on creating art with kids

While at a friends' for dinner tonight, we were talking about how you have to keep your "Nos" to a minimum when parenting. Kids ask and ask for things- many unpleasant or taxing to us. I really don't like doing artwork with little kids. Which, for being an artist myself, may seem surprising to you. One on one is much more manageable, and older kids are fine. But when it's a bunch of little kids at once trying to cut, leaving scraps everywhere, applying way too much glue, mixing opposite paint colors, globbing WAAAY too much paint in a poor consistency (either too dry or completely watered down) on paper, really gets my stress level up 'ere. My favorite is when they scrub the paper with a wet brush, bristles sprawled out like the sun. Fingernails on a chalkboard, my friends. While I do try to direct them and model for them the most productive method of doing things, I find that it's sometimes best to just let them loose with a tray of supplies and retreat to the basement or powder room for a few minutes so I can't see the damage that's being accomplished. And then take a deep, deeeep breath before putting down my chocolate and allowing myself to go back in and witness their big reveal.

And that's pretty much the way things went down this morning. Actually, it was after I'd cleaned up the second paint-globbed brush that fell on the rug that I told them Mama was feeling stressed and needed to go somewhere else for a few minutes. Abigail had been asking to paint for the past couple of days. But, not being prepared, the thought overwhelmed my sleep-deprived brain, and I replied, "Not today, sweetie." For two days. You can only say that for so many days. So last night, after the kids were down, I hunkered down and found books and got out all of the materials we would need. Jack's crab

Homeschooling four small kids is filled with many challenges, and there are often things I'd rather be doing without so many little people running around, hanging on me, asking for things. But the sacrifices are ALWAYS rewarded. I wouldn't trade my job for anything. And I know I'm doing God's work, even if I have to retreat behind the refrigerator for a spoonful of ice cream from time to time. So that I can be a better mother when I am with them. (sometimes I need an instantaneous reward)

After our morning creating, we headed outdoors. wood louse! I love this time of year!

half a year!

the wingless plane the Belly-up the Double Take military style the Cupie doll ready for Rodney Yee

Our baby Buggins is SIX months today! At her check-up this morning, she weighed 15 lbs, 13 oz.- quite a bit lighter than the others at the same age- and only a pound heavier than she was two months ago, but the doctors and I aren't concerned. She's still in the 50th percentile for weight- and looks round enough.

She gave us a rough month. Following in her sister's footsteps, she's getting crazier 'n' crazier every day, but she's still epitomizes the word 'sweet.' She's dripping sweet, this one. And she's going places. I don't think we're ready for mobility yet, but it's happening. The past few days, she's been getting her bum in the air and inching and rolling all over the floor with proficiency. She's mostly mastered reverse and is working on scooting forward. Her other tricks are saying "Hi" when prompted (it's more of a "haaaaah") and cranking her arm up and down fervently when waved to. She's also quite adept at spitting out all solid food that enters her mouth. Always a horrendous eater.

We'll keep her. She's such a blessing to all of us. A very merry half birthday, little one!

little runners

Thanks so much to those who contributed to the WCN toward my run next week! Since my target was reached ahead of time, I decided to up the goal-- just $75 more to go! We can do it! For the moms and babies!

Yesterday morning, I went on a 1.5 mile run with some cute little kids (I did a longer run later in the evening). After catching on that they should walk when they got tired and not lie down on the sidewalk (and that there is a slower speed than all-out), they did great (and only minimal walking). This was, I think, the funnest run I've ever done. They kept me laughing the whole time.

laying it down

After a long and exhausting day, I'm throwing up my hands.

For the past couple of days, we've had a fussy, out of sorts babe, the poor thing. So I've been an out-of-sorts, crabby Mama. Last night we had a near trip to the E.R. instead of an anniversary dinner outing (I opened the sliding van door on Jack's head). Iris threw up after breakfast and cried her whiny cry 75% of her wakeful hours. To top it all off-- after pumping this evening to try to boost my milk supply, I was taking some bags from the upstairs freezer down to our basement freezer to store. And I had a sickening feeling when I reached in, and everything was wet. And not that cold. We had to throw out 91.75 fl oz of breast milk. Liquid gold. For our girl who is an awful nurser, that as a supplement would have have kept her in good supply for quite some time.

So, even in this, I will try not to be anxious. Even this I will lay at the foot of the cross. Along with my guilt over failings of the day, my shortness with kids being kids (one blocking the light source of a siblings' shadow puppets, one peeling the jewels off of dress-up costumes, one hiding in the basement in the dark because I said no Wild Kratts today...), my tears tonight over silly things...

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

~Philippians 4:6-8

In case you were curious, Saint Giles is the patron saint of breastfeeding and nursing mothers (Saint Giles, pray for me) I think something's going on in that there mouth. She's still the smiliest, even when she's a fuss-Buggins.

7 years

To be faithful means to be devoted to a person, a cause or an idea. It means to be firmly planted and secure; it means to be trustworthy.

I have a faithful man.

Not only is he devoted to me, but he is faithful to our family. When he is home, he is completely present. He cherishes our kids and takes delight in his time spent with them, playing catch in the front yard, snuggling on the couch, programming educational worksheets for them on his computer, strumming his guitar while they dance and clang their instruments.

I feel thankful every day that God chose this man of integrity to be my husband. He respects me and supports me. He never puts me down, never ridicules me, never brushes off my concerns or ideas. And he often brings me little tokens of his love- chocolate, ice cream, flowers from the grocery store, honey roasted almonds... and does things with me that I know aren't his favorite. But he enjoys doing them because he knows I like them. He's just that kind of guy.

There are days I wonder if I ask too much, if I am too much for him. The days I'm more frustrated than fun, more critical than caring. But to all my craziness, the rational and irrational, he responds in his way-- sensible, supportive, and loving. And I know that if God sees fit to bless us with another little person, or a few, it will be this gentle and level-headed man that will keep me sane and hold me steady, that will point me toward God for grace.

Seven years. Four beautiful kids. Our path is a road less traveled, but I can safely trust in him and feel peace in it all. For all the days of my life. I love you so very much, my sweet one!

running for a reason-- two weeks to go

I don't like asking for money for anything, but this isn't for me, so I'll plow ahead. My race in support of the Women's Choice Network is coming up in just over two weeks. I haven't gotten as far in my training as I would have liked, but I'm not doing this for my personal achievement, either. I've been trying to make each of my runs a prayer for the mothers and babies, who desperately need help in the form of prayers and support from ministries like the Women's Choice Network. The WCN does amazing work in encouraging abortion-minded women to seek other life-giving options for their precious babies- and helping to make those options possible.

$275 will fund the centers for one day. That's about how much more I'm hoping to raise before the race on May 5, in order to reach my goal of $1,310. If you haven't, will you consider donating any amount to this worthwhile and Godly cause? (you can donate through the Crowdrise link on the right sidebar) Thank you so much to those who have contributed thus far. If you don't feel called to contribute monetarily, maybe you would consider committing to praying for the desperate and vulnerable mothers and the many babies whose lives are at stake daily? Your prayers are so valuable.


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I also want to take this opportunity to ask for continued prayers for the runners, the spectators, the families, and all who have been impacted by the tragic event that happened on Monday at the Boston Marathon. May God bless them all.

29

(Jack was at his Blue Knights Boys' Club meeting)

Today is my 29th birthday. 28 years have come and gone and although I often feel like I never grew much past age 18, it's the last several years that have defined me most of all. At 29, by many standards, I don't have much to show for myself. I don't have a high paying career, or even the thought of beginning one. My days are spent cleaning, reading, teaching, refereeing, writing, cooking, praying. In a world that values self promotion, there's simply not much here. But I go to bed each night and pinch myself at just how wonderful this life is-- and how truly blessed I've been.

I celebrated my birthday today the way I know best-- by being with and talking to the people I love the very most. Mike spoiled me by taking the day off and letting me sleep in. And he surprised me with the Anne of Green Gables trilogy dvd set. And my favorite kind of chai tea and beautiful opal earrings. The kids made me thoughtful cards. In the afternoon, I enjoyed an uninterrupted run on the treadmill (it was raining), and afterward we went out to dinner at Red Lobster (since it's Friday). Late this morning, Abigail and I went to see Cinderella (the ballet) at the Benedum with some others in our homeschooling group (Yay discounted school performance tickets). I have no other pictures from the affair than her eating a ginormous piece of pizza afterward. She kept laughing, saying, "You don't think I can eat this whole piece of pizza, Mama!" To which I kept responding, "I'll believe it when I see it." She has been such a delight lately. She did not, in fact, need any assistance.

I hope to spend this next year much as I have the past few, with a prayer to be a blessing to those I meet along the path God has for me. And the joy of knowing that giving love away merely makes it return, abundantly more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you to all of my family and friends for being such a blessing in my life, through supporting and encouraging me in all the ways that you do!

dress-up extravaganza

The kids and I met my sister and her girls this morning at a park in Squirrel Hill we'd never been to. It was HOT. My kids were scurrying from one spot of shade to another, dramatically trying to convince me of their nearness to heat stroke. They're in a for some disappointment this summer. I unfortunately left my camera at home- the littlest ones were adorable, lounging side by side on a quilt, and Russie and Buggy were two peas in a pod with their short curly brown dos (the others were pretty sweet, too, when they weren't whining about the heat).

Anyway, Heather passed on to us from the girl she nannies a great bag of treasures (for the girls at least): pretty dress-up ballet costumes and the like. As soon as we got in the door, the girls stripped down and commenced taking turns trying on the lovely frocks. He was darting in and out with his cape and any "evil looking thing" he could get his hands on. "The better the ballerinas get, the more EVIL I become!" Overcompensating....
Oh dear. She doesn't stand a chance.

Thanks, Aunt Heather for thinking of us (and Nina for the clothes)!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

{pretty} The girls were napping this afternoon, and Jack asked to go outside. I peered out the window a few minutes later to check on him and saw him picking these purple flowers, that are really weeds (henbit), but they are beautiful, nonetheless. He came in, beaming, and told me he'd picked them for me and asked if I wanted to put them in water. What a sweet little boy I have. {happy} I have been wanting an antique oak high chair for quite some time now and I spotted this one on Craig's List. The woman was asking $50, and I emailed asking if she'd accept $40 (she would). Yesterday morning, I called before heading over to see it, and she asked if I could do her a HUGE favor and get her some butter, as she was stuck home making pierogies and had found herself butterless. She said she'd give me the chair for $30 if I'd just bring her some butter. I was happy to oblige and got the chair for $30. What a steal! It's in perfect condition. Even the straps look new. {funny} I promised the kids something fun after picking up the chair, so we popped into Ikea ("The Kea", as Iris calls it), since we were in the vicinity. These goofy hats were in a bin for $0.99 each, so I picked up one for each of them. For some reason the clown noses came with the girls' hats. And I nabbed the last jester hat. How perfect is this? Buggins loved hers, too. Rotten to the core, she is.

{real} First lesson from Dad