12.7.11
Merry Christmas and Happy New YEAR! This year has flown by and we are so enjoying the holiday season. For the first time in my life I had my kids and most of the other people on my list figured out and bought for before thanksgiving. It has been great to have time to do other things like book work and hold sick kids. Because we have so many kids the older ones are well and it's just the youngest two who are slugging out this cold flu thing.
Another first in my life I consented to go shopping on black friday. I was honestly surprised at the low key atmosphere in most places and mostly enjoyed going out to breakfast with my sister in-laws. We did however venture into Joanne's after and found the real deal. Long LONg lines of shoppers with carts full of material. I think I have decided to just buy projects as I am ready to tackle them. As I get excited when buying and need that momentum to get the project done. I found gorgeous brocade and decided to make the girls Christmas dresses. I am a project in a day kind of person. It almost drives me crazy to have to take longer... I have other things that need to be done and to have to commit more time than a day is almost too much. So I thought I could whip out the dresses. I used to be able to do this. But now with the sick younger ones, having hid my sewing stuff from my creative boys, and succumbed to letting them use some things like scissors it takes almost a day to find all the tools I need. (or to do things like re-thread the serger with the amazing dials and long rows of thread that are too much for my toddler). So that said I borrowed a measuring tape measured the girls and began cutting. I found they were bigger than I imagined and did not have enough material for sleeves. This is a problem being a mom that is stickler on modesty. So thank goodness grandma was headed back to town an got me another 1/4 of a yard of material for the dresses. I began sewing or remembering how to sew, and got email instruction from fabulous aunt Brenda. Learned a new technique and a four days later and much much picking out we had beautiful dresses for my pretty daughters. I was very happy with how my zipper seams matched and how pretty the girls looked. They liked the dresses too which ws a major plus.
Funny moment while constructing. I asked John to go to grandmas and get me invisible zippers. HE laughed... and said really mom. I said no John there is such a thing and please go get them. He laughed again and really thought I was pulling his leg, he wouldn't go. So I got them and finally figured out with grandmas help how to put them in. I had done it before but it takes some mental thinking I was not able to do that in my frustration. So we got them in and I proved to John I wasn't telling stories.
We also had the first two pictures shown, before thanksgiving. I knew something was up when I could dust my children off... I had purchased some bulk flour on a case lot sale and did not have enough buckets for it. The flour was moved to our "off-limits" room. Well it got a small hole and like all small holes with small fingers around, it was enlarged and dusted and thrown and scattered and piled all throughout the room. I do have a shop vac as one of my housecleaning tools and so we got busy and got a very clean room out of the deal. I was amazed at all the places flour had been moved to.
Two days before Thanksgiving were Harold and Anna's birthdays. Harold requested donuts. He said grandma sure makes good donuts. She does in fact make amazing donuts, often. But I being the mother could not ask her to make donuts for my kids birthdays. So much to my families surprise I made donuts for two classes of school kids.
They were good. And it was fun taking them to the school. Recess was just ending and it was like being the pied piper.
Two thoughts I have been having recently. One that has been a conscious decision in the past months or year or maybe just a necessity of life. We have been doing more and more as a family and less and less running around. I have been so amazed at the beautiful family moments and I do mean moments sometimes, that we have had. That I hope are embedded somewhere in my mother's heart. I don't have a great memory so I can't reel them off but I can say the peaceful or rambunctious times that they are helping each other, we are having a great discussion, we are all engrossed in a story or enjoying catching chickens together those are the great times that make me so thankful I decided to invite all these children into my life. It is a decision and it is a responsibility and great learning curve of unselfish giving. Although it was hard to sleep through crying babies and throwing up little ones I'm thankful that passes and we are left with the glimpses of harmony. We make all our Christmas tree decorations as it is a tradition and a time to be together. It was so neat to see Anna and Mark, Harold and Addie, Aliza, John and Aunt Alena work together this week to make our paper chains and popcorn strings. (Secret to popcorn pop it and let it sit out for 3-7 days. It's very easy to string when it is stale). And to hear the kids decide how to decorate the tree. I don't really care what it looks like I just care that it is up and that they can enjoy watching, redecorating, dreaming, and loving their Christmas tree. These times would not be possible if we were running to this practice or that meeting or to my class or whatnot. While I do question sometimes our isolation stance, I do know and am finding great truth in the wisdom... "Be Still and Know that I am God." Not that I think I am God but allowing us to feel His presence is a conscious choice to shut off other influences.
And second. How did I get so old? Or more correctly stated I have some wisdom. It was fun to watch and be around the different stages of life of family members. It was more amusing to be the old mom and think well that's not a big deal, or just do this and it will be okay. I was quiet but it is nice to take a pause and realize with all the growing and time, experience is under my belt thus far and I take a more relaxed view with my toddler than I did with my oldest. It is great to see others on the journey and to be so thankful for good examples and that time passes on. I am also so grateful for all those who have helped us get this far. For kind mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and uncles who encouraged and taught what to do with fevers, sleep problems, self-doubt, and the millions of other things that are all part of growing into being a parent. For so many years I kept wishing/wondering my sister or mom would come get these kids. I was not the kids person growing up and I didn't feel I had the skill set to know what to do with them for extended periods of time (like a lifetime). But we kept getting them and phew here we are and I have some skills and the kids are doing pretty well. It is always nice to see that you are in fact growing and moving on the path forward not just spinning idly in place and muddling through.
Last thing a funny from MArk. We get few catalogs in the mail and received one for giving money donations to purchase animals for families in 3rd world countries. Mark was in HEAVEN! He excitedly said mom this is everything I want for Christmas. He is my farmer dude and loves animals. He wants the 28 farm animal set. 2 cows, 2 pigs, 2 pigs, 2 goats, 2 sheep, and 10 chickens.... old Mc Mark wants a farm... He is not getting anything alive for this Christmas. But it is cute to watch him and Reed pour over the pictures and dream of more livestock.
Merry Christmas to you all. I sincerely hope you make time to enjoy the moments and don't worry so much on being the creator of the moments just the host of the spirit that makes them happen. Best to you all.
Another first in my life I consented to go shopping on black friday. I was honestly surprised at the low key atmosphere in most places and mostly enjoyed going out to breakfast with my sister in-laws. We did however venture into Joanne's after and found the real deal. Long LONg lines of shoppers with carts full of material. I think I have decided to just buy projects as I am ready to tackle them. As I get excited when buying and need that momentum to get the project done. I found gorgeous brocade and decided to make the girls Christmas dresses. I am a project in a day kind of person. It almost drives me crazy to have to take longer... I have other things that need to be done and to have to commit more time than a day is almost too much. So I thought I could whip out the dresses. I used to be able to do this. But now with the sick younger ones, having hid my sewing stuff from my creative boys, and succumbed to letting them use some things like scissors it takes almost a day to find all the tools I need. (or to do things like re-thread the serger with the amazing dials and long rows of thread that are too much for my toddler). So that said I borrowed a measuring tape measured the girls and began cutting. I found they were bigger than I imagined and did not have enough material for sleeves. This is a problem being a mom that is stickler on modesty. So thank goodness grandma was headed back to town an got me another 1/4 of a yard of material for the dresses. I began sewing or remembering how to sew, and got email instruction from fabulous aunt Brenda. Learned a new technique and a four days later and much much picking out we had beautiful dresses for my pretty daughters. I was very happy with how my zipper seams matched and how pretty the girls looked. They liked the dresses too which ws a major plus.
Funny moment while constructing. I asked John to go to grandmas and get me invisible zippers. HE laughed... and said really mom. I said no John there is such a thing and please go get them. He laughed again and really thought I was pulling his leg, he wouldn't go. So I got them and finally figured out with grandmas help how to put them in. I had done it before but it takes some mental thinking I was not able to do that in my frustration. So we got them in and I proved to John I wasn't telling stories.
We also had the first two pictures shown, before thanksgiving. I knew something was up when I could dust my children off... I had purchased some bulk flour on a case lot sale and did not have enough buckets for it. The flour was moved to our "off-limits" room. Well it got a small hole and like all small holes with small fingers around, it was enlarged and dusted and thrown and scattered and piled all throughout the room. I do have a shop vac as one of my housecleaning tools and so we got busy and got a very clean room out of the deal. I was amazed at all the places flour had been moved to.
Two days before Thanksgiving were Harold and Anna's birthdays. Harold requested donuts. He said grandma sure makes good donuts. She does in fact make amazing donuts, often. But I being the mother could not ask her to make donuts for my kids birthdays. So much to my families surprise I made donuts for two classes of school kids.
They were good. And it was fun taking them to the school. Recess was just ending and it was like being the pied piper.
Two thoughts I have been having recently. One that has been a conscious decision in the past months or year or maybe just a necessity of life. We have been doing more and more as a family and less and less running around. I have been so amazed at the beautiful family moments and I do mean moments sometimes, that we have had. That I hope are embedded somewhere in my mother's heart. I don't have a great memory so I can't reel them off but I can say the peaceful or rambunctious times that they are helping each other, we are having a great discussion, we are all engrossed in a story or enjoying catching chickens together those are the great times that make me so thankful I decided to invite all these children into my life. It is a decision and it is a responsibility and great learning curve of unselfish giving. Although it was hard to sleep through crying babies and throwing up little ones I'm thankful that passes and we are left with the glimpses of harmony. We make all our Christmas tree decorations as it is a tradition and a time to be together. It was so neat to see Anna and Mark, Harold and Addie, Aliza, John and Aunt Alena work together this week to make our paper chains and popcorn strings. (Secret to popcorn pop it and let it sit out for 3-7 days. It's very easy to string when it is stale). And to hear the kids decide how to decorate the tree. I don't really care what it looks like I just care that it is up and that they can enjoy watching, redecorating, dreaming, and loving their Christmas tree. These times would not be possible if we were running to this practice or that meeting or to my class or whatnot. While I do question sometimes our isolation stance, I do know and am finding great truth in the wisdom... "Be Still and Know that I am God." Not that I think I am God but allowing us to feel His presence is a conscious choice to shut off other influences.
And second. How did I get so old? Or more correctly stated I have some wisdom. It was fun to watch and be around the different stages of life of family members. It was more amusing to be the old mom and think well that's not a big deal, or just do this and it will be okay. I was quiet but it is nice to take a pause and realize with all the growing and time, experience is under my belt thus far and I take a more relaxed view with my toddler than I did with my oldest. It is great to see others on the journey and to be so thankful for good examples and that time passes on. I am also so grateful for all those who have helped us get this far. For kind mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and uncles who encouraged and taught what to do with fevers, sleep problems, self-doubt, and the millions of other things that are all part of growing into being a parent. For so many years I kept wishing/wondering my sister or mom would come get these kids. I was not the kids person growing up and I didn't feel I had the skill set to know what to do with them for extended periods of time (like a lifetime). But we kept getting them and phew here we are and I have some skills and the kids are doing pretty well. It is always nice to see that you are in fact growing and moving on the path forward not just spinning idly in place and muddling through.
Last thing a funny from MArk. We get few catalogs in the mail and received one for giving money donations to purchase animals for families in 3rd world countries. Mark was in HEAVEN! He excitedly said mom this is everything I want for Christmas. He is my farmer dude and loves animals. He wants the 28 farm animal set. 2 cows, 2 pigs, 2 pigs, 2 goats, 2 sheep, and 10 chickens.... old Mc Mark wants a farm... He is not getting anything alive for this Christmas. But it is cute to watch him and Reed pour over the pictures and dream of more livestock.
Merry Christmas to you all. I sincerely hope you make time to enjoy the moments and don't worry so much on being the creator of the moments just the host of the spirit that makes them happen. Best to you all.
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