Theo is at it again!

Theo and I put together another mini-movie: Lego Batman vs. Dr. Crane.
Spoiler alert: Batman wins.

day 2, motion

swim lessons.

.....

today i cancelled my netflix and the internet on my phone.  i started making a list of things to sell, and i even priced out a few things: our granite lazy susan, my finnish table ware, the car dvd player... and planned to add some daytime hours to my salon schedule, as well as a regular chunk of time each week for creative endeavors, mainly sewing.  i'm serious.  because i am so happy and fulfilled when i am busy and when i can pay my bills on time.  do you want to buy anything you've ever seen from this house? i was even thinking about trying to sell our bed frame and the vintage sewing machine upstairs.  and the kids' dressers.  and half our clothes.  and the music table thingy.  maybe the double stroller?  i want more space in this house and more breathing room in my checking account.  i want to stop treading water and start...SWIMMING!

happy wednesday to you fishies!!

LOVE.

down on the farm

We spend Christmas Eve at home, Santa fills our stockings while we sleep.  The kids woke up around 7:30 on Christmas morning, we started our Christmas morning with squeals.  It was a full hour before there was any whining or squabbling.  Thank you, Santa!  Habtamu gave me the camera that I've been lusting after.  I have to get back into thinking about my photos more...I've been having fun just playing around.  I usually have to pour over the manual when I get new electronics, but I just needed to feel the camera in my hands and get lost behind the lens.  Yes, I am a bit rusty, but it will be so fun to get loose again.

our tree is skinny.  like me in my dreams.

Theo got a bike for his birthday, and more tracks for Christmas from Ma and Dad. And blocks from Santa, who found them at the thrifty for a buck forty-nine.

Grammy gave Suvi an easel.  White board on this side, chalk board on the other.  She loves to color, and quite often on herself and the walls.  My Mom thought Suvi might be satisfied in expressing herself on the board; she loves it.  She also loves to use the markers on my dresser, her dresser, her brand new white vest, the wall next to the front door, and right before we left for Katie and Dave's, Judah.  Well, his white shirt.  See, I had planned to put a plaid flannel on him, but his chubby little arms didn't fit in the sleeves.  So I was thinking about what to toss on his little rolly polly sweet babyness while suvi was writing on her brother.  Markers have been confiscated.  No release date insight. 

There it is!

Look at all that color and the pretty lights :)

Dave had to feed Anderson's cows; he invited the kids to go along.  They were shy, so Daddy went, too.  Suvi rode with Auntie Katie.  Theo was thrilled to ride in the truck with no buckles.  I was happy to learn this after the fact.  This photo is from H's phone.

We had a Happy Merry and hope you did as well!  I've been mulling over some thoughts for posts... there just seems to be less time for blogging as of late.  What with all the snow and icedams and holiday prep and new work hours for Mom and Dad.  And watching Avatar.  Yes, I watched it.  Santa put it in my stocking.  (I usually find a few things for myself and put them in my own stocking.  This year I decided not to do it, and my sweet husband found a couple of flicks for me.)  Never thought I'd enjoy Avatar, but it was kinda good.  {Don't tell MOE I said that though.  I like to tease him about his nerdy movies.}  The other film (pronounced FILLum, like in England.) is The Godfather. Mafia movies. Fuggedabaadit. 

So the prezzies and the food and the family...all good.  One of my sisters had to work on Christmas, it was strange without her, but we were sure to be extra weird in her honor.

I didn't spend enough time thinking about the birth of my Lord and Saviour.  It is always in my mind, but the fun of everyday often takes over the reins.  "Long ago a star shone brightly, Leading wisemen from afar..."  It can be difficult to believe that God chose Mary to bring His Son into the world.  I look at Judah and think how did the King start off like this?  A helpless child, cooing and getting teeth, became the man on the cross...all for me.  And you!  "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

I've wondered if some people might feel themselves wanting to pull away a bit from my blog, or from me irl, since I've been rather open about depression.  I've wondered if some people think, in a way, that I am just making myself sick, just worrying, not trusting God to take care of me.  If you are reading this, and you feel some of those things...well, I am still the same person I was before I felt so burdened by depression.  I still pray and look to God for guidance and assurance.  "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!"  I'm not any stronger or less dependant on my faith because of depression.  I can't even put it into words to properly relay the way I felt and how I feel now.  Since I started my 'course of action', shall we say, it is easier for me to go to church.  I would just be so frustrated and angry with my kids for acting up, I couldn't stand it!  I think they weren't acting out so much as responding to the weirdness and crabbiness that had moved into their Mommy.  They were, actually, pretty naughty in church today, but it didn't put me out so much or ruin my day.  It was, after all, a beautiful day. 



oh I nearly forgot!

1. reading novels
2. taking, reviewing, editing, organizing, sharing photos
3. writing letters and making cards
4. watching movies
5. going out for coffee with friends
6. dating Habtamu
7. listening to music
8. writing and reading poetry

All those things, I was supposed to put them on my to-do list, like, 3 years ago. No wonder!  I knew something was missing.

I started working on number one: I am on chapter 11 of The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  So far I love it.  Just read it.  My mom is in a book club with her sister and some other women, I get a condensed version of every book she reads, but this is one I wanted to read myself. 
Theo threw a box of photos down the stairs yesterday.  Maybe that was a sign that they are ready to be sorted and displayed!
I didn't write a letter, but yesterday I mailed a package to someone in South Korea.  That was fun.
We watched Evan Almighty on the couch, all of us, tonight. Some parts put Theo into serious fits of laughter. Magic.  Before I watched it, I was skeptical...I don't like to mock my Creator.  But it doesn't, it has a nice message.
On my way home from work I started listening to Speak Now.  I had to see what everyone is talking about.

That means I can cross 1,3,4, and 7 off my list for this week.  But tomorrow is Sunday so they go right back on the list in about an hour and a half.
It's a lot of work being a whole sister.  :)

cool water

we spent an hour or so at the park this morning.  we actually got out of the house by 10:30. i dropped a bill in the mail and then one at city hall--i like to have running water and garbage collection. it is a glorious day, and just couldn't go home after our short errands.  we went over to the park.  i love this park--there is sand in the small kids play area, and fun climbing and sliding in the bigger kids area.  we had it all to ourselves.  i know it is good for the kids to meet new little friends, but i am so much more relaxed if i don't have to worry about some strange little urchin pushing my precious darlings off the slide or coating all the hand-holds with the dreaded peanut butter.  i can hold the baby and not my breath.  so it is sunny, and a little breezy, they leaves are changing...this is my kind of monday.

pulling away from Oak Hill, i felt so refreshed.  i usually do feel good after spending some time outside, but this was almost tangible.  like a cool drink on a hot day.  the cobwebs have been dusted from my little head (really, it is on the large side, but compared to the whole of the world, i see it as my little head. {"head. pants. now." i do love mike myers.})  so time with friends refreshed my heart (as does a date night, like last night was), spending time out of the house with the kids playing together so sweetly refreshes my mind.  oh, and the huge relief of money coming in at just the right time eases my breath. what. a.day!!!

suvi has learned to love being behind the lens. (thanks A LOT deanna. ha!)