Twelfth Night

Life went back to normal today.  I woke at 5:30 a.m., showered, woke Charlotte so she could shower, woke Parker after Charlotte was finished, drank coffee, packed snacks, drove children to school, drove myself to work, worked, went to the old house to grab a few things, went to the new house to bake a King Cake (Happy Twelfth Night!), picked up the kids from school, started supper, drove Charlotte to ballet, finished cooking supper, left it simmering on the stove so I could pick up Charlotte, attended a town board meeting (our town honored my father-in-law, who passed in December), served my family a delicious supper eaten only by my husband and I, cut everyone a piece of cake (no one found the bean!!!), no one liked the cake (again, only my husband and I- so we finished off everyone else's), cleaned up the kitchen, tucked everyone in bed, and sat down.

What is it with children and food?  How is it that I have given birth to such picky eaters?  I will eat ANYTHING.  And I do mean most anything.  I don't like chicken livers.  Or goat.  But other than that, I really can't think of anything that I absolutely will not eat.  

Supper tonight was delicious.  We had cheese tortellini soup (recipe here)- this recipe never fails!  It is so yummy.  The King Cake was delicious as well.  I got the recipe from this book, which I am really enjoying!

I've decided to go back and watch all the Downton seasons in order.  So I'm gonna settle into my chair with my laptop and my knitting and enjoy a little "me" time.

Good Night!

No Rest for the Weary

The day began late, yet again.  Charlotte was up most of the night with a horrible cough.  I finally got her back to sleep around 5:00 a.m.  When my alarm went off at 8:00, she came in my room and asked if she could skip church and sleep in.  Of course I said yes, rolled over, and went back to sleep.  This is the last day of Christmas vacation- we should enjoy it, no?

I vowed to rest today, but Annabel had quite a mess in her room, so I tidied it up a bit.  She promptly came in and said "Thank you, mommy".  Such a polite, but very messy, little girl.

Charlotte asked if I would help her hang a few things on her walls, so I did something very out of the ordinary for me- I stopped what I was doing and went to her aid.  I'm usually "too busy" or "I will help you in a little bit", but not today.  Today we hung art!

She wanted to hang her bug collection- it was a school science project- so I did.  Then her bulletin board decorated with her instax photos (have you seen that camera?  It's so cool!); a little plaque she won at her dad's Christmas party this year; and 5 paintings that she did over the years.  I love her artwork- so bright and cheerful.

When I finished her room, I decided to move on to Parker's.  I ordered the super cool honeycomb shelves here last year and never hung them in the old house.  Those types of things always intimidate me.  Two screws with anchors in two places on each set of three shelves.  Takes precise measurement and I'm more of an eyeball-er!  I managed to hang them in my own special way.  Hey- I did it.  Cut me some slack!

The scripture painting was a gift from a dear friend and the frog he painted at art camp last year.  He loves to paint- any kind of art, really.  He is very creative.  The monkey was painted by local artist (my high school art teacher and very dear friend) Beth Hill.

Dinner was on time (6:30 p.m. on the dot!) and was delicious.  Egg noodles with chicken, carrots, celery & parsley, cooked in the chicken's broth.  Garden peas, homemade sourdough bread & homemade butter.  Charlotte ate her peas but barely touched her chicken.  Of course, she ate plenty of bread.  She eats like a bird!

With everyone bathed and settled into bed, it's time for the new season of Downton Abbey.  

Do you watch Downton?

A Letter to My Daughter

I watched you today, trying to fit in with those older girls.  I want you to know that you don't have to grow up so fast.  Time is flying by, sweet girl, and there is honestly no need to rush it.  Those girls were mean to you- they laughed at you and made faces but you didn't seem to notice.  You just wanted them to include you.  All the while, this mama's heart was breaking.  Breaking for all the times people you love don't love you back.  Breaking for the day that you realize that you just might not fit into that little space where you want so badly to be.  Breaking for the day your heart breaks. 

Please don't ever be afraid to try new things.  This is a big world and your God created it just for you. He created the animals just for you to love.  He created the green grass to be your cushion when you don't quite land your front aerial.  He created the moon for you to sleep under and the stars for you to count.  It's all for you because He loves you so very much.

Take care of those precious feet.  You have no idea how much they bless your mama.  When I watch you dance, the Holy Spirit pours down on me and I know Jesus is on that stage, dancing with you.  I can see it in your eyes.  You know He is there.  He has given you a gift.  Always remember that it is from Him and thank Him for it every time you twirl, every time you flip, and every time you raise your hands to the sky.

You aren't always going to win.  I love your nine year old naiveté.  I love that you love to compete just because it gets you on a stage.  I love that I have to drag you off stage when it's time to go home. Promise me that when you realize you didn't "win" you won't be upset.  Promise me you will still be happy just to have a chance to place your precious feet on a stage.

Please don't ever take yourself too seriously.  Stay the fun-loving, sweet child that you are.  Don't ever hesitate to laugh at yourself.  

And remember, your mama loves you.  And I am always here.  No matter what.  I'm always on your side.