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Oh So Holly Holiday

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Unforgettable...

Like so many times since May 26th, my most 'recent' blog post, I've let too many moments pass me by.

Amazing moments.  Funny moments.  Bittersweet moments. 

Unforgettable moments.

There are also so many moments that I forget why I walked downstairs, can't find my car keys in my pocket, and start a conversation just in time to forget what I meant to say.  For this reason, among others, I've decide that these moments deserve a hard-copied version...one that will not fade in the pile covering my to-do lists.  

I need a reminder on my most joyful of days and a refresher on my so-so days of

just how fleeting this time with my little girls truly is....

It really is quite amazing.  We've had a crazy, busy, awesome 6 months since I last posted.

Things have changed.  The girls have grown in so many ways.  We've had great days, long days, tiring days...all memory-filled and amazing in some way...

... and we've learned SO much more about what it takes to be great parents. 

A job that's continuing...everyday. 

So, with that, I write....

And I'll write.
 And it'll be so, so awesome to look back someday and share with our family
all of the amazing reasons, memories, and feelings
that contributed to the moments. 

"Your little hand wrapped around my finger.  And it's so quiet in the world tonight.  Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming.  So, I'll tuck you in and turn on your favorite night-light. 
To you, everything is funny.  You've got nothing to regret. 
I'd give all I have honey, if you could stay like that. 
Oh Darlin' don't you every grow up, don't you every grow up, just stay this little. 
Oh Darlin' don't you every grow up, don't you every grow up...It could stay this simple."

-Never Grow Up, Taylor Swift

Here Goes Nothin'.....

...but I'll be happy with a little something.

The back of my mind has been busy...lots of ideas and dreams, and I've finally decided to act on it. 

I'm excited...and absolutely clueless.

I've always loved dipping my hands into anything creative.

I grew up having more craftdates than playdates with friends.

I've enjoyed giving scrapbooks to others and have had the honor of creating wedding jewelry.

But this, my latest craft-loving activity, has proven to be my favorite...and for good reason.

I have two indispensible 'guinea pigs' for all of my creations.

Inspired by them...

 and made for others just like them.

So, with the encouragement of others, along with my own dreaming, excitement, and "What-have-I-got-to-lose?" attitude, I'm cluelessly stepping into the 'business world'...
hoping to clean off my kitchen table and sewing desk a bit. 

And hoping to get my creations into the hands of others.    

My Etsy and Twitter accounts are in the works...hopefully a successful first step on a fun adventure.

Battle Picking and Thinking Too Hard

It's been one of those weeks where my motherhood has been tested, challenged, and tried to the core

(or at least, that's how some moments have felt). 

Maybe not quite that dramatic, but my always-overanalytical mind has been doing what it's so good (unfortunately) at these last few days, and I'm exhausted!

Both lovely children of  mine have apparently schemed together in hopes of giving me a good run for my money these last few days. 

If one is not hitting another while slyly grinning at me, then the other is shrieking at the top of her lungs, only because I've asked her to use her inside voice....something my former students usually responded to; not so much the case with an almost-19 month old. 

As frustrating as their actions have been lately, I've been "reassured" that their behaviors are 'normal' and 'just a phase'...hmmm....not very helpful advice at the moment (even though I may pass the same on someday:)!

I worry so much about using every moment as a teachable one, afraid that if I don't react, or do react wrong that it will somehow shape or misshape my two darlings.  I'm always questioning myself and wondering if I've done or left unsaid, something that has caused their behaviors. 

Perhaps it's my own thinking,

rather than the girls, that is wearing me out...?!!

So, I've challenged myself (since challenge seems to be the theme this week), to let some 'things' go. 

I have to learn to laugh some things off, react in a consistent way, and still show 'em who's boss (as my own Mom so eloquently puts it!)! 

So now, if I can just master these challenges and get the laundry put away,

I'll be good as gold silver!

Tales From the Church Pew & Other Good Things...

Like the laundry during Spring Break, I've fallen behind on blogging.  

One would think that during a 'break',

catching up on household duties would be easy to do.

I'd rather cram the laundry duty into my already busy work-day during any free moment I have. 

Speaking of Spring Break, it came...and went.  Fast. 

 Like it always has for our 'teacher' family.

But that's okay because summer is right around the {long, uphill} corner.

And plus, spring break was full of good things.

Good things like...

Visiting Great-Grandparents,

Playing beauty shop,

Enjoying the 'spring' weather,

Riding (in one way or another) in the stroller,

Keeping a close eye on Ben,

and

Just loungin' around.

But, perhaps the most important moment of our week together happened in the church pew.

I'm sure our family was rated at about a 5 out of 10 for 'our' behavior during the service that Sunday. 

As the pews emptied, we stayed behind to sweep up our Goldfish crumbs and crayon halves followed by scraping the stickers off the floor. 

Then, with our arms full of treat bags, jackets, and wiggly kids,

the woman who had been sitting a few rows behind us

 politely walked by smiling.

As if she knew in that moment the exact words that we needed to hear,

she sweetly reminded us,

"Someday you'll miss this."

And we will....
along with all of the good, good things that come with
raising two little girls.

I Can Hardly Wait...

...but secretly, I can. 

From the time we brought our two little bundles home from the hospital in 2007 and again in 2009,

 I've caught myself saying many...too many times...

"I can't wait until (insert important milestone in child's life)."

I've always been one to look forward to the future in hopes of what it will bring.

I've also found this to, unfortunately, rush away very important things happening now. 

And I've promised myself, several times, that I would start trying to slow things down instead of wishing away the 'now moments'. 

But, I couldn't help myself today.

After Brynn's short nap this afternoon, we spent a little time together,

like we usually do...folding laundry crafting.

She has quickly, and thankfully adopted a love for doing anything

artsy and craftsy

(which makes this mommy very happy, proud, and excited).

But... it happened again today. 

I found myself saying,

"I can't wait until we can pick out projects to make together."

But, for now, we're both stay content with her practicing her cutting by snipping away at my fabric and ribbon scraps and modeling the products of mommy's naptime break. 

(Seriously, Mom. Are you going to make me try another one of these things on?)

Dear Minnesota...Please Melt Our Snowman!

Yesterday...

no snow pants,

dripping gutters,

dry driveway

doing 'spring' things

Today...

snow pants,

coated trees,

slushy gutters,

doing 'winter' things

It's so close we can almost feel it...spring, that is.

For that reason, we only built 'half' of a snowman because we know how

quickly

he is going to melt...!