Better Together

I was recently talking to an elderly man.  Very elderly.  He asked me, "have you met my wife?"  I said, "no not yet."  He said, "well, you see that dried cherry all wrinkled and small."   Hmmmmmmm, "yes I do."   (where was this conversation going)  "that's what my wife looks like. Tiny, small, wrinkly and the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.  I can't wait for you to meet her." 

I thought that was the strangest but sweetest analogy I've ever heard.  One reason I LOVE working with elderly, there are so many success stories.  And if you listen, there is so much to learn.  On how to love each other unconditionally and grow old gracefully, with a good sense of humor. 

The other day I pulled my hair back and Leah was like, "WOW MOM!"  WOW was right.  There wasn't a few grey hairs, their were clumps.  I am by no means the fashion queen.  (I had to borrow a friends clothes a couple weeks ago to look "classy").  I'm just me, and I like that.  But this grey hair thing, I am not a fan of.  So I called another friend that took care of the grey hair.  (good thing for friends :)

My point is, you can't stop this aging thing and there is no reason to.  It's the way God intended us to be.  As a mom, I want my girls to see us do it gracefully, embrace it, and with a good sense of humor. Every wrinkle has a memory.  Every grey hair must have something to say.  I pray Steve and I make it to the age of that couple.  And if so, I know we'll be more in love than ever.  Some things just continue to get better with time. 

Parenting Fail

Not sure what everyone elses kids do when they get home from school, but mine unwind.  Play a game, watch tv, today the youngest 3 played house.  I let them.  I figure they are entitled to relax and have some fun. Well, I've never had a child struggle in school, til now.  Ash always has something else on her brain, besides what she's doing.  So she rushes through things and rarely gets things right.  However it doesn't seem to bother her. 

So today she played, we ate supper and then she explained the pile of homework she had to do.  So we sat her down to get started.  Steve went out side, a few children followed him and we heard the snowmobile going.  Ashley was devastated!  So we struck up a deal.  1 math paper was all she had to do.  She was so frustrated she couldn't even add simple problems.  She finally got her bearings, we finished the paper, she got her snow stuff on and had the BIGGEST smile and said, "THANKS MOM!"  She's so happy!  This is a child that NEEDS the outdoors.  So, to say the least, not all the homework is done, but Ash is calm and happy.  And I'm hoping she can focus enough to read before bed.  If her teachers read this, I apologize :)  But I know they'll understand.

 

Love!

I dare say Brooke is pretty much healed.  A week after he surgery this is her.  In the snow and playing with her sisters (and dad :)  She wasn't about to miss out on the fun any more.  We are so blessed on her speedy recovery and good attitude.  She has her moments.  We call it "Princess syndrome" and we are working to rid ourselves of this yucky syndrome.  She might be the youngest, and we'll agree, she had a rough start, but she's here and as healthy as she's going to be, so she's starting to get over herself :)  Tough love!

We can't thank people enough for all the prayers, cards, gifts and meals we had.  The support always amazes us.  There is no much good in this world and so many kind, loving people.  We are so blessed!

 



 With all the snow days Brooke didn't miss any school, due to her surgery.  So that worked out better than we ever could have expected.  As much as the kids were sick of being home they kept very busy. 
Macy lost her first tooth! Thank goodness the tooth fairy was able to make it out in the bad weather.  We've had to have some talks with the older girls explaining the tooth fairy can be "real" to a 5 year old and let's not burst her bubble just yet.  Let her believe in the magic for a little while :)

The other girls kept busy with crafts and baking.  Megan made a diaper cake for a friend of ours having a baby this spring.  She also made a quilt that she's going to give to someone and went to great grandma's and made herself a maxi skirt.  That girl has some talent.

Ashley baked EVERY DAY!  Not just box stuff, she went for the real butter and cocoa.  Oh boy is all I can say!  Once they went  back to school I had to dust off my treadmill after all that eating.  She asked the other day if she could bake and I said, "NO!  Not till I can get my jeans back on."  Another talented little lady.  So happy they were able to channel all that snow day energy into doing something.

Once school started Ashley had market day.  I love that day!  The kids get to make something.
They have to figure the costs, what it'll take to break even and then they all sell their products.
The kids have such great ideas.  Ashley made stress balls, which after all the snow days I think
the parents were wanting to buy them. She sold out and made a profit of $18.00.  They also all
donate a certain percent.  What a valuable lesson!




 Last is making the best of this season!  Steve got Megan out skiing.  He took her on Tuesday after school with a friend and her dad.  To our surprise on Friday she was back out there with her friends.  Steve went with Friday just to make sure she did ok, but he texted me, "haven't seen Megs in 1 1/2 hours. She's having a riot!"  Yeah Megan!  We are excited for her because she was SOOOO Scared to ski but finally decided she wanted to try.   So to watch her overcome this fear and enjoy it so much is fun!  This is the perfect year to learn :)

 It's fun to watch the girls at their stages of life.  Learning new things and enjoying life.  Saturday night Steve and I went away over night.  The girls wanted to stay home alone.  Our initial reaction was, "no!"  But then after thought we said ok.  Leah had a friend over and grandpa and grandma were right next door.  The girls had soooo much fun which I am so happy about.  They CAN get along if the want to :)  What made me laugh more was Leah.  Her comment when we got home, "do you know how many dishes get dirty in 24 hours? I did the dishes 3 times!"  I think it's ok when we leave.  They NEED to learn, Steve and I are not as lazy as they think we are.  We actually do things around here!    Love these ladies!!