May 02, 2008

This is never fun

I've had a whole week of yuck. Morning Sickness has defined itself pretty well for this mama. I'm sick until 11am. I haven't ralphed or anything it's just pretty miserable. I remember having all these problems before but man, what's getting me these days is the responsibilities I have now. The decreased energy level is making me kinda sad. I have art I want to make, a house that's FLITHY, and two wonderful kids that I'd love to entertain but I'm toast! I nap almost every afternoon, falling asleep to the disappointment that my bathrooms are collecting more and more grossness. I can only be thankful that this sickness means that this new bun is baking pretty well. The kids have been really nice. Saying things like, "Mama, are you feeling sick?" "I'll give your sick tummy a kiss" and "Is the baby all better?". Josiah is adorable, he leans down to my tummy and says, "I love you baby". I had no idea the kids would react so well and so often.

I am hoping I can enjoy the Clothesline Show. If I feel this bad every morning and exhausted every afternoon I might hafta curl up on Laura's comfy red couch and take a snooze. The company and the relaxation will be wonderful though. And even though I have other pieces I'd like to finish, I am thankful I have plenty to show at this point.

So thank you blogland for all your well-wishes and congratulations. I still can't believe this sweet face is going to be a big sister.

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April 28, 2008

And then there were three

I have been putting this off for (eep) like 5 days! I have had a nervousness about it and I don't really know why. Actually, I do know why but everytime I verbalize these reasons it makes no sense. I mean, I am happy, I am excited. This is exactly what we wanted! We wanted another baby! So why am I nervous about announcing it on the blog! I dunno! I am having another bebe! YEAH!

I was getting to the point where I was I was feeling OK with just two kids, and then Joel mentioned that he had always had a feeling that he would have this certain child. That they would have a certain kind of personality. I know we can't plan any of that stuff, but my husband saying HE wanted another kid was not hard for me to go for it.

I am nervous about all the responsibilities I have now. I will teach again next fall, Josiah will start Kindergarten, Eden will start Pre-K. I have another homeschool group that wants to employ my services in the fall waaaaay up Nickajack. I also am nervous about telling the neighbors! How stupid is that! I mean, it's my life, my house, my children! We have enough room! Sorta.

We're thrilled, and a bit stunned. We didn't think that we would have a 2008 model! But we're squeaking in, Merry Christmas Baby! Whoo-Wee!

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March 10, 2008

Celebration of Josiah

This is Josiah hiding from me

This is him NOT showing me what he lost on Thursday night

This is him giving in after much tickling

His second tooth gone. It was a wigglin' and bloody one night and I told him, "Jos, you can pull it out if you want to, just try not to swallow it or lose it." At about 9:30 he knocked on his door and showed me the gap, "I just pulled it out Mama!". My fearless boy. He's so big, I teared up a little at this one, he was beaming with pride, dimples at their deepest. I'll keep your little tooth in the powder box that is my grandmothers with a little deer lid. And even though I'm not big into the tooth fairy, maybe I'll make you a special something to celebrate. I remember when it came in, it wasn't that long ago it seems.

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December 12, 2007

We've had alot of this going on lately. Enthusiastic Eden. Lots of volume, expression, detailed commentary and drama, lots of drama. You'd think she was 3, but no, not yet. It's wonderful, I love it. SHe makes me laugh and cry and she makes me a little crazy. She's way too cute to get away with it.

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October 25, 2007

Quick way to Joy

This just makes all my stresses and to-do's melt away. Finding a super easy tutorial, I mean barely a tutorial (emphasis on bare*), and making your 2.5 year old daughter a fairy tutu. Not that she needs one. Josiah wants her to be Super Eden. But whatever she decides to be on Wednesday night, she has a tutu and it brought me a good deep exhale before I go back to planning art lessons.
*this image is PG-13

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August 26, 2007

Missing: one tooth

Last night as we watched "A Night at the Museum" on the grass of our Jefferson St Park, Josiah was rolling his tongue in his mouth. I said, "Josiah, don't mess with your tooth!"
"But Mama, it's gone!"
Oh crap. "Did you swallow it?"
"No, it fell in the grass"
There it goes, the tooth that should stay in for another year. But I'm thankful it wasn't something worse. He could have a big infection, or something. So his first tooth is littered somewhere in the park. The hole in his mouth shows no sign of a new one springing up. I'm also thankful that he looks old enough to lose teeth, so I"m not so concerned with what his little gappy mouth looks like. I love my boy, I wish this experience was a little more sentimental for me, but it's not. I'll leave that for tooth #2. I did poke around in the dirt a little while looking for it this morning. *sigh*

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August 24, 2007

Good Morning Jefferson Heights

I'm procrastinating. There's a bunch of you readers that ask me how I "do it all" well right now I'm prcrastinating. I'm kinda writing out lesson plans, but I mostly have been enjoying coffee and watching abc shows online (dang, no new Lost and I don't like Grey's). I have been searching for images for class though. Paul Klee, Cave paintings, Frida Kahlo. Ya know the usual trash. Just kidding. Josiah took this picture before Sesame Street came on the other morning. Ah, I remember when it was just me and Jos and we would watch Sesame Street at NINE in Marietta instead of waiting for it to start at EIGHT in Chattanooga. I'm so not a morning person. But isn't that pretty, I mean, even though it was already 80 degrees out, it's a lovely urban sight.

Speaking of Josiah. Last night we went out with Cat for a looooong jaunt around town distributing Clothesline cards (still have plenty left!). And Josiah shows us, "Look at my tooth Mama!" Oh my goodness, he was wiggling it back and forth. Now, I wouldn't have been to freaked out except that it was the tooth he bruised a little while back and I had forgot about it seeing as it was given the OK by the dentist. Now, it is loose, like it may fall out in a week loose. I've been checking it to see if it's red, puffy, pussy. All that good stuff you get to do when you're a mama. It's OK except he's been fiddling with it and so it's a little different. I called Dr. Fred Whitmire because he was my dentist and he also was right next to the Passage where we were going to meet Josiah's school friends today. I thought, "hmmmm, maybe we could swim and go to the dentist" Now that just sounds to funny to me. Dr. Fred is closed on Fridays. I took the automated systems advice and called our Pediatrician. Why I didn't call my father-in-law first I have no idea, that would have been so much easier. I called Dr. Elderidge and packed the kids in the car and went swimming. The doc called me back as we exited the eletric shuttle. His main point was, "keep the tooth in, he's too young to lose teeth" Great. Just great. Because God is soveriegn and He loves me and my children soooo much I happened to get a random call from my father-in-law asking about sandals for Josiah. *BING* awesome. "Hey Dad, can I get a professional opinion from you?" Dr. K aka Grandpa Dale had some more info for me. Turns out my sis-in-law Amy, happened to lose her teeth around 4. And it does seem to happen that bruised may teeth fall out sooner. I've been praying the blood of Jesus for Josiah's tooth to stay in and not to get infected, but maybe it's time for it to come out. That makes me a little sad. But, I am thankful that the bruised one is leaving. And I must say it makes me feel diligent about keeping his teeth healthy. We'll go see Dr. Fred next week.

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August 15, 2007

the little best friends I created

I was having one of my many conversations with Cat yesterday about Clothesline business and I had to stop in the middle and tell Josiah for the ump-teenth time that "Mama is talking on the phone, and I can't swordfight right now, can you please be patient and wait?" Josiah just loves LOVES to pretend to defend the household from bad guys. Stormtroopers, enemy ninjas, pirates, whomever might be attacking me while a sit and eat, check email, talk to my Mom. It's getting harder for me to want to be defended, because with this involves getting stepped on by size 13 feet, and getting jumped on by my 44in tall string bean boy. Joel of course is a team player, taking Jos out to the porch and swordfighting with plastic pipes. We go to Barnes and Noble to escape the heat, and Josiah finds the Star Wars books, the Lightning McQueen noisy books, and anything Ninja Turtle. And Eden, what a girl. She loves her brother and follows him into every adventure, carrying a kazoo upside down turning into a laser gun. Screaming with joy as she runs from invisible enemies into the nearest corner. At the bookstore today she participated in the craft at storytime coloring with delight a party hat that she promptly had me put on. She wore it proudly tucked on top of her pig-tails. And as Jos found all the adventure books he wanted, Eden sat down and opened a Disney Princess book (while I wasn't looking) and inhaled every page. She cradled an Angelina Ballerina doll and would only let it go when I suggested she found a nice quiet place for her to sit. She is a girl through and through.

When I am with my son I am able to reason and have very interesting conversations. Even when I screw up bigtime I can tell Josiah that I made a mistake and I shouldn't have spoken to him with such mean tone. Josiah knows I make mistakes, he knows I cry. I can't even hide that I'm upset from him anymore. Because he's my friend. He's with me more than my husband is everyday. I enjoy his laughter, and I enjoy his imagination. I know that he's so bored, these days before school. I wish I could find another option so he wouldn't be so restless. I had a hard time with my little friends yesterday. Too much screaming, not enough self control, too much selfishness on all of our parts.

I have to remember that even though a lot of times I am tired of being with my kids, I also have to remember that when I am older and they are grown they will be my friends if I keep them close to me. Doesn't mean we'll have everything in common, but I should try. My brother and I are very close to our parents and that must be such a gift. I want my kids to always feel comfortable to hang out with me while I work, fold my laundry, watch strange TV shows together. I created these little friends, well sorta, God knew them, I'm lucky enough to be with them so much. It's not so romantic every day, I just was reminded today, after having such a hard yesterday.

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July 16, 2007

Songwriting

Last night we were putting the kids to bed and Josiah wanted to sing. He wanted to sing Zachias. "Zachias was a wee little man and a wee little man was he, he climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. He had a sword...."
Wait, Jos, that not how it goes!
"and Jesus said Zachias, come down, I wanna fight you!"
Needless to say Joel and I couldn't hold in the laughter, and with that we encouraged Josiah's ad-libbing on children's favorites. The next verse was a rambling of how the fight took place, description of the weapons, and just random showing off because Joel and I were squeaking out "go to beds" in between giggles.

Another one of my consistant favorites is when Josiah adds a different fruit to my favorite phrase. "You're driving me Oranges!!" he says with great pride. Doesn't have the same omph as bananas.

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July 10, 2007

Just Because...

I love my famiy, they make my life very giggly!

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July 05, 2007

Rascal!

Our downstairs has been feeling pretty stuffy the past 3 or 4 days and we finally diagnosed yesterday that the downstairs AC was not working. The upstairs was cool and lovely, but downstairs-UGH! I was so irritated, this is a top of the line Carrier system, what the heck! So I just determined to call the builder today and get someone to look at it. When my parents came over last night for dinner I apologized for how stuffy it was, realizing how fragile even brand new things are. We ate outside and watched the local guys play soccer. Then when cruised around the outside of the house, and I asked Mom what she thought I should do if I wanted to plant my herbs along with how to beautify in front of my AC unit. Joel turned the corner around the side of the house and noticed the door of a breaker box open. Turns out our AC condensers breaker box is outside and Josiah admitted that he flipped the switch. My son in a moment of non-supervision, turned off our AC!! I'm glad I didn't have to call anyone, but maybe I"ll see about putting a lock on that door. Little rascal.....

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May 08, 2007

Happy Birthday my Eden

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl Eden! 2 years old! What a beautiful girl you are. Everybody tells me this and I beam with pride and I realize my fears. But most of all, I live in the present and want to be with her and I want to be her friend. She's so cuddly and, dare I say, she's not weaned. Her personality makes it easy for me not to long for another baby. Not saying that I think I'm done, but just like my dad said the other day, "I just can't picture Eden as a middle child." She's my baby girl still and I'm good with that. I love seeing her make friends, play hard with her brother (who's twice her size). I love seeing her imitate girly things with me. I love seeing her reactions to stuff and how different it is from her 'all boy' brother. Most of all, I love listening to her talk and sing. It warms my heart to hear her learn how to communicate. I feel like I've been waiting FOREVER. She took her time on the talking thing. I can't wait to have fun conversations with her that are totally different from the ones I have with Josiah. We have this fun game we play that she starts. She says,"Heeeey Mama!" and I say, "Heeeeey Eden!" and we repeat it over and over. It makes us both smile.

It is very fun having a daughter. For those of you who don't have both a boy and a girl I highly recommend the one you're lacking. Maybe that's a wierd thing to write, but I feel very blessed to have both.

As Eden stays close to me physically, I have a peace about how she will become a strong, confident, modest, and nurturing woman. I love you my Eden, you've been an excellent experience since day one. A wonderful Mother's Day present you will always be!

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April 21, 2007

Kid's Tent

At 4 Bridges, we spent most of our time right here with the facepaint, bejewelled crowns, corn dogs and ice cream!

Really an amazing festival, go! Go!! See the great art!

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April 04, 2007

It's a pity to be so blue

What a beautiful day it is here in the Southeast! The weather is just amazing, crisp, sunny, happy. I am just none of those things today. Ever since last week when I helped at Josiah's Pre-K I've been battling these feelings about what to do. Josiah had a tough day at school again this week and I'm the one upset, not him. Josiah came home and told me that his teacher had to put him in time-out because he was throwing things. I really really hesitate to put this out there. But it is just so discouraging to me right now. Alli has a great little post about her boy and how she wants everyone to know how cool Fuller is. Well, Josiah oozes coolness. Everyone just loves my boy. He's charming, gentle, funny, social, he loves the outdoors, he loves babies and older kids. And he gives great monkey embraces around your neck like those stuffed animals with velcro on their hands. I love seeing his lanky frame climb up ladders or run across large grassy places. I had a huge post about all my fears but this is something that I just have to keep to myself right now.

I am not very worried. I am just feeling like a little bit of failure. I want my boy to grow and learn and it's seems hard for him. He gets really tired and goofy.
I've thought about trying some sort of music class and seeing if he thrives with that. He sings so well, he's dramatic when he sings. And when he had a chance to hold a little cello and play or toot in a clarinet he was thrilled. I also am swallowed up with fear of him not being "normal" or "accepted". I have those in quotes because none of us really are either of those things 100%. I also am washed over with the weariness of home sales and moving, mortgages and money and under all that weight is a creative little girl wanting to squeak out some art here and there. Lord help me, I'm feeling rough.

Continue reading "It's a pity to be so blue"

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February 17, 2007

Honey soaked cuteness

Josiah took this picture of his grandpa yesterday. Dad was telling him, "Get my face, not just my belly!" And Josiah said, "I did! I did!" Josiah has a little bit of a respect problem with my Dad. Dad says that he is not much of a disciplinarian, and so he'll come tell me what Josiah has said that needs to be dealt with immediately, he's not wrong, Josiah does need to be reminded that Grandpa is Boss as well. I'm sure it's kinda confusing for Jos.

Josiah has to open the door for everyone, in fact he'll drop anything to tear across the house and open it for you as you leave. Mom and Dad have a security system that beeps when the doors open, so if you leave without Josiah opening the door he'll hear your betrayal with a little "beep beep". It gets worse when we go other places. Barnes and Noble and the Library are pretty bad. He scolded a man that was probably my dad's age who tried to be so kind and help us (all 3 of us) with the door. Josiah laid into him, and I immediately told Josiah NO and kindly told the stranger that "this is an issue with him, no worries". It's so funny how people apologize to the parents when it's obviously the child that is wrong! I mean, it's not your fault my child is a sinner and wants his own way all the time. This is where it takes guts as a parent to address the embarrassing situation with tact and sternness. I want the stranger to know that I will stand in the cold entryway of the library just to tell my son that he can not talk to this man that way and to apologize.

Josiah opened the door for my dad this morning. Saturday is Dad's big rehersal day for church services tommorrow. Josiah, still in his Pj's watches his grandpa decend the stairs, "He's going to play jazz music." I had to turn around in amazement. My son absorbs all information. "He IS Josiah! You're right! He is going to play jazz music!" I exclaim with that proud mommy tone. "He's going to play jazz music at church!" "Yes Josiah, he's going to play at church." It's taken Josiah a while to figure out that Grandpa's job is different than his Papa's job, but I think he's figured it out. And it was so cute I had to blog about it.

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February 02, 2007

Four

Today Josiah turns four years old. What a wonderful 4 years it hs been. Josiah becomes more of my friend everyday. But boy whatta boy! When I found out I was pregnant with Josiah we were in Norway. We were ending our 9 month stint at a Bible school. I found out that my friends Fran and Karen were both pregnant with their first and I felt empty. I wanted to be a mom at that point right there. I prayed that God would make me willing to let down my guard and become pregnant. Well, low and behold I left my birth control at home during a month long trip away from Bergen and that was that.

We came home from Norway and after a sweet time at Cornerstone Fest, we stayed with Joel's parents working toward a life in Atlanta. And for about 6 months we stayed there and I grew very large. I became very worried that I would be putting my baby boy in a dresser drawer at my in-laws house. After bending very low Joel waited tables for a bit until he found a temp job that became permanent almost instantly. In a two week period our biggest stresses were taken care of and we were ready to have our baby boy.

Josiah was due on SuperBowl Sunday. And instead of having a baby I went to a SuperBowl party in XL maternity pants. Eight days after my due date Josiah decided to come. My water broke at 1am and we drove from Marietta to south Atlanta, about 30 minutes at 2am. I was 4cm when we got there and my midwife was impressed that I didn't want medication. I remember being very tired. The pain came when I had to change out of my clothes and into a gown. Joel and I labored together through the night and I spent too much time on the labor ball. I made it all the way through transition without drugs. The shower helped. But the hard part was getting him out.

I started pushing at 9am. My mom and Cat were there with us. I pushed for 2 hours and Josiah seemed stuck on my pubic bone. I was convinced to have an epidural and rest. It was great. I slept for a couple hours. Then we prepared to turn off the drugs and go again. I pushed for another two hours. The doctor was called in because my midwife really wanted me to avoid a C-section. We decided to use the vacuum and started to push again. It took 3 times with the vacuum I think. It hurt real bad. Then my boy was born. My 9lb 12oz boy. How did he get that big?? He was 22 1/2 inches long. No wonder he was stuck.

Although Josiah was so large he decided he didn't want to eat very well. He dropped to 8lbs 8oz by the time we left the hospital. I was a wreck. It was hard to heal, I was so torn and bruised and weak. And my baby wouldn't gain weight! But although I was so worried, no one at my father-in-laws pediatric office was worried. Because Josiah was doing all the things a healthy boy would do he was just skinny-skinny. At 6 months old he was only 13lbs 6oz. And then, with doctor's orders, we stuffed him with food and he wasn't too skinny anymore. He's pretty normal, except when he gets the stomach flu. He's looking kinda boney this week. I weighed him yesterday and he's 40lbs. I measured him and he's 43 1/2 inches tall. Whatta boy. It's good to remember and maybe some of you out there will be encouraged by our four year old story. I'm so thankful for my son. He's helped me grow into a much better woman.

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January 26, 2007

Calliope

To celebrate Calliope Ann, Kelly and Micah's baby due in a few weeks. We had fun at their new house telling fun stories and sharing how good God is to us mom's. It's always great to chat with Amy and crafty talking with Michelle. Kelly married into a really sweet family. I really enjoyed the instant warmth that was there. And of course seeing little Marlow makes me smile a lot.


And since Josiah's birthday is next week (Saturday to be exact) here's his wishlist. Seriously, we don't need more toys.

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January 13, 2007

Romance

Last Saturday Joel was sick and stayed home from our CDM outting with NRV and friends. It wasn't so bad for me since I had friends and loads of entertainment for the kids. I'm sure Joel was not having fun.

After 7 years of marriage and another move uprooting normalcy it is difficult for us to just relax and be with each other. There is always something we have to do, talk about, and sometimes we end up bickering about something small. We need more time alone, that's a given, we're definately planning a date this week. I love my Joel. He works so hard for the family and he plays hard with the kids. And he listens to me express the same thing over and over again. I am praying for faith that God will remind us how good He is. That He will provide even though money is tight. Today Joel let me sleep in (with no hesitation, he popped outta bed!). Then by the time I mosied downstairs he was packing them in the car to go to the Jefferson St playground. Tee-ball set in hand. So now I can blog in my pj's leisurely drink my tea (and it's still warm!, watch Clean Sweep, and after I finish this short entry. I will go down to the studio and paint a bit. This time is so special, such a sweet gift. I don't even know if he thought it would be so nice for me, it just is. My Joel, he's such a romantic.

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January 05, 2007

Josiah's photos

Yes my son took these pictures and I am so proud. I didn't really look at them very closely through the view finder right after he took them, but when I loaded then a little while ago I was so impressed! The one of Marcos Counts is so simple and telling of his surroundings. And can you believe the sweet face he got out of his sister! I wish I could just freeze that face these days. Eden has been a clingy little grump lately. Cat taught Josiah how to hold her camera and push the right button. I admit that Josiah and I do not have a lot of patience with each other for me to have sat down and showed him how to be gentle and take pictures with my camera. But when he took these I knew he was holding it correctly, he was using it with respect and I was dying of curiosity to see what he would photograph. He kept saying, "I'm going to take a picture of Eden!" And he took about 5. This is the best one, most of them were in focus thanks to the daylight.


Thanks, oh blog friends, for your encouragement. I have been feeling very discouraged in many ways these days. Not that I'm going to go into it all, but it has effected the length of my posts and what time of night I write them. I am bummed about 4 Bridges, but it's not the end. I have already begun other plans of attack. My two biggest fans (Joel and Cat) both have the same idea of a renegade show that runs the same time as 4 Bridges. I think that would be fun. No need to be hostile, just intentional. We need to find a space and book it now, that would be the first thing. I'm trying to produce art through my heavy gloom and will post pics soon. I will ask though my blog community that if you think of us, pray for Joel's job. He's employed and doing fine, but he is so talented and waiting a whole year before being able to apply for new internal positions is torture. I believe that Joel will find favor anywhere he works. His employers love him, his managers trust him and ask his advice. Joel is a wonderful asset wherever he goes. Although there is a very slim chance that he would be considered for a higher paying internal position after working for BCBST for only a month and a half, God is all about slim chances. He worked an employment miracle for us in the past, He can do it again and again. I feel I have not been faithful in prayer. My wellspring of faith is very low these days. But I know that God is so faithful even when we are weak. I have been reading Proverbs to just remind myself that wisdom is something I strive for and hope that it is one of my strongest attributes. My spirit battles daily with my role as wife and mother. Trying to wrap my head around the hard work that will come because of Joels 35% pay cut, starting from scratch. Pushing me out of the nest into the working world has become a constant frustration to Joel. I thought I was a team player but my insides are upside down with worries. My children revolt when I leave them with a sitter all day. The idea of waiting tables late into the night or working very very early in the morning just plum scares me. These things are hard to admit, but I feel it's time to get it out there. I am a weak, selfish person. Unwilling to change. I am prideful about my roles in this world. I am praying for humility and/or conformation of what my spirit feel so strongly. Ok, thanks for reading all of that.

On the up-side, I will begin tutoring Cara English on Tuesday. I'll be using Mona Brookes Drawing for Older Children and Teens. I've got a supply list ready and I hope that my kids will sleep nicely through our lesson since my folks will be in Philly all next week. Next week is looking like a bear. Lots to do...

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December 26, 2006

better than barfing

I am the unstoppable Mom. I mean all mom's have to be somewhat unstoppable. Mom doesn't get a day off. I remember those Robitussin ads where mom is in bed and dad is helpless. I feel kinda like that. Right now Joel, the kids, my parents, my brother his wife Sarah and their baby girl Joanna are all at the CDM. I thought I was getting better and yesterday I did the combo of pain relief and herbal cold/flu ward off tabs. I was a feverish zombie through 2 episodes of Project Runway and stumbled up to bed shivering and zonked. Great fun was had no matter what. Joel stayed up til almost 3am playing with his new Creative Zen. Josiah and Eden try with all their might to share the toys they were given.

Eden and Joanna in their matching hats

Josiah on an adventure with his new binoculars

Ah Munna Eachoo!! Threadless T for Jos

Eden in her tap-shoes


Here I am with my present. Joel and Cat got me a painting from my fellow KSU student Michelle Scott. She did a whole series called for a show "About Face" and I think they are very good. Quite a surprise, it's really beautiful.

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December 18, 2006

What to do? What to do?

We sit down to dinner tonight, which is the traditional pancakes, and Dad brings up how he is willing to make Josiah's breakfast in the morning. I told him that unless someone is sitting with Josiah eating he'll just mill around anyway. So Dad said he'll just turn on the TV for Josiah until we're up and moving. Which isn't very long. Dad said,"It's not Sesame Street that's on, it's some cartoon, ya know, where the animals talk." I just lost it, so funny. Silly Grandpa Jim.

We went down to Marietta this weekend. Joel was training his replacement and we did some Christmas shopping. The kids did have a melt down when we first got there. Josiah wanted his other pillow, he talked about being afraid of the dark, he was unhappy in general. He had fallen asleep in the car and did not want to be awake at all. Poor Buddy, it makes me sad to hear him cry. These kids don't know how to react to upheaval.

We did got to our favorite Thrift Store on Saturday!! Yeah!! I found a mini white Christmas tree, a whole bag of colorful zippers, three cardigans for me me me, tap shoes for Eden for Christmas and these rockin' big star glasses. can't go wrong with those! I must say, its easy to shop in Marietta. I kinda miss that.

My recent dilema, the thing that is awkward for Joel and I to talk about is me getting a job. He has been suggesting it on and off since Josiah was of a managable age. It's not that I have refused, it just never seems worth it because I have no great job experience. Its never worth it for me to work and pay someone to watch the kids. I admire anyone who can work until 1-2am waiting tables, on their feet, coming home smelling like everything you've served that night. That takes a lot, and I'm trying to wrap my head around doing that. Because that would be the only job that would be worth while, financially. I have been kid-swapping in order to work a day job, and though that wasn't terrible, Lu-Lu is very cute isn't she! It's really exhausting though to not have an everyday pattern thats consistent. And again there is financially the reasons for it all. Joel is at the point where he would rather work 2 jobs himself than ask me yet again to get a job. I wish he wouldn't give up on me. If it weren't for him I would never show my artwork, ever. I don't want to be a disappointing wife. I want to uplift my husband and help him to work less. The kids suffer when they are babysat so much, and we do need extra money. I do not mind working, its fun to escape for a while, but I pay for it big time with crankiness, clinginess, tantrums and fighting. I need a real solution. Tutoring in art will pay a smidge but not enough, unless I had a whole class paying $25 an hour. I can make excuses all day and that doesn't help us, what will help is for my motivation to come back and to get an evening job.

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November 18, 2006

Fun*

These past few days have been long and hard as Joel is interviewing someone for his position. Joel has been hired by BC/BS of TN and will start his training the Monday after Thanksgiving. We're going to drag ourselves up to Chattanooga and live with Mom and Dad Ward until our house is finished being built. So I've been going through another 'deer in headlights' moment where I kinda do little things to get kinda ready but avoid doing the really big packing. But I gotta say, we dont have to do a lot at once, and this might be a blessing in disguise. See, NO ONE has come to see our house and our real estate agent is sending us the Market is Horrible and You are Doomed letters that make you want to sell your house for a hundred bucks. But it is better in our minds to leave our house on the market at the same price (154,9) while we live with Mom and Dad and then think about dropping the price closer to the peak season of Spring. Mom and Dad already have 2 generations worth of stuff in their 1906 former travel lodge house, they dont need 3. We will leave our furniture in Marietta for brief weekend stays to shop at all the stores Chattanooga doesn't have, rake leaves, sweep up dead bugs, and Joel will train his replacement.

My days have felt kinda long, and my kids show their desire to have Papa-time. My daughter, the sweet red-headed peanut girl who is so coy and shy and precious has been testing me every evening this week. Eden has been showing me that she wants what she wants with a long clinging screech and goes on a hunger strike in further protest. Oh, my girl. She was tossing one crayon at a time on the floor until the whole box was empty. Oh, my girl. She wanted playdough, I gave it to her, she ate it. Playdough gets put away and screeching ensues. I give her a second chance, playdough goes in mouth, playdough gets put away. More screeching. But when I get her into the bath tub and she repeatedly takes a cup and fills my belly button up with bubbles that's when all is forgiven and my sweet pea returns to me.

I go to Shorter College tommorow to pick up my artwork and then transport a few of them to Dalton for their Small Works Show. I hope I can rid my collection of all PODS! Also I have put Good Morning in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested. It'll be nice after 3 days of long days with the kids to leave them with their Papa and come home to a happy reunion with my little reds. And a nice evening with our #1 all-star babysitter and buddy Roseanne.

*Birthday Bounce House from party today

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November 07, 2006

Happiness

This video is a little over a year old, and since I have mastered YouTube I am trying to upload some of my faves. Enjoy a little Grandpa vs grandson magic.

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October 17, 2006

Why Mom's house is like a Day-Spa

Well, that might be a lofty title. But when you go away for the weekend and stay at Mom's there are things about it that are like being served. Lately Mom's house is becoming more and more enjoyable and for a mother of two small kids, the luxuries are different.

First you get a healthy wiff of Mom's basil garden which is threatening to take over the flower bed.

You head up the stairs and pass lovely little potted ivy plants with solar powered lights that glow warmly as the sun sets.

Mom's hanging baskets are so inviting. They make you want to stay on the porch and examine what it over looks.

And inside is the warm and roomy dining room, where the traces of elder care has almost vanished, and the touches of my mother's home is blossoming as fast as she can afford it. There is almost always coffee to drink, and good coffee at that.

This visit there was chocolate birthday cake, for ME! Sorry, I have no picture because it was consumed when it was uncovered from it's Tupperware home. Mom's house has Robin Hood and Fantasia for the kids to watch. There is a grand piano that is open for plunking on, with care.

There is a room with beds prepared for the kids, so no lugging of bedding for us!

This home built in 1906 was restored and still has big windows that glow with sunlight. The hardwoods are cool on your stocking feet. The location is ideal to getting everywhere we need to go. The guest room has two twin beds, which is nice sometimes when you share a bed every night with someone else. The guest bath shower has thick fat water and perfect pressure to soak you adequately and comfortably.

Music is almost always playing, and good music too. This time it was Natalie Cole. And there are people that love us there. Who ask us if we need food, coffee, cake, conversation. There is wi-fi, there is cable TV (VH1 specials are great!). And these people, Mom and Dad, agree to baby-sit with no sighing. They bathe, feed, play, teach Bible stories, and sing songs with the kids. They are patient and let Joel and I make the rules. It's a vacation of all vacations.

So even though no one is rubbing my back with hot stones, I got to have a movie night with my husband, chocolate cake, red wine, got to go to meetings with confidence, church with no nursery worries, house hunt with company and big hugs out the door.

Thanks Mom and Dad, we had a great time! You made my 30th birthday sweet!
More on the Chattanooga weekend later!

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October 12, 2006

Thirty

Happy Birthday to me! I'm 30 today. And although there are things I wish were different this year. Things I want to change, I am so thankful. I have very little wincing when I think that I'm 30. I don't feel any different. I feel different that I did 5 years ago, maybe even last year. We're a family in progress and although transition and turmoil is unpleasent it means things are growing and changing.

I wrote Helen Davis-Johnson from Arts Move last week just to see if she got my application. And some trustworthy folks had thought that maybe they were done giving away money for the year. Well, she wrote me back saying applications are accepted on a rolling basis and could I come and tour the neighborhoods sometime. I asked her if this weekend would work, and have yet to hear back, so I'll email her again. But it sounds pretty positive to me! There is so much to be worked out, but I'm hopeful, today, my birthday.

My Prev is in the shop and will be fixed by the weekend. Cuz the only other car we own that has plates, has bad plates and also did not pass the emissions test. ARGH.

My beautiful husband wants to give me something big and wonderful for my birthday, but used all his energy on my opening last weekend. He did go out before 7am this morning and bought me flowers! I also had a much needed laugh last night as I checked out the new shirts from Threadless. So funny, I swear. I bought this one for myself. I mean it makes perfect sense. The Pic of me is wearing my Threadless shirt I got a few months back it says "Purple is the new blue and red" Ha! Perfect for a Mama/Artist.

I have to admit to those of you who don't know I do have a myspace account. I'm about to go check it and see if I got any of those big gaudy sparkly "Happy Birthday" banners. Whatever. It's kinda fun, I can keep up with Thena which is great.

So for my thirtieth birthday go check out our theme song and here's a Josiah video that makes me laugh real hard.

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September 20, 2006

Hummingbird

We had a lovely day on the porch the other day. And to top it off we had a few wonderful visitors! First we found a praying mantis. I seemed to be the only one who was thrilled about him. But the hummingbird that made its way through the porch door and buzzed around and chirped was the tops!! You can see how much the kids loved it. Poor think was stuck all day and evening. I kept thinking he'd find his way out! Finally around 9:30 he looked really pooped and he didn't put up much f a fight as I caught him in my large strainer and put him outside on the grass. I figured he wouldn't starve in my porch seeing as I let tons of little bugs in with the door open. What a sweet little bird. I enjoyed watching it buzz and it's chirp was so tiny. God has a wonderful imagination.

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September 18, 2006

In the air

Wow, I've started to post like four times this weekend and just haven't finished. Haven't compiled thoughts enough. And something tells me I won't have much energy to post much now, but...

I must say that the air these days is just beautiful. The fall, I love it. It's the time around my birthday, it's when your jackets and hoodies comeout. It's when you want to be outoors again after an August of dog days. I love that it's raining again. I love it because when the weather is cooler I can work on the house and not drown in my own juices. I have done my share of painting, scraping, cleaning, boxing, lugging, you name it. I hope that we can call our real estate agent real soon. There's a cute little St. Elmo house that has a great price!

I'll muster up more to write tommorow. I hope you're weekends were as satisfyingly exhausting as mine and free of e-coli spinach!

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August 26, 2006

Shared with no one

As my kids get older, I have found that a day at the house when there are things to do for the house just gets crazy and Joel and I end up mad at each other and the kids are bored, with a capital B. I can usually get a smidge done every day while the kids are napping. It's really only an hour and a half, but I got all the lattice painted for our new screened porch which will get started on on Monday. Joel needs bigger chunks of time to do bigger projects so I'll take the kids out on Saturday so Joel can work. Last week we went to the opening of the Dozier Centre in Kennesaw. Super fun musical instruments and clogging and free BBQ and a monsterous tiger to jump in. Great times but I went by myself. Me and the kids.

Today we went to Grant Parks Summer Shade Festival. Really neat. Lots of kids activities, free crafts, and music. Expensive food, but great music and a professional story teller! The art was better than expected too. Josiah and Eden had such a good time. But again, we went by ourselves. Me and the kids.

Joel has found a few folks on Myspace that were close friends in highschool and he has been reeling in delight emailing them and breaking into spontaneous laughter here and there reading the messages. He found Christian, amazing. Joel used his second set of Father's Day Six Flags tickets to go with his friend Christopher for the day. I detest Six Flags, so he's going with buddies. I'm happy for him, it's good for him to get a social boost!!

I am weary, weary of Atlanta. I love the special moments I have with my kids. I love having a big city to explore with all it's many attractions and opportunities. But I'm lonely. I'm tired of driving 30 minutes to see my friends. The great Exodus has taken place, and we are looking at fewer and fewer friendships. I don't like that Joel and I have one date a month! A month! And the last sitter, although she rocked, was expensive!
This post was a lot longer. Full of whining and poor thoughts. But I will stop. I know that I need to have adult interaction and I just haven't had enough this month. It will change.

Thanks for bearing with me.

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August 01, 2006

Slow Motion

Ryan Adams show at the Tabernacle
We're soaking up sun and chlorine in Hilton Head. We usually leave for HH on Saturday, but instead we stayed and hired a sitter and went to a concert. It was quite enjoyable although our ears were ringing more than we'd like. Too much treble, yikes! Amy and Josh came from their grunt jobs at Cov and cat came an joined us as well. We luckily sold the last three tickets thanks to craigslist. What was life like before craigslist?? It was also cool to get together with Chris and Ann Ammons after the show. Our poor sitter stayed until 3am. Is that a major no-no? I mean, we called her before we went out for drinks, and we totally made it worth her while.

Unfortunately for our beach trip, I dropped my camera on the floor of the ladies room at the concert. It's flashing E18. We do have a warranty with Office Depot, but I did drop it. We'll see. Joel seems to think that these places don't care and they'll just give me a new camera. It is an older model. I'll be ecstatic if that happens! If not, I'm saving up for a Nikon D50. It's not like I need a lot more pictures of Hilton Head. The scenery does not change. And Josiah doesn't look that different from last year, except he's mastered the arm swimmies. Yes! I can take the 17 dollar life vest back! I'm enjoying trying my creative hand with my Pentax k1000. It's a tank and it takes great pics, even with the light meter broken. There's something beautiful about film.

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July 15, 2006

Pepperings

Here's a bunch of things I've been wanting to post about, but haven't had pictures or time. Mostly they don't flow together very well. First, Josiah and my tower at the High, we finally made it back and oh baby, it was a hot hot ride. But my Sit N Stand Stroller made the trip much safer. Strolling down Peachtree with Josiah safely strapped made the humid walk worth while.

Although I do not have the opinion of a professional, yet (I say this for my husbands benefit, because he hates when I self-diagnose). I'm pretty sure we have a bat in our chimney. The other night while hearing scratching straight out of a horror movie, I grabbed a lamp and waited staring up at the flu. I just had to wait a moment or so when I saw a CLAW! Yes, a claw. I told my library buddy, Tracie, that I had a bat in my chimney and she said, "Awwwww! But they're so cute!"

I guess if they were all like this, they'd be cute. I named him 'Fifi', that's a cute name. It could be much worse. It could be many many bats! But as of last night I have heard no scratching, I hope the little guy left and didn't die. If he did, poor Fifi, it's not our fault. I did nothing to harm him, but any critters that live in this house that I did not give birth to are kinda not welcome.

I told you my dryer was kaput, and it kinda was. I did one load of laundry and then took all the random pieces of lattice, curtain rods, quarter-round and balanced them on desks and the pack n play. The clothes dried faster than in my hand-me-down dryer! The towels were a bit too crispy though. It was nice, I didn't have to go down stairs to get clean underwear, it was across the hall. It also made my office/guest smell so nice. My dryer s now fixed, and I'm glad too, the outlet was shady and God, once again, protected our family from electrocution. yikes, that's scary to think about.

Joel put up our backsplash and in the process moved the stove. When we moved it back. Beeeeeeooooooerrrrrrpppp. No more power for the stove. This was 11:30 pm. I just about lost it. Joel was just like, "Well, we'll call an electrician." I did the next morning. It's one thing to have a dryer that doesn't work, it's another thing to have a broken dryer and stove. Called the electrician and the stove was fixed before dinner.

My daughter is so funny. I have a few videos I dunno if they'll all work, but enjoy what I do have for you. Silliness for all.
Eden eating a chicken nugget. I promise I wasn't filming this while driving.
Enjoying the Deck take one. Enjoying the Deck take two.
Eden's little dance

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June 07, 2006

It can't just stay on my hard drive!

I had a couple posts that had more meaning and thought, but I lost them both! So here is my photoshoot of my goodies from Papersource and Trader Joes.



Paper, cards and a stamp. One card says "How to eat a crow" I'm so dim, I had no idea what "eating crow" meant. derf. It's a fun card to have anyway.


Ghandi card and bee paper close up


My simple K. it's nice to have a repeating consanent in your name. They had a great rubber stamp collection but I couldn't find one that just popped out at me. Except there was this newborn baby stamp that was really pretty. My friend Kate M teaches Bradley Method classes (when she has a moment) and we both stood there dreaming and scheming how to use this stamp for her classes. So I just bought it for her against all her protesting. "A good stamp can not go to waste! It will come in mighty handy!" I stated with great verve. Besides, I love Kate and we've missed them, and if I can contribute to Kate's professional sucess and skills this is very small. It is a beautiful stamp and I'm sure Kate will find many uses for it. Empowering stay at home moms, one stamp at a time.


And from Trader Joes: my favorite pop up sponges and lavender dryer pouches. Mmmmm, makes my clothes smell soooo good. We snuck some Charles Shaw home too.

So many pretties, so little time. Off to meet Andrea today. Wheee!

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May 08, 2006

Happy Birthday Eden!

My baby girl is one today!

The birthday hat

Presents!


How old are you Eden?

Oh, yeah. ONE!

We went to celebrate with my family, especially since Unka Kirk, Aunt Sarah and cousin baby Jo-bean, I mean Joanna were down from St Louis. We spent a lovely afternoon with Cat at Cooledge Park and Jos and Joel rode the carosel while the girls kicked back, watched giggled and toddled. An exhausting weekend, but a special one. I only wish we had more fun play time with Kirk and Sarah, kinda feel like that was my fault. Sorry guys. Maybe we can do the beach sometime! It's great to see our family grow and play. The days have arrived where my kids can play together. Many of you were reading when I wrote that I was in labor and then Eden's birth on Mothers day last year. Quite a special event, and it was a great labor/delivery. The second time was 100x easier!! No regrets. God is so good to us. I feel like we have a right-rounded family with Eden here. So nice to have two kiddies. So nice to have my petite baby girl.

More birthday fun here

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April 17, 2006

Beautiful for a moment

We spent Easter Sunday with Joel's grandparents and sister, along with Amy's bf Josh and Josh's sister Amy. Since the kids were all beautiful for a moment, I wanted to snap some pictures. Eden is wearing the white dress that my grandmother smocked for her. This is the third time she's worn it and I imagine she'll wear it again and again since a very fat hem is included. Mom says that smocked dresses have a great ambiguous shoulder line so a newborn through a two year old can wear them. Good thing, because my kids only get this pretty a few times a year!

My prettiness on my flickr.

Oma and the sacrificial Lamb cake. She made us a killer meal. It was probably us that should have been serving her.

Here's the finished plate for "Art of Dining" I hear whether it got in or not sometime this week. The photo is a little too bright, it washes out some of the color, but I literally took the photo on my way to class. Title "Balm of Gilead".

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February 03, 2006

3 years

3 years old today. That's my boy Josiah. Happy birthday buddy. What a whirwind and a joy you have been from the first painful moments to the months of struggle after keeping you fed. You are my ridiculously healthy son, my surprise of a redhead. With your father's facial features. Growing striaght up like a weed so all your pants are too short in a couple weeks. Your bumbly coordination has given way to full force speed and new agility. You love your world, your friends, what you get to see. I wonder through your eyes now. Everything is new to you and I delight again with new eyes how wonderful God's world is. I love to hear you sing. I hate hearing you cry, especially when your scared. You were a gift from God at the perfect time. We never doubted your arrival, gender, name or purpose. You are beloved, cherished and exhausting. I am older and wiser because of you but I am happier, more confident, free from fear and worry because I have you in my life. I watch you as your brain begins to learn more complicated things and I am a little overwhelmed with my continuing task of being your teacher and your guide. But we will do this together and God is your perfect parent. Me and your Papa are your friends forever and we'll always have time to stop what we're doing and ROCK OUT!

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January 26, 2006

More fun with Felt

I know, I know I'm supposed to be working on my independant study paintings. Painting a blurry painting and figuring out when my prof is going to give me a go ahead for one of my proposals. But no, I refuse to delve into that frustrating, downer of a thought process instead I want to play with felt! Even if my boy doesn't. Last week at the High Toddler Time Jos had a blast creating about 10 beautiful monoprints. This week they did felt hats, felt anything actually. I about died when I snuck a peak into the room before we went to the bathroom. Felt! Wheeee! We sat down at Josiah's favorite spot and I could tell he'd rather play with the scissors and glue. So I ask the magic question: Should we make a guitar? I love having a birthday hat for Jos to where at his party and this just killed two birds wth one stone! I made a little make-shift hat (with much instruction from the craft organizer). And we had a flying V and a 'rock' guitar (which basically is a Fender), we had a drum, a banjo (it turned out kinda sad) and an accordian (have mercy). I also put a number 3 since I'm hoping he'll where it onhis birthday. Well, he would not wear it so dern it, I did. Here's some more pics.

Silly Mama

detail guitar

the flying V




Some of you will be receiving one of these in the mail for Josiah's 3rd. No I'm not crazy even though Joel and Jennie said I was. Yes I sewed 6 strings onto this paper Fender for Jos' invite. I am just trying to keep up with those other Mom's-that-will Hannah and Joy. Thanks for the inspiration guys! They are terribly messy with glue and I really wanted to do stamps too and glitter and Modge Podge but no, this is for a 3 year olds birthday not for my painting independant study. Doh, there's that reminder again! Then I was about to wet my pants with glee when the local US post office had these!

Perfect for invites! That sealed it for me. I was making and mailing invitations.

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January 25, 2006

What I've been keeping from you

airplane


Originally uploaded by katiek2.

This is one of the many beautiful monoprints Josiah did last week at the High on Toddler Thursday. Membership has huge rewards! We made a gazillion! There all here if you want to take a look. Josiah was so contemplative as he created. He chose a table by himself and stared at his brush in awe. He rarely gets to hold one at home or he gets scolded. He worked very deliberately on each one. Some took longer than others. Some he just used water. What they did was give you tempra paint and a transparency and when the paint was still wet you squashed the paper down on it. Ahhh, it was exhilerating. I kept squeaking at Josiah in my mama voice, "isn't this fun, buddy? So awesome, So cool! We get to paint!" At one point I asked him if he was OK cuz he looked so serious. He just chirped, "I'm ok." and kept on painting. The High also has a play room which I have never known was there. Derf. We hung out in there for a while too. Not as cool as the Magic House, but it's a helluva lot more than the new GA Aquarium has for tots.

And on another squealing happy mom note: As of a week and a half ago, my boy is officially potty trained!

Oh man, just under the wire too. He's turning 3 on the 3rd (golden birthday so soon). I have found a whole new way to love my boy! I always thought I'd be so sad when he wasn't a baby anymore, but what my mom said about us when we were little keeps ringing in my ears: I enjoyed you guys no matter what age you were and I rarely wanted to go back.
Now that he's almost 3, I stare at him and remember those traumatic first weeks and I am so glad, so glad, so glad he's 3 years old now. God's faithfulness is overwhelming. I still do what I have been doing since the beginning I see older children and I am thankful that Josiah is as young as he is. I'm glad Josiah isn't 5 or 6. Cuz right now, I can only handle a 3 year old. I see him in his little guitar or Bob briefs and I just giggle. He's still little, even though he's my big boy.

I have been back on the South Beach for the past week and I have already lost 5 lbs! Yeah! The last time I did this diet I actually got down to 127 which is crazy for me to think about now. I was 145 when I started and I believe I'm 140, although sometimes it tells me I'm 139. I couldn't believe that I had reached that since it's borderline being overweight for my height. Crazy huh? I'd like to get down to 135 and if so, I'll be going through boxes trying to find my old pants! I finally got into my post Josiah jeans today and I wore them with no discomfort! My belt went up a notch! And I really dig the South Beach, I have to be creative with food. My lunch today was tofu with pesto, tomatoes and zuchinni sprinkled with parmesan all stir fried up and warm. So nice. I know there are some of you about to barf when I say tofu, but I think it's a comfort food to me and it gives me a meat and eggs break. I know the South beach won't make my skin shrink back, or my flabby abs get tight but I do feel so much better. So as I type I'm enjoying my decaf coffee and dark chocolate peanut butter.

Now on the art front:

Continue reading "What I've been keeping from you"

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January 20, 2006

Valentine for me

After receiving Dolores in the mail for Eden, I realized that making a "stuffie" couldn't be that hard. I still am afraid of my sewing machine, but I'm working up the courage. See I know if I get it out I will never want to put it away. I had cut these hands out of felt and thought I would make Christmas ornaments on our trip to St Louis. But Christmas has come and gone and I wanted to preserve my kids hands for this year. I made a great Christmas present for Lola Nancy and Grandpa Dale in Manilla using the little hands and I just got sentimental. So here's my valentine. Something to put out every year to remind me how little those hands first were.

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January 18, 2006

Finger Puppets get Hungry too

I got Josiah to eat his lentils the other night by putting on a puppet show with this charmer and his friend. Cheerios made great props, seeing as our floor is littered with them daily.

WOULD YOU WORK FOR FREE ART?