Boston 2019
Boston day 1 was a blast! Tim and I laughed a lot as we walked around the city this evening. He did a fabulous job posing for all the photos I wanted to take of him, and even got one of me. Day 2 was all about the Marathon and Coffee Expos! We started at the marathon expo then headed over to the world of coffee. What differing experiences to have in one day (though both held lots of energetic people š). We had our DNA taken to have it tested for health purposesāthat was my fav marathon vendorāand we Continue Reading …
Steady Hands
I donāt know what you see in their faces, but this little girl is holding it togetherājustāas she swirls with excitement and fear and desire and hesitation. She wants to be in control of this moment, but it is loud and fast and big and scary. Behind her, that man, he is her calm. His hand is steady as she shakes. His voice has a low, rich timbre that speaks peace and assurance. His presence gives her the courage to proceed. She achieves with his support, but could not proceed without it. Not every moment is so fraught. Not every Continue Reading …
Mentorship Moments
Over the years, as I have watched my husband take time in the most inconvenient moments to explain why or how or what, I have learned the indisputable importance of mentorship. Though I had some good leaders in my previous professional life, I was managed, not mentored. It has been the day-in-day-out representation of it through the relationship between my husband and our children, and the adult relationship between my mom and me, that has cemented for me how one can walk alongside teaching knowledge and wisdom, even when momentary pressures pull at your patience and attention. So now, I Continue Reading …
Disconnected Reconnection
When we bought our lake condo, we decided not to install TVs there. Until Julianna was 4 we didnāt have one at home, and there are ways in which we miss the absence of one (though we are thankful for the distractive quality of it, and for Blippi of course š), so it followed to forsake the TV in our getaway place. The first few stayovers, the kids would get bored and ask for a show, and we would shrug and suggest an activity, to their many protestations. This Christmas week was the first time they didnāt ask. (Oh, what Continue Reading …
Sankta Lucia
Luciakrona, Starboy hat, pepparkakor, and Dala Horse gummies (just for fun) are ready for our early risers. This year, Julianna and Elijah have set an alarm so they can bring Mommy and Daddy treats in bed to celebrate Sankta Lucia day tomorrow. Next year maybe weāll make Lussekatter to add to the tradition, but this is a good start!
Climb On!
Seeing these kiddos climb to the top amazes me! They struggle, question their journey (āIs this high enough? Can I come down now?ā), stand still for a while on the way up with legs SHAKING from exertion…but they continue on. I think I love this so much for them because it is life. This is me, every day. I want to rise, but I get stuck along the way. Donāt we all? And still, we rise through the struggles, all in our own time.
Summer Reflection
Last night I was so incredibly tired, not from lack of sleep (Tim owns that sort of tired), but from a summer of activity and moderating and mediating, that I sat down in bed right after we got the kids to sleep and didnāt get up again. This morning, when I went downstairs to get breakfast started, I was greeted with yesterdayās mail, including the memory book from our RV trip in June, and it is Beautiful!!! It brought back all the feelings: the quiet, the excitement, the joy, the satisfaction, and the wonder of that time. As the moments Continue Reading …
You can do it all by yourself.
I am so impressed with this little girl (all the time)!! She has been asking to make banana bread from a recipe she found in The Little Big Book for Moms, and today she did it! This is a failing of mine, but when my kids have previously asked to help in the kitchen, I have said no. Cooking isnāt my strength, so I struggle even more managing little hands and feet in the space. Today, I said, āYes, you can do it all by yourself. Let me know if you need help.ā And she did it all by herself! Continue Reading …
Tuzigoot National Monument and Sedona
I think we broke our internal clocks at Grand Canyon. Or maybe we passed through the Arizona vortex and that did it. All I know is that 11:21 p.m. last night, when we rolled in from the day trip to Tuzigoot National Monument and Sedona, it occurred to me that we had been at least three hours late for life since our return from that amazingly large hole in the ground. Children were asleep everywhere. No pajamas this time (because we were planning to be home in time for dinner). And even though it was the last time weād see Continue Reading …
A Grand Adventure
Each time we tried to discuss our ambitious plans to take the day trip, our brains froze. We truly got no further than āput them in the RV, have lots of food and water, and follow the navigation.ā Tim and I brought our family to Scottsdale to see our dear friends, Julie and Aron, who had just moved here. Our visit had been set for a while; the whole RV plan was truly last minute, but transformed the entire journey from Trip to Adventure, and yesterday was no different. So without a set idea of where weād stop for gas Continue Reading …