the company I kept

We had a friend over this morning.  It is good for us to have scheduled play time.  I know that sounds stupid...but really it forces us to have some structured time where we only play.  No dishes, no folding clothes, no talking on the phone-- and best of all, no TV (can't even tell you the last time I sat down to watch.)

It is funny to watch peers interact.  I love waiting to see who will "lead" the play and who will follow (and for how long). Hannah usually follows because her older sister is always bossing her around.  But when she plays within her own age group...I am always surprised to see that she is quite comfortable leading the way.  She has learned from the best.  Pretty funny when she says in her most syrupy voice, "no, I think that we will do it my way this time okay?"  Of course it is not really a question to be answered.  There are all kinds of opportunities to learn about sharing, being generous with our things, taking turns, and listening to the ideas of others.  Sometimes they look at me like, "would you just leave us alone and let us work this out our own way lady?"  Laurel bit Hannah today and actually drew blood.  So you can see that stepping aside is a tempting option...but not very safe.

So, that is how my morning was spent.  We made this for lunch.  Yummy.  I added a sweet potato and also a sprinkle of nutmeg. It would be great with some cornbread. 

I have a couple of projects that I am working on and hope to share them soon.  I am also working up to the idea that I'll have to put the garden to sleep before long. 

An intervention might be necessary...I cannot stop wearing my flip-flops.

ode to grandpa and fresh perspective

As always, it is wonderful to be home.  We enjoyed our brief time away- it is always good to see family.  My girls love their grandpa- and he loves them (and camouflage???).  A busy man, he always makes time for us.

My dad is a perfect mix of gentleness, confidence, silliness, and intelligence.  He has great style, can be pretty funny, and makes yummy fried rice (inside joke) . A bit handsome too don't you think? Don't get any ideas though...we like him all to ourselves.  We are always sad to have to say goodbye and travel beyond the physical reach of his arms.  Grandpa snuggles are the best (because they usually include a little pinch)!

On a side note, I had a small break-through while away.  Every time I think about my children growing up and moving on in their lives- my heart breaks a little (OK a lot).  It would seem that life would be so quiet and somewhat empty without their little feets running up and down the hallway. What would Carl and I do?  Would we even know/like each other by that time?  What would we talk about, worry about?  Well, after visiting my aunt and uncle's house...I think I have a better outlook. 

Okay not the best picture, but it will prove my point.  With small children in your house could you ever have this sink in your bathroom?  My kids would probably try eating their cereal out of it! I began looking at the grown-up things all around their house. Not to mention the perfect cleanliness of it. Their carpet was perfect, not a toy to be seen, no papers held up by magnets on their fridge. They had scrapbook upon scrapbook of all their vacations taken together.  There is life after children.  God willing, Carl and I have so much to look forward to.  It was a nice perspective to see the future from.

Looking into my future this week, I see trips to the grocery store, piano lessons, laundry, carpooling, volunteering at school, and if my family is lucky perhaps a bit of cooking.  I'll do my best to enjoy it all!!

random things

I always enjoy reading these lists when other people write them...here's mine

10 Random Things About Me (in random order):

1.  I am not afraid of heights.  I attribute this mostly to riding the chair lifts up the mountain while skiing as a child.  However, I am pretty darn claustrophobic.  I attribute this to being trapped head down in sleeping bags by my older cousins.

2.  I wear this perfume. 

3.  I hate it when anyone touches my bellybutton.  Hate it!

4.  If money were no object, I think I would drive this car.

5.  I am not really an animal lover.  I don't hate them...but my life seems fairly complete without a pet (this cannot be said of my daughter Emma, who every day asks for a dog or cat- we are still in talks)

6.  I cry at every birth I attend.  I keep waiting for this to stop...I just can't seem to help myself.

7.  I am a bit of a hypochondriac.  Getting older doesn't help, neither does webmd.

8.  I always wanted to go to a college where I could join the woman's crew team.

9.  I am a pretty terrible swimmer- I sink.  Maybe there is a reason that #8 never worked out for me.

10. Please don't talk to me when you are brushing your teeth and all that foamy white toothpaste is running down your chin.  My college roommate/cousin used to do this to me all the time- just to see me gag.