The Cunningham Family

{April 20-26th}

Go Mariners!

Can you spot Milo & Wyatt's hiding spot?

Jack's MIND ice bucket challenge

The Tuckerham's

Book Club!

Fixing a broken sprinkler

Do you see the foam heart inside the mug?

"Still, what I want

in my life is to be willing

to be dazzled- to cast aside

the weight of facts and even

to float a little above this

difficult world."

-Mary Oliver

Taking... advice from @happy.human.life on how to relax my nervous system. I learned that spending even 60 seconds outside is good for us. Nature resets us, and as little as one minute can be impactful. Another thing you can do is to lay flat for two minutes because being flat on your back signals to your nervous system that it's "safe to relax". The last bit of advice was to listen to one song with your eyes closed because music regulates the stress response. So if you are feeling stressed, try one of these and see if it can help. These small recovery windows are important because stress compounds, so we have to work to combat it.

Reading... The House of my Mother by Shari Franke (Ruby Franke's daughter) on audio, followed by More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova. Then I started Harold by Steven Wright, which is the cutest, most interesting book. It's the uncensored thoughts of a little boy (a third grader) from the 1960's and I was riveted. I am reading Tiny Beautiful Things in my hand, which I only have ever listened to. Both are amazing (the book is so good!) but I am a huge book nerd and love to be able to underline things that speak to me, so reading it in my hand has been really satisfying.

Spending... Easter at my mom's with my parents and my sister's family. The twins did an Ice Bucket Challenge, which was fun, and we did a big easter egg hunt. The food and company was fantastic and I was happy to have a holiday together. It's been a minute. I always love my parents' yard in spring and summer. So many beautiful flowers to photograph and the kids played hide & seek, so that was extra fun too. Especially the picture I got of Milo & Wyatt hiding in my dad's giant white flowered bush by the front door. Cousin time is just so fun.

Grateful... for Josh who buys me hanging pots every spring for our front porch. I showed up home this week and there were two hanging pots full to overflowing with pansies. Swoon.

Trying... to let Carly have a little more freedom with her hair. I may not be entirely ready to let her do it herself yet, but I at least allow her input and try to complete her vision for her. She's so cute and her ideas are so specific. Sooner than later she'll put me out of a job.

Subbing... for my student teacher mentor and man alive, I just love their class. They were cracking me up and the way they light up and yell my name when they see me? Melts my very heart.

Watching... Josh fix our broken sprinklers and feeling grateful that he is so damn handy. I especially lit up when I looked out at one point and Jack was out there with him.

Playing... outside in the front yard as much as possible after school everyday. We are so giddy to see the sun and there's nothing like laying in the grass and goofing around to shake off the stress of the day.

Proud... of Logan for umping for little league in our town and putting up with obnoxious people. I will be honest, I worried a little bit about Logan because all three of my boys played little league, and there were times that we (and others) disagreed with the high school umps' calls. But he has been super professional and is able to stay super focused on the game. I just feel like I could explode from the pride I feel in him.

Sending... the twins to school this week to take their Science SBA, which is Washington's state test. They are done with English and Math (they took it in tenth grade) but they needed the science one. I have mixed feelings on state testing. On the one hand, it's what the state uses to assign money to our schools, so I know it's important, and it can show growth in certain students (those whose first language is English, for instance, and who are good test takers); but it can cause undue pressure on our students, and I do tend to think too much emphasis is placed on it. But I don't know what the solution is, and my kids test okay, so they all take it. This will be Carly's first year taking it (it starts in third grade) and I'm anxious for how she does.

Chatting... with my counselor this week which was needed, as always. She told me that if I am only sleeping 5-6 hours, I'm spending most of that time healing physically. It's during the second half of the night that you heal emotionally (ie your nervous system) and that's why getting 8 hours is so important.
We also talked about control. And how I feel like I don't have any. She said the funny thing is that I never actually had control. It just seemed like I did. But she reminded me that I can decide how I want to respond to my kids' actions. And that was empowering.
I had a lot of mean self talk this week and she was so kind telling me that I am an amazing wife and mother and that I have this job (subbing) that has so much meaning. And that I would NEVER talk to my sister the way I've been talking to myself. So I need to keep that in mind. When those negative voices show up, tell them to get lost and practice saying to myself the things I would say to Roxanne.

Anxious... to sub in fourth grade at a school that isn't Groff students. But I have to say, it actually went pretty well! I am always surprised how much I enjoy the older grades because my comfort zone is definitely kindergarten and first grade. But the upper grades are so amazing. They are funny and understand sarcasm, and are so much more independent. It just takes a little longer to win them over, that's all. (I will note, however, that skittles and their school reinforcement tickets help!)

Seeing... things through the lens of love and deciding to move on, forgive and let go, even though that doesn't necessarily come easily. With Josh it does, because I've had 25 years of practice at not sweating the small stuff... but with my kids it's definitely more of a challenge. But if they can forgive me when I'm snappy or moody, I can do the same.

Taking... care of Jack when he was home with a migraine. The migraines this kid has started having this year are the worst. I wish I could fix it.

Attending... our final book club at Becky's house as she's moving to Utah. I can't believe how long we've been friends! It was so much fun- we got pizza and ate and chatted and talked about our book, and then we got really deep about marriage and motherhood, and they were so loving and supportive and I was so thankful.

Being... constantly blown away by Wyatt's brain. One of Josh and I's favorite things to discuss is conversations we've had with him. The way he thinks and sees things is just so incredible. I'm so grateful he's ours.

Wanting... to share with you that The Besotted Bookworm is a fantastic follow for warm, uplifting, nature-y, bookish things. If you need a soft place to land on the internet, their Instagram account is perfect.

Skipping... gymnastics after school on Friday when Carly suddenly came down with a migraine once she got in the van. Oh, she was so upset to miss, but was absolutely miserable. She ended up throwing up twice, which is normal for her, and thankfully she felt better after that, poor baby.

Going... to my first ever paint party at a local coffee shop on Friday night, and having a fun time, but also realizing that painting is not my jam. One day, when I'm all grown up (hah!) or my kids are all grown up, I dream of taking an art class at our local community college because I have no artistic ability when it comes to painting or drawing, but for now I know that it stresses me out too much to enjoy it. But I was somewhat impressed with my painting. And Carly's delight in it made my heart swell. She about jumped up and down when I said she could have it to hang in her room. Oh that girl is the best.

Opening... the downstairs closet and getting a big surprise! Carly had organized the whole thing. All the shoes and sweaters and bags. When I asked her why, she said, "To surprise daddy". Awww!

Setting... out chore lists for the boys for after school since I've been at work many afternoons lately.

Plant shopping... after drop off Friday morning and getting both some plants (for planters by the front door) and some fresh flowers for vases in the house. I got red tulips for the kitchen table and pink daisies for Carly's room, which delighted her to no end when she came home.

Worrying... for Jack when he came home from his friends' house with both an ingrown toenail and a somewhat sprained ankle. This kid is falling apart!

Happy... when Jack was able to join Josh and his brothers in driving to Seattle on Saturday for the Mariner's baseball game. Baseball is kind of the guys' thing and I hated to think of Jack missing it. He was so glad he went in the end, and they all said they had a great time! Josh is just the best dad and my boys are so blessed to have him.

Relishing... a girls' day with Carly, getting J's Teriyaki (and Wendy's for Carly) for dinner and Baskin Robbins for dessert. It was such a nice, slow paced day, just the two of us. A nice way to start the weekend after her terrible migraine Friday.

***