I have decided for themonth of December, which starts tomorrow (I can't believe it, can you, tomorrow is DECEMBER 1ST!) that I am just going to be posting a picture a day. I've seen this done around blog land and i also want to work on my skills at picture-taking, which aat this point are non-existent and so i have no where to go but up.
There is a fury of activity going on in my "sew-office" as the girls like to call it and I'm sure some of the finished projects will be the main characters of the photos. Also, what a great time of year to just look and feel with that sense without words or explanations you are free to make up your own story about the pictures and the scene.
What I am having difficulty wioth right now is Christmas shopping. Most of my friends are "done" and I haven't even started. Honestly I don't know where to begin. I am so over toys and commercialism and the girls don't watch tv so there isn't any of the "I want that!" after seeing a commercial. I don't know what the cool must-have toys are and i don't really care. This Christmas seems to be shaping up to be a thoughtful simple Christmas more about the traditions we share than the gifts we receive. The problem with that is that I love to give gift, i guess we'll see how this all plays out.
ok, so starting tomorrow, pictures, and feel free to join me, maybe we could start a flickr group or something?
and also, the Sufjan Stevens Songs for Christmas is my holiday sound track this year, love it!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Birthday Party that almost wasn't
It was shaping up to be a beautiful week and weekend. Piper was getting over a nasty virus/infection and everyone was in good spirits. Then Finley got sick...nasty green snotty sticky runny nose and a phlegmy cough. Not so nice to be around and what were we to do with her birthday party a few days away. I did not want to repeat last year and cancel the festivities,so i called all the parents and informed them of the situation here and let them know that we would completely understand if they decided not to come but we were still going to party.
The theme for Fin's party this year was and arts and crafts party. The girls painted some small canvases and I attatched the information:
Come celebrate and sing
Happy Birthday to you
Our Artist in Residence
Finley Claire
is turning 2!
yada yada yada
party favors included a personalized apron for each child and a goody bag with art supplies.
We had 3 art/craft projects: canvases to paint, shaving cream to fingerpaint, and graham crackers to paint with cream cheese and "embelish" with jelly beans.
There was arting and craftin and eating and singing and the occasional crying and everyone had fun.
LOTS of presents that Piper "helped" her sister open and a tower of cupcakes.
Streamers are happy and I wished that we could leave them up all year and my baby, she turned two, sniff.
When I was growing up, birthdays were a big deal and that is a tradition I have sort of forced upon my own family, somewhat to Jason's dismay, but you could tell it was a good party because everyone had nice long happy naps afterwards.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Jonah
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I am thankful for some many many things but this year i am especially thankful for Jonah, Jason's brother, the fourth child in the lineup of 11 children.
Jonah is a marine and he is on a boat right now and will be home in three weeks for good. He also served a 7 month tour in Iraq in a recon division which means he was the one to go in before the massive amount of troops and sweep through builings and such as in urban warfare.
When Jonah announced that he was going to enlist I immediately became anxious. Jason and i discussed it and we decided that jason needed to talk him out of it, that it was not the right choice for him. He never had that discussion with Jonah except for little mentions of our ideas for him and Jonah went off to boot camp. It's an odd feeling to have someone leave for boot camp, and he was the first family member to join the military. Thoughts flashing through my mind of coverage that I had seen of the war, uneasy feelings in my stomach about the thought of ever seeing him again.
When Jonah left for boot camp he was a boy. He was quiet, shy even, and seemed to young and innocent and weak. When he returned from boot camp, well there was a noticeable difference. He was a man. The military had turned him into the kind of man that looks you in the eye when he talks to you and stops talking when you look away or move your attention from him. He spoke articulately and in few words but communicated his thougths in detail. And his physcial demeanor? Well, he was strong and his body had become one of his weapons, in a good way.
When Jonah left for Iraq, I'd say that people were sad, but that is an understatement. But, when he returned, the joy far outweighed the sadness. He will be home in three weeks and the word that floats around in my mind is relief.
You can agree with the war or disagree but one thing is certain, you must support the troops that are there or are here at home. They are doing there job and their families are desperately missing them and worrying about them so it isn't fair to bash the war when these people have loved ones that are serving their country for you. They are heores and I am thankful, especially for my brother Jonah.
Jonah is a marine and he is on a boat right now and will be home in three weeks for good. He also served a 7 month tour in Iraq in a recon division which means he was the one to go in before the massive amount of troops and sweep through builings and such as in urban warfare.
When Jonah announced that he was going to enlist I immediately became anxious. Jason and i discussed it and we decided that jason needed to talk him out of it, that it was not the right choice for him. He never had that discussion with Jonah except for little mentions of our ideas for him and Jonah went off to boot camp. It's an odd feeling to have someone leave for boot camp, and he was the first family member to join the military. Thoughts flashing through my mind of coverage that I had seen of the war, uneasy feelings in my stomach about the thought of ever seeing him again.
When Jonah left for boot camp he was a boy. He was quiet, shy even, and seemed to young and innocent and weak. When he returned from boot camp, well there was a noticeable difference. He was a man. The military had turned him into the kind of man that looks you in the eye when he talks to you and stops talking when you look away or move your attention from him. He spoke articulately and in few words but communicated his thougths in detail. And his physcial demeanor? Well, he was strong and his body had become one of his weapons, in a good way.
When Jonah left for Iraq, I'd say that people were sad, but that is an understatement. But, when he returned, the joy far outweighed the sadness. He will be home in three weeks and the word that floats around in my mind is relief.
You can agree with the war or disagree but one thing is certain, you must support the troops that are there or are here at home. They are doing there job and their families are desperately missing them and worrying about them so it isn't fair to bash the war when these people have loved ones that are serving their country for you. They are heores and I am thankful, especially for my brother Jonah.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Piper's thoughts on Thanksgiving
"I am thankful for the wonderful food that Grammie and Grandpaw made for us."
"I am thankful for the sky that God made and the lights shining from the moon."
"I am thankful for all the people and even some people that I don't even know that God made."
"I am thankful for Finley."
Happy Thanksgiving
"I am thankful for the sky that God made and the lights shining from the moon."
"I am thankful for all the people and even some people that I don't even know that God made."
"I am thankful for Finley."
Happy Thanksgiving
Come, ye thankful people come
Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.
All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
time...it flies
so, does it seem like Thanksgiving is early this year? I had all these grand plans to make some things to decorate the house and then well, Thanksgiving is next week so it seems pointless now, I need to start on with Christmas projects!
But it will have to wait until after this weekend. Baby shower and another birthday party and jason is out of town right now and Finley dropped a cup of red gatorade from our second story that tumbled and exploded all the way down not missing any opportunity to wash the walls, stairs, floor, furniture in its red stickiness. Some drops even made it into the dining room from the force of the fall. Nice.
So, Christmas projects:
Advent stockings - one for each day until Christmas? or new years?
Tree skirt
actual proper stockings for each of us that reflect our personalities
gifts gifts gifts- another list entirely
that's all i can let my head wrap around at this point.
BUT
I love Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday, I'm just not feeling real thankful now that every time I walk down the hall my shoes stick to the tile and make that sound, do you know that sound? the sticky sound een after i have mopped the floor numerous times.
But it will have to wait until after this weekend. Baby shower and another birthday party and jason is out of town right now and Finley dropped a cup of red gatorade from our second story that tumbled and exploded all the way down not missing any opportunity to wash the walls, stairs, floor, furniture in its red stickiness. Some drops even made it into the dining room from the force of the fall. Nice.
So, Christmas projects:
Advent stockings - one for each day until Christmas? or new years?
Tree skirt
actual proper stockings for each of us that reflect our personalities
gifts gifts gifts- another list entirely
that's all i can let my head wrap around at this point.
BUT
I love Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday, I'm just not feeling real thankful now that every time I walk down the hall my shoes stick to the tile and make that sound, do you know that sound? the sticky sound een after i have mopped the floor numerous times.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
tis the season
are you looking for something unique for that special someone on your list this season? check out etsy and buy handmade!
post about the birthday party to come soon!
post about the birthday party to come soon!
Friday, November 10, 2006
do it!
If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?
Here's how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that's playing
5. new question -- press the next button
6. don't lie and try to pretend you're cool
opening credits:
“Milkshake Song” - kids music-various artists from Songs for Wiggleworms
waking up:
“Recovering the Satellites” by counting crows
first day at school:
“Rocks and Water” by The Weepies
falling in love:
“All I want is You” by U2 - nice
breaking up:
“Flow My Tears” by Sting and Edin Karamazov
prom:
“Shut your eyes” by snow patrol
life's okay:
“Prarie Town” by the wailin jennys
mental breakdown:
“upside down” by jack johnson
driving:
“hospital food” by david gray
flashback:
“wildflowers” by tom petty and the heartbreakers - makes me think of fin as a babe
getting back together:
“I believe in a thing called love” by the darkness - HA!
wedding:
“don't talk” by 10,000 maniacs - hhmm?
birth of child:
“summertime” by the sundays
final battle:
“desire” by U2
death scene:
“super trouper” by ABBA
funeral song:
“from here you can almost see the sea” by david gray
end credits:
“fortunate fool” by jack johnson
phew! how embarrassing it would have been to have a something like "baby got back" make the list!
found this here. have a nice weekend!
Here's how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that's playing
5. new question -- press the next button
6. don't lie and try to pretend you're cool
opening credits:
“Milkshake Song” - kids music-various artists from Songs for Wiggleworms
waking up:
“Recovering the Satellites” by counting crows
first day at school:
“Rocks and Water” by The Weepies
falling in love:
“All I want is You” by U2 - nice
breaking up:
“Flow My Tears” by Sting and Edin Karamazov
prom:
“Shut your eyes” by snow patrol
life's okay:
“Prarie Town” by the wailin jennys
mental breakdown:
“upside down” by jack johnson
driving:
“hospital food” by david gray
flashback:
“wildflowers” by tom petty and the heartbreakers - makes me think of fin as a babe
getting back together:
“I believe in a thing called love” by the darkness - HA!
wedding:
“don't talk” by 10,000 maniacs - hhmm?
birth of child:
“summertime” by the sundays
final battle:
“desire” by U2
death scene:
“super trouper” by ABBA
funeral song:
“from here you can almost see the sea” by david gray
end credits:
“fortunate fool” by jack johnson
phew! how embarrassing it would have been to have a something like "baby got back" make the list!
found this here. have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
My NAME is ALICE!
better late than neverr, the girls in their halloween finery...Alice and the Cheshire Cat
And now on to planning Fin's birthday party that is this Saturday, entertaining 18 2-4 year olds can't be that difficult, right?
And now on to planning Fin's birthday party that is this Saturday, entertaining 18 2-4 year olds can't be that difficult, right?
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Happy Birthday Finley
Today you are two years old. That makes me a little sad, but more than that I am full of joy because to be with you is to know joy.
You are the sunshine in my day, always quick with a smile and a snuggle. You have no shortage of thoughts and words and sentences and jokes to share with us and the way your mind works amazes me on a daily basis.
The other day you walked over to me and asked if you could sit next to me on the couch. You climbed up and snuggled in up next to me. You turned to me with you bright beautiful eyes and said, "can I tell you a secret?" I leaned in and you came up to my ear and so sweetly whispered, "I love you."
I pray that you will grow strong and soft, funny and determined. I pray that you find God's will for your life, because did you know that He had a plan for you even before He created the world? You are special and unique and loved. We are so very blessed to have you as a member of our family. There is nothing you can't do and I will protect you but let you struggle and love you no matter what. Happy Birthday sweet sweet Birdie.
You are the sunshine in my day, always quick with a smile and a snuggle. You have no shortage of thoughts and words and sentences and jokes to share with us and the way your mind works amazes me on a daily basis.
The other day you walked over to me and asked if you could sit next to me on the couch. You climbed up and snuggled in up next to me. You turned to me with you bright beautiful eyes and said, "can I tell you a secret?" I leaned in and you came up to my ear and so sweetly whispered, "I love you."
I pray that you will grow strong and soft, funny and determined. I pray that you find God's will for your life, because did you know that He had a plan for you even before He created the world? You are special and unique and loved. We are so very blessed to have you as a member of our family. There is nothing you can't do and I will protect you but let you struggle and love you no matter what. Happy Birthday sweet sweet Birdie.
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