Family Pictures

Accepting the changes...or not.

Obviously the kids are experiencing a plethora of emotions about our upcoming move. And while they are excited about many aspects, like me, they are cautiously optimistic about others. School is one of those issues.

Nicholas took the news the hardest, and beyond being the oldest, he is the child whose personality does not lend itself well to change in general. So we knew that it would be toughest on him, oldest or not. In one of our many discussions on the topic of where we might live, when we might move, why we are moving, where they might attend school...he made a very strong argument for one thing in particular:

"Mom, I guess I can be okay with moving, if we have to. But on one condition. You WILL home school us."

Long, quiet pause....(crickets chirping).

"And for recess I will just go outside and shoot something."

And here I thought it was because he wanted to spend more time at home with his mom. Although I do not see it happening, I have learned one thing as a mom....NEVER say never.

Changes.

Just when I thought that I would finally have nothing major to cover in a Christmas letter.

We are moving.

I have to let that settle in......

...more in my own heart than yours, as I know that most of you do not have any idea where I am now.

Am I frightened, sad, excited, joyful, expectant, proud, heart-broken? Yes. All of these. Our journey is not one of great distance. But distance is not what makes moving difficult. What we leave behind, is. But likewise, what we come back to, is what makes it all worth while.

We have only been a part of this community for four and a half years. But when it has been the years of watching our toddlers turn into boys and girls, it feels like a lifetime. First days of school, first communions, first readings at Mass, first friendships, first birthday sleep-overs. The time here has been good. Better than good. And I am sad to see it end.

Of course, with change comes great joy as well. We will be moving back closer to both of our extended families. Chad and I know that there is NO replacement for family. Friends are amazing blessings, but family is forever. We have committed ourselves to raising our kids as close to their grandparents as is feasible. And this move will certainly make that a reality. It is a good move for us, and we are so blessed.

Many times I have written about our school. But for us, it is so much more than a place to drop our kids off each day---it has been a family. So saying good-bye will hurt.

The people there have loved my children. They have not just educated them in math, writing, and reading...but they have loved them, and taught them that they are loved and how to love others. And I wish that more people knew what that feels like. There isn't a price tag too high for that. No sacrifice too great to make that a reality. Nothing will I miss greater.

I will be writing more on this move over the next several weeks, and months...but for now, I just wanted to let you all know. If you have spare prayer time, offer one up for this transition and our kids. They are amazing little people with big hearts and they feel deeply. They know the joy that awaits them, but the immediate sadness is strong.

According to Kate

Kate: "Mom, brick houses are really good. If we ever have another house it should be brick."

Me: "Sounds good to me, Kate."

Kate: "Do you know why brick houses are very good? Because if a volcano comes, they are safer. I learned that in school."

Me: "I think you mean, tornado, Kate."

Kate: "Tornado. Volcano. What's the difference?"

To myself....Just a few thousand degrees of heat and few wind gusts of 100mph. But you are right, what's one natural disaster to another?

The best laid plans....

Sometimes as a mom, I start thinking that the ease of life depends solely on my ability to think and plan ahead.

For example: Packing a few quick snacks when heading out for a day can save me from hearing grumpy kids grumble about empty stomachs, when we left the house five minutes prior. Having an old ice cream pail in the van at all times eliminates the frantic need to pull over at the first sound of, "Mommy, my tummy hurts!". Taking kids to the bathroom at the beginning of each stop encourages them to empty their bladders first, shop second.

These are just examples. Obviously every mom or dad has his/her own strategies at maintaining sanity when heading out with the kids. There are many more...which I would love to have you share.

However, I sometimes get a false sense of control when I put too much emphasis on these strategies working. Just as many times as they have worked to save me a few minutes or a bit of sanity, they have failed miserably, as things beyond my control and plans, take over to become my reality.

Stopping in the bathroom at the start of our visit to Target does not ensure that the urge in a three year old, to have a bowel movement will not hit somewhere around aisle 26. Just as taking a snack in the van may keep tummy's fuller longer, but may also lead to picking smashed fruit snacks off the carpet, clothes, and blankies for a week.

I guess what I am saying is that sometimes I pride myself in my own ability to run a smooth ship. I think that my planning helps. I know that it helps. But unpredictability is as predictable as anything in childhood...nay, in life.

Things will not always go as we think they should. They will not always go as we had hoped they would. They will not always go as we know they could. It is just the way of parenting. But with God we can do all things. Even if they are not the things we would most like to be doing!

To let you know...

In case you were wondering, no I did not 'un-friend' you from my Facebook account. I instead, un-friended Facebook, or something like that.

But do not panic (come on, you can pretend that you care.) I can still be found here. And I may be back to Facebook in the future, just for now I am simplifying. Or diversifying. Or being lazy. One or more of these is possible.

Friends, if I may call you that...you can always email me. You know that old fashioned thing we used to do back in the '08's.

Family Foto Time

School pictures are expensive nowadays. Did you realize that? Good grief. I have always dutifully filled out the forms, paid my $20+ each child and waited for my mediocre pictures to return, weeks later. Justifying that it was still less effort and more affordable than pursuing other options.

And here's the kicker, I know my kids are cute. Excuse me? They are. Admit it. But you would not know it based on the pictures they bring home. Tight lipped smiles, buckwheat rooster hairs, dark circled eyes...it really does nothing to enhance their natural adorable-ness.

So this year I decided to forgo the school picture day and instead book a family photo session. You can not imagine how relaxing it was around here the morning of school pictures. Sure I dressed them up cute, enough....for the class composite. But no morning tears and loud wailing. From me or the kids.

And believe it or not, the cost will be no more, with all the photos purchased that I need---and want. No, we will not be going to the top photo professionals--but we have had our pictures done here before and have always been highly satisfied. So, it is a win-win. Budget and sanity.

Now, I must scour the closets and Internet to come up with our clothing options! And no, I do not think now is the time to try out the skinny jean option.

Lately.

Lately.

We have soaked up the last rays of warm sunshine,

while visiting one of our favorite places.

Lately.

I have seen God's love for me painted across the sky

and covering the waters of the earth.

Lately.

I have watched with wonder as my husband fathers

our children in a way that mimics God's fathering of me.

Lately.

Some of us have found great joy in bringing home dinner,

while others of us shudder at the thought of eating it.

Lately.

I have watched a newborn baby girl grow and develop

into this beautiful child.

Lately.

I find myself wondering what life was like without her

and how we could ever have been complete.

Lately.

I have listened to her giggles and been unable

to control my own as we both are filled with joy.

Lately.

I have watched little children experience the joy

that is only found in being a sibling.

Lately.

She has reached out and experienced new things

that only come in the perfect timing of God.

Lately.

I have felt the enormity of my blessings and

with extreme gratefulness give glory to God.

Where's she going with this?

To say that the weather has been somewhat 'temp'eramental might be a bit cheesy, but come on--I know women going through menopause that do not experience so many temperature fluctuations!

As with all of the irritations in my life, I do what comes most naturally-- I complain.

However, as I attempt to grow as a person, body (okay, well not so much body), mind and spirit, I am learning, albeit slowly, that complaining does nothing but make everyone miserable. It is something that I learned from my husband. But please, do not tell him that, I hate admitting that he is right. It is also something that I reiterate to my children as often as possible.

Complaining takes a bad thing and makes it worse.

So, the point of my post. Yes, it is in here somewhere. The weather kind of (whispering) stinks. But in a genuine desire to find something to be happy about....I am thrilled to pull my vests from the back of my closet. My warm, cuddly, and oh-so-body-shape-forgiving down VESTS! Still do not own one? What in heaven's name are you waiting for?

It's a start

I tried on my first pair of 'skinny' jeans. I will pause for the gasp.

(crickets chirping)

Are you good now? Okay. Actually, I tried on these jeans. Silver Suki Slim's. The only thing that got me into them was the fact that they were called 'slim' instead of skinny. Because let's be honest...skinny is not where it's at.

I am not sure what came over me. I think it is all of the cute boots I have been seeing walking about these days. And I just can not justify buying a pair of fabulous knee or calf boots if they will be hidden UNDER my bootcut Suki's. So, there is the dilemma.

Well, I did not come home with them. But I did not throw up in my mouth either. I think we might be getting somewhere.

Tell me the truth. Do you have any skinny slim jeans? Do you wear them with boots? I need to know.