After a creative lull and lots of happy distractions, I'm back!!! There are so many things I want to do, my list is too big for the paper and I'm scheming ways to carve out time for all of it. Take a class, do my sketches, work on writing, stop worrying about whether I'm good enough at writing, enjoy painting regardless of the outcome, and read the six books by my bedside collecting dust. How? I have a plan...a little less t.v. should do the trick.
Ok, what's happening in pink wonderland with the two firecrackers? They are: growing taller, feistier, funnier, more eloquent, negotiating more effectively, exasperating, goofier and exciting. They are inquisitive and love to cook, to watch me cook, to do things themselves.
Any embarassing moments lately? Ah yes, just had one today! We were at Jimbo's and the girls were pushing miniature shopping carts. Things went south when Zoe wanted to put the 1/2 pint of macaroni and cheese in her cart and London protested. They began a full scale argument like two wild women desperate over the last morsel of food on earth and both DETERMINED to put it in their own shopping cart. This would have been amusing if I was not the mom of the two little girls at war with each other, yelling and screaming. I scooped up the smallest one and headed for the checkout while heads turned and people contained their thoughts as best as they could. I actually got a few reassuring smiles from women which did make me feel a little better.
We paid, sat down at a table, and then managed to have a civilized lunch free from empassioned discourse between a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Hallelujah. My breathing returned to normal and I got in a few bites for myself. More to follow shortly...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
You Heard That?
Crack, snapple, pop! No, it wasn't popcorn. It was my bi-weekly chiropractic treatment and after being put back into place, I headed back to the reception area and chatted with my chiropractor. He chided me for not sitting up straight and asked if my parents taught me that? "No, they were hippies and didn't make a big deal about it" I told him. "Hippies?" He said, laughing? Did they have a bong lying around too?" I laughed and told him "no, but after my mom left my dad there was some of that."
Suddenly, I looked over at the waiting area that is usually empty and it was full of people!!! Several adults just looking at me with various degrees of amusement on their faces after hearing my discussion. I turned bright red and started laughing with embarassment. "Yes, that's right folks, hippies!" The chiropractor and I kept laughing and I said goodbye to everyone and then walked out laughing the whole way to my rental mini-van.
Have I mentioned why I have a rental mini-van? Ahh, yes, let me explain. A few weeks ago I was making a left turn at a light on a green arrow when a car (driven by an under-cover policeman) came out of nowhere at 50 mph, ran a very red light and slammed into the back corner of my car! I was so lucky to escape without any scratches, but it scared the crud out of me. My poor dog Roxy is limping and has shoulder damage. This is the same dog, the money pit, who has been through the gamut already. Sigh. Poor thing. My neck is jacked up and my wrist and hand too, but the amazing thing is that it could have been so much worse. My car is in the shop for three weeks and right now I am enjoying the ease of "magic doors" as my girls like to call them. At least they're having fun with it.
The great thing is that even with all of this, I am still so happy for the little things like going to swim practice and seeing London swim with her arms and legs and move like a dolphin in the water. That makes my day! Zoe and London just doing the silly things that sisters do makes me feel like a ray of sunshine is directly over us and all is right in the world.
Suddenly, I looked over at the waiting area that is usually empty and it was full of people!!! Several adults just looking at me with various degrees of amusement on their faces after hearing my discussion. I turned bright red and started laughing with embarassment. "Yes, that's right folks, hippies!" The chiropractor and I kept laughing and I said goodbye to everyone and then walked out laughing the whole way to my rental mini-van.
Have I mentioned why I have a rental mini-van? Ahh, yes, let me explain. A few weeks ago I was making a left turn at a light on a green arrow when a car (driven by an under-cover policeman) came out of nowhere at 50 mph, ran a very red light and slammed into the back corner of my car! I was so lucky to escape without any scratches, but it scared the crud out of me. My poor dog Roxy is limping and has shoulder damage. This is the same dog, the money pit, who has been through the gamut already. Sigh. Poor thing. My neck is jacked up and my wrist and hand too, but the amazing thing is that it could have been so much worse. My car is in the shop for three weeks and right now I am enjoying the ease of "magic doors" as my girls like to call them. At least they're having fun with it.
The great thing is that even with all of this, I am still so happy for the little things like going to swim practice and seeing London swim with her arms and legs and move like a dolphin in the water. That makes my day! Zoe and London just doing the silly things that sisters do makes me feel like a ray of sunshine is directly over us and all is right in the world.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
More Thoughts on Home and Deep Stuff
I'm still on this discussion of home since we're in the process of selling our house and last week something cool happened. We dropped the girls off in their Sunday school classrooms and as I entered the church foyer, I felt a sense of peace and comfort settle upon me. It felt like home to be there and things took on a clear perspective. This was exactly where I was supposed to be. The buildings that we make into our homes are still buildings. Does it matter if it changes? I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out as I go along.
The memories that I have of bringing my baby girls home from the hospital and the midnight feedings and pacing back and forth barefoot on the wood floors at all hours don't change based on the building that I live in. Our home matters to a certain extent, but the memories stay with us regardless of where we are. There are countless pictures of our families, video footage, and 1003 pages of kid's art to document the journey and help us relive it. Maybe seeing familiar walls enables us to reminisce on the milestones? I'm sure there are cases to be made either way.
The message that revved me up was about writing a good story for your life and how we are living it out. It inspired me to re-think the goals that I have put off into the distant future. Perhaps some of those things can be planted now in some small fashion? I love finding a new perspective, it's like being a kid again and learning something extremely cool and mind-blowing. Now that the week is nearly over, I'm looking forward to next Sunday where I know I can find encouragement, spiritual sustenance, and comfort. It's like I get a mental tune-up every time I go to church and then I think more clearly, for a few days at least. That's where reading one book comes into play. =)
The memories that I have of bringing my baby girls home from the hospital and the midnight feedings and pacing back and forth barefoot on the wood floors at all hours don't change based on the building that I live in. Our home matters to a certain extent, but the memories stay with us regardless of where we are. There are countless pictures of our families, video footage, and 1003 pages of kid's art to document the journey and help us relive it. Maybe seeing familiar walls enables us to reminisce on the milestones? I'm sure there are cases to be made either way.
The message that revved me up was about writing a good story for your life and how we are living it out. It inspired me to re-think the goals that I have put off into the distant future. Perhaps some of those things can be planted now in some small fashion? I love finding a new perspective, it's like being a kid again and learning something extremely cool and mind-blowing. Now that the week is nearly over, I'm looking forward to next Sunday where I know I can find encouragement, spiritual sustenance, and comfort. It's like I get a mental tune-up every time I go to church and then I think more clearly, for a few days at least. That's where reading one book comes into play. =)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What Is Home?
"The other day I looked at Zoe and said, "what part of no don't you understand? The n or the o?" She turned her big blue eyes toward me and said "the o" without missing a beat. Eeks! It was hilarious, but also a clue as to what's to come and boy am I in trouble. Laugh. Both of my little angels are a constant fluctuation of complete joy and beauty, combined with a good helping of stubbornness and strong little independent spirits. I'm on a wild ride every day.
Life is good here and the newest thing is that we are putting our house up for sale. It's a whirlwind of cleaning, maintaining, and getting mentally ready for the impending roller coaster ride. I'm excited and scared at the same time. This is the home that we brought our baby London back to, and Zoe too. Yes, a home is what you make it and we are not captured here in drywall and flowers, but it is still sentimental. There are memories here in every corner that I can see when I walk around.
However, I look at my kitchen table that cannot be used to eat at because it has become a giant desk and I think how lovely it would be to decorate it with pretty linens and eat at it like civilized people instead of the kids table which I am a bit large for. We seriously need some more space, not tons, just a little more. Common sense tells me that we would be happy together in an igloo because it's the four of us, and Roxy, that make home.
Sometimes I struggle with anxiety and it can be pretty scary, but somehow it was replaced with a sense of purpose and a voice in my head (no jokes please) that is telling me that everything will be alright and to go forward in faith. I know from experience to listen to that voice, it's the one that shows me where to go when I don't know the way and reminds me that everything is possible when I listen to God's plan and not just my own. The other day I imagined what it must be like for those families that suddenly uproot and go to a different country to do missions work. That's a major departure from the comfort zone, but how exciting and fulfilling too. Right now, I'm just putting one foot in front of the other.
Life is good here and the newest thing is that we are putting our house up for sale. It's a whirlwind of cleaning, maintaining, and getting mentally ready for the impending roller coaster ride. I'm excited and scared at the same time. This is the home that we brought our baby London back to, and Zoe too. Yes, a home is what you make it and we are not captured here in drywall and flowers, but it is still sentimental. There are memories here in every corner that I can see when I walk around.
However, I look at my kitchen table that cannot be used to eat at because it has become a giant desk and I think how lovely it would be to decorate it with pretty linens and eat at it like civilized people instead of the kids table which I am a bit large for. We seriously need some more space, not tons, just a little more. Common sense tells me that we would be happy together in an igloo because it's the four of us, and Roxy, that make home.
Sometimes I struggle with anxiety and it can be pretty scary, but somehow it was replaced with a sense of purpose and a voice in my head (no jokes please) that is telling me that everything will be alright and to go forward in faith. I know from experience to listen to that voice, it's the one that shows me where to go when I don't know the way and reminds me that everything is possible when I listen to God's plan and not just my own. The other day I imagined what it must be like for those families that suddenly uproot and go to a different country to do missions work. That's a major departure from the comfort zone, but how exciting and fulfilling too. Right now, I'm just putting one foot in front of the other.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Things I didn't Mention
Ok, here's the section with all the gory details of the trip that I didn't talk about yet. My dramamine medicine ran out the first night and I didn't realize that I needed more until it was too late. At dinner time, I took two steps into the restaurant and felt dizzy, nauseous, tingling in my whole body, and ready to faint. I turned around and sat on the ground nearby wondering what to do and how I was going to survive five days of this. Oh man!!! I went back to the room and crawled into my bed, ate a few bites of something and took medicine. The next morning was a vast improvement and the vacation became fun for me.
Ooh, don't let me forget to mention that I had to change Zoe's diaper while wearing a sequin dress and high heels under a stairwell with no wipes and one diaper. Yep, that was fun. The bathroom was far away and we were in the middle of dinner on formal night so I cut a few corners. Another highlight was constantly taking extra boxes of cereal for the girls to snack on. At any given time, I had four boxes of Cheerios, Lucky Charms, or Fruit Loops in my bag for the squirrels to eat. I felt like a thief!
The nightclub was great, my friends and I danced up a storm and acted silly when the 80's music came on, complete with "Thriller" and "Footloose". The penny slots kept calling my name, so I went and tried my luck with great results. After stating that I wanted to be able to scream and shout about winning, I hit two times in a row and earned myself some spending cash! That was exciting and I felt very satisfied.
We were very blessed to go on the trip and share that special time with our family. Regardless of all the little hiccups and speed bumps, we had fun and helped two people join together in marriage on a very beautiful and special day.
Ooh, don't let me forget to mention that I had to change Zoe's diaper while wearing a sequin dress and high heels under a stairwell with no wipes and one diaper. Yep, that was fun. The bathroom was far away and we were in the middle of dinner on formal night so I cut a few corners. Another highlight was constantly taking extra boxes of cereal for the girls to snack on. At any given time, I had four boxes of Cheerios, Lucky Charms, or Fruit Loops in my bag for the squirrels to eat. I felt like a thief!
The nightclub was great, my friends and I danced up a storm and acted silly when the 80's music came on, complete with "Thriller" and "Footloose". The penny slots kept calling my name, so I went and tried my luck with great results. After stating that I wanted to be able to scream and shout about winning, I hit two times in a row and earned myself some spending cash! That was exciting and I felt very satisfied.
We were very blessed to go on the trip and share that special time with our family. Regardless of all the little hiccups and speed bumps, we had fun and helped two people join together in marriage on a very beautiful and special day.
The Condensed Version of the Last Four Months
Two birthdays and a vacation later, there are many adventures to catch you up on. London and Zoe recently celebrated their birthdays with friends and family and I learned that blue icing is not my friend when it comes to laundry. The girls were very excited to go on a big ship and I got a gazillion cool pictures from the trip. It was a great experience, with lots of ridiculous mishaps along the way.
Camp Carnival, the kids club on board, not such a success for us. Scott and I would drop them off, take the phone with us that is handed out as an electronic leash for parents, and look at each other with a doubtful expression. Would we really get a break? How long would it last? The first day our phone rang within an hour and we were summoned to pick up Zoe. Ok, no problem. Shortly after, it rang again and this time it was London. Hmm...not what we had envisioned when people said "Oh, they'll have so much fun you'll barely see them!" We retrieved the sibling and headed off to dinner with the girls in tow. They actually did very well sitting in the nice restaurant and having a four course meal. Scott and I ate hot food, can you believe it??? I must give kudos to my husband's parents because they helped out so much the entire time and made it a lot easier for us with the girls.
When we arrived in Cabo, I had to get onto a tender, a small boat that holds about 30 people. I was mortified and pictured myself being sick as a dog, but surprisingly my dramamine worked wonders and it was fun! The wedding was at a gorgeous resort on the sand and London did a fantastic job as flower girl. During the ceremony, she wandered around the sand and picked up white coral that she kept in her basket. It was really sweet to watch. Zoe didn't make it down the aisle due to nerves, but she warmed up to the crowd a little later.
The next day was FREEDOM!!! Scott and I went to the beach and planted ourselves on two lounge chairs while listening to Bob Marley and staring at the horizon. We even managed to go jet skiing together and my husband kept scaring the crud out of me when he went too fast. Sea lions swam around us and we saw a giant rock with the big male surrounded by his group. We had fun together, the best thing you can ask for.
Camp Carnival, the kids club on board, not such a success for us. Scott and I would drop them off, take the phone with us that is handed out as an electronic leash for parents, and look at each other with a doubtful expression. Would we really get a break? How long would it last? The first day our phone rang within an hour and we were summoned to pick up Zoe. Ok, no problem. Shortly after, it rang again and this time it was London. Hmm...not what we had envisioned when people said "Oh, they'll have so much fun you'll barely see them!" We retrieved the sibling and headed off to dinner with the girls in tow. They actually did very well sitting in the nice restaurant and having a four course meal. Scott and I ate hot food, can you believe it??? I must give kudos to my husband's parents because they helped out so much the entire time and made it a lot easier for us with the girls.
When we arrived in Cabo, I had to get onto a tender, a small boat that holds about 30 people. I was mortified and pictured myself being sick as a dog, but surprisingly my dramamine worked wonders and it was fun! The wedding was at a gorgeous resort on the sand and London did a fantastic job as flower girl. During the ceremony, she wandered around the sand and picked up white coral that she kept in her basket. It was really sweet to watch. Zoe didn't make it down the aisle due to nerves, but she warmed up to the crowd a little later.
The next day was FREEDOM!!! Scott and I went to the beach and planted ourselves on two lounge chairs while listening to Bob Marley and staring at the horizon. We even managed to go jet skiing together and my husband kept scaring the crud out of me when he went too fast. Sea lions swam around us and we saw a giant rock with the big male surrounded by his group. We had fun together, the best thing you can ask for.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Pigs Have Been Taken Hostage!
It was a cold, dark morning and the two little pink stuffed pigs sat on the mantle waiting to be rescued and returned to their nice warm bed and their owner, a three year old girl named London. It all began when London refused to stay in bed and go to sleep the night before. Her mommy had resorted to kidnapping the small creatures in retaliation and the little girl learned a lesson. Her animals would suffer for her actions. Sad, but necessary.
When London woke up, she ran to her mommy and asked for her two little pink pigs. She told her mother that they were sad without her and they missed her and the other animals and that they cried. The pigs were returned and the little girl hugged them fiercely and spoke reassuring words to them. It broke the mommy's heart to do this, but it seemed an effective way to teach her daughter to listen. Trial and error. The other animals probably hoped they weren't next!
To be continued...
When London woke up, she ran to her mommy and asked for her two little pink pigs. She told her mother that they were sad without her and they missed her and the other animals and that they cried. The pigs were returned and the little girl hugged them fiercely and spoke reassuring words to them. It broke the mommy's heart to do this, but it seemed an effective way to teach her daughter to listen. Trial and error. The other animals probably hoped they weren't next!
To be continued...
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