tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85349945519901685962024-02-20T16:56:19.804-05:00Far More Than RubiesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1052125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-65742878278915023802022-01-01T22:29:00.004-05:002022-01-01T22:29:59.922-05:00Happy New Year! 2022<p> We ended the year with a bang- a 7 PM confirmation of me being COVID positive. I sat on the couch and cried for a good half an hour. Not because of the test result, I had already been feeling crummy for 3 days, but because New Year’s Eve wasn’t going to look like what I had hoped it would. If that isn’t the most Enneagram 1 thing I’ve ever said or what? I had all of the supplies to make a yummy spread of food, had bought a new board game and puzzle, Ian had a big championship game for his favorite college football team, and the kids had plans of snuggling on my bed and watching a movie. But I was too tired and too winded to make much of anything happen besides letting the kids watch their movie while Ian’s game was on in the family room. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCB_SO8XwG1OMkV75ovOaRpY45BPhs9a2_JtKZQmeI-zFLeM5ZcuIBmWeMiuxiVpt4GOGWM9Pf0zljWhq4zhZFrKmi6pDXw5yfQ8n105Gof1cYxMEQsOmTlKeX0jfBYrp-8khuvQSjpkRUMUWCayrjEaYDstrNCi6i1ZXks7j5X56K17tWyLEQJw=s4680" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4680" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjCB_SO8XwG1OMkV75ovOaRpY45BPhs9a2_JtKZQmeI-zFLeM5ZcuIBmWeMiuxiVpt4GOGWM9Pf0zljWhq4zhZFrKmi6pDXw5yfQ8n105Gof1cYxMEQsOmTlKeX0jfBYrp-8khuvQSjpkRUMUWCayrjEaYDstrNCi6i1ZXks7j5X56K17tWyLEQJw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I recovered and enjoyed what we could of the evening. We attempted to teach the big kids CLUE for the first time, the girls and I made Puppy Chow- a favorite treat of mine and doesn’t chocolate and peanut butter make everyone feel better? Not Ian, apparently. He isn’t tempted at all by peanut butter things. We played a few rounds of MarioKart before flipping over and watching the ball drop. We jokingly all stood on our right foot so we could start the year out “on the right foot,” and it might just be a new tradition. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlxbXbkPkCivGCmFJzQt97RUV58Zd78O_ylC9NRu56qWgvwBkay2TjFD30UwzcvSllRpJ_F50Ihewc9na2oAM-6h4bvo3OldilIY-F_zT0J1hk3iu9HqBAgjlHg1INkTTG9Y336WVntJ2dYlxMsrRwAar0yhBubbE3mZgCB1kgXTvzfaJ0asG1Yw=s4284" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="2889" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlxbXbkPkCivGCmFJzQt97RUV58Zd78O_ylC9NRu56qWgvwBkay2TjFD30UwzcvSllRpJ_F50Ihewc9na2oAM-6h4bvo3OldilIY-F_zT0J1hk3iu9HqBAgjlHg1INkTTG9Y336WVntJ2dYlxMsrRwAar0yhBubbE3mZgCB1kgXTvzfaJ0asG1Yw=s320" width="216" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I shared on my Instagram- <span style="text-align: left;">Let’s be honest, 2021 didn’t turn out like we thought it would with many good surprises (the baby!) and ending with one very bad surprise (COVID!) but we rest in knowing that Christ is still on His throne and that He works all things together for good. We walked into the New Year together as a family (alright, walked might not be the best word- viewed it from the couch as my non ill children danced around me,) and I am so thankful for each day that we get to live life together. I’m already looking forward to the adventures, good and unplanned that this year will bring our way!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPEmbjQWrxUzXvsOh5nYTEghsJ0KQWlELBV3LqX-HJrx7PeCVmvKt3JmvyTUZDTYFarxq0GTZidkOEtdq7knYdwmd40jRSvTs8QkMfWTFa3wYN91B-3JTGOkp4Gt-jcgDsYJQsQkXyy2NnvKXICn91Yv_1eOaG6orcwGyg_bYXa7oAbTp9fe88XA=s4538" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2982" data-original-width="4538" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPEmbjQWrxUzXvsOh5nYTEghsJ0KQWlELBV3LqX-HJrx7PeCVmvKt3JmvyTUZDTYFarxq0GTZidkOEtdq7knYdwmd40jRSvTs8QkMfWTFa3wYN91B-3JTGOkp4Gt-jcgDsYJQsQkXyy2NnvKXICn91Yv_1eOaG6orcwGyg_bYXa7oAbTp9fe88XA=s320" width="320" /></a></div>Oh yeah, that hasn’t been shared on here yet… Baby Girl Galloway is making in arrival in less than 7 weeks, but more on the jaw dropping shock another day. Here’s to embracing change with open arms (while ugly sobbing through it all.) Happy New Year! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJCkuWeVlx5x6kNblRPGx6jJhNcbQutu4A1-OhgCrrnJzv-eEEJ0TncpZbo96I7dLrGmjKdUc9HYj3Rf21Zd86f6jPPPd2EE1sMAJ5aZdS5nPaqP4dW_YEwTU0HGfxibQogZgCqT1G_TevUN9sR_81FrsKYxuOyAgS_tDPerAoQhCyY03H-MHcw=s4680" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4680" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUJCkuWeVlx5x6kNblRPGx6jJhNcbQutu4A1-OhgCrrnJzv-eEEJ0TncpZbo96I7dLrGmjKdUc9HYj3Rf21Zd86f6jPPPd2EE1sMAJ5aZdS5nPaqP4dW_YEwTU0HGfxibQogZgCqT1G_TevUN9sR_81FrsKYxuOyAgS_tDPerAoQhCyY03H-MHcw=s320" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-42091417880992166802020-10-07T22:56:00.000-04:002020-10-07T22:56:39.005-04:00Why We Homeschool<p>The how we homeschool has been written about <a href="http://www.witheagerhandsblog.com/2019/11/homeschool-whats-in-name.html">here</a> but the why is a a story all by itself.</p><p>When we returned from living overseas Grace was 5 years old. We put her into our local public school while I got a job teaching preschool at a church preschool. Sophia, then 3 years old, was in my class and Luke, one and a half years old, was in a class for teacher's babies.</p><p>It was a good situation for us at first. We were in a new state with no family or friends and having school and work meant that we were plugged in right away. Grace started kindergarten reading at a second grade level which we knew could be an issue, but decided that the benefits out weighed the risks.</p><p>Several months in we had a parent teacher conference. When we inquired about additional work for Grace in lieu of the year long sight word program the school did (which Grace had passed in the first few weeks,) the teacher told us that they wouldn't ask her to do any work. The teacher told us that we would just need to "wait until her classmates caught up with her."</p><p>It bothered us but Grace's behavior was good, she loved school, and I could supplement with things at home enough to keep her moving forward.</p><p>When she started first grade we went to the open house night and were handed a multi page packet with the sight words for the year. I handed it to Grace on the drive home from school, and in less than ten minutes, she had read with accuracy the entire packet.</p><p>Again I asked what could be done to keep her challenged in the classroom and I received the same answer- there were no strategies to teach any child who was testing above the average mark.</p><p>Grace started crying about reading books. She wanted to read "easy" readers like everyone else in her class but hated how easy and boring they were for her. </p><p>At this point we knew homeschooling was next in line for us. We wanted our kids to be excited about learning. We knew that they could achieve more and at a faster pace than our local public schools could offer. Plus, we wanted Christ at the center of their education.</p><p>Then, near the end of the year, Grace had brought home a novel study packet from her reading group. It was practically empty and when asked, she told me she never finished her work. When I looked into it, I found out that Grace would get bored with her work and the teacher wouldn't ask her to finish work OR contact me to let me know that this behavior had been going on since the beginning of the year. Somehow the papers never came home either (I had no idea this reading group had been even happening.) </p><p>I was done! We had put up with "the system" for two years but I felt like we had failed Grace. She was showing many of the signs of being a gifted learner, or, at the very least, advanced. She was bored with school but she loved the social side of things.</p><p>To top it all off, Sophia, who was months away from starting kindergarten at that very same school, was already reading at a first to second grade level. We were bracing ourselves for another two years of waiting until all of her peers caught up.</p><p>I was expecting our fourth child, Ben, and we finally made the call. I let the director of the preschool know that I wouldn't be returning and we began our research into styles and curriculum.</p><p>It may not have been the most classic start to our homeschooling journey but it did make us feel the most confident in our decision. We know that what we are giving all of them is most tailored to their needs, styles, interests, and abilities.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-40350400340936520182020-10-06T22:45:00.005-04:002020-10-06T22:45:53.367-04:00What I’m Reading<p> Alternatively title: What I HAVE been reading, as right now I’m not making much headway. </p><p>I discovered a new to me author, Connilyn Cossette, and plunged even deeper into a Robin Jones Gunn rabbit hole. My mom passed on a whole stack of Irene Hannon books and I went through a WWII stint. I did some professional development books and now really want to read something cozy and familiar. </p><p><u>Connilyn Cossette</u></p><p>A Light On the Hill</p><p>Shelter of the Most High</p><p>Until the Mountains Fall</p><p>Like Flames in the Night</p><p>Counted With the Stars</p><p><u>Robin Jones Gunn</u></p><p>Home of Our Hearts</p><p>One More Wish</p><p>Sunset Lullabies</p><p>Secrets</p><p>Lullabies</p><p><u>Irene Hannon</u></p><p>Hidden Peril</p><p>Dangerous Illusions</p><p>Hope Harbor</p><p>Against All Odds</p><p>An Eye For An Eye</p><p>In Harm’s Way</p><p><u>WWII</u></p><p>All the Light We Cannot See- Anthony Doerr</p><p>Lost Girls of Paris- Pam Jenoff</p><p>The Nightengale- Kristin Hannah</p><p><u>Professional Development</u></p><p>The Core- Leigh Bortis</p><p>Homeschooling Gifted Kids- Cindy West</p><p>The 5 Love Languages of Children- Gary Chapman</p><p>Obviously this is from several months but it’s a pretty decent start!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-64202767857970875932020-10-03T21:35:00.000-04:002020-10-03T21:35:09.917-04:00Ready and Willing Need Not Apply<p>In our twelve years of marriage, Ian and I have had several experiences where our training, experience, and willingness to perform a job or task was there but we were denied the chance to do so. </p><p>I’ve not been able to develop some semblance of an answer for why these situations have happened- I’ve just tried to accept the fact that it was a door being closed on us for unknown reasons. Typically, a different path would be opened to us soon after, but not always (ever?) a preferred one. </p><p>Soon after graduating college and getting married I found myself unable to be hired into the only profession I’ve ever wanted to be in- education. I was top of my class with gleaming recommendations from my advising teachers but that didn’t matter. It was 2008, at the height of the market crash, and I was newly relocated to a town with its own education graduates from a nearby university. </p><p>Nearly eight years later, the path that we had taken suddenly became a dead end. We were already living in the Middle East doing something most people would be unwilling to do and living so far from friends, family, and our home culture, but the Lord made it abundantly clear that it was time to return to the US. Even though we were willing to stay. Even though we were happy in a place many wouldn’t be. </p><p>I really struggled after this one. I asked myself constantly “What was it for? What was the next path going to look like?” Every time I saw a glimpse of the “why” we were made to return home I would cling to it even if it was just the tiniest shred of a reason. </p><p>Most recently we had another gut punch. We were ready and willing to start fostering only to find out our bedrooms were too small. Discouraged, we felt like if a family who has a stable income and a loving home and well thought out reasons and intentions are not able to participate in foster care, then who can?</p><p>It doesn’t sit well with me. It goes beyond my logical capabilities. </p><p>I do know this: I’m going to keep being ready and willing. I’m going to be looking for needs, thinking how I can help fill them, and keep being ready to step up. Even for the hard things. Even for the messy things. Even for the not so glamorous things. </p><p>If I’m never “chosen,” for a task again I can feel peace about it because I know my children will have seen parents who were ready and willing to serve. </p><p>Even more beautiful will be the moment when the Lord chooses me for a task that I never saw coming, that I wasn’t quite prepared for, but that He provided for ways for His glory to be shown. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-34534258287767798562020-10-02T22:10:00.002-04:002020-10-02T22:10:16.304-04:00The Sparkle in the Storm<p>Almost any person could make a list about how COVID-19 has changed their life and wrecked their plans for the year. </p><p>Loss of income</p><p>Cancelled travel</p><p>Lack of social interactions</p><p>Difficulty of juggling all of the roles from home</p><p>Divided friends and family over correct responses</p><p>These are just a tip of the iceberg of what you would expect to hear but today I thought I would share the blessings that have occurred during this time for me!</p><p>1.) Ian’s company (in the airline industry and hit very hard,) had to cut everyone’s pay. I know, that doesn’t sound like a blessing, but, as compensation, they cut the hours they had to work. This meant that Ian worked a four day work week for sixteen weeks. Y’all. Sixteen weeks of three day weekends!</p><p>It was amazing family time it was a chance to be together and do things in our home (because it’s not like we could go anywhere or be busy with much!)</p><p>2.) It really taught us to slow down and not to be on the run all of the time. Now, I think, compared to many Americans, we were already doing a good job with this, but there is always room for improvement. Errands don’t need to happen constantly, the kids don’t need to be entertained with weekend outings, and the necessity to do “house” projects was weighed thoroughly.</p><p>3.) It made some friendships even deeper and sweeter. Friends called to check in, drove by to have a conversation from the car, and volunteered to bring us toilet paper.</p><p>And grace abounded! When someone wasn’t handling changes well, we stepped in. When differences in opinion on social distancing and mask wearing surfaced, it was dealt with in love. </p><p>There are many more little gems, but these are a few that stood out to me. What have you seen as a blessing in these tough times?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-400569902324715602020-10-01T10:00:00.001-04:002020-10-01T10:00:09.270-04:00Write 31<p> It’s been a doozy of a year, hasn’t it?</p><p>Considering the last time I wrote was February 1st, there seems to be a lot of ground to cover to catch up. </p><p>That’s a bit of an understatement, right?</p><p>After all, a pandemic shut down our the world for months on end with no end in sight, racial injustices have ripped apart our country, natural disasters pummeled every corner of the nation, and a disastrous election season is currently looming over top of us. </p><p>Ian’s been working from home since mid March, the kids have had everything cancelled on them, and I’ve tried to keep everyone’s spirits up despite my own flagging emotions.</p><p>In the midst of all of that I have struggled to find the words in even normal conversations with friends and family but knew that I needed to keep the words flowing in whatever way I could. </p><p>A friend and I have been exchanging long, hand written letters that span several days, covers any topic, and is often laid aside until it is remembered, picked up, and added to. Oh, the joy when reading them! Reminiscent of Austen’s characters, where they converse and update via letters, then tack on post scripts and updates, these letters have reminded me of the power of the written word in a time when words are so carelessly thrown out into the universe for everyone (or no one?) to see.</p><p>When Callie reminded me of a blogging tradition to write every day in the month of October I decided to revisit my old love- writing. In the spirit of tradition, I should choose a topic and try to focus my writings on that topic. Alas, I’m throwing tradition out the window mainly because I am so rusty at writing to begin with. No theme here but hopefully a return to regular writing with updates, thoughts, and pictures!</p><p>I hope you will check in regularly to see what’s happening here during this Write 31 challenge! I’d love to hear from you.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-3266175675985825332020-02-01T14:49:00.004-05:002020-02-01T14:49:57.609-05:00January<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We survived it.<br />
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And I know I’m being tricked by the unseasonably warm weather here in Maryland, but I’m hoping that the worst of winter is over. I also realize there could be an additional seven weeks left but I will cling to the hope that we are at least on the downhill side of winter forwards spring.<br />
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I’ll be logical and say I know February will still be freezing and have chances for snow, but since we haven’t had any snow yet this year I will hold my breath and pray it just passes us by.<br />
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January just beat us down, and I’m not really sure if it was anything but the cold, dreary gray skies or what!<br />
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We homeschooled and made it to soccer, gymnastics, Awanas, and co-op.<br />
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We had our small group over a couple of times.<br />
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Everyone was relatively well and slept good.<br />
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See? Nothing that stands out too much, right?<br />
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So I will take a minute and focus on some of the things that did make it an interesting month...<br />
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I did meet my goal for the month of January of getting the kids down to the ice rink! It was so much fun and they all had great reactions. Grace was ready to go and got up and moving pretty quickly on her own. Sophia was hesitant and wanted a walker at first, but eventually she shed that and would make pretty good time around the rink, albeit with a lot of falling. Luke had to have his walker for the entire time but eventually would let me move it a few paces in front of him so he’d have to catch it. He also loved when I raced with him by pretending we were on Mario Kart!<br />
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Ian and I got to go on a date and saw 1917. It was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who likes history!<br />
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I did get to read a lot this month! I went through a spurt of fiction and then a dry week or so where I would pick things up and read a page or two and decide it wasn’t the right time for that book and I would put it back.<br />
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What I read this month:<br />
One More Wish- Robin Jones Gunn<br />
Sandy Toes- Robin Jones Gunn<br />
Salty Kisses- Robin Jones Gunn<br />
Crispin- Avi<br />
Forever Hidden- Tracie Peterson<br />
The Book of Secrets- A.L. Tait<br />
The Book of Answers- A. L. Tait<br />
If I Live- Terri Blackstock<br />
Holly and Ivy- Fern Michaels<br />
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I have four other non fictions that I’ve made progress on but are of the slow and steady variety. They will “count” when I have finished them!<br />
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I got to get out for a morning on my own! Due to my Fear Of Missing Out I have a hard time skipping out for a morning or a whole day so when Ian had an unexpected day off I took him up on it and used gift cards to go get a massage, facial, and a haircut. I was so embarrassed when the stylist asked me when the last time I got a hair cut was.<br />
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“By me? A year ago. By someone else..... 3 years?!” Her face was priceless.<br />
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For February my goals are to:<br />
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1) Read 8-10 books<br />
2) Get our taxes done (fun, right?)<br />
3) Try decorating sugar cookies with royal icing! It’s so daunting to me but something I want to at least try.<br />
<br />
February has dawned on a sunny and warm day. The kids will jump on the trampoline for a large chunk of the daylight hours and Ian and I will work together on a few household projects while keeping Ben from destroying things altogether. Not a bad way to start the month!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-36151925826004468062020-01-01T22:22:00.001-05:002020-01-01T22:22:32.494-05:002020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The ball drops, the fireworks dazzle, and the champagne glasses clink together.<br />
<br />
Hugs, kisses, and shuffling off towards bed, we as weary party goers feel accomplished for simply staying up too late.<br />
<br />
Silence settles over the house and, in my endless state of insomnia, I make lists.<br />
<br />
Grocery lists<br />
To Do Lists<br />
Communication Catch up Lists<br />
<br />
Budgets<br />
Things I wanted to say but forgot<br />
Books To Read<br />
<br />
It’s truly never ending.<br />
<br />
I settle into thinking about my New Year’s Resolutions for 2020. I had been mulling them over for some weeks but the edges are still fuzzy. Ideas not fully formed but still existing in seed form.<br />
<br />
Not one to fear un met goals and their repercussions, I am here to share my goals with you. I recently told my girls about resolutions. How they should be specific, measurable, and attainable. (No, “catch a unicorn,” can’t go on my list.)<br />
<br />
Then we had a good chat about how failing to meet personal goals does not mean a person is a failure. How it might mean that life’s circumstances got in the way. Or how our good intentions did not take into account the need to sleep. Or eat.<br />
<br />
The mark of a good resolution though should be in how we think through them, before, during, and after, and how we change it along the way (or don’t change it!)<br />
<br />
Here are the seed ideas of my resolutions.<br />
<br />
Reading- my sister is endeavoring to ready 100 books this year and, as much as I’d like to join her, I worry that two books a week is a steep expectation when taking into account my four kiddos and busy life. I will keep it at 100 for now but I’m happy to drop it down to 75 or even a measly 50 if that becomes a more reasonable expectation.<br />
<br />
I’m counting books I read, audio books I listen to, and including some juvenile (middle grade,) fiction I will be reading with Grace or previewing for her.<br />
<br />
Monthly goals- I thought that it would be fun to set small, attainable goals for each month, setting the, as I go throughout the year.<br />
<br />
January’s goal is to take the big kids to our local outdoor ice skating rink- something we’ve been wanting to do for three years but never got around to it!<br />
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February’s goal is to work my way through some cookie decorating tutorials and try my hand at royal icing, piping, and flooding.<br />
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I like that these goals should be a fun, easy way to check something off of one of my lists. Not usually something that stretches on but is more of a one and done scenario.<br />
<br />
Exercise- This will probably be worked into a few monthly goals but I would really like to run some 5k’s this year. I really hate running but it’s just something I’d like to say I’ve done/can do. 3-5 during this summer is my rough goal.<br />
<br />
Travel- We haven’t taken many family vacations in the last ten years so we both want to make that happen this year. A beach trip is at the top of our list closely followed by a possible international trip. We may not have technically vacationed a lot but we have done a lot of traveling and we miss doing that with our kids.<br />
<br />
That’s it for the year! I am a list and goal maker so I am sure more will come and go but I’m curious to see how I fair in these goals!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-62800858757803999222019-11-17T14:48:00.001-05:002019-11-17T14:48:35.057-05:00Homeschool- What’s In a Name?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We started homeschooling last year- a culmination of two years in the public school system and for a variety of reasons (more on that later.)<br />
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<br />
Before finally taking the plunge and starting I did a deep dive into social media to learn all about homeschooling. I like to sit back, observe, list out things that I like, don’t like, things that I think will work, won’t work for our children. Social media gave me an avenue to do just that without stomping on toes. I could scroll through pictures, read captions and posts, and watch videos (I have watched SO many curriculum review videos in the process!) all from a safe distance. It gave me the space to think through, share with Ian, and discuss in length all of the different aspects of homeschooling.<br />
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We gently started into homeschool in July of 2018. I did a rolling soft start, with just a few subjects at first, and added in a subject or two a month until Christmastime, when we had it all incorporated. I did this approach because I knew that Grace, them second grade, would have an adjustment from public school to homeschooling, and Sophia, then Kindergarten, would need to adjust to mommy as a teacher instead of just play time.<br />
<br />
Lest you think I invented the wheel I will come right out and say that I got this idea from a number of other homeschoolers who recommended it.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to the present day.<br />
<br />
We are in our second year of homeschooling and loving it. I get a lot of questions about what our days look like, which curriculum we use and why, and how to homeschool with different ages and styles. I wanted to be able to share more about it so I decided to start blogging more about it and started a separate Instagram account that can be solely about what we are doing in our school days, curriculum and resources reviews, and project ideas.<br />
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When starting the new IG account I needed a name for it. I had read previously how some states require a family’s homeschool to be named for paperwork and transcript reasons, and always thought it would be interesting to come up with a name. Now, somewhat forced into it by the need for a new handle, I had some thinking to do.<br />
<br />
What was something that defined our homeschool?<br />
<br />
Literature, history, and the Classical method all came to mind. I had another name pegged but I decided I wanted something that was a little more obvious. I continued to think about the how and why that we homeschool and came to this:<br />
<br />
We homeschool deliberately. In every sense of the word. We have deliberately chosen to homeschool, we deliberated over curriculum and styles, and we intentionally set out to raise our children in a home that glorifies God and seeks out truth, goodness, and beauty.<br />
<br />
If I can be honest, Deliberate Homeschool, did not sound like a very nice name to me, like calling it a Learning School. A quick google search to find the root of the word deliberate and other possible synonyms and I spotted the word:<br />
<br />
Deliberatus: meaning considered in Latin.<br />
<br />
Singular Nominative Masculine if you are interested in that sort of thing. I am interested, but not yet informed, so I stared for a long time at declension charts and then decided that I could come back and change it later on if I needed to, ha!<br />
<br />
So, that’s it! I love that we attempt to be deliberate in all that we do- in our walk with the Lord, in our marriage, in our parenting, our work and our school, and in our relationships with others. We’ve been that way since the very onset of our dating relationship and it’s a pattern that we see repeated through every life stage so far.<br />
<br />
Deliberatus Academy is off to a start and I’m looking forward to sharing more with you!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-56960293795584409122019-08-04T14:50:00.001-04:002019-08-04T14:50:37.694-04:00Quirks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Recently I have been thinking about things that I like, don't like, or do as a habit that may be categorized as a quirk.<br />
<br />
I mainly was thinking about this because all three of my big kids call armpits "Arm-pints." So far no amount of correction has swayed them in changing course.<br />
<br />
This got me thinking about how we all have things that many people would think was odd about us. I thought i'd share a few of these oddities with you.<br />
<br />
1.) I don't like men/boys in tank tops. I know, I know. Odd, right? Thankfully, Ian has no interest in wearing tank tops so we can just side step that conversation and I can just not provide my boys with them. Easy.<br />
<br />
Along with the same idea, women in jumpsuits always have me going "Why?!" Listen. Ten years ago we all threw our heads back and laughed at the fashions of the 80's and 90's.<br />
<br />
Jumpsuits, bodysuits, washed out jeans, MOM JEANS.<br />
<br />
Oh, the mom jeans.<br />
<br />
We laughed because they were once thought fashionable and so people wore them but they were so very unflattering. Now those things are all over the racks and have me raising my eyebrows wondering why anyone would wear these things!<br />
<br />
2.) I cut my own hair for the most part. My curly hair means that it's a pretty straight forward cut- curls hide many discrepancies. I've never gotten my hair colored or highlighted so it is very easy upkeep.<br />
<br />
3.) I don't enjoy most seafood. I can eat it and I have but I just wouldn't choose it if I had just about any other choice.<br />
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Crazy right? A Florida girl transplanted to Maryland who doesn't like seafood.<br />
<br />
I actually do alright with most fish, as long as it isn't too "fishy." Anything with an exoskeleton is not appreciated. I think someone jokingly called crabs/lobsters/shrimps as cockroaches of the sea and I was just DONE.<br />
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4.) I have to shower as soon as I roll out of bed or I fight a serious morning funky attitude. If I can shower right away I’m otherwise quite the morning person.<br />
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Ian’s the exact opposite. He rolls out of bed and needs to have a bowl of cereal directly in front of him in approximately 2-3 minutes. Specifically, Raisin Bran. I guess that’s his quirk, not mine though, right?<br />
<br />
5.) I like to hang out with people, really, I do. However, I strongly dislike when I’ve been invited somewhere, go expecting a nice intimate (read: small) gathering of the host and myself, but then arrive to find that they have invited more people to hang out.<br />
<br />
I feel that it goes against southern hospitality rules of engagement but I have learned that it has more to do with how other people are extroverted (everything’s a party! Why not invite more?) and introverted (I’m so looking forward to some deep conversation with my friend!)<br />
<br />
I have no problem when I walk into an event knowing it’s going to be more than just me, it’s just when I’m surprised by it, if that makes sense. <br />
<br />
Alright, I spilled some of my quirks.<br />
<br />
Some.<br />
<br />
Surely you have some too, right? I’d love to hear about them!<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-10119866241624769412019-06-27T11:41:00.002-04:002019-06-27T11:41:30.180-04:00Three Things Lately<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been a nice but busy week with the oldest three at VBS. I've come to realize that I don't drive hardly anywhere these days. Our grocery store, pharmacy, library, drive thru coffee shop, and city park are all within a mile of our house (essentials, y'all.) So, the daily drive to and from the host church for drop off and pick up that is a whopping 15 minutes away feels like we are in the car all day, when in reality comes out to just an hour a day.<br />
<br />
In essence, I'm a wimp.<br />
<br />
Overseas it was at least 20 minutes to a grocery store, longer for just about any errand. When we returned to the US we regularly made 12-13 hour drives, often just myself in the car with the three kids.<br />
<br />
I've lost my stamina it seems.<br />
<br />
Something I haven't lost my stamina for? Heat! It reached 100 here yesterday and I didn't even break a sweat. I didn't really choose to stay out in it all day but it wasn't a factor in why I hurried the kids home after VBS. The kids have completely become acclimated to American "heat waves," though, complaining the whole time.<br />
<br />
I remind them unwaveringly merciless how hot Abu Dhabi was, with one hundred percent humidity, and that they are tougher than they think.<br />
<br />
They cry and ask to stay inside with a popsicle.<br />
<br />
All of this thought of then and now got me thinking about how quickly things change and I wanted to share some of our life updates.<br />
<br />
<b>Ian</b><br />
1.) Ian still works. Ha! I guess that's good. About 9 months ago he accepted a new position with more responsibility and some more travel. If we had about an hour I could explain what he does but for now, let me quote my good friend Alison vis a vis FRIENDS:<br />
<br />
"He's a Transpondster!"<br />
<br />
Yup, an avionics transpondster, who gets to travel to China and Singapore, England and France.<br />
<br />
2.) We celebrated our 11th anniversary two weeks ago! It's really hard to believe. I still feel like just yesterday I was walking down that aisle to say "I do," to the most handsome, loving, smart, strong, and adventurous guy I know.<br />
<br />
3.) For Father's Day Ian was given a ticket to fly down and spend the weekend with his Dad (and mom and brother!) in Florida. I'm pretty sure they just ate and hung out between meals but it sounds like everyone had fun and Ian had a rare non work related trip away.<br />
<br />
<b>Brittney (me, in case that was confusing.)</b><br />
1.) I'm deep in a hole of reading. I can't read at night because I will fall asleep (I'm old, I know,) but I do have a nice pattern of reading in the morning rather uninterrupted.<br />
<br />
By the time Ben goes down for his long morning nap I have showered, made my bed, the kids have had breakfast, gotten dressed, and made their beds, and I sit and eat breakfast, drink coffee, and read for about 20 minutes. Sometimes it turns out to be more like an hour! It's a nice summer break routine for me and the kids are being helpful with making sure they occupy themselves for awhile.<br />
<br />
2.) Puzzles!! I love doing puzzles but for the last couple of years I've had no place I could do them without little people ruining them or without taking up our only table space. In the new house we have this gigantic island that I've set out a 1,000 piece puzzle and work on it whenever I'm waiting for water to boil or when the kids are briefly occupied. It's been nice! Since we do not have small group at our home for the summer I don't feel a rush to get it finished or to have the space cleared off and I'm really enjoying it.<br />
<br />
3.) The house. Sigh. It's so nice but there are so many projects, do you know what I mean? I'm not really sure what to devout our time and resources to first. I think that we are going to get all of the pictures on the wall this weekend so that's an easy (and free,) feat to accomplish. I painted a small area and the verdict is still out on whether we want it to stay painted or revert back to a neutral, so that kind of feels like a project failure.<br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<b>Grace</b><br />
1.) She's growing up! It all seems unreal that we have an 8 year old and that her interests and activities are maturing as she does. I have a hard time keeping up with it and balancing it with what the world says she be allowed to do/say/watch with what we want her to do/say/watch but also allowing for growth beyond what we expect for her preschool aged brother. She's begging us for a sleepover but we just don't have grown-ups with a little girl that have the same value and that we trust enough for that here with us.<br />
<br />
2.) Grace is quite the gymnast! She attends a once a week recreational level class (because four kids means budget and time restraints,) but I often wonder if she'd enjoy to do it a little more. Also, if you've ever wondered what it would be like to live in a home where a child does at least 200 cartwheels a day, come on over, we've got answers for your questions.<br />
<br />
3.) Both girls have recently gotten into the American Girls historical novels and it makes my heart so happy. Grace just read Molly, which was one of my favorites, and we've been having alot of discussions on World War 2. She made the connection between the setting for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Molly and had alot of questions. Mainly if Aslan would come out of the wardrobe and visit Molly, but still, connections.<br />
<br />
<b>Sophia</b><br />
1.) Sophia is 6 and a half and is a funny place between bitty girl and big girl. I feel like I'm learning alot about what makes her tick lately. Quality time and words of affirmation are big on her list. She's begging for a vacation and she looks up to ask what I think of whatever she's doing approximately every 30 seconds.<br />
<br />
2.) Sophia passed her swim test at our local neighborhood pool! Actually, both girls did, which means that they can both go swimming in the non baby pool without me and go on the diving board and everything! I was so surprised that Sophia passed as she is still figuring out the mechanics of it all. She's one determined little girl!<br />
<br />
3.) Sophia is such a sweet, kind, loving kid. One thing she's not? Outgoing. And sometimes that shyness can come across as rude or unkind. THis week, for VBS, I challenged her to step a little outside of her comfort zone, just to learn the name of a new friend in her class every day.<br />
<br />
I told the kids that I didn't care if they forgot their memory verse every day, if their craft project was ruined, or if their VBS team didn't win with points. What I did care about was if they were kind to people. Did they look around and see if anyone was all alone? Did they sit next to them? Ask a question or two to make them feel involved.<br />
<br />
Do you have a shy kid? How do you encourage kindness to others when they are wrestling with their own shyness?<br />
<br />
<b>Luke</b><br />
1.) He says the funniest things, really. Just this morning, when the sunlight hit him just right he exclaimed "I've got fur on my legs, just like Daddy!"<br />
<br />
Last week, when asked how a spot of water got on a library book he replied "I think a bird spit on it. And then maybe I spilled some water."<br />
<br />
2.) Luke starts Pre-K this fall! Last year he was just along for the ride and although play is still his main priority he will have a little more to do at home and will get to be a part of our Classical Conversations community! I'm most nervous about him staying at the table for those three hours but I think he will come around to it- there is lots of movement and noise making allowed.<br />
<br />
3.) I recently got a bill from his four year old check-up. They included a hearing test on the bill that he most definitely was not administered. How do I know? Because I ask myself EVERY DAY if he has hearing problems. And I keep thinking I should ask a professional but then I'm in the doctor's office with four kids and I just plain forget. Everyone just tells me it is little boy syndrome but the kid doesn't even respond to his own name when in crowds or when not looking you in the eye, so I've got questions that need to be answered, whether by time or by an evaluation.<br />
<br />
Ben<br />
<br />
1.) Ben's 8 months old! He's sitting, rolling over, eating like a champ, saying Mom-mom and Da-Da and laughing his head off at his crazy siblings. He love jumping in the exersaucer and splashing in his sink baths. He still hates the car seat.<br />
<br />
2.) Ben went on a swing for the first time this week and really enjoyed it! I didn't have access to baby swings when the other three were little so it feels like such a treat to enjoy him enjoying it.<br />
<br />
3.) Ben does not enjoy drop off situations. Or being held by other people. Or being away from me ever. SO, VBS in two weeks when I am working it and he is in nursery care for 4 hours at a time will be interesting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-27293097497477908772019-06-17T08:59:00.004-04:002019-06-17T08:59:52.331-04:00Little Letters- June<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have all four kids down for quiet time at the same time so I have a chance to dust off this old blog. I’m hopelessly behind but here is the long and short of a catch up.<br />
<br />
We now have lived in the US for three years.<br />
<br />
We added a fourth little bundle, named Ben, back in October. He is 8 months old now.<br />
<br />
We are finished up our first year of homeschooling! It’s been a whirlwind and a learning experience, for sure.<br />
<br />
We moved into a new house! Our small townhouse became too tight when we added the sixth family member and all of his paraphernalia. Our new house is a single family home with a lot of windows, a big backyard, and space for the kids to play. We are slowly furnishing it and working on landscaping. It’s already been a host for Easter, a birthday party, and our small group! I pray it will be a home that is inviting and welcoming to any people.<br />
<br />
And now, to join Callie from Through Clouded Glass....<br />
<br />
Little Letters- June<br />
<br />
Dear May,<br />
I’m so glad you came! You brought our first new month in a new home, rain showers, sunny walks in the neighborhood, and end of the school year anticipation. Thanks for being a great month!<br />
<br />
Dear Trader Joes,<br />
I love you.<br />
That is all<br />
<br />
Dear TV Streaming,<br />
I have a love/hate relationship with you. On the one hand, I can watch a show straight through, even if that means starting on an older show and watching eight seasons until you are caught up to the present day (*cough* Blue Bloods *cough*) but on the other hand, it means I am used to having access to a whole story line, instead of waiting for the next installment.<br />
<br />
Dear Coffee Maker,<br />
You've been replaced. Just an FYI. The espresso machine I received for Mother's Day takes a little more cleaning and thoughtful prep but it does make a great latte or cappuccino. I will admit, the quantity you produce is much more my style on mornings after Ben has kept us up all night. I hope there is no hard feelings.<br />
<br />
Dear Babysitters of the World,<br />
You are awesome. Know that when you show up at my house, ask the kids about things that interest them, and dive into play time while I am still there it makes mommas all over the world feel comfortable with leaving you there with their offspring. Washing the dinner dishes is an added bonus. Hearing how much fun the kids had from them in the morning is a cherry on top! Thank you!<br />
<br />
Dear Blogging,<br />
I missed you. I have had so much happen and it feel overwhelming on where and how to get caught up. I can't count how many times I've started a post in hopes to get back in the flow of things and then the baby wakes up or a kid needs help and I have to abandon my efforts. I love writing. For myself, for my kids as a sort of album of our lives, and for relatives, flung far and wide. Thanks for welcoming me back!<br />
<br />
Also, at some point I started designing and coding my own blog. I researched and learned so much to do so. Now that information is all gone from my head. It's going to take some time to get this revamped but I will work on it!<br />
<br />
Dear Big Camera,<br />
Where are you? we moved and I haven't been able to find you yet. It's a real shame, because Ben's pictures from his first month are on there and haven't been put onto the computer yet. If you could show yourself I would truly appreciate it.<br />
<br />
Dear Kids Consignment Stores,<br />
You my life so much easier, I just wanted you to know. I have never tried selling/consigning there as we have so many friends and family we can pass things on to but you are a triedand true source for like new shoes. I went in yesterday just for the purpose of getting Sophia a pair of shoes to play in the backyard in- some that could get muddy and that I wouldn't have to spend upwards of $20 on. I walked out with New and Like New Shoes for all three of the kids that would have cost me nearly $125 if I had bought them new for a fifth of that price! Crazy. You also provided us with a few more clothing pieces that Grace needed (she's so tall and we have no one passing clothes on to us anymore!) and a stack of books that go along with our school year for next year. Thank you!<br />
<br />
That's all for Little Letters this month! It was fun to be a bit random.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-66774526152991635392018-12-03T09:30:00.000-05:002018-12-03T09:30:09.109-05:00Baby Galloway #4 Is A.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We went to find out the baby's gender in May.<br />
<br />
The kids guesses were as follows:<br />
Grace- Boy<br />
Sophia- Girl<br />
Luke- Boy<br />
<br />
Ian and I didn't know or have a guess, really.<br />
<br />
This was the first time that I had a desire on the gender. I really wanted a girl as I was feeling all sentimental about the girls' things- if this wasn't a girl then all of there really sweet clothes and things would need to be cleaned out and passed on to someone else. I would be fine, either way, of course, but I had a preference.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB5RXAnOs2mSU-1Joq_kS2mvHa8dZLCAhhcaBhHWuC6HBHIQmMcY_hC47Zu0PVTOhDM9mhjWsBsF6ApPYwh43uXC2YAH_BjYpx6kMo4boBgXqyqO75cU3pOY2Yyeq5WOX1E7I8cO4wg/s1600/D64B3DBD-2FAB-4FDB-8E15-31B22C3D1786.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB5RXAnOs2mSU-1Joq_kS2mvHa8dZLCAhhcaBhHWuC6HBHIQmMcY_hC47Zu0PVTOhDM9mhjWsBsF6ApPYwh43uXC2YAH_BjYpx6kMo4boBgXqyqO75cU3pOY2Yyeq5WOX1E7I8cO4wg/s320/D64B3DBD-2FAB-4FDB-8E15-31B22C3D1786.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We took all three kids with us into the ultrasound room. The tech seemed a little unsure how to proceed with such a crowded space. She also had a very insistent Luke to contend with (he could not be convinced that there was only one baby in there- he wanted twins!)<br />
<br />
In the end, we found out the gender would be.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoqEVmu8ZeOTTpMGPuKedq-72EkZvONwDqwvXT94-lG0YdXBCagOmWq3Cwmd115r-HVsgX-FOgGayLNtGWQL8xcReavaa0HdMc9-sOL96X84_7UyRgg8CBNtUJVbZ-jhzdxe9j88q8A/s1600/Babyboygalloway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoqEVmu8ZeOTTpMGPuKedq-72EkZvONwDqwvXT94-lG0YdXBCagOmWq3Cwmd115r-HVsgX-FOgGayLNtGWQL8xcReavaa0HdMc9-sOL96X84_7UyRgg8CBNtUJVbZ-jhzdxe9j88q8A/s400/Babyboygalloway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A baby boy! We were so excited to finally know and braced ourselves for months (or years?) of people saying things like "Oh, two and two. Guess it's even." Yup. That's true.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-86683853388889240152018-12-02T11:30:00.000-05:002018-12-03T09:00:44.719-05:00Pregnancy Update- Second Trimester<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Trimester Two started off with a bang.<br />
<br />
And by bang, I totally mean a roaring case of food poisoning.<br />
<br />
I had been craving burgers for many weeks, specifically ones from an unnamed burger joint. Partly because I try not to give in to every craving and partly because the one I repeatedly tried to go to was under renovations, I was never able to fulfill this particular craving.<br />
<br />
Ian was out of town and I navigated a doctors appointment with the kids in tow and the rewarded myself with a trip to said burger joint. I even have photographic evidence as I was so excited I ate my burger in the car and sent my mom a picture of it.<br />
<br />
Six hours later I would regret that craving (and now, six months later, I still do.) I honestly have never been that kind of sick. It didn’t help that Ian was out of town and couldn’t return for 24 hours, or that neighbors, who are usually my backup, were somehow all out of town also.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t even leave our third floor master to care for the kids. I think at some point I called down to grace and asked her to help the others get cereal. I think at some point I had them come up to me to get kisses. I must have gone to their rooms to tuck them in. (Right?!)<br />
<br />
I was so deliriously out of my mind. I can look back now and see that I was probably dangerously dehydrated. I had set a mental timer on when I would take myself into the hospital and I was actually able to keep down fluids before I reached that point.<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, is how the second trimester started.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Msmo09BKcam0OFw5BcoXiLJc4TSDywqwDQ14JBz4gGH1pornb0_wJ5Qb8cqb_SzH_9ZGo2BCaRKz5DNOsRdL1xKbmV5bV7BfOXXE3SoKTZZj4PYQddHJUnKUbjGhOmTRPzvDdPTA/s1600/53A0A765-5732-4BE3-BA44-9FCE3E318CAB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t6Msmo09BKcam0OFw5BcoXiLJc4TSDywqwDQ14JBz4gGH1pornb0_wJ5Qb8cqb_SzH_9ZGo2BCaRKz5DNOsRdL1xKbmV5bV7BfOXXE3SoKTZZj4PYQddHJUnKUbjGhOmTRPzvDdPTA/s320/53A0A765-5732-4BE3-BA44-9FCE3E318CAB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I didn’t lose my morning sickness until closer to 20 weeks.<br />
I did find a new love for vitamin B and Unisom.<br />
<br />
I didn't gain any weight (which was not my pattern for the other three.)<br />
I did show earlier than before.<br />
<br />
I didn't get a "second trimester burst of energy."<br />
I did have pregnancy insomnia set in.<br />
<br />
We did find out the gender of the baby....<br />
We did not decide on a name until nearly 30 weeks pregnant.<br />
<br />
The second trimester went out with a bang as well, I guess, as very near the end I got a stomach virus that made life difficult for several days. I was very ready for baby to come and was thankful when pool season wrapped up shortly after the third trimester started as I was feeling very large!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-21541169286800445502018-12-01T21:31:00.002-05:002018-12-01T21:31:54.719-05:00Deck the Hall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, we did it.<br />
<br />
We got our tree up and decorated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcAslY64JpkVgvwSGZHafEFWjcIjNwStXTeYia0x8qi0JsFYKfnl1Kt9iEPEPTrdRCsG4oLbUGBUawvngeBoot-P27IEmtd-lD9ostAI4msoVBD8Jk5qCXhJxVHI4CP18SFKe5Y62lQ/s1600/37626111-4D45-4978-A1BD-4061DF0F4842.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcAslY64JpkVgvwSGZHafEFWjcIjNwStXTeYia0x8qi0JsFYKfnl1Kt9iEPEPTrdRCsG4oLbUGBUawvngeBoot-P27IEmtd-lD9ostAI4msoVBD8Jk5qCXhJxVHI4CP18SFKe5Y62lQ/s320/37626111-4D45-4978-A1BD-4061DF0F4842.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And survived.<br />
<br />
That's about the extent of it.<br />
<br />
What should have been a joyful occasion ended up being an event that we just got through, because, hello.<br />
<br />
Four kids, small house, pouring, freezing rain, and the couch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2grV7SUSCpKUvOCUOw-sz-rq_LC7QwwmyGrKed__h15-Lw9IGHWxmiMH7ZS0Ssek1MJJsxmVVMYLrA9-9nufBInXCi1nIbzMa3M5odtbJvQUN7REJtMOE8_HoJbsnh9a8mB4IuJ9t9g/s1600/60FB655D-3981-41DF-8DF3-4D0362BCE4ED.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2grV7SUSCpKUvOCUOw-sz-rq_LC7QwwmyGrKed__h15-Lw9IGHWxmiMH7ZS0Ssek1MJJsxmVVMYLrA9-9nufBInXCi1nIbzMa3M5odtbJvQUN7REJtMOE8_HoJbsnh9a8mB4IuJ9t9g/s320/60FB655D-3981-41DF-8DF3-4D0362BCE4ED.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Did I mention the couch? We have a pretty tight family room with an extra large couch and an extra large love seat. We had made a plan to move the love seat upstairs to our third floor master to make room during the holiday season.<br />
<br />
Plans are meant to be broken, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8rv8XK__1rPvoo4RvmjKSa3cQ81h9wNL8BSwrZg_L6-J6ib-qHUKFxLRrYsBfCOuQUiyupqHHRCY6t4N3lk9jAxOyYoYIBiuowPcg3sAUok28IWeA0kzi2Gq1UZlA7NPnU05Y5ARUA/s1600/C55C903E-CE3C-4E8E-80AB-BA7DD48C590B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8rv8XK__1rPvoo4RvmjKSa3cQ81h9wNL8BSwrZg_L6-J6ib-qHUKFxLRrYsBfCOuQUiyupqHHRCY6t4N3lk9jAxOyYoYIBiuowPcg3sAUok28IWeA0kzi2Gq1UZlA7NPnU05Y5ARUA/s320/C55C903E-CE3C-4E8E-80AB-BA7DD48C590B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Turns out the couch couldn't actually fit through the staircase so we made the split second decision to just get rid of the couch. Except it was pouring out so we couldn't actually take it out of the house. So the couch took up home in another part of the family room (the part where we are supposed to walk in.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0VsAtho_3WMi6wLg2WSSt1Hvzu_0n5hbPnzRQOo7k2qdXgiEtVFsh5ijC5ZGTdnpgc5Ymrqej0clCKf_SB05ZfPiUbFcuG2tl2SlNCDSUMJdkxok2eYsawfHrAI_rdG6nf5aN55FMQ/s1600/696A73EF-2A39-4E03-888F-5F56EA344C69.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0VsAtho_3WMi6wLg2WSSt1Hvzu_0n5hbPnzRQOo7k2qdXgiEtVFsh5ijC5ZGTdnpgc5Ymrqej0clCKf_SB05ZfPiUbFcuG2tl2SlNCDSUMJdkxok2eYsawfHrAI_rdG6nf5aN55FMQ/s320/696A73EF-2A39-4E03-888F-5F56EA344C69.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben's First Christmas Tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The kids were bickering.<br />
<br />
The lights weren’t working.<br />
<br />
Luke’s head banged into the ceiling when he was lifted up to put the angel on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnEzdaiaPZKOjJOExL4x6qLnl3x8K2DspQP5CuV27sdaq6gEWht2ytElaiLvwMrKhh303ayh-nZB11TvAYcGIym2VwuFPRnCuQOrw0D7GDXq7knTdOmpkNZIwweedGZy9POurZIv5Vw/s1600/73CDF4FC-874F-4615-B5E9-DFB3A84FBA1A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnEzdaiaPZKOjJOExL4x6qLnl3x8K2DspQP5CuV27sdaq6gEWht2ytElaiLvwMrKhh303ayh-nZB11TvAYcGIym2VwuFPRnCuQOrw0D7GDXq7knTdOmpkNZIwweedGZy9POurZIv5Vw/s320/73CDF4FC-874F-4615-B5E9-DFB3A84FBA1A.jpeg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG162OwCtpBd644OnWUwoEApj2JxJV3m90VFKgAM__6jQmcFP2jnVGGg1bKbhC0OKtaLIPnBtYGx1FEK3rgL-4dJSGQjd2w8Q8JbJ5JAHeOU60euZKju0oGSczBeazoPycXst7RdDzmg/s1600/86E89AD4-FD5B-462F-99AD-C06B0427BDA1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG162OwCtpBd644OnWUwoEApj2JxJV3m90VFKgAM__6jQmcFP2jnVGGg1bKbhC0OKtaLIPnBtYGx1FEK3rgL-4dJSGQjd2w8Q8JbJ5JAHeOU60euZKju0oGSczBeazoPycXst7RdDzmg/s320/86E89AD4-FD5B-462F-99AD-C06B0427BDA1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And I had forgotten to make a plan for dinner.<br />
<br />
*Sigh*<br />
<br />
It definitely wasn’t picture perfect.<br />
<br />
In the end though, the tree got put up and decorated,<br />
The loose bulb was located and the lights began working,<br />
Pizza was ordered for dinner,<br />
The kids became happy campers,<br />
And music eventually played on in the background.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We did have to make FOUR trips to Target to purchase one more strand of lights, as ours mysteriously didn't cover the whole tree this year. We may have purchased Bright White lights, outside lights, and then finally Warm White lights before figuring out what we actually did need.<br />
<br />
It’s likely that the only evidence of it being a stressful, non perfect decorating time will be this post, as the kids have already forgotten and are talking about how much they love decorating time.<br />
<br />
I’m glad that they won’t really remember the bad parts, and I’m glad that some years are more colorful than others as it definitely will make this year stand out and make me appreciate more peaceful years in the future.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-21802228902385795852018-11-23T21:26:00.003-05:002018-11-23T21:26:37.001-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We spent the day as our first ever "just us" Thanksgiving Day. I was a little apprehensive that we'd feel depressed or isolated but it ended up being a great day.<br />
<br />
We got moving early with our day- the kids had cartoons while we downed some coffee, snuggled Ben, and preheated the oven.<br />
<br />
We had decided to go the easy route- I had ordered a Thanksgiving meal from Whole Foods and had picked it up the day before, then we chose a few of our favorite side dishes and made those on Thanksgiving morning.<br />
<br />
Ian asked for Sweet Potato Casserole<br />
Sophia asked for Corn Casserole,<br />
and Grace asked for our family's special stuffing.<br />
<br />
I, being somewhat compliant, didn't ask for anything else to be made. Also, I'm not an idiot, I didn't want to make any more work for myself!<br />
<br />
We spent the morning watching the parade and letting the kids help make their side dish (Luke took over as assistant on Ian's casserole.) The kids played with LEGOs, Ben nursed and slept off and on, and Ian kept on top of any dirty dishes that were created.<br />
<br />
Sometime after noon we were wrapping it up on our preparations and were able to facetime with both sides of our families. We sat down to eat right around one and had everyone laying down for a nap by two.<br />
<br />
Ian and I had arranged tickets earlier in the week to take the whole family to see Wreck It Ralph 2, so that is what we did post nap time. The kids loved it and consumed a ton of popcorn while Ben nursed and slept through the entire thing.<br />
<br />
I somehow didn't take a single picture of our family (though I have ones of our table and our food!) and I'm kicking myself for that now. Luckily, I do have one of sweet Ben on his first Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
It was a nice day overall. Good family time, delicious food, and a laid back schedule. You can't ask for much more than that!<br />
<br />
I don't ever go out on Black Friday, so I felt very accomplished when, on Black Friday, at approximately 7:30 AM, I saw our postal worker deliver several large packages to our front door.<br />
<br />
Christmas shopping, done.<br />
<br />
This year, I am especially thankful for Amazon.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-50554795166943264292018-07-28T20:58:00.000-04:002018-07-28T20:58:09.588-04:00Pregnancy Update- the First Trimester<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Baby Galloway Number Four is well on the way and we couldn't be more excited!<br />
<br />
It's time for a little back story....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfGsTepT7hRGScoCu2rg0G-KUTDV0778Gkd08Y-uSgsNKP7lbDMOeVAnsuPDn7tn1nMFhSJQbl3d1gYa2jxXfUOenfouos08hzi_jDCDVlei7LULllRm7_cfevpCBTf53WXRI77QQng/s1600/ZP8A6538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfGsTepT7hRGScoCu2rg0G-KUTDV0778Gkd08Y-uSgsNKP7lbDMOeVAnsuPDn7tn1nMFhSJQbl3d1gYa2jxXfUOenfouos08hzi_jDCDVlei7LULllRm7_cfevpCBTf53WXRI77QQng/s320/ZP8A6538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This baby was long awaited. I had been having "baby fever," for well over a year but, having been back in the US for just over a year I knew that the timing was not right. Finally, we were feeling more settled and in routine and it was time! You know, time to throw a crying newborn, unscheduled routines, and a complete lack of sleep at a family who finally felt settled!<br />
<br />
I began suspecting I was pregnant on Thursday, February 8th, but wanted to wait until after the weekend to test. I couldn't wait any longer and on Sunday, February 11th, I took a test while getting ready for church. It was the faintest double line that I have gotten out of all four pregnancies but I suspected that it was very early on.<br />
<br />
I kept waiting for Ian to come upstairs to get ready for church and would tell him then, but, as it turns out, he had already showered, gathered his clothes, and was ironing downstairs. It felt like an eternity so I finally slipped downstairs and aught him alone and told him! He was excited and surprised, but at least he wasn't confused like he was when he found out about baby #3 (Luke!)<br />
<br />
The pregnancy symptoms started early but I was determined to keep it from the kids for as long as possible. I was the sickest I've ever been out of all four pregnancies, but this time I had three kids to take care of and a job to be at! It was definitely an interesting 2-3 months.<br />
<br />
We told the kids at 10 weeks along. We were about to go on a trip to visit family and I knew that my extreme food aversions and morning sickness would be evident to the grown ups so we told the kids by wrapping three small baby items (a bib, a pacifier, and a diaper rash cream tube,) and told the kids that these were clues about a surprise that would be coming soon.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzClPi69icil__YO6gzMRTFKkD2GYnqBchV6q1wJJCAYYbuYAJFb678itqSJ4IdD_xWtpf6OK6OaXCxr-ovbQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Grace got the bib and figured it out right away. She was and still is the most excited to have a new baby in the house! I think she's going to make a great big sister to a baby! She was only 3.5 when Luke was born so though she was a "big sister," she is truly going to be a great helper and little mommy to this baby.<br />
<br />
Sophia, who had been for weeks saying she doesn't like babies and thought they are smelly and slobbery, got the diaper rash cream which was still in a box. She didn't recognize it (we have been done with diapers for quite awhile here!) and was confused and then slightly horrified at the thought of a baby.<br />
<br />
She came around pretty quickly and is excited.<br />
<br />
Luke got the pacifier and was just gleeful to be doing something fun. He didn't really understand until I started showing but then he talks to the baby and holds things up to my belly to "show the baby."<br />
<br />
We had planned on doing our 10 year anniversary trip to Budapest, Hungary, but, partly due to how badly sick I was, and partly due to outside circumstances, we pushed the trip back to right at the end of the first trimester so that I would hopefully be over the worst of it.<br />
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I really wanted to enjoy vacation food!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-42829508717416395552018-07-26T19:55:00.000-04:002018-07-26T19:55:01.478-04:00Baby Galloway Number FOUR!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Getting caught up on here means that some things are going to fall in the "Better Late Than Never" category.<br />
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This is one of those things....<br />
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Baby Galloway Number Four is expected in October 2018! We are so excited and are looking forward to seeing how the baby will change things around here!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-46946998704677232642018-07-25T14:31:00.001-04:002018-07-25T14:31:33.924-04:00Grace's 7th Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Grace turned 7 back in April and I feel like her whole birthday and celebrations went by in such a haze. We were super busy for 2-3 weeks surrounding her birthday and traveling a ton so it was definitely not our most routine of birthdays.<br />
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Her actual birthday happened on the day we drove back from visiting my family in Charlotte, NC. Our family had a cake and presents the night before for her and we also let her choose our road trip lunch spot on the drive home on her birthday.<br />
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We saved her presents for the next couple of days, since we were right back into work and school and things were hectic (actually, I just figured out I didn't give her this puzzle I had gotten for her. It just seemed like too much stuff! Oh well, I will save it for a bored summer day.)<br />
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Then I realized we never really planned a party or activity. We started Grace on a rotation with this birthday, odd numbers are just a special event with family, even numbers will be a party. She didn't really understand it though and had thought she would be taking a friend or two (or five) to a special event. She was desperately disappointed so I scrambled to come up with a few special play dates.<br />
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I originally wanted one play date with three friends but it was rather last minute and no one could get together on the same day.<br />
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First, we took her best buddy from school, William, to dinner and open gym at the local gymnastics place.<br />
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The next day we had a play date with some sweet friends of hers and Sophia's. We had dinner and brought cupcakes that Grace had made from a cupcake cookbook she has.<br />
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And on the third day, we picked up Grace's good friend, Lily, and took the girls roller skating! They had such a good time and I was really impressed with how fast Sophia, who is usually my most hesitant, picked it up.<br />
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The playdates helped smooth things over but I definitely will be planning things out a little better in the future!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-91798230267111736542018-06-07T12:04:00.000-04:002018-06-07T12:04:24.952-04:00Luke’s 3rd Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Luke’s 3rd Birthday was back in February! We loved celebrating our little guy and loved even more that within a week of him turning three he became a little easier to reason with. Luke’s always been a more.... ornery child than one would expect, especially giving his cute looks and sunshine and rainbow spouting sisters.<br />
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Is it bad that I honestly can’t remember much about his actual birthday? It was on a Sunday so before church we opened up his gifts. And by opened I mean revealed because they didn’t get wrapped this year in tradition with his last year presents and a late delivery. He was pleased but liked his birthday donuts even more.<br />
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His party was the day before and we had it at Chick-Fil-A! My thinking was that since the only fee was the cost of the food you bought that I would end up spending less than I normally do on the food for an in home party. There was a fault in my thinking though: I really didn’t think that many of his classmates would come (many of them are younger, just turned two,) but nearly the entire group showed up. So it didn’t end up being cheaper but it was so easy!<br />
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They provided a tablecloth and balloons and I brought goodie bags for the table and brought a cake with me (though in retrospect he probably would have been happy with ice cream cups.)<br />
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We walked up, put down the party bags and cake, confirmed our order with the party hostess, then took the kids to the play place! As the families arrived we started directing them to the tables and booths that were reserved for us and to the play place. At some point we rounded the kids up to eat, then they briefly played again before cake time. That was it!<br />
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We didn’t do any games because the play place ended up being super crowded with just our party kids. A lot of the parents told me that it was their child’s first time attending a party for a peer or their first time playing in a play place (?!)<br />
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I loved celebrating our little guy and he felt really special!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-51483277325030592542018-04-12T08:26:00.003-04:002018-04-12T08:26:32.534-04:00Three Things Lately<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've done this series off and on for awhile (mostly off because of my blogging sabbatical,) but it is a great way to sit and think about what makes this time unique for each person in our family.<br />
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1. <b>Grace </b>has friends, alot of them. We still feel she hasn't made a "heart," friend though and that kind of breaks my heart. Having that friend that you (mostly) get along with and that you just can't wait to spend time with is so important in childhood. We had a playdate this past week with one of Sophia's friends who has a sister Grace's age, and they had a sweet time of playing. We are really praying for a friend for Grace who shares her faith!<br />
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2. Grace is currently entranced with the Roald Dahl books. I am just so happy that she is reading! She went through a stint were she wasn’t wanting to read chapter books because all of her friends at school were still on picture books. We were really navigating the path of saying “read anything!” with helping her realize it was okay to read more than just early readers and that her friends would be catching up with her soon.<br />
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3. With every chore the girls learn how to do I feel like a tiny weight off of my shoulders is released, ha! Grace recently learned she could pull a chair to the fridge, pull all three lunch boxes down, set them up on the counter, and put in the ready to go items (ice pack, cheese stick, yogurt most days,) meaning I just come down and prep any fruit or sandwich and it’s done. True her little portion takes me less than a minute to do but it is nice!<br />
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1. <b>Sophia</b> has been learning This Land Is Your Land for her Spring Recital. Which means ALOT of singing it at the top of her lungs at home. Sorry, neighbors!<br />
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2. Sophia is almost done with Pre-K! It’s been a crazy year but I am so thankful for her teachers and the kids in her classroom. She has learned so many skills and studied topics that have been interesting to her and I love that for her! She is reading already but goes at her own pace- I don’t think she’s realized she can read just about anything yet- she still brings her books to us to read to her and that’s okay!<br />
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3. Sophia is all about shopping with her “own money.” Which is all fine and good except for the fact that she doesn’t have any of her own money. So, we’ve been trying to come up with special not everyday chores she can do to earn quarters. First thing she bought with her own cash? A watch from the dollar section of Target. She is so proud.<br />
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1. <b>Luke</b> is three years old now! Birthday post to come. Within days of him turning three we saw a huge change in his personality. He has always been my whiniest kid and cries at everything (not in a sensitive soul sort of way, just like a grumpy old man,) but he started to have a little more self control, grasp consequences for his behavior, and altogether be a sunnier child. Yay!<br />
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2. Buddy is still in his crib and we are not ashamed. He loves it, is safe, and keeps him contained! I dread the day that is probably happening in the next few weeks when we make the switch. I will admit, he is getting pretty heavy to put him into it though!<br />
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3. Luke loves super hero figurines, match box cars, and Star Wars things, even though he’s never seen it. He does better with dogs than the girls do. He falls every time he runs on a sidewalk. He got offended by the nurse who surprised him with a shot at a check up. He loves kielbasa, yogurt, fruit, English muffins, and still has a crazy sensitive gag reflex, even when eating food he likes. He will grow out of that, right?<br />
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1. <b>Ian and I </b>are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this summer and are taking a trip soon to celebrate! I’m so excited but also nervous to leave the kids- mostly to have other people drive my kids. I figure as long as they are in the house it will all work out okay. But the minute they have to leave I feel uneasy! Is it going overboard to leave a diagram to how the kids should be properly buckled in?<br />
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2. I’ve been watching Hawaii 5-0, which Ian says is torture seeing as we are still in winter mode here in Maryland. It’s going to end soon, right? The cold weather, not the show. I really like the show though. I feel like it’s hard to find a crime show that doesn’t have a bunch of torture scenes or really sick and twisted criminals (I shudder to even think about Criminal Minds.) This show has some of that but also a lot of “normal,” mystery and crime solving.<br />
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3. While talking with Ian about appropriate books for Grace, he brought up Alas, Babylon, which I realized I have never read. Surprising because a book that involves my home state, Florida, AND survival of a post apocalyptic world sounds like something I would have loved in middle and high school, rivaled only by holocaust surivial stories, oddly enough. And no, Alas, Babylon, is not appropriate for a 7 year old girl, nor is Hatchet, which he also brought up!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-7140382110444794852018-02-22T20:33:00.000-05:002018-02-22T20:33:40.965-05:00The One With the Family Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was time, we desperately needed to get family pictures done.<br />
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I'm pretty sure the last ones that we had done were in Abu Dhabi, taken by a blog friend, (Hi, Tami!) At the time, Grace was not yet 2 and Sophia was an infant!<br />
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Five years later, back to our home country, and another child added to the mix, I guess an update was in order.<br />
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Plus, my mom said that's all she wanted for Christmas so it was pretty easy to sell Ian on.<br />
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I connected with another blog friend, Mallorie Gayle Photography, who had a slot to do a mini session and even though it was a long drive and FREEZING cold out, the end results were perfect! Mallorie captured us all perfectly in a short time frame!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-57442440917868653122018-02-15T14:24:00.001-05:002018-02-15T14:24:19.144-05:00The One With The Giant Pegasus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ian and I went on a weekend trip to New York City one weekend last fall. More on that here. We went partly for Ian's birthday (he turned 31!) partly to get away for a weekend, and partly to hang out with our friend who lives there.<br />
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Now, usually, when people leave their kids they have some anxiety, worry about them, and miss them.<br />
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I will be the first to tell you that <i>I am not one of those people.</i><br />
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That's not to say that I am not excited to see them when I come back, but I feel like so many other people, who are more experienced in the marriage department, say that getting away as a couple is one of the best things you can do for your marriage and for your own mental health, so I fully embrace that idea.<br />
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Time to leave? Kiss and a hug and "I will see you later!"<br />
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Screen door is still flapping on its hinges and I am gone. GONE.<br />
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Anyways, back to the Pegasus, because I am sure you are waiting for that to come up again.<br />
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My in laws were gracious enough to fly up and take care of our kids while we were gone, which made leaving them easy to do. I knew they would get in loads of craft time, go do something fun out of the house, and probably finagle a new toy out of the deal so entertainment would not be in short supply.<br />
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We returned home in the middle of nap time to find my mother in law sitting on the couch looking rather sheepish. There was a pile of toy packaging on the floor in the family room but I sort of expected that. She showed me what Sophia chose (a singing bird,) and Luke (a second little people farm, because the new one had different sounds, which our original one did not.)<br />
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There wasn’t any packaging for Grace’s toy, and my mother in law started explaining. She said Grace fell in love with it, and they had tried to convince her to choose another toy. She said she knew we were tight on space (our place is great but not well laid out and not very big.)<br />
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And then she said “You are just going to have to go and see it.”<br />
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I nervously walked upstairs and found this:<br />
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Now, I’m a pretty practical person. I’m also one who has pretty strict limits on stuffed animals. (The dust! The impracticality of getting them clean! The space they take up! How little they are used!)<br />
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So imagine my surprise when I walked into the girls’ room and found a giant stuffed Pegasus that was BIGGER THAN GRACE HERSELF!<br />
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I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. On the one hand, Grace loved it. She would cuddle with it, read on it, drag it around the house and play flying Pegasus. On the other hand, it takes up half of her bed!<br />
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It's been four months and "Uni," as her Pegasus is called, still resides there. I've told Grace that the minute it hasn't been used regularly it is out of here, but I have a feeling that won't happen anytime soon. Eventually Grace will get bigger and need more room in her twin bed, right?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-6464991224596002242018-01-04T22:53:00.000-05:002018-01-04T23:05:09.224-05:00The One Where We Went to New York<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Back in October Ian and I were able to slip away for a quick weekend away. It was a mix of Ian's birthday weekend and a much needed child free escape. I felt pretty guilty about it at first, because we had to leave on Sophia's actual birthday, but quickly got over it, as she was in good care of her Mimi and I knew we would celebrate some more when we returned.<br />
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We took the train up to the city.<br />
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The train.<br />
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I was a skeptic of it, mainly because I had heard of so many horrible issues with the train, but it turned out to be okay. It was cheap, took us straight into the heart of the city, and you don't have to do a big check in, security, and waiting process like you do at the airport. You could arrive five minutes before your train and walk right on. That's a nice perk!<br />
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We stayed with one of Ian's best friends, Sam, who has lived in the city for a couple of years. Sam has made many appearances over the years on this blog, including when we lived in the same town as him during our first year of marriage and when he visited us in Abu Dhabi! We are thankful for his friendship for so long and we were excited to get to spend some time with him on his own turf.<br />
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We enjoyed our quiet train ride (I got to read! In peace!) stepped out into Penn Station and (mostly) successfully navigated our way onto the subway and to Sam's apartment. I'm fairly certain we walked around his neighborhood, had Cuban food, and walked down to a park with a great view of the skyline.<br />
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On Saturday, we did a great walking tour of the city! We started off with Washington Square Park, then down to Union Square Park (we walked!!!) then we ducked into Strand Bookstore, where we got absolutely lost amidst all of the books! I really loved the children's department and Ian enjoyed the rare books floor.<br />
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We made our way to The NYC Library, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and then on to the Empire State building and stopped for a yummy lunch in Korean Town. We did a quick run through of Rockefeller Center, saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, and headed back to Sam's place for a quick rest and to freshen up.<br />
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I'm going to be frank. I wore new boots. It was pretty awful. I thought for sure I was going to have to pull a Monica and Chandler and ditch the boots and catch a ride on Ian's back. I was able to hobble my way through the day and I added another layer of socks for the next day!<br />
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Later we hopped out to get a shwarma and falafal (YAY!) then headed to Times Square. It was every bit as overwhelming as we expected. We found a rooftop bar that was ridiculously full (think, unable to move,) then headed out to our Broadway show!! We went to see the Lion King! It was incredible and was such a good experience except I probably wouldn't go to see a show that I was so familiar with the movie again. I felt like I could have narrated all of the lines in the entire show!<br />
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Sunday we made our way to Central Park! I loved seeing so many of the iconic scenes from so many movies. It was surreal. It was so much fun to wander but I was so exhausted! I did get my only injury of the weekend at Central Park when I slipped on some rocks leading down to a bench. Three months later and I'm still sporting my NYC scar. We ended up wrapping up our morning a little early and going to brunch to just sit and hang out.<br />
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Sunday afternoon we headed to see the World Trade Center Memorial, the Freedom Tower, Battery Park, Trinity Church, and Wall Street. We took an Uber over to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across it at sunset. This might have been one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. It was just a slow pace walk, lots to see and look at, beautiful sunset, and fun with friends, but it really stands out to me. When we got over the bridge we wandered over to Main Street Park/Pebble Beach and right as we walked up a random firework show began. It was amazing!<br />
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We came back on Monday, right after grabbing another amazing bagel! It was such a fun trip and we look forward to going back again. On my list for our next trip would be a trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, another Broadway show, and eating at some more amazing restaurants!<br />
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Also, let it be known that we got more pictures together as a couple on this one weekend trip than we usually get in an entire year! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8534994551990168596.post-63006304788312868692018-01-01T06:09:00.000-05:002018-01-01T06:09:09.099-05:00The One with the Card From My Grandma<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Grandma sent me a Christmas card, like she does every year.<br />
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My Grandma sent me a card with a gorgeous front illustration and a merry greeting.<br />
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My Grandma sent me a card with a handwritten message. I love seeing her handwriting, it takes me back to so many years ago.<br />
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My Grandma sent me a card with a handwritten message that rang true for me.<br />
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It read "I miss your blogs."<br />
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Simple message, big meaning.<br />
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I miss my blog, too, Grandma.<br />
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I miss thinking through life's everyday moments and finding reasons to celebrate.<br />
I miss connecting with family members from afar.<br />
I miss having a voice in a conversation that tends to speed by without any care for my thoughts on the matter.<br />
I miss being able to look back at memories made over the last year, when I just want things to *slow the heck down!*<br />
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Grandma, you were right. I miss my blogs too.<br />
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Many of my yearly goals, (chronicled here, ironically enough,) have been about blogging and maintaining that habit. It was until shortly after Luke's birth, when we were faced with the shockingly hard decision to come back, that I lost my will to write. I won't whine about it (again,) here but I will say that was the hardest thing we've ever done.<br />
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My goal for 2018 is to regularly write here. I'm willing to work with a more flexible goal and not put a number on it, but as a minimum, I will aim for at least once a week.<br />
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So, Grandma, this one is for you. And a little for me, too. And also for my other family and friends. And also for my children.<br />
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So maybe it's for us.<br />
For all of us! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1