD kids.  And as I reflect upon this year and all of the wonderful things that have happened, I simply feel honored to be their mother. My life would not be as full or as happy without them.

I am excited for the opportunities we will have to travel and experience this new year! We are truly blessed.

I love how a new year kinds sets a little fire going.  As I reflect, I find myself making goals to be better in certain areas, to learn more, to grow as an individual and to be come better.  I am feeling motivated and hopeful for the new year.  And I cannot wait to see what it holds!