Week 40 Around Here {2019}

{October TBR}

{October TBR}

Taking... Wyatt to Spokane for Cystic Fibrosis testing with Josh. (I am so grateful he took the day off work to accompany us.)  Wyatt was a real trooper, so brave.  After the test we took him out to eat, which he loves, and then we went to Target.  We don't have a Target in our home town, so Target was a big treat for me! 

Receiving... the best news from Wyatt's pulmonologist when she called to let us know that his sweat test was negative.  This means that he doesn't have regular, typical cystic fibrosis. 
He could still have a less severe form of CF, diagnosable only by genetic testing, but for now I am basking in the good news of his negative sweat test, and will plan on discussing if he needs further testing with his doctor when we see her again in December.

Running... the car through the carwash for the first time here.  It felt truly magical when it sprayed the car with a rainbow of soaps.  I felt like Carly, who always sees the world with a little extra sparkle.

Feeling... sad for Carly who is now scared whenever she is in the backyard after being stung by a wasp last weekend. I am hoping her fears fade with time.

Happy... for Josh who got to accompany our brother-in-law to the Seahawks game Thursday.  They had a super fun time and he so deserves to have some time to himself, enjoying life. He works so hard for us.  Thank you Bruce, Jennifer & Blake for taking him along! What a blessing!

Watching... I Don't Know How She Does It on Netflix, which I read (book here) over a decade ago in college.  Both the book and the movie are so good, and I love Sarah Jessica Parker, so I highly suggest you watch the movie if you like her too!

Rejoicing... at the news of my friend Tabitha's fifth pregnancy.  I literally gasped when I read her (super cute) pregnancy announcement on Facebook. 

Buying... Jack new shoes so he can run the mile faster in PE.  (His Vans were not providing the foot support he needed to get his workouts up to speed.)  He's improving his time bit by bit every week and I am so proud of him!!!

Reading... The Most Fun We Ever Had, and still loving it (it's just taking a while as it's 500+ pages) and listening to Nevertheless We Persisted on Hoopla. 
I also decided to make an October TBR list because fall is bumming me out a little bit, and having a list of books I want to read always cheers me up!  I have BIG goals this month- I want to read 13 books total, so I can get back on track for (maybe) reading 100 books this year.  With our move throwing off my reading/month numbers, I don't see myself hitting 100, but I bet I can get close, so I am shooting for the moon!  The pictures above (both on my book cart and on my reading chair) are the books I want to read this month, and I have a handful of audio books I plan to listen to as well.
In addition to reading some good books and making plans to read more good books, I swung by our local Goodwill this week and found three new books to add to my TBR shelf.  The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Summer Island by Kristin Hannah and The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.  Super excited about all of those!!!

Thankful... for a happy package of large, colorful Fiesta Ware cereal bowls my mom sent.  It finishes out my collection of Fiesta Ware dishes and I can't tell you how joyful those rainbow stacks make me when I open my cupboards.

Enjoying... the zucchini bread that Josh made with tiny chocolate chips for us with zucchini he got from his parents' garden.  So yum!!!

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{hahaha!}

Around Here: Week 4

Finishing... the KonMari method in all the bedrooms of the house. I am now left with paperwork and memorabilia, which is both exciting and daunting.  I think the biggest difference by far is in our master bedroom (pictured above). 

Enjoying... how Ramona (our girl kitty) pays attention when Carly is down for her nap. As soon as I sit down with my lap top on the couch, she seeks me out and curls up with me.

Loving... the "embrace" sign that Josh's sister Julie made for me.  Embrace is my word of the year for 2017, and having it hang in my dining room will be just the reminder I need when life gets chaotic, crazy & loud.

Feeling good... about not swearing. I have been successful most days the last week.  I am on my way to being a better example for my kids and that feels really good.

Helping... Logan adjust to life after a second seizure. Just like after the first seizure, he has been complaining pretty consistently of headaches, and his teacher and I are working together to be sure that Logan feels safe and heard (especially at school) but also that he not come home every time he doesn't feel 100%.  I feel like I am making everything up as I go, but so far Logan seems comfortable, so I'll call that a win.  We're still waiting to hear back on follow up appointments for him with the neurologist. I promise to keep you posted.

Celebrating... Carly's first birthday this week.  The little sweetheart is just beautiful and brings us all so much joy.

Buying... a baby pen (not sure what else to call it???) for Carly after I caught her with two small legos in her mouth the other morning.  Life with three older brothers is rife with danger, and I think that little play area will be a great safe place for her to exist when I am otherwise occupied cooking, cleaning, or caring for her siblings.

Working hard... to meet Wyatt's needs right now.  The transition from three weeks of snow days (off and on) to school again everyday has been hard for him, but not in the morning.  Oddly, he's been struggling in the afternoon.  He gets home from school, where he has had good behavior and lots of fun, and just starts melting down over the tiniest little thing. Last night when he complained that he couldn't have cake when he wanted I just held him, sympathized and didn't let go as he sobbed into my chest. He cried for so long, but I could tell he felt better, lighter, afterward. Poor guy. It's been a crazy weird month for me, and I'm a grown up. I can't imagine how strange it's felt for him.

Snapping pictures... of the kids' first snow men. The twins wanted to be in the picture with theirs so they tromped back out in the snow in their basketball shorts to pose. Ha! The snowmen were very cute and the boys were proud. They built them on Monday, when we had no school (again! waaah!) because of black ice. At this point the number of missed days in January is getting ridiculous!

Taking... Carly to her one year check up and asking them to split up her shots. She was due for five (!) so we opted to get them a bit staggered.  Luckily she hasn't been extra cranky or anything after the ones she got yesterday. She is teething two teeth, however, and those are causing her to be very drooly and to wake up in the night. Mama is ready for more than two hours' sleep at a time!

And taking... Wyatt to the eye doctor where I found out that his prescription is getting less (smaller?) and there is a real possibility he could even outgrow his need for glasses altogether. That makes this mama (of three boys in glasses) nearly jump for joy!

Contemplating... a truth my friend Tabitha pointed out on her Instagram account earlier this week, which is that we are RIGHT NOW the youngest we will EVER BE.  Which makes RIGHT NOW the time to do ALL THE THINGS you ever wanted to do. It's a thought that never crossed my mind and now I can't stop thinking about it!

Prepping... for a big and meaningful February.  I have big goals for the shortest month of the year and I can't wait to share them with you.

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Momspiration

I spend my days parenting.

As the joke goes, "From Son up till Son down" 
I am on.

I have found myself as of late constantly thinking of two moms in particular who inspire me to do better, be better.  I am so grateful for the "momspiration" they provide.  I love that although we've never actually met, the support we give each other is the same as if we all lived next door.  (Which, by the way, girls, sounds awesome!)

Who are these lovely ladies?

One is Tabitha, or Tab, as I call her, acting as if we're the oldest and best of friends;

and the other is Ashley, who mama's five kids. 

(yes, we're using "mama" as a verb now... "it's what you do.")

These two girls are amazing.

They set goals;

They parent broods of small children;

They homeschool;

They try...

They fail...

They try again.

I love them for it.

Recently Tabitha has inspired me to let go of our morning TV.  I am loving how our days start without it, and know I wouldn't have had the courage to let it go without her "momspiration".  Ashley homeschools her boys like me, and she introduced me to our new history book, which re-inspired my homeschooling.  I have since re-read The Well Trained Mind, and am determined to take on classical education for the remainder of this year and for second grade next year.  (more on that to come...)

Throughout the day, as I fold laundry, wash dishes, wipe faces and clean counters, I think of these two mothers, going through the same motions, in their houses, with their children, and I feel less alone.

Needing some momspiration for yourself?

Check out Tabitha's life as a coach wife & you'll be thanking your stars for your mellow schedule.  Or check out her beautifully honest post about raising three under five.  

Ashley's weekly {around here} updates make me giddy when I see them every Friday and her monthly goals never cease to inspire me.

Thank you girls-- 

for existing, for parenting on, and for inspiring me just when I need it.

Virtual {{hugs}} all around!!!