Knitting again.....

Here are a few pics of my current WIPs/FOs

Clog Socks with Bearfoot Mountain sock yarn. WIP. Yarn gift from Shirley.

Lace Bookmark. Opal Neon. Gift for Shirley.

Log Cabin washrag - Sugar and Cream. WIP. Gift for someone!

Ballband washrag - Sugar and Cream - Mason Dixin Knitting - gift for Mother in Law.

Compassion

This picture was taken at the Riverwalk last October. When I was browsing photos for Sophia's birthday post, I came across this and knew that it deserved a blog spot!

I have been thinking about this whole child-rearing thing. As many of you might know, there are times when we look at our kids and wonder where the heck did that come from??!!?!? I tell them blue, they say green. I say dark, they say light. I say up, they say down. Yes, no. Come, go. Left, right. Dirty, clean. And on and on... You get the picture.

But then there are times when my heart just beams with love and pride for these children. An instance from this weekend...we were at a birthday party and there was a rather incorrigible little girl that (from the actions of the other children) was probably invited because kids are required to invite their whole class if they invite one. The girl didn't fit in, she was teased, sat to eat alone. My girls (who aren't in the class of the birthday girl, we are neighborhood friends) were creating chalk art on the driveway, and noticed the girl and her troubles. They approached her and invited her to join in their project. They treated her with respect and dignity. Oh my heart swells when I witness them being compassionate. I pray that they continue to cherish the value of love, compassion, respect, generosity. I thank God for these precious blessings.

Another funny thing from this weekend. I took Sophia on a Mommy Daughter date (Olivia and I have had a lot of one on one time lately, and Sophia has been a little left out). We went to a local Chinese buffet that serves crab legs on the weekend (WOO HOO). We ate crab legs only, hehe, till we were stuffed. Dipped in butter, of course! Then we went walking around, window shopping. Sophia fell in love with this little Gund stuffed dog, so I got it for her, and she named it Butter as a memory of our date together and the crabs dipped in butter! HA! What fun reasoning.

An explanation on the time I have been having with Olivia...she has been getting up with me at 6 AM every morning (a half hour before Sophia gets up) so we can sit together and read and snuggle. We don't talk, we just bask in each other's presence. It has done wonders for our relationship! We have gotten so much closer since we started that. It's difficult with three kids to carve out together time individually, and that has been an answer for us. Olivia's behavior has improved by leaps and my own reaction to her has improved. This is especially important as she nears those pre-pubescent years, hormones and mood swings. I feel like we are entering that stage on the right foot.

And Danny, well, he has me to himself all day long! But his time at home is getting short, and I just want to cherish every minute with him.....which is a total challenge right now!!!! When away from home, with other people, he is a total charmer.....sweet, polite, obedient, but at home! such a turkey! He is testing his boundaries and limits these days, which make for lots of time-outs and tears, but hopefully he will come out of this phase soon. He's still a lot of fun to be around, but it gets really intense!

It's Mt Washmore Monday....off to climb...Take it easy!

To the Working Moms

I have been a queen bee since giving birth to Olivia in 1998. My work has covered everything from nurse, psychologist, personal chef, house keeper, assistant, foreman, chauffer, referee, coach, teacher, playmate, event planner, launderer, and the list goes on and on....And so....I have been working at You're So Crafty a couple Saturdays a month but this week, I filled in two days. I love the job, and wish I could do it more. HOWEVER! I have gained a great amount of respect for women who work outside the home all day to come home to prepare meals, do homework, give attention, do laundry, etc...Wow. My hat goes off to you. This has really kicked my butt! I don't know how you do it.

Seven Years Ago...

Seven years ago, I gave birth to this kooky little monkey . She was born with dark hair all over her body and really long toes and fingers! She was a pretty easy birth, and was my largest baby at 8lbs 2 oz. It didn't take long to recognize a mischeivious glint in her eyes. She loved playing with her big sister Olivia who doted on her day and night....until Sophia got big enough to earn the title of pesky little sister! Sophia is full of vinegar but plenty of sugar too! She is sweet, loving and caring, definitely interesting to be around. She has a passionate love for animals that I haven't ever seen in a child her age. She wants to be a vet when she grows up. She is a very hard worker applies herself to everything she does (except maybe clean her room!). The following are several pics in which her personality shines through....enjoy!

They Say it's Your Birthday.....

Did someone say BIRTHDAY????
We're having a triple birthday - Sophia and her two cousins.
There are 60 cupcakes on that thing!

Sweetness!

Daddy and Sweet Yaya.

Here is the BOY, asleep in his own bed!

Doing the Happy Dance!!

My very BIG boy, Danny Jr, has tackled a great big accomplishment in his life. Due to our small home, and our lifestyle choices of extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping (breastfeeding was over in Nov '05), Danny has slept with us since he was born. The girls were each "kicked out" of the bed when their new sibling came along, but since no one replaced Danny, he lingered around much longer. We had a toddler bed for him, but he didn't like it, so never slept in it. Later, we got a twin sized bed, which fits into a corner of our bedroom. He never really wanted to sleep in it until.......12 days ago! We set up a chart for him - sleep in his own bed for 28 days, and he will receive a reward of his choice (he said he wants a train, so we got off easy!). Danny has slept in his bed every night for the last 12 nights...he goes into it peacefully, no arguments, and falls asleep immediately, doesn't wake up during the night, and wakes up in a good mood! WOOHOO! And an added bonus is Mom and Dad getting the best rest they've had in years! This has been a great transition in our home.

Knitting Blah!

For some weird, unexplainable reason, I am having trouble picking up my knitting! I can knit, no problem, for my class, but at home....I just can't seem to do it! There are always a million other things to do! This ever happen to anyone besides me? My brain feels a little...challenged....lately.

I think I might know a little of my problem....I get bored with plain, repetitive knitting. I need something with a challenge, but I need concentration for that. I have none! My mind just wanders to other things. To-do lists, the kids, the books I am reading, blogs I am following, what stuff goes out of the house next...you get the picture. I think I have to do some de-cluttering of the mind and heart! HA! (I wonder if I can count that towards my goal of a thousand?!?!)

A Few Things That Matter...

Life is sacred:
Live on Purpose.
Be intoxicated with this world and astonished with the world you imagine.
Growth is a Journey...
Success doesn't require arrival.
Want what you already hold.
Give no place to public opinion.
Delight in your friends.
Practice the art of doing nothing.
Embrace moments of grace.
Give the child in you a wide sky.
Understand that laughter is prayer.

This was on a wall hanging in the shop I work at. It's by Terry Hershey.

I was really struck by these words.

Peace out.

Wisdom

A few years ago, my spiritual "mom" who is a very special person in my life, told me that if there is any one passage in the bible that I should memorize, the following would be it. I admit, I never did memorize it, however, I still have the original index card , stained and crinkled, in front of me. These words were important then, and even more so pertinent to the current affairs in my life. So, read and soak in these profound words that are found in the precious Word of God.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and in purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Phil 2:14

What's Happening?

I have been spending more time reading blogs and less time writing them! The following are a few pics of the happenings around here.
Here are the girls with their cousin, Sylvia, who spent spring break with us.

Here is Danny with the easter egg hunt bag. (note no easter baskets were bought, we used bags that we had!)

Here's me with my brow stud, if you haven't seen it yet! : )

A lace bookmark that I made for a special friend.

We have been de-cluttering and cutting consumerism! Another thing to keep me busy!

Today I went to a new restaurant here in town, called Nicoya. It was absolutely fabulous! The food is Nicaraguan - the environment is bright and cheerful, the presentation, impressive. Our town has been in need of something fresh and new like this.