Honestly, I haven't been feeling too grateful lately. My focus is off and I'm not doing well at home. Work is never ending. Our extended families are uninvolved and seemingly uninterested. My mind is going to dark, fearful places. Analysis paralysis.
But, I am grateful to have been born in a free, democratic country. I know that we all are very fortunate to live here and speak our minds and even be bummed out if we want. We are free to love and ignore judgement. We have amazing, resilient people serving in the armed forces. There are a lot of good people here. There is no reason to be locked in chains.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
Gratitude, Day 2
I am grateful for my health and that of my little family. The health scare I had last summer made me realize how much I've taken for granted. Good health (and happiness) is priceless.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Gratitude Posts start today
I read about a life changing gratitude poster on Facebook and am going to try it myself. For people who struggle with varying levels of depression, the hardest thing, deep down in one's soul, or the most confusing/frustrating thing is to know that you have so much to be grateful for yet, you feel sad.
We all shall overcome.
Of course I am grateful for my two ones. They are both well adjusted, caring, smart and fun girls. They get up in the morning and get ready for school and just show a consistent level of responsibility and motivation every day. Charlotte's little look when she is sampling new food slays me. She is full of spirit and humor, questions and conversation...a social butterfly and I love it. Natalie, on the verge of tween-hood, but yet she still wants to snuggle, hold hands, ask for advice, and generally spend time with her Mama. I ask God for the grace required every day to mother these two wonderful souls and I thank him, because I am so grateful for Natalie and Charlotte.
We all shall overcome.
Of course I am grateful for my two ones. They are both well adjusted, caring, smart and fun girls. They get up in the morning and get ready for school and just show a consistent level of responsibility and motivation every day. Charlotte's little look when she is sampling new food slays me. She is full of spirit and humor, questions and conversation...a social butterfly and I love it. Natalie, on the verge of tween-hood, but yet she still wants to snuggle, hold hands, ask for advice, and generally spend time with her Mama. I ask God for the grace required every day to mother these two wonderful souls and I thank him, because I am so grateful for Natalie and Charlotte.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
coasting into November (already?)
This fall has been challenging to say the least. Work involved trips to Atlanta, NYC, and DC all in a four week time span. Natalie started volleyball, which is amazing to watch. Charlotte has gymnastics, just finished soccer, and Brownies. I love the busy but am also losing my mind a bit. I need to get on track and start blogging.
Tomorrow is Halloween. Natalie is a black cat and Charlotte is a witch. My feeble attempt at making a costume from scratch failed after a mishap with some fabric glue so Charlotte got the Savers witch costume and Natalie is using black leggings, T shirt and the Savers packaged cat ears and tails. They both look adorable. And, Savers is definitely my favorite place to go for Halloween costumes.
Basketball starts for Natalie on Monday so its on to the winter leagues. I am praying for a season that is 180 degrees from last. We've talked a lot about things and she is such a good kid, with a big heart and a talent for Bball. I hope that shines through.
Tomorrow is Halloween. Natalie is a black cat and Charlotte is a witch. My feeble attempt at making a costume from scratch failed after a mishap with some fabric glue so Charlotte got the Savers witch costume and Natalie is using black leggings, T shirt and the Savers packaged cat ears and tails. They both look adorable. And, Savers is definitely my favorite place to go for Halloween costumes.
Basketball starts for Natalie on Monday so its on to the winter leagues. I am praying for a season that is 180 degrees from last. We've talked a lot about things and she is such a good kid, with a big heart and a talent for Bball. I hope that shines through.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Back to School, no blues
Second and Third grade is underway. Our little students had 1/2 day W and R and full-day today. They love it so far and I am so, so happy. I am blessed with these girls, far far beyond my wildest dreams.
Of course, we didn't really wrap up the summer sleep transition fully, or at all on Tuesday night. But, Natalie got up before her alarm and Charlotte was also fairly easy to rouse, albeit a bit dazed for a few minutes.
Photo coming soon...
They trotted off happily and I worked for 2.75 hours and came back to pick them up. Our nice friends let us latch onto their pool membership (again) and we swam for a few. Charlotte had Gymnastics that night and then it was another attempt to get sleepy before 9pm. I overheard someone at work saying how "smart" it is for the schools that start after Labor Day, but our kids ease into the schedule and have some acclimation to roll into Tuesday-Friday next week. It really works out well.
Thursday was Daddy picks up this half-day day. So, 11:15 pick up, Volleyball practice (a new thing!) for Natalie from 11:45-1, more pool time for just Charlotte and the nice friends, again, and 1:30 reading assessment straight from pool with freshly chlorinated hair and swim covers. Then, soccer practice at 6 for Charlotte and Mom and again with the bedtime attempts (better!).
Friday was Mass at 8 am, Natalie and I sat together but Charlotte wanted to sit with her buddy. I went into work and realized how far behind and overwhelmed I am with all of it, that I had to step out early. So, my focal point is facing that reality on Tuesday and through the week.
We ended summer with a fun trip to St. Germain. The girls were catching fish left and right. Kayaking, canoeing, and Uncle Troy even drove up to our pier in his rented fishing boat. It really is one of my top three favorite places ever, not only because its the girls' favorite place in the whole world. Cousin Karson was being kind of thoughtless but otherwise did pretty well with his lack of plugged in time.
September is coming. September 10 is 11 days away, sweet firstborn. And, tomorrow is baby Katherine's first bday party!
Of course, we didn't really wrap up the summer sleep transition fully, or at all on Tuesday night. But, Natalie got up before her alarm and Charlotte was also fairly easy to rouse, albeit a bit dazed for a few minutes.
Photo coming soon...
They trotted off happily and I worked for 2.75 hours and came back to pick them up. Our nice friends let us latch onto their pool membership (again) and we swam for a few. Charlotte had Gymnastics that night and then it was another attempt to get sleepy before 9pm. I overheard someone at work saying how "smart" it is for the schools that start after Labor Day, but our kids ease into the schedule and have some acclimation to roll into Tuesday-Friday next week. It really works out well.
Thursday was Daddy picks up this half-day day. So, 11:15 pick up, Volleyball practice (a new thing!) for Natalie from 11:45-1, more pool time for just Charlotte and the nice friends, again, and 1:30 reading assessment straight from pool with freshly chlorinated hair and swim covers. Then, soccer practice at 6 for Charlotte and Mom and again with the bedtime attempts (better!).
Friday was Mass at 8 am, Natalie and I sat together but Charlotte wanted to sit with her buddy. I went into work and realized how far behind and overwhelmed I am with all of it, that I had to step out early. So, my focal point is facing that reality on Tuesday and through the week.
We ended summer with a fun trip to St. Germain. The girls were catching fish left and right. Kayaking, canoeing, and Uncle Troy even drove up to our pier in his rented fishing boat. It really is one of my top three favorite places ever, not only because its the girls' favorite place in the whole world. Cousin Karson was being kind of thoughtless but otherwise did pretty well with his lack of plugged in time.
September is coming. September 10 is 11 days away, sweet firstborn. And, tomorrow is baby Katherine's first bday party!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Seven
Charlotte, you ushered in your seventh year with style and fun and extra curricular interests galore. On Saturday (June 8), Uncle Tim, Aunt Shannon and Molly & Katherine joined us for your last soccer game. You got a goal! You also got a medal for your awesome defensive contributions. You toyed with not playing next year, but you get in there, in the thick of first grade coed opponents and grab the soccer ball, fearless. And then when play stops momentarily, you typically do a cartwheel or roundoff or two. I never played soccer or even kicked a ball until you and Natalie started playing so I am in awe of your skills and fierce determination on the field. I am also in awe of your Gymnastics Skills...you couldn't immediately flip backwards, feet over head on the uneven bars, but you worked hard and mastered it in less than a semester. WOW, you.
We hung out and ate and lounged in the backyard with your cousins later in the afternoon...Jillian, Olivia, Madilyn and Aunt and Uncle joined us, as did Grandma and Grandpa. We had cake pops and cupcakes and opened presents from the family. It was a good day pre birthday.
On JUNE 9!, you had a Gymfinity party...your new favorite thing. Gymnastics. You are so graceful with your cartwheels, fierce with your roundoffs and front walkovers. You can flip over backwards on the uneven bars after working hard to master that move. You had 21 kids at Gymfinity and I think your little classmates had fun 16 girls, three boys, Natalie & her friend Olivia. You have become a leader in your class and your teacher always commented how she enjoyed what a good friend you are to others. A good sport. A bright light not just to your family but in the community.
You are a good communicator already, you love your puppy Piper, bike rides, making clothing out of fleece remnants we get on sale at the fabric store, drawing awesome pictures, and swinging from the blue bars at school. You have a peaceful heart and want whats fair...which is why you also shriek sometimes when you feel slighted by your sister. You love music...Flo Ri Da's, Wild One will always be a favorite concert we saw on the Today show. You are doing so well with your summer nanny Hayley even though you wish I was a teacher for summer's off. You love babies and toddlers and you cousins and even your friend Grace's little brother (who calls you his "best friend") adore you.
We adore you too. Thanks for lighting up our life a little over seven years ago, at 5:24 pm.
We hung out and ate and lounged in the backyard with your cousins later in the afternoon...Jillian, Olivia, Madilyn and Aunt and Uncle joined us, as did Grandma and Grandpa. We had cake pops and cupcakes and opened presents from the family. It was a good day pre birthday.
On JUNE 9!, you had a Gymfinity party...your new favorite thing. Gymnastics. You are so graceful with your cartwheels, fierce with your roundoffs and front walkovers. You can flip over backwards on the uneven bars after working hard to master that move. You had 21 kids at Gymfinity and I think your little classmates had fun 16 girls, three boys, Natalie & her friend Olivia. You have become a leader in your class and your teacher always commented how she enjoyed what a good friend you are to others. A good sport. A bright light not just to your family but in the community.
You are a good communicator already, you love your puppy Piper, bike rides, making clothing out of fleece remnants we get on sale at the fabric store, drawing awesome pictures, and swinging from the blue bars at school. You have a peaceful heart and want whats fair...which is why you also shriek sometimes when you feel slighted by your sister. You love music...Flo Ri Da's, Wild One will always be a favorite concert we saw on the Today show. You are doing so well with your summer nanny Hayley even though you wish I was a teacher for summer's off. You love babies and toddlers and you cousins and even your friend Grace's little brother (who calls you his "best friend") adore you.
We adore you too. Thanks for lighting up our life a little over seven years ago, at 5:24 pm.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Rainy Day Update
Oh, blog. I haven't updated you in awhile. But I have been reading some amazing blogs.
Coming off a long, hard energy sapping winter. We broke it up by going to Minneapolis for spring break, a popular, non conformist destination for school families we know as well. I haven't been to the MOA or the cities since the mid nineties. Minnesota is NICE, nice people. I feel like Madison is a somewhat very angry town. Yesterday, there was a fugitive on the loose and they locked down the girls' school, plus Verona, Chavez, Leopld...he was staying at a hotel 2 miles from here that he'd fled 10 minutes before the FBI arrived. Thankfully, they caught up with him on East Washington last night.
I am having a ton of anxiety lately over things, mostly small. I guess that is why I don't write much these days. Travel season is starting for me this month and I had to cancel volunteer carpool for Juniors, which will likely be Natalie's last meeting. I always wanted to travel for work as a 20 something. Now, it's a drag. I need to capture that youthful attitude and embrace it. I just also need to keep a better handle on my home schedule, which is booked through the school year.
Christmas in May updates:
Ten year old Natalie is a soccer star. She has been playing since 2007 and is knowledgeable and fancy in her footwork. She wants to play volleyball next fall and do track next spring though. I am glad she is checking everything out. She is a voracious reader and a great student and happy and whole.
Six, soon to be seven Charlotte is also getting into soccer and is playing U7 in her second year also with Magic. She is lovely and sassy and fights brushing her teeth. She is a gymnast and does flips and cartwheels everywhere she can. She loves school and her friends. She sparkles. She apologizes to her sister when they fight.
Tonight is pizza night!
Peace on earth,
MichelleM
Coming off a long, hard energy sapping winter. We broke it up by going to Minneapolis for spring break, a popular, non conformist destination for school families we know as well. I haven't been to the MOA or the cities since the mid nineties. Minnesota is NICE, nice people. I feel like Madison is a somewhat very angry town. Yesterday, there was a fugitive on the loose and they locked down the girls' school, plus Verona, Chavez, Leopld...he was staying at a hotel 2 miles from here that he'd fled 10 minutes before the FBI arrived. Thankfully, they caught up with him on East Washington last night.
I am having a ton of anxiety lately over things, mostly small. I guess that is why I don't write much these days. Travel season is starting for me this month and I had to cancel volunteer carpool for Juniors, which will likely be Natalie's last meeting. I always wanted to travel for work as a 20 something. Now, it's a drag. I need to capture that youthful attitude and embrace it. I just also need to keep a better handle on my home schedule, which is booked through the school year.
Christmas in May updates:
Ten year old Natalie is a soccer star. She has been playing since 2007 and is knowledgeable and fancy in her footwork. She wants to play volleyball next fall and do track next spring though. I am glad she is checking everything out. She is a voracious reader and a great student and happy and whole.
Six, soon to be seven Charlotte is also getting into soccer and is playing U7 in her second year also with Magic. She is lovely and sassy and fights brushing her teeth. She is a gymnast and does flips and cartwheels everywhere she can. She loves school and her friends. She sparkles. She apologizes to her sister when they fight.
Tonight is pizza night!
Peace on earth,
MichelleM
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