Checking In

It's Valentine's Day! Jay isn't much of a Hallmark holiday person, but I love to embrace any and all reasons to celebrate! So I surprised my loves by having little gifts ready for them today, and I also made some awesome cinnamon rolls, and I did a little cleaning...it's no fun to celebrate in a messy house, no? And now we're relaxing.

The days have been going by fast here. Jay got promoted last week, and I'm so proud of him. We're still mulling over the decision to reenlist or get out next year, but we have a few more months to make that choice. We're praying that God leads us to the right choice, but for now we're taking it a day at a time.



The girlies are growing so fast and learning so much. I finally found a roll of butcher paper, so they have been having a lot of fun doing arts and crafts at the "big table". Mae learned that paint doesn't taste very good but that it's fun to smear all over herself. Zee is just loving all of her art options. Paint, markers, crayons, pencils, stamps. And she has fallen in love with scissors. I have to keep my eye on that one!





I've been working on keeping up with the housework more. I'm a terrible housekeeper, so this is hard for me. But I thought about it a lot.... Jay goes to work each day, and he's gone for (usually) 12 hours a day. He deserves to come home to a clean house. I'm usually busy with the girls and errands, but I've decided to take an hour or two each morning and to really use that time to straighten up. Hopefully it will become a habit and not so forced in the future!

And way off topic, but I got a new lens for my camera! I'm not a photographer by any means, but I am trying to learn! I am loving this new lens...it takes beautiful pictures! Some of my favorites?







The last two were taken in the car to test out the lens. I couldn't wait to try it out! The top picture is in the parking lot of the Denver Children's Museum. (Note: the sweater Mae is wearing is made from my handspun yarn! So exciting for me!)

I just want to add that Zee does not like having her picture taken. So if you notice a shortage of Zee pictures...that is why. I try to get her to let me take them, but she generally makes funny faces or runs off.

Checklist

I was looking at the list I made in October, the list of crafts to do. I did finish about half of the items. That's pretty impressive as far as completing my lists go!

1. Hat for a little friend (done)



2. Hat for another little friend (done)



3. Baby quilt (done, and I love it!)



4. Pillowcase for Mae (I know this sounds simple, but I'm doing something a little more elaborate!) (done, and posted in an earlier post)
5. Waldorf doll for Zee...I finished Mae's earlier this year. Thank goodness for foresight! (done, and now I'm making several more for friends)

And that is what I've finished. And below, what I still need to do, if I ever get to it.

6. Hat for myself
7. Clothing to make for Zee from our new book
8. Doll house to put together...hopefully in time for Christmas!
9. Zee's quilt...that I started two years ago....


But add to that list....

10. Finish spinning my Zen Strings fiber. I've almost finished the singles, and I can't wait to see it plied! From this:



To this:



11. Lace Shawl. It's pretty good considering that it's my first lace! There are a few mistakes, but nothing major.
12. Far Away, So Close shawl. I'm still waiting on the wool for this one. This will be for me, and it will be the very first item I've ever knit for myself! I'm making this with Sugarbubbie superwash in the Chrisalis colorway. I'm so excited!
13. Spinning fiber I ordered from Nurturing Threads. Planning to make beautiful Ridinghood Sweaters for the girls for next Christmas (in Glitter for Zee and Ancient Grove for Mae).
14. Several more Waldorf dolls for friends. These are so much fun to make!




That list is in no particular order. I'm getting to each project as I find the time for it. Which is slow-going with my kidlings! But I like writing out a list to help keep me on track.

Oh, I forgot that I made Owlet sweaters for the girls for Christmas, and they were such a huge hit! So now I'm planning to knit them sweaters for each Christmas.

So there it is! A lot done but still a lot to do. And speaking of things to do, it's time to put the girlies down for naps!

Thankful for able hands, loving hearts, and happy girls.

A little more time....

In the Springs!



Yes, Jay has decided to extend his contract for a year.

Well, it wasn't so much that he wanted to, but he thinks it is the best decision for our family. You see, he was on the promotions list. But in order to actually get promoted, he has to have one year left in the Army. So he either had to extend for a year and get promoted, or decline the promotion...which would effectively end his Army career. Now that wouldn't be terrible in itself, but if something should come up in the next several months...we need to have the option for him to stay in. So promotion it is! I will be pinning him next week!

We are actually in the midst of another huge decision regarding the Army. As an E-6, he will be eligible for a rather large reenlistment bonus. The problem is that his unit will be deploying. So if he reenlists, we will receive a lot of money, but he will have to leave the girls and me. It sounds like a no-brainer, don't do it. But it's a large sum, and it could set us up for financial freedom. Jay thinks it's a good idea, but a piece of me dies thinking of him overseas fighting. It was hard enough the first time he did it, when we had only each other and no children. But now...I don't think I can let my girls' daddy go. It's too much to even think about.

In other news, I attended a DONA workshop two months ago, and I am currently working on certification to become a birth doula. I pray that this is the start of my journey towards midwifery! I feel such a calling in that field, and God has really given me a heart for all things childbirth-related. I'm taking it slowly. I know I have written earlier about the possibility of medical school, but after much thought and consideration, I think my goal is to become a certified professional midwife. Though I'm still not ruling out medical school in the (distant) future.



My girls are absolutely the heart that pumps my blood. Their smiles, giggles, the sweetness that they emanate...it defies description. Mae is learning to talk, and she has a fiery temperament to match her flaming hair. Her hair that is turning curly as she grows. She is proving to be a petite girl, but so was her red-haired ancestor (my great grandmother). So it makes sense to me. Zee...she is awesome. She just started taking a dance class, and can I say that it's the cutest thing I think I've ever seen? And her sense of humor is really developing. She is also a bit of a sneak. The unfortunate (for her) part of that is that she's not a great sneak. Her hiding spot seems to be under the dining room table. It's hilarious to see her crouched under there though. And when I ask her what she's doing, she inevitably gives it away..."Nothing!" Ummm hmmm. And to see these two girls together? Pure joy. Zee really takes care of Mae, and Mae worships the ground Zee walks on. And as much as Jay and I wanted another child, this is the real reason we did it. Not for ourselves, but for them.



My crafts are coming along well. I've taken up a new craft though (imagine that!): spinning. As in spinning fiber into yarn (the picture above is my own handspun, from Corriedale roving). It's amazingly meditative. And well, I'm doing something not a lot of people know how to do. And I like that! I've also been working on a lace shawl that I've promised to Zee (she won't mind all of my mistakes). My sewing machine has been fairly neglected these last few months. It's the ebb and flow, knitting versus sewing. Soon the call of my machine will be too strong to resist, and I will leave all of my fiber and needles for the sweet hum and steady stitches that make sewing so satisfying.

Thankful for: snaggle-toothed toddler grins that melt your heart; random hugs and snuggles from Zee, who knows exactly when you need one the most; Jay taking care of us and putting us first, showing us how much he loves us by making the right choices, even when they are hard. And for God who is constantly giving us strength to continue on this path we call life.

One Craft Down

And a ton more to go.

I finished Mae's pillowcase last night. I did kind of log cabin type of thing for one side (somewhat based on this), and I used a super soft minky material for the other side. That way, one side will be decorative and the other side will be functional. All in one pillow! So I don't have to clutter her crib to make it look a little spunkier. Here are pictures:





Now onto more projects! My goal this weekend is to finish the baby quilt and have it sent out. I won't post pictures of that until later though, as it's a surprise for the recipient.

To knit or to sew?

It seems that I can't agree with myself on this one. It goes in phases...one where I prefer sewing over knitting and vice versa. Maybe it has to do with the seasons? This fall has me knitting more than I've ever knit before. I'm making hats, hats, and more hats! For friends and for my own little lovelies. But while I'm camped out on the couch in front of some blah television show, knitting and purling, I wish I were down stairs getting more acquainted with my sewing machine. If only there were more time in the day....

I have so many more projects than I have time:
1. Hat for a little friend
2. Hat for another little friend
3. Baby quilt
4. Pillowcase for Mae (I know this sounds simple, but I'm doing something a little more elaborate!)
4. Waldorf doll for Zee...I finished Mae's earlier this year. Thank goodness for foresight!
5. Hat for myself
6. Clothing to make for Zee from our new book
7. Doll house to put together...hopefully in time for Christmas!
8. Zee's quilt...that I started two years ago....

So yeah, quite a lot of stuff, and most of those projects need to be done by Christmas. So with that list looming over me, I'm off to start work on one of those projects! I will try to post pictures as I go about finishing my list.

Colorado

It's been a while since I've updated! We finally left Georgia on the first of September, and we made the long trip across the country.

Leaving Georgia was hard for me. There are so many wonderful memories wrapped up in that little brick house...our first house, the birthplace of Mae, growing our family. I was so excited to start a new phase of our lives in Colorado, for sure, but it was not easy to leave my home.

Before heading to Colorado, we all drove up to Pennsylvania. The rental house that Jay found for us in Colorado doesn't allow pets, so our dog and two cats were going to stay with Jay's parents for the time being. We had a lovely time visiting them, and Pennsylvania was beautiful. Jay surprised me and took me to Lancaster County. He knew I had always wanted to visit, and we weren't sure when we were going to make it back to Pennsylvania, so he decided to take me this time. It was lovely, really lovely. I'm as addicted to technology as the next person, but I think I could fall in love with the simplicity of life without all of these gadgets.

One thing we found out on the drive to Lancaster County was just how much poor Mae hated riding in the car. We drove up from Georgia in the middle of the night, so she slept the whole time. But the hour long drive to Lancaster was not easy for my poor baby. After that trip, we decided that Jay would drive out to Arizona with his father and Zee, while Mae and I would catch a flight from Harrisburg to Phoenix. It was hard saying goodbye to our pets, but we knew it wasn't forever. I was worried how Zee would take it...Moose is her best friend.

Our visit to Arizona, to see my family, went as well as could be expected. My family can be somewhat volatile, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits for the most part. I was terribly stressed, so I was the one behaving badly. We had an early first birthday party for Mae, and it was great to see so many people come and show their love for us.

We finally headed up north to Colorado! We spent the night at my grandmother's cabin in northern Arizona, then we did the long drive from there to Colorado Springs. It was an interesting drive, but very stressful because of poor Mae. She was not pleased, to say the least. After 13 long hours of driving, we finally arrived to our new house...and no utilities! Jay had set up the utilities before he flew back to Georgia, but the utilities company never switched the account over to our name, so the utilities were turned off. So we spent the night camping out in our new house! And the utilities company promptly fixed the problem the next day, and the movers also showed up and delivered all of our stuff. And we have a lot of stuff! Too much!

Since then, I have slowly been unpacking, and we have been exploring Colorado Springs. We purchased a family membership to the zoo, and we've been USING it. We've taken the girls up the train to Pike's Peak (not the best idea we've had!), and we've driven around, getting a feel for the geography of our new town. Jay decided to get out of the military after all, so we will be leaving Colorado next spring. So I have a lot of stuff to pack into a few months! We did not take advantage of Georgia, and I learned from my mistake, and we're making the most of our time here in Colorado.

One new thing for me is snow. We had our first snow fall not long after arriving in September. What a shock! I did not care for it at first, but now after several snowfalls, I'm starting to really enjoy it. The beauty of the snow dancing and fluttering towards the grounds is something to behold. I might grow to love it after all!

We have been trying to find a new church home while we're here, and we tried a new church today. It was quite the experience! I loved the architecture of the church from the outside, so we decided to give it a try, not knowing that it was a gospel church. We really loved the service there, but...it was LOUD! Our ears were ringing for quite a bit of time afterwards. I think we'll go back next week...Jay actually really got into it, and that's the first time I've seen him truly ENJOY a church service in a long time. The pastor was great, very animated, and it was probably the first service where I didn't have to concentrate on keeping my focus on the sermon. I truly enjoyed it as well. And what was great...with all of that noise, it was okay if the girls made noise as well!

What I'm thankful for today: a warm home in a cold place, Mae learning to fall asleep without nursing to sleep, Zee being the funniest little girl imaginable, and Jay, without his love and support, I never could have done this move.

This and That, Copy Cat

Okay, that's from a Miss Pattycake song.... It just popped into my head!

This is just another story to demonstrate how darn sweet my Zee is! I decided that we could make some cake yesterday because I heard that you could use cake mix with soda. Instead of mixing all of the ingredients called for on the back of the box, you just pour in a can of soda instead, then bake as directed. I wanted to try out this theory, and I happened to have purchased a box of chocolate cake mix just for this purpose.

But...I couldn't find the mix anywhere. Zee asked me what I was looking for, so I told her I was looking for the cake mix. So she said, "Mommy, you can use my cake mix!" Then she ran out of the kitchen. I had no idea what she was talking about but thought, okay, she can go get her "cake mix" for me.

Then she came running back and said she couldn't find her cake mix either. So I continued searching and didn't think again about her mix. But a few minutes later, she yelled, "I found it!" And she came running to me...with her toy whisk.

She handed it to me so solemnly and said, "You can use my mix, Mommy."

And it just about broke my heart with the sweetness of it. Oh my...what am I going to do with that girl?! She has such a compassionate heart, and it makes my heart full to see it and experience it.

And May? She is just as sweet and cuddly as ever. She loves to snuggle and will sit on my lap all day long, if I allowed her to. She started walking about a month and a half ago, so she's quite busy and on the go. But I love how she takes time out of her day to love on whoever happens to be around. She is quickly creeping up on her first birthday, and I've been feeling very weepy. It's so bittersweet to watch my children grow.... I love this baby stage so very much, and I can't imagine ever being ready to leave it behind. But at the same time, I love watching my girls grow and learn and become their own little women. It absolutely amazes me to see such distinct personalities in my two little girls. I never realized the extent to which it was possible for my body to carry unique people. I guess I always thought of children as an extension of their parents, but I'm realizing more and more that's not the case. Jay and I can guide our children, but in the end, they are unique in all the world (isn't that a line from Le Petit Prince?). We can plant the seeds in them, but we can't make it grow.

All of this is really humbling to me, and it's definitely something I try to keep in mind while I raise my children. Because when the days are long and the frustration grows, I have to remember -- they are people too. And the most special people at that. I just hope that I can nurture them in all the ways they need to be nurtured, but also let them lead themselves when the need that freedom. It's really very hard work, especially when I want to hold them close forever.