Today I NEED

to remember what I am grateful for about my children.

- they exist
- their smiles, collectively and individually
- their generosity towards others (except EACH other, but we'll overlook that for now)
- their memories (it's really amazing what they can remember)

Don't worry - I haven't forgotten about you...

Been sick & trying to stay off the computer. Ya know, be with the kids, make stuff, clean stuff. I accomplished a little bit of each of thoset things. No pics yet though. This makes me a completely boring blogger. I realize this. However, since I'm not expecting an audience at all, I'm okay with being a boring blogger. One day I will turn this blog into a showcase for all my delightfully crafty things. But that's not today. or night, as the case may be.

Gratitudes:
- a LOVELY park day
- littlest one cuddling Daddy to sleep (a novel thing!)
- a clean house (is it possible that I only blog after the cleaners have been through? Maybe it's then that I have time to ponder since I'm not desperately trying to keep up after the girls?)
- my health

I am so horrible about gifts...

My husband and I are a horribly matched pair. He likes to buy / give expensive, extravagant gifts. I ask for simple things: a book, a new coffee pot, etc. So what happens? He goes & gets an extravagant gift (a new digital camera this year), & I feel too guilty to use it. It cost 10 times what the gift I *asked* for cost! So since mother's day, I've used my camera once. Then he gets hurt feelings that I'm not using his thoughtful gift. sigh. happens every time.

Gift choosing and giving is so slippery. Even with a spouse. Especially with a spouse. I can never choose the right thing for him either. Probably because when his birthday rolls around, he goes out & buys himself a birthday present.

That's it for deep thoughts today. Here's my good things:
- a baby that sleeps for 3 1/2 hours - yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- a beautiful day in the perfect temperature for the park
- energy at the end of the day to clean the kitchen clean enough that I won't feel like I'm behind the ball come morning.

One day I'll overcome my gift insecurity & bring you a picture from my new toy...

Camera - knitting no go

I taught myself to knit. a little bit. I was so excited that I finally got "purl" that I wanted to run here & shout my glory. but I couldn't find the camera. & really what is showing off knitting without a picture? so I put it off & then I forgot. & well, now that I have a moment where the baby is sleeping, the littles are engrossed & I can see the camera from where I'm sitting...I just realized that my knitting bag is in the car. A simple task really, but I. just. don't. want. to. move. Been there before? I know if I get up, this moment will be lost. I'll realize that the laundry needs to be switched, someone will hit someone else & the baby will wake up, rendering me once again without a moment to photograph my knitting. So you will just have to imagine it. My newbie knitting, with dropped stitches and all, but with all the excitement and possibilities a new craft brings. You'll just have to come back another day for a picture.

Mother's Day, 2009

Man, I've been wanting to post but not making time for it the past couple of days. Sorry.

Today:
- a "doze" by myself, as well as a solo shower
- a visit to the yarn store. I left empty handed, but it was fun to look @ touch!
- a really nice day outside w/ the girls saying things like, "this is the funnest day ever!" & very very little fighting!
- all the beautiful homemade mother's day artwork I could want!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!

Garden goodness

I didn't even have to wait until the end of the day to post today's goodness! I have zuchinni! WOOT! In less than a week they will be big enough to eat! YEAAAAAAA!!!!!!! Oh, you want proof, do you?

Feeling a little sad...but it isn't bad

Lately I've really been nostalgic for the twins' toddlerhood. I see how I missed so much in the moment. Too busy trying to do it all, that the enjoyment was stifled. I'm so sad that time is gone & I feel like I barely have memories of it all. I'm sure my lack of memory is partially due to sleep deprivation. Nevertheless, I'm desperate to not let it happen now. 5 is still so young. When they are graduating high school, 5 will be little, infancy a fog. So I'm trying to say yes more often & give the finger to the housework. Something I should've been doing for a long time now. Of course, it helps to know that every 2 weeks, the house gets a scrubbing by someone other than me, and that makes it easier to let it go. Today was cupcakes. Someone had been asking to make cupcakes since Friday. We finally had enough minutes in a row to do it. It was frustrating, as usual. (too many cooks in the kitchen) but we DID IT. and they were delicious.

another toughie...

until about 6pm tonight, I probably could've offered any number of "good things" about today. things crashed and burned around here after dinner & man...I'm having a hard time pulling out of it.

I'm doing this though! Good things:

- accomplishing things - big things

- time alone with my little one with nothing pulling me away from her

- the twinnies getting a visit with grandpa...and seeing how ecstatic they were to see me even after such a fun time for them

- a scrambled together dinner that was delicious

Hubby's good thing: coming home