A new look at productivity

On a normal day, I am all about "the lists". I am not the type to actually write the lists down, I just have multiple lists that are in my head (on pretty paper, mind you) to which I add project upon project, activity upon activity, asking of myself more than 3 people could accomplish in any given day. The lists are filled with things that I think must be done, things that I want to do, things that won't ever get done and things that I dream about doing. I am essentially a slave to producing visible, quantifiable results. Over the past few days, I have not been able to accomplish any of the things on my typical lists. I haven't done any laundry, haven't cleaned a single toilet, haven't sewn or painted anything, haven't gone anywhere, haven't organized anything, haven't put anything away. However, what I HAVE done has still fulfilled me. I have played a computer game with Michael, I've gotten hugs and kisses from my kids because I was sitting down, I have helped Marky with her math homework, I have listened to many dramatically told stories from Meredith, I have snuggled with Michael and Maddie, I watched a movie with Meredith, I was able to sit and listen to the kids tell about their friends and their teachers. Sadly, these things never make it to the lists in my head. I have realized that I have been selling myself so short on what is truly enjoyable and important. Not that I don't ever do these things, I just never make them priorities. I listen impatiently, I snuggle for just a second, I am always too busy to help with homework, I never sit on the couch and watch a movie with the kids, I am constantly on the go, driven to accomplish necessary but not life giving tasks, all the while missing out on so much. I have been deceived into thinking that I am doing important things, when truly the most important things are being overlooked or done half-way. The truth of the matter is that the other stuff doesn't really matter as much, and it will get done even if I take the time out to just be with my family. Since I have had the misfortune (or fortune!) to have to be still and think about all of this over the past few days, I am determined to make a change. I need to change. Our home and my family deserve the best from me and I haven't been giving them that, even though I have fooled myself into thinking that I do. I'm looking forward to the changes that this foot injury has made me think about. I hope to become a slave to loving and being there for my family rather than a slave to my list. I know that the reward is going to be sweet. I've tasted it over the past few days, and it has been decadent.

Just sitting around

I am on the injured list today. yesterday i was working on a really cool painting project at church, and I wasn't being very careful. I over-extended my reach and fell off of a step ladder. I landed on something very hard and fractured a bone in my heel. I am in pain, and I'm so irritated at myself for being such a clutz. big sigh. i am couch bound for a few days, and I have the use of a pair of crutches as I can't put any weight on my heel. The doctor gave me a splint to wear once all of the swelling goes down. The good news is that if I stay off of it for a few days, this type of fracture will usually heal quickly. No cast is required for that reason too. So for the next few days I am going to be just sitting around, not something I'm used to. Maybe I will enjoy it so much it will become my new way of life! Marky told me that if SHE "got" to just sit around all day she would have so much fun - she would read, do her nails, do a spa... maybe I'll try the spa idea tomorrow!!

In love

I am SO in love with this I want to marry it. Or buy it. Or just look at it for a long, long time.

Princess Meredith

This morning was the first morning that we implemented a routine for getting ready for school. Last week was so sporadic as far as who was going to school and when that it would have been pointless to even try to get a routine going. Over the last few months, I've been teaching Meredith how to make her bed by herself. Naturally, making her bed falls within the morning routine, so we went upstairs to do just that before getting ready to go to school. After much sighing and whining, Meredith said "I wish that I had a birdie to make my bed for me, just like Cinderella". Of course she does... *sigh*

Conversations

I overheard this humorous conversation today.

• Meredith: "Why do you go to Ron's so much."
• Maddie: "Because he is my dad."
• Meredith : "But what about Daddy?"
• Maddie: "Well, mommy used to be married to Ron and that's how he is my dad."
• Meredith: "That's different."
  
• Maddie: "If Mommy was still married to Ron he would be your dad too."
• Meredith: "That would be weird".

The end.

Oh Happy Day!!

The 2009 - 2010 school year started today!!! It was a great day for all of us, except for the fact that Maddie wasn't feeling very good. She had a fever when she came home from school, and I have a hunch that her second day of school will not be tomorrow. Maddie's teacher was especially compassionate towards her, and I know that Maddie felt well cared for on her first day. She is in class with her friends Rose and Nicole, and seeing them made her feel better. Meredith did so great when we dropped her off at her classroom. I am so proud of the little girl that she is - she is all prepared for kindergarten. When I watched her hang her backpack up on her hook, I had a moment of "mama pride". Not in myself, but in "us" - the Meredith/Mama team that has been persevering to get to this day. Manners, obedience, potty training, ABC's, phone number, all of it day in and day out for the last 5 years. Stuff that matters, some that didn't, but it's all for this moment - kindergarten. She's ready. I know that Mrs. Lemon is going to enjoy teaching Meredith this year, she really is such a delight. Although I did tell Mrs. Lemon that Meredith already knows everything. *smile* Marky is a big 5th grader, the oldest grade in the school now that 6th grade has joined the middle school. Boy, did she look and act like a 5th grader today. She even did Meredith's hair this morning! We met up with her good friend Grace on the way into school this morning. I thought it was particularly precious that they grabbed on to each other, holding hands and whispering nervously, as they joined the other students on the school grounds. Big girls in their school, little girls in their hearts. Michael and I sure did enjoy our day together. We took Molly on a walk to the park and had a picnic; Michael was especially talkative now that the "turns to talk" were all his!! After I picked everyone up after school, we spent some time with Grandma Oman, and the rest of the night we got caught up on the events of the day. Every once in a while one of the kids would say, "Oh, and I forgot about this..." All in all, it was a perfectly wonderful day. I am happy to say that I am hoping for many more just like this one.

Picture time!

A few weeks ago, my sister and her kiddos were in town for a visit. The kids and I joined up with them and my mom and dad for a picnic. My dad is a fabulous photographer, and my mom has a way of getting the kids to smile and laugh. They are a great combination when it comes to getting perfect pictures. Here are a few of them from our fun afternoon together.

Our weekend

• Sleepover birthday parties
• brunch for Mommy with her girlfriends
• "Pink Panther 2" movie
  
• pizza at Grandma and Poppop Oman's house
• a date for Mommy and Daddy
• jitter glitter
  
• sleeping in
• gardening
• laundry, laundry, laundry
  
• swimming - twice!
  
• library, Target, Lowes and Sprouts
  
• picking out school clothes
• talking about school starting
• Daddy baking cookies!
  
• tacos with our garden salsa
  
• being TOGETHER!!!
  

Trying to breathe

I am sitting outside on the deck, enjoying a few restful minutes while the little ones try to squeeze a few more minutes out of this day before I say it's time for bed. How can it be that those words represent my favorite words of the day and yet are the kids' least favorite words of the day? Strange. I can hear the rhythmic chant of the metronome coming from the high school behind us as the marching band practices for their upcoming season. Earlier in the day, I heard the school bells as they were being tested. Today has been one of those days that I would have paid large sums of money to the school district to start school early. Everyone is ready... most of all this mama. There was fighting, fighting, more fighting, some name calling, lots of tears and the inevitable spanking. When Patrick got home from work, the 2 little ones were the only kiddos home and they were both crying (more like screaming) about something. He asked me "Has it been like this all day long?" I nodded and said, "Yes, except it was X4!" I know that there are teachers out there who are trying to keep the school buses in their beds, but lucky for me the calendar must not be messed with and school will begin on Wednesday!!! WHOOHOO!!! We still have some birthday parties going on this weekend and we have plans to try to make it to the pool once more, but the school supplies are in the bags and the first-day outfits have been chosen. I was telling the big girls today about the first-day-of-school=eve that my sister Lisa and I slept in our clothes for the next day and tried to lay flat on our backs very still so that we didn't mess our hair up. How CUTE were WE! ???!! Summer has been delightful. We have spent good time with family and friends, and we have made wonderful memories. I have gotten to read a lot and decorate in the house a lot - 2 of my favorite things. I feel like even though the summer has been busy, it has also been restful. The word "balanced" keeps entering my mind as I look at the past 10 weeks. At the beginning of June, I really wanted to try to breathe more. In all honesty, I do believe that I did just that. Now I hope that I can carry a restful spirit into the even more busier time of school. Three kids in school... WOW!!! I just can't wait to see how this year turns out! As long as I remember to breathe, like I tried to do this summer, I think we will all be just fine.

She's 10!!

For my sweet niece Brittany: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

• B - Beautiful
• R - Radiant smile
• I - Individual style
• T - Terrifically Tall
• T -Totally spectacular at shopping
  
• A - Accessories queen
  
• N - Never misses a chance to be herself
• Y - YOU are So amazing, Brittany-boo. I love being your aunt. I love you. Have a HAPPY 10th birthday!!!!!
  

Vacation in pictures - LOTS of them!!!