Filed under: Kids
We’ve been hearing birds, seeing Ranger chase the poor bunnies from our yard, and watching squirrels. All signs of Spring, right. We even raked up all the rocks the snowplow tossed onto the grass, exchanged our winter boots for puddle stomping boots, and put away sleds and car scrapers in exchange for trucks and bikes.
We painted little birdhouses that we plan to hang in the bushes, and want to sprinkle the corn from our corn table outside for the animals.
But then it snowed, ruined all our Spring plans. It was no fun clearing the driveway. The snow was too wet and heavy, and Rob’s back was too sore. So, I shoveled, hauled, pushed that snow to the fringes of the driveway. Then I promptly took a 2 hour nap.
We so want to spend our days outside; we’re just not happy with this snowfall. On the bright side, Noah suggested that we take some snow and put it in our freezer for when it’s all gone. Cute idea kid! We’ll do that.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I read the NPR book This I believe this winter and was moved to write my own. I probably started with about 4 different topics, some seemed to grand, others too personal. Through that process, came this:
This I Believe
I believe in the positive power of human touch. Human beings have basic needs: food, shelter and clothing. I would argue that physical touch is the fourth need. My belief has been formed by two important aspects of my life; my chosen profession as a physical therapist, and my life’s joy as a mother. I’ve always been in awe of the human body. Psalm 139:14 states that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I gained an enormous respect for the human body while learning via dissection during Gross Anatomy 101. But it has been in practice with my hands touching hundreds of human bodies to bring resolution of pain or dysfunction that I have seen the power in touch. On a weekly basis I touch babies’ only weeks old, teenagers with their piercings and attitudes, convicted felons, middle-aged busybodies, and the soft wrinkled bodies of the old. I am often told, as a relative stranger, of their lives struggles, of their joys, and of whom they love. Physical touch has the power to disarm, to heal and to connect. Humans are made to be touched.
I held my first son as a new mother, stroking his head as he drifted in and out of sleep. To this day, my son will stroke his hair when tired, and reaches to stroke mine for comfort when he is tired, scared or angry. My youngest son’s desire for touch is so strong that he sleeps in physical contact with me all night long. Every morning I awake with a beautiful little boy on each side of me, with four little hands and sometimes little feet reaching out to connect physically. I believe strongly that it is consistent and kind human touch that empowers these little boys to go out in the world and be confident individuals. They are grounded at home by the positive power of human touch.
Leah Polack 2009
I’ve been working full-time for the past 10 looooong weeks, and I’m convinced that it’s better for our family that I don’t work close to full-time until the boys are graduated from high school. Well, Rob would probably agree with the boys being in school, but I’ll hold out for longer.
I miss playing with them. There’s just not as much time when you’ve worked all day and then still have to cook, clean and get ready for the next day. I know they’ve missed the freedom and fun being at home with Mom allows. Although, they’ve been home with Dad a fair amount, and he always has some fun adventure up his sleeve.
Still, it was good to “get my foot in the door” so to speak, and the middle of winter was the best time, if ever to be working so much. Plus, we’ve seen how the stress of Mom working effects the household and we can strive to avoid that!
So those benefits I eluded to, as I see them are:
- More family time
- More time for free-play, projects, fun outings, outdoor play
- More naps for Mom
- Cleaner house and better food (actually I think I did pretty well, but it was a chore to be so organized and restricted with food since I wasn’t always home to cook it)
- Happier and contented kids and husband
I can truly appreciate being at home. I can see the benefits from this experience of not being there. Being at home is harder than being at work, but nothing is harder than being at home AFTER you’ve been at work. We’ll keep the nice balance we have going of part-time working, but more time at home!
Filed under: Food
We Rob and I tried some new flavors this week. The boys were not feeling adventurous. It was good, but different than the flavors we usually enjoy.
Sweet Spiced Beef (slow cooker recipie – yeah!)
- 1 # beef
- 2 sweet potatoes cut into half moons
- 1 medium red onion cut into wedges
- 1 can 28 oz whole peeled tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can chick peas drained and rinsed
- 2 cup fresh spinach
Combine all ingredients except chick peas and spinach in slow cooker. 7-8 hours on low. Last 10 min stir in chick peas and spinach. The recipie called for toasted almonds, but I didn’t add them. Serve over cous-cous.
Filed under: Kids
Today is the first day of Spring, and we’ve already had several nice days. I don’t know about your house, but at ours (meaning 3 men, 1 dog, and 1 neat and organized Mom) 4 of the aforementioned 5 track mud into the house on a daily basis. I actually wash my floor less because “what’s the use?”
It’s like the muddiest area of the yard just calls to those boys and sucks them it. Thank goodness for puddle stompers that can be left in the garage and the laundry room just inside the garage door.
I’m really excited though, and even a lot of mud can’t get me down. I love the outside just as much as any boy!
I worked the last 11 of 11 days. Crazy schedule and hardly the same thing twice. I’ve worked in the schools, at the hospital, taken a 4 day class, completed Unified orientation, and did an interview for the hospital.
I’ve had some amazing help. Grandma Carol, Grandma Barb, and Number 1 Daddy Rob; couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks a million!
But on to the fun stuff… I downloaded pictures this morning and found several that I did not take. Here’s a look.
I’m thinking string cheese?
Did they not like what I made for supper?
Lookin’ rough
What a cutie!
Well, I’m home now and only 1 more week of full-time and then I’m back to mostly home. I can’t wait!
Filed under: Family
of Science, that is. Of course, he should respect that I am a Master. Somehow that logic is lost on him.
Filed under: Kids
Noah’s got this thing for “family games”. Basically, a family game is any made up game that involves tape on the floor. We made up this running and matching color game up on the spur, and it was a big hit!
Harrison helped me put the potting soil into our seed containers. I didn’t start any seeds yet, it may be a bit too soon. But I found the most helpful idea for planting. Seeing how the seeds are so small; using a pencil tip to pick up the seeds and place them in the soil. I’m sure both Noah and Harry will be all over that. Haven’t decided where to put the seeds yet. Last year I think I fried them in Noah’s closet.
I got the idea to paint a chalkboard in the basement and ran with it. We framed it with yard sticks. It was a bit smelly, but both boys have been enjoying writing on the walls.
