4th birthday party for our growing-taller-by the-minute Elias. His “real” birthday isn’t until Thursday, but it worked out better this weekend.
Colder weather bringing constant fire.
First ski of the season in the yard. He didn’t wait a moment, and it didn’t bother him a bit that the grass was still poking through quite a bit.
A morning spent on puzzles.
This week we were blessed by a visit from my brother. He flew up from California for the long weekend. He’s a spoiling kind of uncle (I’m not sure if there’s another kind) so the kids look forward to his visits quite a bit. We celebrated Elias’ birthday while he was here.
I finished up doing the big winter/baby prep of all the kids’ clothes. Elias now has all 4T clothes in his drawers, and as I was folding them, I was thinking “he’s going to be swimming in these for at least another month!” However, that’s proving to be untrue. Look at that shirt on him.
Knut commented the other day as he was helping David clean up his room that David’s pants aren’t that smaller than mine. It’s true, he’s up to my shoulders now. I’m so blessed they’re growing, but I feel this daily reminder that it’s all going by so fast.
Speaking of growing up, Silje and I had another late night talk. She’s coming to me so much these days, and it brings me to tears how blessed I am as a mother that she continues to come to me with things on her mind. She still has had the frustrated or overwhelmed feeling, and as I listened to her, it dawned on me that Knut and I try to provide alone time for each other without the kids, but most of Silje’s activities are with her siblings or other kids.
You see, sometimes she would complain and I would focus on teaching her contentment, and I wasn’t hearing that she’s growing up and her needs are changing too. So I listened to her for awhile as we were snuggling in front of the fireplace. She doesn’t get much alone time without someone around, and when I really listened, it seemed that’s what she’s craving. So after Knut, Silje and I talking about it, we decided to raise her bedtime to 9pm, so after all the little kids are in bed she can stay up and read and just wind down from the day in some peace. It seemed like such an easy fix. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.
Knut and I are also pretty close to saying “yes” to a few barn cats this Spring. She gave me a pretty good argument, and I know she really, really wants some more animals around here. I think having some kitties to play with would draw her outside and into nature more as well, which I think is good for her.
Even though it’s mentioned last, I’m SO BLESSED to be past my cold! I’m feeling 100% better in the sickness area, although the 3rd trimester discomfort has sunk in. Still, I’m planning meals again with my clear head. School has been going fantastic, which I’m so giddy to report. I feel like this big, stuffy, fog has lifted from my head and I’m able to speak without hurting, and breathe without hurting, and I’m not going through 250 tissues a day anymore.
My cold lasted weeks and it was so difficult to deal with along with all the kids and household responsibility, and school responsibilities. I feel once again on top of things from laundry to meal planning to school to dishes. Thank you, Jesus for good health! It makes everything better! We went from the stress of harvest straight to the stress of “Mom’s sick” and for the first time in months, I feel like we’re back to some sort of normal.
Well, at least for a few weeks. If you can believe it, I’ve reached 34 weeks. (Reminder, previous pregnancies have gone to 40, 37, 36, and 39 weeks.) This baby isn’t too far off. I’m so blessed to have such an amazing pregnancy this time around. I do feel prepared for this baby, or at least I think I’ll feel ready in about another month.
When I wasn’t feeling well, I just about completely wiped out my freezer meal stash intended for after baby was born. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with energy and gumption to remedy that situation. I have a big freezer meal week planned.
I love this time of year. I love the constant fire in the fireplace. I love the smells in the kitchen of pumpkin bread and apple pie. I love the kids running outside at the thinnest layer of snow. Ironically, they much prefer playing outside in the cold to playing outside in the Summer. I have never quite figured that out.
I love that Thanksgiving is coming up. I love that I get to make pumpkin pie this year for dinner, as it’s one of my favorites. I love how it’s putting all these thankful posts on my Facebook feed instead of angry election posts. We are all so blessed.
How has God blessed you this last week? You can be less scatterbrained than me in your response, but I just love reading how God is meeting each of our needs in his own way. Please share!
Mom says
November 12, 2012 at 6:34 pmSo sweet to see Elias’ smile as he gets special recognition.
So thankful, also, that you are feeling better!
Elisa says
November 12, 2012 at 9:54 pmSigh. I just came on to read your blog as a little break from real life. We just got into a huge little fit here. I lost my temper at my 4yo. Overall – I’m stressed because I have only 23 days left before my husband is finally home from Afghanistan. But reading your post made me realize that my 4yo really just is craving Mommy’s attention and since I’m still nursing the baby and the 7yo is old enough to feel secure without my constant attention, the 4yo really just needs mommy time. Thanks for your thoughts, and the reminder. God bless you.
Astri says
November 13, 2012 at 4:12 amI’m here to give a vote in favor of kitties for Silje! Getting my first cat, after years of longing for one, when I was young is still something I remember as one of the most momentous events of my life. My favorite child in LA just got a kitten, and it’s making her ecstatic! Kittens for the cat lovers! Then post pictures of it for me! 😉