Corn Beef and Cabbage a holy moment

As I stand at the counter in our home prepping our once a year corn beef and cabbage I was struck by the intensity of the past two months and overwhelmed with the gifts of life in the past two  months.  If you know me you know I eat very little if any red meat but once a year Shawn laughs as I prepare corn beef because I love it and it makes no sense what so ever but I enjoy it every year.  I remember making my first one on my own and I put it on the stove and 5 hours later it still wasn't cooked and I called home to figure it out and my grandmother gave me some advice turn up the heat honey.  You aren't cooking it just warming it oh ok I said and turned it up and an hour later it was ready.  I thought about that this morning as I put my chunk of meat in the crock pot and i knew how to do it.  I knew what we liked as a family and I didn't need to call anyone for help.  In one way I liked knowing something and in another I longed for a time when I needed to call. 

I stood looking out my window the one I own and I saw the beautiful Colorado blue sky, the trees, the sun shinning on my face and I cut potatoes and I felt grateful and overwhelmed, excited and scared, restful and tired beyond measure, it was quiet in my home I was alone for the first time in our new home.  I drew a few deep breaths and stopped to take it all in.  I had to take in the past two months which I have survived but barely breathed during.  I am reminded of the mundane tasks that show us God and life in their full beauty.  I am weary and tired and my patience is short but I have a rich and beautiful life.  I have seen another year and I have made another corn beef and cabbage.  You would be proud Grandma I made it all on my own in my own kitchen to feed my family.  Where has the time gone?  How did I get to this moment in life?  How fast it seems to be moving and turning.  I took another deep breath and pulled out my kids Saturday cereal and poured myself a bowl of Lucky Charms because I loved them as a kid and I sat down and ate a bowl because I could as an adult eat them and because I needed to be reminded that the child that looks forward to Lucky Charms lives on in me.  Fun, laughter, a carefree time with no stress and worries those memories are in me as well and tapping into them makes me remember that life is love, joy, laughter, and fun in the midst of great pain, stress, sorrow, and sadness.  Life is all of these things wrapped up in some weird often confusing package that shows itself in the making of a corn beef and cabbage. 

Cracking me up

Just this morning the kids have been  making me laugh with some of the stuff coming out of their mouths.  At 5 am this morning (which has been a regular wake up time for my usual late sleeping Symeon and since our  move I think this is how we are seeing some of his adjustment stuff)  I saw his light on and went into his room to find him playing.  I told him it was dark and he needed to get back in his bed and he looked at me and said, "Mom I am over awake"  it took me a minute to figure out what he meant but I often say Symeon you are over tired time for bed.  So over awake meant he was ready to be up and playing.  I smiled hugged and told him to get in his bed which he did although I could hear him talking to himself and his animal until it was time to get up. 

This  morning when I was passing out vitamins and I took my calcium chew (which Marin is obsessed with) she said Mom when I get big I want to be like you.  Oh so sweet I am thinking you know maybe my great motherly ways, my smile, whatever quality she might like to be like me and she says, " I want to eat those (calcium chews) and drink coffee"  I cracked up and told her that was good.  It is amazing what they notice she loves to smell my coffee everyday after I make it and it is steaming hot and the smell is wonderful.  I am creating a coffee drinker for sure. 

Good-bye deposit

So we have been renting a house for about a year and half and we are moving out this weekend and into our first purchased home.  We are excited and as you can imagine a bit overwhelmed with all the stuff that goes along with moving.  As you can imagine there is so much that needs to be done and not quite enough hours in the day so when Symeon asked me to come downstairs and see what Babes had done I was a bit worried because he finished his statement with she wrote on the walls.  Oh gosh not again she wrote on the walls one other time with a dry erase marker that came right off well weren't quite that lucky this time. 

I must confess as I went down the stairs I was breathing deep which did nothing for my temper when I rounded the corner.  She was sitting in Symeon's room reading a book with the door shut and when I yelled Marin where are you she just continued reading which probably just made my blood boil a bit harder.  Here is what I saw and remember this is permanent black marker, this is a rental property, and we are moving this weekend. 

 We are on our second box of magic erasers and a few hours of scrubbing and we still have a bit of work to do.  

 Yes this is exposed brick that is ruined there is nothing but acid to take this off and although I feel like my look should have burned it off I was not so lucky.  

 I can't get this off the dryer.  

 Yes this is permanent black marker on the crib my Dad made for my children.  

 

 Yup she tagged all three pillars!

Correct this is the side of Shawn's dresser.  I am happy to report that the magic erasers took it off the furniture.  At first I had to send her to her room so I could breathe a bit then I made her come out get a rag and get cleaning.   At one point she looked up at me and said Mama I not think this is coming off and I said well you have from now until you go to bed to try so keep scrubbing.  She did say sorry Mama and after a bit I was able to forgive her.  After it was over and after talking with her I am pretty sure she was marking things for the move like I had been all week, writing on things we wanted to take with us to our new house but seriously this was the last thing I needed during a wild and a tad bit stressful week.  Oh Babes McGee you keep life well should we say interesting!

Mommy son lunch - no more toddler all little boy

On Sunday Shawn and Marin were a bit under the weather so they stayed home from church..So after Church Symeon and I went out to one of our favorite restaurants.  I enjoyed our time together just talking about all kinds of thing that interested him.  I pray we will always be able to talk about what matters to him in life whatever his age.  I was struck by this amazing little guy who watched the world around him with curious and insightful eyes.  We always have the same waiter at this restaurant so he knows us pretty well.  After he took our order on Sunday and walked away Symeon said why is he wearing a red shirt today he always wears a blue shirt.  I had realized there was something different about him but I couldn't put my finger on what it was but Symeon noticed right away.  He takes in his world noticing everything and remembering it as well.  I love watching his mind working behind those beautiful brown eyes.  As we approach his 4th birthday I am reminded of the gift he is to me, to our family, and to the world.  I am so thankful for any quiet moments we can spend together, I was so blessed by being with him on Sunday.    

Phinneaus and Ferb

We had a great time at the show.  The kids loved it and it was well done.  Overall a fun snowy Saturday afternoon.  When I look at this last picture I keep thinking who are these big kids?  How did they get this big without me noticing?  I do feel like I enjoy my time with my kids and no matter how many times I try to burn their image in mind at a certain moment I am well aware what time continues to march on and they are always changing and growing.  I love what ever age they are and I don't long for them to be babies or for them to go to school I just want to be happy with where they are in life.  I love these two amazing little people. 

Our trip to the dentist

Both our kids love going to the dentist.  They love the chairs, the x-rays, the floss everything about it is fun.  This is not their first time Symeon went really young after a small accident and a chipped tooth and Marin has been several times.  This time I was surprised to have the dentist tell me that Symeon had a very loose front tooth.  He asked if anything had happened and I said no.  We have to go back and have it checked in a month to see what is up.  When I told Shawn he informed me during their trip to Atlanta that Symeon smacked his front tooth into Shawn's leg oops sorry doc I guess there was some sort of trauma.  Shawn said he cried for a minute then was on his way not exactly the reaction you would guess from knocking your tooth loose but about right for Symeon. 

So sweet

These are the two names Marin wanted me to paint in her journal.  She adores her cousin Austin and it was so cute once their names were next to each other she said look Mom both our names end with"in".  That made her day. 

The things they say

Lately the kids have been cracking us up with some of their comments. 

1.  Last night when I went to bed Marin's light was on and she was sleeping with her head hanging off the bed so I moved her back to her pillow and turned the light off.  She woke up and told me she needed a drink and then she laid back down.  As I was about to leave she said
Marin:  "Mama I read Peter Pan"
Me: Yes Babes Daddy read you Peter Pan when he put you to bed
Marin:  Yes Mama I got Peter Pan and brother didn't note smile on her face
Me:  Okay Babes goodnight
Marin:  Good night Mama

Context for this is that early when it was bedtime there had been a small interaction about the Peter Pan book and Marin ended up having it to read while Symeon decided on another book.  From this interaction later that night she was obviously still celebrating what she saw as a victory. 

2.  Marin asks Symeon lots of questions and often wants him to help her rather than Shawn or I so the other day she had a question.  She asked Symeon how to do something and his response was so cute he said
"Marin here's a tip for you"  Shawn and I cracked up because then he explained to her how to do it and she said okay bruer (brother) and followed his tip. 

3.  We were in the car the other night and a stomach bug has been going around so when I got out and opened the back door of the car to get them out the smell was pretty strong and I asked hey guys did either of you have an accident in  your pants?  As I was asking the question I was undoing Marin's seat belt and I pulled her up a bit from her seat.  Well Symeon could see her back side and he said, "Babes I think it might be you because you butt looks bigger"  Shawn and I busted out laughing and luckily it was not Marin so I told him nope it wasn't her and then he said "oh yah Mom it's me I have gas".  I am sure I will have to help him understand that no woman ever wants to be told her butt looks bigger but for now Babes didn't care and all was well. 

4.  Marin is in a mine stage.  This is my Mommy not yours brother.  This is my food not yours  brother.  Etc etc etc.  Well she likes to look at pictures on  my computer so the other day she was looking at pictures from the summer when her cousins visited from Georgia and her cousin Maya was using her treasured blue water bottle.  I remember there being a small incident at the time and Marin was basically forced to share.  Well when she saw that picture she called  me over and said,
Marin -" I no want Maya to use my Blue cup."  
Me:  "Well Marin Maya was borrowing that she was our guest and it was nice of you to share with her."
Marin - "I no wanted to share with her."
Me:  "Babes that was a long time ago it is over you have to let it go thank you for sharing with her"
Time passes later in the day we find a crazy straw that is Symeon's but we can't find Marin's, she was upset to say the least but what she said surprised me. 
Me:  "Babes I don't know where your silly straw is I can only find Brother's when he is done  you can use his"
Marin:  She looked at me so seriously and said "I bet Maya took it" 
 Me:  "Babes Maya did not take your straw and that is not nice to say"
What in the world I think the girl can hold a grudge!

5.  Okay so as I am writing this post the king of hating quiet time and finding reasons to come ask me questions just came upstairs and when I asked what he needed he said "I have to poop."  Me:  "Okay well you know how to go poop so you can go" (this is one reason he is allowed out of quiet time.) Symeon:  "okay Mom but I want to go up here since Babes is sleeping and my poop comes out really loud"    Well of course really loud poop means you have to come upstairs out of quiet time such a considerate brother what was a Mama to say :) 

36+ hours of snow and it is still coming down

Holding Hands

I have always been a junkie for holding hands but since having children it has become one of my all time favorite things to do.  I feel like so much is communicated while holding hands with my husband, my parents, my grandparents, friends, and now my children.  I remember holding my grandmother's hands the last time I saw her before she died.  I remember her hands being worn and the skin soft like tissue paper.  I remember seeing the veins and relishing all the times she had held my hand throughout my life.  I could see the veins pumping the blood through her body not knowing she only had a little time left before that would end.  All my life I had seen her hands making Sunday dinner, reading the paper, drinking coffee, holding me, bringing me small gifts, walking with me as we exercised together after her heart attack.  Her hands were ones of beauty, hard working and loving, tough and tender, old and wise, they were everything I pray my hands will be in the life I have to live.  They were everything I hope my children and grandchildren will see in my hands as I age. 

On January 24th I remembered my Grandmother's birthday and I celebrated her life and the life that lives on in me and my family.  She would have been 87 and I remember it because we were 50 years apart almost to the day.  I thought about those hands all day and I relished in the memories of her life and mine so intertwined her memory palpable to me on that day and on many others. 

On my 37th birthday the next day I held hands with Marin while she drifted off to sleep and last night I held hands with Symeon and we both fell asleep together laying in his bed.  When I woke up a bit later I realized we were both still holding hands.  I often ask them to hold hands walking down the sidewalk, laying in bed, watching tv, and sometimes when they are upset in the car or anywhere they will ask me to hold my hand and I am always willing, like a puppy being praised, I offer my hand with a joyful heart. 

I love the feel of their sweet chubby hands wrapped in mine.  I love the warmth that flows between us unspoken and I try to burn into my mind how small their hands are and how they fit into my Mama hand and I realize that my Grandmother use to have that same feeling this tiny little hand held tight and warm in her hand.  The last time I saw her when we talked about what she wanted shared at her funeral I realized that her hand seemed small in mine, fragile and the tides of life had changed.  My hand was then the strong loving reassuring hand that was promising to take care of things when she could not. I listened to her hopes, needs, wants, and desires just like she always listened to mine. 

When I shared at her funeral  6 months pregnant with my first baby trying to put into words a lifetime of love I was struck by her hands resting peacefully.  I was heartbroken that those hands would not hold my children or feel that new born hand wrap his tiny fist around her finger but yet every time I hold my children's hands I realize she is ever present, ever loving, and passing along her love from her hands to mine to theirs.  I will hold hands with the people I love as often and as long as possible and I will treasure every moment of unspoken love that passes between us.  Thank you Grandma for a legacy of hand holding I pray it will be a part of my legacy as well.   

A great birthday

I had such a wonderful birthday.  It was a fun packed day where I felt special and loved.  I enjoyed a pretty "normal" day with some special birthday fun tossed in to make the day even better.  I must admit these birthdays in my 30's are melting together a bit I had to double check with Shawn how old I was this year.  I remember my Mom having to figure out how old she was when I was a kid and I could never understand that since I was always looking forward to my birthday but now I understand.  Age is really not that important to me and so I had a good laugh when I asked Shawn how old I was this year. 

I started my day sleeping in which was a treat and when I woke up I received a bunch of birthday love and my present wrapped by the kids it was so sweet.  They picked out a red polka dot bike computer for my bike which I have been wanting for quite sometime.  It was so sweet and the cards they picked were awesome Symeon always picks a  card that sings and Marin chose a princess card they were really funny. 

Then the kids and I went to volunteer and I enjoyed lots of phone calls, emails, FB messages, and texts with special birthday wishes.  I was so touched by the kind, thoughtful, loving messages and cards.  Then the kids and I went to our favorite coffee shop for a birthday Boba and then we were off to the playground.  The weather was beautiful and we had lots of fun on a warm January day.  We went home for lunch and a little quiet time for the kids and a great work out for me. 

After quiet time and a work out we had a spontaneous birthday dance party for a good portion of the afternoon.  At Symeon's school on people's birthday they do a dance party and he loves it so it was his suggestion so we turned up the tunes and had a great time dancing and singing.  It was honestly the highlight of my birthday we had such fun as a family and I love to watch Symeon and Marin dance it is so cute they both get into it.  Then we went to Lil Kickers and then I decided to have pizza for my birthday dinner and we did a picnic dinner in the living room it was perfect.  We ended the day with Carvel ice cream cake and a great round of singing Happy Birthday by the kids.  I ended my wonderful day by putting Marin to sleep a she wanted to hold my hand while she drifted off to sleep.  I laid with her for awhile after she feel asleep listening to her breathe while we held hands.  It was a great ending to a wonderful day being loved on by my family and friends. 

 Pizza Party

The Dance Party

Love the dance train.  Marin is rockin' out!

Volunteering

Since leaving Paxton I have been wanting to have the kids volunteer some place so this past week we have started at our local food bank.  Here we are dressed and ready to volunteer.  I love this picture because they both pretty much dressed themselves which is an exciting adventure in and of itself.  We had a good time volunteering they both stayed with it and wore gloves to package food into more family friendly sizes.  Babes and songs for the other volunteers and Symeon was a work horse to be honest.  He was focused and ready to do any job he was given.  We had a good time and I was able to talk with about food banks and why they exist.  We are all looking forward to going back next month.  This Thursday we are trying an Assisted Living place since it is about as close to Paxton as I could find.  

Babes loves breakfast

I love egg whites with spinach and basil and I eat it several times a week for breakfast.  Well Babes started eating a bite here and there and then she started eating several bites and one morning she ate my entire breakfast.  So the next time I made egg whites I made one for her and she ate the whole thing.  Since then we both eat egg whites a couple times a week.  She loves it with fresh spinach, fresh basil, and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and always with a clementine her favorite.  What I find so funny is that she still likes to have a bite of mine even though they are exactly the same I am sure my family would say she is definitely my daughter always a bite. 

Noise

In general I am quite person.  I hardly ever listen to music when I am alone and I only turn on the TV if there is something I want to watch never for noise.  I don't like background noise and I wear ear plugs at the gym because all the background noise is irritating.  I will always choose silence when given a chance.  So over the years as my two toddlers have begun talking and often at the same time or over one another or crying I have found myself wincing and often craving some sort of quiet.  But today as I write this quick note and they play a song on their pot and pan drum set I am moved to tears by the "noise".   They are having so much fun, they are laughing together, changing up their instruments and overall enjoying themselves.  I am struck by the beauty of this noise I am struck that season to shall pass and my home will be quiet. 

I must confess I do not always see the grace and beauty of the loud and I am often  moved to tears not because of joy but with frustration but today I am moved by the beauty that this "noise" is bringing to my life and our home.  For today for this moment I can say I would not want it to be quiet I would never not want to hear the background noise that is the beauty of their creativity and lives.  I am thankful for the pounding sound echoing in my head and the small voices in between that remind life is short and amazing and banging a few pots and pans is good for all our souls, our home, and our family.  Rock on kiddos you are blessing this Mama's soul!

A fun Christmas craft

I bought Marin a cute little mirror you decorate yourself for Christmas and she was able to work on it this past week and she was only to happy to have her brother help her.  It came out so cute and now she can look at the back of her hair like I do with my mirror.  Now we match and she loves that I figure I should enjoy being adored because I am sure that will not always be the case but I can be sure that I will always adore her.

A trap

Symeon's love of traps continues.  He made this one the other day and now that he is tying knots the world is his oyster when it comes to materials he can use to build his traps.  The container of bungee cords PaPaw bought him for Christmas is also helping him build bigger and better traps these days as well, thanks Dad. 

Tea Parties, Tea Parties, Tea Parties

Babes received a tea set for Christmas from my Aunt and cousin and she has enjoyed it to say the least.  When she wakes up sometime like at 5 am she is asking for a tea party and I have to remind her that rule is no tea parties in the dark but when the sun comes up we can have a tea party.  The other morning I slept in a bit since I had been awake for so many nights in a row with Symeon being sick and when I came up the stairs I saw Shawn and her having a tea party in the living room while they watched soccer.  It was such a sweet and tender moment between her and her Daddy.  Here is one of the tea parties that Symeon and Babes had the other day along with a few other honored guests. 

 Two guests are a naked baby and a Cinderella with two missing arms

 Some other guests include frosty the snowman and snow white

And of course what would a tea party be without a mini Cinderella and the one who helped Rella which is the Fairy God Mother.  

The whole tea party was so cute and it lasted most of the  morning.  At this particular tea party the guests were dining on cheddar cheese rice cakes one of Babes favorites and goldfish. Thank you Auntie Judy, Steve, and Jesse this was a hit. 

No heat over a very cold weekend

Well a few weekends ago we realized it was really cold in our house and by Friday night it was almost unbearable so we called the maintenance hotline for our property mgmt company (a huge benefit of renting) and they sent someone out.  The bad news was that the part  needed had to be ordered so we were without heat for the whole weekend.  It was really really cold and we spent the afternoon one day at friend's house and then we hung blankets and used tiny space heaters to try to keep the living room and Shawn's office bearable but honestly it was just okay with several blankets and multiple layers of clothes.  Our thermostat only goes down to 45 so I know it was at least that cold but I am guessing it was lower than that.  Overall the kids did fine enjoying the adventure of it all but it was so cold the hardwood floors were like ice and the cold came through whatever shoes you were wearing.  It made me so thankful for just a few days rather than an entire winter trying to get by with little money and no heat or living on the streets.  Sometimes it takes something like this to remind you to be thankful. 

One night at dinner

 

You just never know how she is going to come to dinner.  On this particular night she wanted her dress over her hockey jersey and she was really into feeding her baby.  Although through the meal she would get up and say to the baby eat your dinner NOW!  I looked at Shawn and said do I sound like that and he assured me I do not.  Over the next few days I listened to myself very carefully and the "now" part is something she hears quite often from me because without being clear that I mean to do something now she would listen in her own time frame which could be in quite awhile.  I love that she does everything with a bit of flare.  

Updated pics of our new house

People have been asking me for some new pictures of the house since we added color and a few other things.  We are still not done we have an island to get installed and some lighting needs to be addressed but we are getting closer.  Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far. It is still a work in progress and probably will be for years. 

 A brick accent wall we just added and Marin's favorite seat

 Entryway and stairs.  We painted and had the carpet ripped up and the floors refinished.  

 Our bedroom

 Upstairs bath, this is on my renovation list although we will for sure keep the claw foot tub.  

 Babes room, Cinderella style.  She told me she wanted it blue like Cinderella's dress.  I am not a themed room person I actually can't stand them even for children to be honest at least not in my house but her Daddy won out on this one.  We did compromise with wall stickers that peel right off when we she doesn't like it anymore which I am hoping is soon.  But gosh she was so happy helping telling me where she wanted all the stickers.  It was so fun!

 What would be a set of pics without a bit of Babes attitude

 Symeon wanted a rainbow room, one wall purple, one yellow, one black and one white?  What I compromised and gave him a purple accent wall with 3 gray walls.  He has angry birds and the solar system.  He loves planets and space right now and it looks really great on the purple wall.  His Dad also won out on this room as well but once again wall stickers that come right off.  Symeon was so happy putting these on as well deciding what his solar system would look like it was such family fun.  

 They wanted me to take a picture of them doing something funny and this is what they decided on, so cute 

 

 Our newly finished stairs I love the way they came out they just a bit of trim work and they are finished.  

 The dark family room is getting better we added some nice green to the walls and we are changing the lighting to brighten it up a bit.  

 My office slash the spare bedroom.  I love both of these colors.  

  A close up of the wall

Kitchen and dining room but that light fixture is going hopefully by tomorrow with some additional lighting added above the sink.  

 The living room with the fireplace and our first meal there, pizza from the local pizza shop.  

Entry way with a low coat rack for the kids.  I am so glad I changed the color from green to this warm taupe.