New Years Goals in 50 words

My 2016 resolution in exactly 40 words. I challenged my olders to do the same. Here's to a new year!

Speak kindness when possible. Self love and appreciation. Be the example I long to see in my children and my husband. Be a beacon of light, hope and joy. Consistent dates and reconnection to my spouse. Delving deeper into inner work and self love and realization. Knit a sweater. knit socks.

Adult coloring books {KCCO}

My husband got me one of these "adult coloring books" for my Christmas present this year.  It amazes me what some of these costs for simple pages printed and bound but I guess whatever sells right? I am enjoying having these at my desk at work to slowly go through since it will take me a good long while due to how detailed it is. I am thinking of splurging and bringing my nice colored pencils from home vs dollar store colored pencils that are breaking every pencil stroke.

So excited!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours today and tomorrow.

Content and exhausted...

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.
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...wool socks. For real. If you do not own a pair, or 3, you need to. I promise. You will thank me later.

...passing emissions testing on the first try with my car. This never ever happens and we usually end up with crazy repairs needed before we can get new license plates. 

...receiving Shemp's body and paw print back. Made it even more surreal but actually put me at peace to know he is home again.

...getting through a successful Polar Express run at work. This my be our last year doing it so Nanners, Ryguy, Mark and got to experience a train for the first time. Completely magical.

... a final realization that it is truly ok for me to be on the medications I am on. I was worried for a long time about becoming an addict as our family is full of them however this month has been a true realization of how much I have gotten my life back. Months ago I couldn't stay awake past 6pm and if you had mentioned the word overtime at work I would have laughed in your face. This month I have worked over 25 hours of OT alone and am now able to stay awake past 8pm. Bedtime is at the latest of 9 so I'm *living dangerously* but it is fabulous progress.  

...having enough paid time off to take a day when I finally crashed to sleep for 3 hours.

...a 3 1/2 day holiday weekend to enjoy with my kids.

...as horrible I hate to admit. Monster.

...a brother who decides to spend his free time with his nieces and nephews and babysits almost on demand.  

The last few christmas gifts... {KCCO}

Remember how in the past I have always said, "I don't sew"... Well. I didn't. Until now. Randy was supposed to have helped me with Beanie and Mark's PJ pants for Christmas after the entire sweater fiasco.  One thing lead to another and they ended up my lap at work. I will be finished with them with maybe 2 days to spare but they will be done! Mind you they are not perfect but I hope all of the kids enjoy their handmade gifts this year.

What are you crafting this year? 

 

Grateful day

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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...Wonderful memories of our Shemperdoodle. We were forced to put him down after he got into something toxic that put his body into kidney failure and seizures. It was very painful and hard for Randy and I especially since his 2nd birthday was coming up. We miss him horribly but are grateful we gave him the best life we could in the short time we had him.

...Our furnace not needing to be replaced but simply repaired for the cost of a case of beer.

...Keeping up with  a new tradition of lighting of our advent wreath

...overtime at work. I am exhausted and worn but since we have had bills rack up the money is appreciated.

...Baby brother buying me groceries for our Christmas present since we are so broke.

...A day of paid time off soon approaching. I hope to sleep in. 

...2 flat tires that could be repaired at home vs needing to be replaced.

...Coworkers that love me and try to make me smile for my birthday.

St. Nicholas came to visit.

On Saturday morning St. Nicholas came to visit with our kindness fairy, Sally. He brought gold coins, candy canes and peppermint patties with a nice little note to remind the kids to be "sweet" to one another.

What did St. Nicholas bring your family this year?

Thoughts about the Rhythm Roundup Boot Camp

As the month draws to a close we are finishing up our Rhythm Roundup Boot Camp with Waldorf Essentials. It has been a hectic month with ER visits, lost dog ( who was located and brought home yesterday morning- Thanks be to Jesus), sick children and 2 birthdays. We have also had job loss as well. This was a huge amount of stress and energy drawn from our family. The Rhythm Roundup was a great reminder to stay present, stay focused and grateful through all of the hard times right now. I participated in this class live and had biweekly check-ins with Melissa and other moms doing the course. It really kept me focused and motivated to finish. I did not keep the schedule all 4 weeks as was not able to but it was a refreshing view at how much time was wasted and where we needed to cut back.

This course also opened some doors of conversation between Randy and I as I read Steiner's Kingdom of Childhood ( here is a link to free PDF). We spoke a lot about age appropriateness and different ways to teach math. It was really an opener for both of us as to WHY Steiner advocates for whole to parts teaching.

As a whole I am recommending this class. It is an affordable kick in the rear to jumpstart your family and give you the tools to transform it to where you want it to be.

And.....a super grainy photo however this was how excited Giddy was when Shemp came home! Warms my heart 

Zoo trip

 We recently took a visit to our local zoo who's membership has been one of our best investments. The kids had a great time seeing everyone in costume even though we didn't dress up ourselves due to how cold it was in the morning. Everyone took the day as a champ and a great nap was taken afterwards.

Please keep our doggie Shemp in your thoughts. He ran off late last night and is still missing. We are praying for his safe return however we are worried he went to go fend off the coyotes. The kids are missing him so I would like him home soon. 

It's been awhile

The last few weeks have been hectic to say the least so I do apologize for the lack of posts. Between the littles being sick, an ER visit for me, and weekly phone conferences with Randy's Ex it has been draining.  There is still however plenty to be grateful for.



...I was able to visit our church for a 1 day women's conference for preparing your heart for advent. I was highly encouraged and motivated. It was nice to know that we as a family have been able to reduce highly with the presents to focus on presence and our family has many traditions and rituals that other families are striving for. Our goal for this year is to give back a bit more and show the kids a bit more volunteer time.

Photo by Beanie

... Xrays after the ER to know that I don't have any true damage to my neck due to excessive car crashes.

...Sickness being shortlived by help with essential oils.

Photo by Beanie

...success with continuing the rhythm roundup boot-camp by Waldorf Essentials. We are TFW members and was a great worthwhile investment for our family.

...we have had to talk with Randy's ex regarding Mark's grades. We are praying now for guidance and hope that we can get him home and where he needs to be as he is struggling through classes yet again.

Photo by Beanie

... Mark getting an eye exam and discovering he needs glasses. We are hopeful that he will have more progress after he is able to see. 

photo by Beanie

...getting through birthdays and hitting a 1 year nurseversary! 

Photo by Beanie

...we have been blessed massively financially as bonuses and a returned deposit couldn't have come at better times. I have been stressed massively regarding money but God has been providing as always and been reminding me to rely on him more. 

...we are very excited to possibly start with a new organization called Spiral Scouts.  Here is to hoping it may be a good fit for our family.

How has your week been?

An autumn poem

Yellow the bracken,

Golden the sheaves.

Rosy the apples,

Crimson the leaves.
Mist on the hillside.
Clouds gray and white.
Autumn, good morning.
Summer, good night.

A birthday sweater

I have made an effort this year to have each of my kids get a handmade piece of clothing for their birthday. Nanners got a dress that I ended up buying from Etsy that she loves that included a matching dress for her doll. I did start this sweater for Giddy however it seems HUGE even with the hook adjustment for gauge. I am thinking of just making this for Ryguy and making a new one for Giddy's birthday in 2 weeks. I am using this pattern for the sweaters. It is written kind of confusing for assembly however the individual pieces work up very quickly due to the thickness of the yarn and hook size. I am super excited to see the boys together in their sweaters. Now to pick out buttons!


 

The runaway bunny

Recently we read the book The Runaway Bunny by Margret Wise Brown. I love the simple illustrations and simple sweet story. We spent some time climbing our treehouse and painting outside. I planned to make some cards with the water color paintings we did but they had to be saved for another day. I am not sure what we will do for them yet. Maybe make some star decorations for our Michaelmas festival coming up.

 

 

We talked about how yellow can be different shades including the flowers we found by our yard. 

The big piece of recycled counter-top works great for painting. It is large enough for several sheets of paper, heavy enough so it doesn't bend and is easily cleaned. It was garbage picked so the price was perfect!

Yarn doll

Many times I am commissioned to crochet projects for a family friend.

I got a message from our friend and she asked  "Can you make this for me?"

I of course had no idea what it was. After some looking on the internet I have become knowledgeable about Enderman. He is a character from the Minecraft video game. He is a bad guy and destroys things.

 I looked for patterns around the internet and did not like any of them. Most of them had square bodies and round arms. In a pixelated world round arms don't work well.  I did sit and create my own pattern for him via the photos on Google and unfortunately it took  much longer than I anticipated

due to my arthritis.

 

Yay for Enderman!

Happy birthday Nanners

  

Some time to reflect on the last week and share some things that have made me grateful.

No time to be depressed when you are happy for what you have.

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Magnar got it! We have been working on this skill for a long time now and never could get it on his paws due to him being so squirmy. It made me very excited. 

Nanners just turned 6. She got her hair cut and straightened since her biggest wish is to be like her big sisters.

...hanging up the old swing again and Giddy loving it. He is picky on his vestibular movement so made me very happy. 

... Randy realizing he needs to work on his weight and diet and it giving him the motivation to go back to healthier eating.

...dog sitting Red, Randy's old dog, and giving him a much needed brushing, bath and nail trim.

...Some fun hair chalking. Ryguy enjoyed blue streaks and Nanners green hair.

On a more serious note. Although we do not get along often I am feeling for Jenny, Randy's ex and mother to the kids. Her sister, Luanne committed suicide during the week. I am asking for prayers of safety and comfort for the kids and their mother and family as they travel down to help clean out her home and spend time with her husband and 2 daughters.

rhythm and routine

Rhythm is an important part of Waldorf education and homemaking. Our family has seen the significance of it time and time again, especially with Nanners. It creates a happy home that is predictable and comforting. You never have to be a slave to your rhythm but use it as a tool to maintain peace and sanity to your home.

Taken by Koda

Our rhythms are based highly around sleep and food. My littles ( Nanners, Ryguy and Gid) are the main ones that benefit from our rhythm and those are the key points in our day. We use to hear Nanners ask nonstop " When can I eat?" With her sensory disorder she lacks the sensation to feel full. More often than not she would eat out of boredom or stuff her face until she vomited and then ask for more. True story as gross as it is. With using rhythm on our side she knows when to expect it. She still does ask occasionally for snacks but it is far less often and she has less anxiety regarding food.

taken by Koda

Bedtime however still is a slight battle even though the kids know its coming and anticipate it. Ryguy especially hates bedtime as he knows the older kids get to stay up later and he doesn't want to miss out on the fun. He also has a difficult time settling.  We have found the best way to help him is to have someone lay with him until he falls asleep which normally doesn't take more than a half hour. He can sometimes fall asleep on his own but it takes much longer. We would prefer him drift off peacefully so we oblige and just enjoy the cuddles. They are only little for so long.

So without any further ado here is a copy of our daily rhythm. It does look very different than most but it works for now with our family.

Wake

Breakfast ( Either done by mommy or Koda)

feed/water animals

play

lunch ( around 12-1:30)

quiet time or nap

play or story and craft with Daddy

snack

play - Mommy comes home

dinner

Circle time with Mommy or  Church on Monday nights

Bed

Taken by Koda

 Sometimes I feel we cling to it too much and are inflexible as even a fun trip to the zoo or a museum can cause major over stimulation and crabby and irritable children. However its ok. They will grow and enjoy it when their bodies and brains can keep up. You do not need to fill your schedule with activities and keep them "busy" all of the time. A healthy child knows how to play and just BE.

Be present

Be mindful

Have rhythm

What is the hardest part you feel to having a good rhythm? What stops you from fully implementing it in your home?