Around Here: Week 38 2022

 {September 18-24th}

Doing... a lot of chores myself Sunday since Josh had Jack out at the land to help.  I could have left the chores for him, but I really like starting the week out fresh, and he was working super hard with his dad, so I tackled my to do list plus his.  Josh has taken on a lot more work on his parents' in-progress house lately in an effort to finish by November.  That means the kids and I are trying to lighten his load here at home, and the boys are always willing to help with their grandparents' house if need be. It makes me so proud of all of them. Finishing by November is a BIG goal, but I know they'll be able to do it. 

Laughing... as Carly tried to capture a picture of her brothers as they all sat in a row on the bar stools we got from my parents. She noticed them sitting there, asked for my phone, and started taking pictures.  Her brothers, being teenagers, of course made faces, refused to smile and looked equally ridiculous in each picture she took.  So they get to have this picture (see above) live on forever on the blog.  That's what you get for being stinkers, boys!!!
Also laughing at George laying on the kitchen table next to Jack one morning as he was working on his homework. He's apparently an emotional support cat. 

Reading... outsie on the front porch in the sunshine. I love our porch so much! This week I am reading Fellowship Point and The Nature of Fragile Things. I listened to The Nature of Fragile on audio on Libby (I'm slowly transitioning myself off OverDrive since it will be going away soon- gosh I hate learning new technology, even if it's really simple!) and it was a really compelling book.  A mail order bride quickly falls in love with her adorable step daughter, while things about her new husband don't seem quite right.  As the story progresses the great San Francisco earthquake happens, and it is just so good! I couldn't stop listening!
Fellowship Point reminded me of Anne of Green Gables in its beautiful landscape descriptions and its full-of-mischief, outspoken main character.  It's a long book, very character and setting driven, some might even say slow, but I loved it. The story ends up coming full circle, which I love, and the final line had me gasping. I can't stop thinking about it. 

Pulling... out our Halloween books and loving how Carly and Wyatt were so excited to look through them.  It's definitely bittersweet having half the kids already so grown, but it makes me doubly grateful for the time I still have with the younger two. 

Grateful... that our dinner plate hibiscus started blooming!  I may have already told this story, but I'm going to share it again just in case:  
When we moved into our first house, the most insane pink flowers were blooming out front, right by the garage.  I had no idea what they were, but they were literally bigger than Carly's (8 month old) head.  I later found out they were dinner plate hibiscus, and that plant became my pride & joy in the month of August.  It sprouted from the ground in May, growing taller green stalks and leaves all spring and summer, until finally just shy of fall, it bloomed for a month straight.  
When we moved, I was devestated to leave it behind, but so happy for the new owners to have this gorgeous plant. 
Well, it turned out they didn't want it, and when they mentioned ripping it out, our old across-the-street neighbor and friend, Doug, called to let us know and helped us arrange for Josh to go dig it up. 
He transplanted it to our new front yard, but we weren't sure it made it.  We didn't see any growth the following spring, and I was sad, but in the meantime, I had grown some hibiscus from seed that were doing great at my mother-in-law's house, so I figured I would have to do that. 
But then, this summer, suddenly there were just a handful of stalks growing from it, and THERE WERE FLOWERS! They bloomed and it made me so happy!!! 
I can't wait to see what it does next year. 

Speaking... of flowers, I also cut some dahlias this week, and one of them had a dragonfly on it! 

Loving... the cowboy boots Josh bought Logan at North 40.  They're so cute, and it makes me so proud that he's assimilated to this country town life we're living. 

So thankful... for my friend Emilee for watching Carly and driving her to school each morning when I worked this week.  I could not have taken this sub job if it weren't for her.  (It was for Josh's cousin, and at a different school than the one Carly attends, which is where I normally work.)

Working... Monday after getting everyone where they needed to go.  The second graders I was working with were the sweetest (I seriously loved them) and my day at work (both Monday and Tuesday) was great. The boys really rose to the challenge and took turns walking from their schools to Carly's to pick her up after school.  I'm so proud of them, and so lucky to have them. 

Enjoying... pizza that Jack made for us Monday night, which we ate while we watched Lightyear together.  We are all so worn out from the start of the school year. A cozy night in together was just what we all needed. 

Spotting... bits of fall everywhere.  Fresh, cool air in the morning as well as some color changes on the trees.  I pointed this out to Carly and now every morning she flings open the front door and runs into the yard.  She then comes back in, all out of breath, reporting the amount of "fall" that is showing based off the tree across the street's color. I adore her. I want to greet every day the way she greets each fall morning.

Advising... Logan when he called to tell me he had worn his cowboy boots to school (how cute is he?!) but had forgotten to also bring tennis shoes for PE. I told him to approach his PE teacher proactively (before he approached Logan) and tell him he made a mistake, but he would participate in PE to the best of his ability (even in his boots) and promise that he wouldn't make this mistake again. 
Later Logan called me and said his teacher had really respected that and wasn't mad at all.  Logan got full credit for PE, and more importantly, I feel like he learned a really big lesson.  These little parenting wins are what keep me going. 

Learning... so much every time I sub.  This time I learned why teachers often have the students' names on sticks.  When you want everyone to pay attention, calling on random students (whose sticks you draw from the cup) is sure an effective way to ensure that! Another helpful classroom management technique I learned in this classroom was Group Points.  This is a great way to encourage the kids to work together to do what is requested (getting out supplies, or cleaning up, etc.).

Suffering... the afternoon hustle on Tuesday going from work to home to make dinner for the kids while emptying backpacks and checking homework, to get Carly into her soccer uniform and to her game on time.  I say it all the time, but it's always true: I don't know how you working moms juggle it everyday. You're amazing.

Celebrating... Carly's first game with some fro yo with my parents (who drove all the way from Wenatchee to watch their granddaughter's game) afterward. It was such a fun night and the kids were all so happy. 
I cracked up when Carly ran by during the game, and noticed I had my camera out. She stopped in the middle of the field, popped her hip and posed. This girl. I can't even with her. 

Never tiring... of seeing Josh blow drying Carly's hair after a bath.  There is something so tender about the sight, it always stops me in my tracks. 

Loving... Carly's morning snuggles. I know how quickly this season passes, so I will cherish these slow morning hugs and giggles every day until they end. 
She also enjoys snuggling the pets in the mornings.  Usually Grady, but also George or Piper. Sweetest little animal lover. 

Helping... Logan make a sign to ask a girl to homecoming.  I can't believe we are here already!

Prepping... for family pictures by making sure that our outfits coordinated well.  Prepping for pictures is always so hard. 

Feeling... proud of Jack for climbing under the house at the land and helping Josh put in insulation.  He's mildly claustrophobic, so it wasn't easy for him, but he did great!

Relishing... a day off on Wednesday after working Monday & Tuesday.  I was able to get groceries and then pick up Wyatt who wasn't feeling great.  He came home and watched a movie. I love how much he loves movies.  I just love him. He's so sweet and such an interesting kid, unlike others I know. Wise beyond his years, witty and always taking everything in. When I am having an off day, or am feeling emotional, Wyatt is almost always the first to notice.  "You good?" he'll ask, looking into my face. It at once both comforting and disheartening to feel so seen. 

Visiting... our local used bookstore that is under new ownership. It was so fun to go in, pick out a few books for me and Carly, and choose some of the cute bookish pins she had for sale. Unfortunately by the time I got home, I had a migraine, but it was fun while we were out.  Jack went with Josh out to the land and his Uncle Samuel gave him his old BMX bike.  Logan's been riding Josh's old BMX bike (the one from when we were dating) so it'll be fun for Jack to have one as well.  
Thanks, Samuel!

Assuring... Carly that things would be just fine, when she expressed worry about having to "practice being quiet" in one of her specials.  Apparently her class was really loud and unruly at the end one day, and when the specialist said the next time they would have to practice, it sent Carly into a sprial. Every morning she has had a tummy ache worrying about it.  It's so hard when you have a "good kid" who worries like Carly, to make her understand that she wouldn't be in trouble.  She is just so sensitive and wants to please everyone. We spend a lot of time in the mornings talking through things she's worried about, poor girl!

Excited... for Josh and the boys, who will be going to a Mariner's game in October.  Josh finally picked a day that he wanted to go, and bought tickets.  The cool part is that they get to see a double header for the price of only one ticket per person. The boys are STOKED! 

Battling... over screen time with my kids.  We did way too many screens during summer, and for the school year, we have screens on Monday morning (since it's late start) and Friday afternoon (to celebrate having made it to the weekend) but otherwise, we aren't doing any screens during the week. Saturday and Sunday they're allowed nearly unlimited screens.  
But whatever we do, it's never enough to satisfy the kids. Ha! 

Counseling... on Saturday with my amazing therapist.  I've been seeing her for two years and I am so grateful that I have that time each month (usually twice a month) where I can focus on myself and how life is going for me. This week I shared with her my Noom journey, how I've lost 17 pounds and was able to celebrate my NSV (non-scale victory) of my wedding ring fitting again.  Setting NSV's is important since it's not just about losing weight. It's also about treating my body better, listening to her, and celebrating every little step forward. 

***

hahaha!

This week I talked to my boys about Fentanyl. How it looks like a fun, harmless (colorful) pill, or sometimes even looks like sidewalk chalk, but that they are to avoid it at any cost because even touching it can cause death. A scary conversation, but an important one to have. 

Sorry Dallas!

Josh and I talk about this a lot amongst ourselves and with our kids. 
Any job that they can earn a living with, is valuable to us. 
College is not required. 

This made me laugh out loud. 

***