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I always find some sort of photo like this on my camera. Matt and Janey.
One of her Christmas presents-she just loves it and when she wears it when we go out everyone thinks it’s the cutest thing ever. (It’s this one here-she can wear it in back or front, and I cross the straps so it stays on.)
We went on a giant cookie making spree for the college kids.
Chocolate chip cookies for both Abbey and Isaac and Abbey’s special request was snickerdoodles.
I had the chance to go BY MYSELF ALL DAY to visit Abbey. It was so much fun, honestly I could do it every weekend, but darn, we’d be too spoiled (and that would be a lot of driving!). We went out to lunch and dinner (this the way to Abbey’s heart, that girl likes to eat out!) and went shopping here, and there and everywhere. It was nice seeing her beautiful face, and knowing she is doing great. We text everyday but there is something about just seeing them in person that makes a mother’s heart feel better.
Dropping her back off at the dorm again and it always feels like the first day of leaving them at preschool. I want to say, “No, no, just come back home, don’t leave!!!!”, and they do just fine but it makes my heart feel a little sick.
Whole 41!!!
This the day I am on, I mark it off on a little calendar I have on the fridge. I loved loved loved Whole30and followed it exactly. Day Two I forgot and put a piece of popcorn in my mouth at a basketball game and felt like spitting it out again. So I guess that counts as a cheat, but I’ll just call it forgetfulness. I am going to keep going till I am happy where I am at weight and fitness wise, we’ll see where it leads me. I am on a roll so I’m sticking with it.
And by the way, if you have never made sweet potato chips in the oven, this is my weakness now-if the kids don’t eat them first. (I am feeding my family “normal” but it’s funny how many things they are eating-roasted cauliflower etc, so it’s been good for all of us.)
Trying to drink more water, as I am waking up at night thirsty, thank you furnace. 🙁
It is so fun spending every day with this girl. We shop, we cook, we bake, we clean, we watch Sesame Street, (she watches I get things done), we do laundry (she knows which item of every piece of clothing belongs to which person), we listen to music, we color, we drive kids to soccer practice or pick them up from high school or take them to tennis, we don’t take walks because my face freezes off, but can’t wait till it gets a little warmer out.
I set her up at this window to watch for Daddy’s car in the evening during the “witching hour”.
Jeff and I got up to a MI game by ourselves.
Love when I can see a beautiful sunset beyond the trees and this time I knew it was worth driving to the river to see, but darn, I forgot my Matthew had my van, so I had to be content with this view. It’s such a pretty, quiet time of evening, and always reminds me of Anne of Green Gables for some reason.
Isaac came home, and the games get heated (our neighbor is in this pic too and for some reason Isaac is not.)
His speciality-popcorn. He tortures me (but then he gave up cookies, candy, cake for Lent so I am sure it might be torture for him when I make cookies for the college kids.)
Valentine’s Day baking.
A little kindergartner picture of my oldest that I adore. He has always always been such a good boy and I am proud of him. Graduating this spring from college, how can that be??? I think back on how school was never easy for him-he was never a student that excelled, and he sometimes was forgetful and I was always so worried about it. If this is your son, it will be OK, boy I wish I would have known that.
If he forgets his binder in junior high when he has homework, or studies for a quiz and knows it all but gets a C, or just doesn’t absorb all the material lectured in class, I want to tell you that it will be OK. Some kids are “school kids” and some aren’t, some need more help and reminders certain years and some don’t ever need one bit of help or reminders, and I have both and looking back see that our kids are all blessed and challenged in some way or another. Sometimes I think the ones that struggle learn how to work harder at it (at everything?), or just know what they are capable of and have an easier going personality, which are good traits-to learn to work hard, and not always be the one who gets all the rewards, but to get along so well with others, and take things in stride.
Isaac has had a job since day one of college and sometimes worked that job and an internship, and attended full time classes and he’s made it through (in four years, yay!) and loved his college experience, and made such good friends, and I am so so proud of him.
Last, I took this in the car wash-scared but excited! Now on Tuesday we go pick up our 1/2 price bagels at Panera for the boys and get a car wash.
Day 41 of Whole 30?! You go girl! I'm on day three of paleo. I just couldn't commit to no honey in my tea, so I'm paleo for lent instead of Whole 30.
You have no idea how much I needed to hear the part about not worrying about your child in school. I have been so stressed because my daughter is not reading on grade level. I have felt like it's my fault. That I haven't done enough. School is definitely not her thing. Thank you so much for being real, for sharing the good along with the bad. This gave me a real boost today.
Yes, thank you so much for the school encouragement. Oh man…my oldest is a great, great, great kid but oh what a struggle. And his dad is a teacher, and I used to be, so we feel so strongly about success in school. He's so smart and so laid back and easy going…and so not interested in homework and details…100% on one thing one day and then forgets something and the 0% sinks his grade. Thanks for the reminder…I've been trying to see the whole picture 😉
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have a kid – a girl – who loves to read and reads constantly and studies for tests and seems to know it all when I quiz her, but she just doesn't do good in school. it breaks my heart sometimes because she works so hard – but she has to sit on the bleachers and cheer for her friends when they get the rewards – she doesn't complain – but I know school just doesn't come easy for her. She's a nice person and has a huge heart and will help anyone, but I worry and I thank you for your encouraging words!
Not sure why the question marks…weird. But while I'm replying….Janie is so big! Such a cutie to have around as a sidekick.
Did you know there is a new Anne of Green Gables movie? It's previewing on Monday February 15 on YTV.
I didn't know-thank you!
This makes me insanely happy! Is YTV only a Canadian station? What is the equivalent in the States? I am trying to find it so I can set my television to record it.
Beautiful children, beautiful family!!! I so enjoy your common sense approach to family life!!! Thank you!!
Do you know where you got that indoor basketball hoop? I love that it gets so tall!
Hi Shannon-This is the best basketball hoop ever and we've tried a couple. It has lasted years and years of all ages playing on it. It's this one: http://amzn.to/1LmIrj1
Thank you for your comments about your child graduating from college. I have "that kid" but he is only in fourth grade. I try not to worry about him too much because I know that God has him in the palm of His hand, but it is helpful and encouraging to hear stories from mom that have been through the same thing. Thank you.
Long time follower here. I'm shocked at how much your kids have all grown and that Isaac is close to graduating college before too long. I appreciated the kid update.
I would love if you posted some of your Whole30 meals. I want to do it, but I want it presented to me simply. (Yes, I have read the book.) If I start researching then I go into info-overload. And I love your kids' updates. I feel like I can relate so much. I have one in college, one almost in college, and three 'youngers' , with the baby being four. She was born when I was a 'young 41-year-old.' Ha!
Yes I will try to get to it soon-I do it very very simply and it works easily for me. (It's easy to get overwhelmed with too much info since it's been so popular-there are a ton of recipes etc.)
These ordinary days are really extraordinary aren't they? Janey's faces are so cute! I used to love the car wash as a kid but I'm pretty sure I'd be claustrophobic in one now! And way to go Isaac. I have been on a similar journey with my son since Kindergarten. Suddenly he has been getting straight A's. I don't know how or why it happened but all those years of working together were worth it. And the tears….well now they are tears of joy .
Care to share the recipe you used for the chips? I just finished my first whole30 and these would have made it a whole lot better! I have tried making them a few times but they never turn out quite right.
Yes Sarah-I've tried a few different ones-the last one I liked the best because the chips were much more crispy. (I am notorious for forgetting about them and burning them also.)
Here's the newest "recipe" that worked for me:
http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2015/1/26/crispy-baked-sweet-potato-chips.html#_a5y_p=3268906
She is right about the foil, and not using parchment, and also a mandolin slicer is key, and a very essential but inexpensive tool for Whole30!
If your new Anne is the same new Anne we are getting up here in Canada, then proceed with caution. It seems they are "updating" the story with themes of gender identity and feminism and sexism and intend to "push the boundaries". I don't want my daughters experience of Anne to come with a political agenda, so we will stick with the 1985 version. (http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/john-robson-anne-of-green-gables-does-not-need-a-cbc-reboot)
Thank you so much for the warning! I love that book and the images I painted in my head with my own imagination that even the 1985 version wasn't "good enough" 🙂 for me. I pictured Anne differently and had a more majestic view of the house, the grounds, the "White Way of Wonder" etc. I will stick with the book and the wonderfully imaginative descriptive writing any old day!
I get such comfort reading your blog and your approach the everything. Thanks for the reminder that everything will be ok. Funny how we let some of that stuff bother us so much. I'm excited to see your simple approach to whole 30. I really need to do it but want keep it as simple as possible!
Congratulations to Isaac, and to you and husband getting him through!
Janey looks a lot like you. I imagine you are savoring these days so so much as you get to spend all these beautiful days at home with her, as you say, doing the 'ordinary'. It's a privilege!
How is Isaac graduating? Didn't he just start college? I'm about to send mine off in the fall and I just don't want it to go that fast! Although we just visited her school again last week and I love seeing how happy she is there.
You always have great parenting advice! I'm a Michigander; you must be near – Meijer and U of M. I know you've mentioned you have family that coaches for U of M, but we're State fans in our house 😉
Oh my word I needed this post today! 🙂
I am 8 weeks along with a much-prayed for third child, but my other two are big kids now and I worry…then I see your Janey and it works out. My son is that forgetful 8th grader who does excel most of the time and then forgets major things and tears just streamed as I read the paragraphs about how far your son has come. Thank you!!