Around Here: Week 47 2021

 {November 14-20th}

Applying... to be a substitute teacher in our district.  We are in need of more subs, and after signing Jack up for the Athens, Rome & Greek Isles trip next summer, I wanted to help make the monthly payments.  I am nervous (super nervous) both to work again, and to be in charge of a classroom of children, but everyone assures me I will do great.  

Listening... to The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast and being riveted by the story.  I identified with so much of the story that was told in terms of power hungry men, and the lack of accountability for leaders.  It helped me to see the sexist environment I was raised in.  After listening to all the episodes, I found this article by Rick Pidcock, and he shared how the church sees those who left, and how truly wrong they are. He says this, "We're not lost.  We're here. We finally see the hierarchy of your power games. And we're done with it. We've kissed it goodbye."  He goes on to say, "We'll never unfeel what we've felt. We'll never unsee what we've seen.  And because of that, we're free to open ourselves... with a complexity, depth and union that we never had in your hierarchy."

Deciding... we have to rehome Molly.  She ate the neck of my favorite dress this week as it was on the drying rack downstairs and I am just done. I am admitting defeat. I can't keep the kids' bedroom doors shut, shoes put away, socks hidden and sweatshirts hung up, and I also can't afford to lose any more clothes to this weird habit of hers. So I put a post on Facebook and Instagram requesting that anyone who thinks they could handle her to give it a go. (fingers crossed)

Watching... Logan shoot up past me, taller than me quite suddenly.  Jack has been taller than me (and is moreso every week it seems) for a while now, but Logan's growth has been a little more slow and steady. He is thrilled to be taller than me, but I have to admit that most times he or Jack enter the room, it takes me a minute to tell my brain that it's them, and not their dad. 

Giving... myself a shot for the first time in my life. After nearly two months waiting for prior authorization, my insurance finally approved my prescription for Ajovy.  In September I had 13 migraines, and in October I had 11, so I am praying that this injection will at least cut my number of migraines in half. (fingers crossed)

Drinking... coffee again after a long hiatus.  There's just something about a warm, creamy cup of coffee (ahem, mostly creamer) during the cold winter months that can't be beat.  So while I had given up coffee for some time, I have taken it back up again.  I'm only drinking instant, so the caffeine amount is low, and thus far it hasn't resulted in any panic attacks. 

Setting up... little trees in Carly and Wyatt's rooms after we spotted some (plus decor) that was really cheap.  The trees and ornaments for the kiddos was only $20 each, and they're so joyful to behold. Wyatt's is a real tree that was only $9.99 at Walmart and Carly's is a shimmery purple fake tree that was also less than $10. And hers even came pre-lit!

Loving... the sky lately. Gosh I really feel close to God, the world, my purpose, when I take a moment and notice the sky at sunrise or sunset. 

Wondering... what your favorite mantras are as I am compiling a list of mine that I want to put on flash cards to rotate through. A few so far:
I can do hard things.
I am brave.
I can trust my intuition.
I can trust myself. 
I can make good decisions.
I am enough as I am.
Everyone makes mistakes.
I am allowed to have needs.
Whatever happens I can face it.
I am my own. (My body is mine)
I am beloved.
I am worthy of love and acceptance.
I am normal. 
I love my body.

For when I am having anxiety:
I can't stay here forever.
That's not my problem. 
Horses not zebras.

Joining... Mine to Tell  to write on Tuesday and wanting it for all my writing friends. If you're interested we would love to have you join us. It's lead by two of the gentlest, smartest, most encouraging women (Ashmae & Kathy) and we meet once a week to write, plus you get access to their library of writing courses and author interviews. Let me know if you have any questions. I am SO glad I signed myself up for Mother's Day. 

Attending... four parent/teacher conferences on the same day.  We had half days Tuesday through Friday this week, and being the genius I am I scheduled all of my kids' conferences for Tuesday afternoon so we could spend the rest of break enjoying the early days off. First up was Carly, and I cannot say enough good words about her amazing kindergarten teacher.  She literally cried while trying to read a piece about what a joy Carly is to have in class, and I am so incredibly grateful to know my girl is in a place where she is so cherished.  Carly has learned more than I ever thought possible in two and a half months, and her teacher is setting a foundation for Carly's learning that will forever give her an advantage.  Gah. So lucky.  Then we went to Wyatt's conference, where his teacher attended the conference with an empty folder (literally empty). She said she had nothing to discuss about Wyatt, no concerns.  He is an amazing kid, a wonderful addition to the classroom and when he is absent the whole environment feels different. I am so proud of him and so thankful (again) for a teacher who values what he brings to the class. Afterwards I took the little kids to the Book Fair and they each got to choose a book and a trinket, and I stocked up on some books for our Christmas Eve tradition. 
Once we all got home, I scarfed lunch down, and had my online Zoom with all of Jack's teachers.  They said he was a pleasure to have in class, respectful and a good kid.  But they also said he is quite chatty and could totally be getting all A's.  He has the ability.
Next up was Logan's Zoom meeting and his teachers said he is always on time, respectable and a good student. He does what he is asked, but he doesn't always ask questions he has. So we're hoping he will work on that. But I was so blown away by how positively the twins are received by their teachers. I am such a proud mom. 

Enjoying... rainbow bookshelves, and loving how much Carly enjoys drawing rainbows and coloring everything red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.  She's my favorite. 

Feeling... all the feels and having all the heart eyes for my husband who hung Christmas lights for my birthday. Thanks, babe. 

Making... sentences with Carly using her heart word (memory words) flashcards.  The joy on her little face when she reads the words is beyond precious.  I love watching her learn. 

Prepping... tubers for winter storage. And dang if it isn't a lot of work.  Good thing I love the dahlias so much!

Loving... on George. He is just the sweetest, most easy going cat. Especially right now compared to Molly who is the bane of my existence. 

Celebrating... my birthday with a homemade cake, lots of love on social media and roses from Josh.  My day was exactly what I had hoped.

Sending... Carly to school on three different days wearing brown, thinking it was brown day. Haha! I think I finally got it right the day before Thanksgiving. I'm not sure what was happening. 

Hosting... all the friends for the boys this week.  Wyatt had a friend over and the twins had their twin friends over.  We even let Logan and Jack have their first sleepover. They rearranged all the furniture to create the most epic gaming table. I don't think anyone slept more than a few hours, but oh they had fun!! So happy to be helping my kids make these memories with friends. 

And finally, heading... to Wenatchee for a family celebration of my birthday.  My mom and sister are the best party planners.  They let me be as involved as I want to be, and if I don't want to make decisions (about my own birthday or my kids) they will just run the whole show.  It's their magic talent.  This year I suggested maybe doing some art or Christmas decorations, and my sister took that idea and ran with it.  There were wooden rounds that we painted for ornaments, glass balls we filled with paints and shook to create the most beautiful bulbs for the tree, as well as two sizes of blank canvas that we could paint on. It was a crafting feast and I had so much fun!!! 
In addition to an awesome activity, my mom ordered a sub sandwich platter which was delicious (!) and she made homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting (all from a recipe her mom used) and it was so amazing. 
They had decorated with pictures from my childhood, including me riding an elephant, which my kids thought was amazing, and me with all the dolls I recently unveiled for Carly to play with. (My American Girl dolls, as well as my OG Cabbage Patch doll, Mary Rose.) 
My niece Romy painted pictures for me, (Funny story- my sister's sons knew that my name wasn't just  Shelly.  That I had a "real" name and Shelly was only the nickname. Ferris was asking Roxanne about it and he goes, "What's Aunt Shelly's real name again? Shelda?" And it stuck. So now whenever they can, they call me Shelda and we all have a good laugh.) And my mom made an elephant Lite Brite picture that I immediately noticed and loved. 
I love elephants. They're my favorite animal. I have loved them ever since (when I was in Alaska) my mom and I both read Leaving Time (and the eBook Novella called Larger Than Life) and were so impacted by the story of mothers and daughters and how those same relationships play out in the lives of the elephants. 
I was spoiled by gifts (a puzzle, yoga pants, socks, real grown up perfume, and even my own OPI nail polish Advent calendar... the list goes on...); the grandkids all got to open their advent calendars and were spoiled with cousin time; and I left feeling so full, so loved and so grateful for this family of mine, and this life I lead.
When I blew out my candles, as has been the case for the last few years, I simply wished for, "More." More of this, more of them, more of us. Cause it's all so good. So very good. 

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Laughing... at Carly pranking our family by swapping out the real Lawry's seasons salt and the McCormick's cinnamon with Wyatt's mini brands collection.  She thought she was so clever when she asked Josh to reach the cinnamon and he couldn't find it.  

See the tiny Lawry's?
And the tiny cinnamon on the top right shelf?

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