The Well Rounded Mama

A Tree House Breakfast

It's a long weekend for us here (though I can promise you it isn't because it is Memorial Day in the States).  A long weekend means extra family time!  Friday morning, after talking with Grandma on the computer, we had a nice breakfast in the tree house. Simple pleasures.

A gorgeous morning at the house we love so much

Caleb wore his superhero cape

We ate Yummy Cinnamon Baked French Toast

Even scary crazy doll had to come in her {not so}high chair

And Levi brought his baby too, of course

Alaina wanted to make silly faces at the camera

Naturally Maggie wouldn't let herself be left out of the festivities

We chatted and ate and drank coffee

And Katie was puffing up her chest to say something

A wonderful breakfast with wonderful people.  Man, I love my life.

RADICAL

I listened to this series a month or two back. Jason is listening to it now. And we look forward to reading the book. It has played yet another part in sharpening a fuzzy vision in our hearts and minds. We refuse to waste our lives on things that will not last. We're just praying for vision, wisdom, and clarity to know how God does want us to spend our lives.

P.S.  Sorry the video embedding doesn't fit.  Click on the video to be taken to youtube

A Long Few Weeks

The past few weeks have been a little crazy, but I think the end is here.  I finished up my last big project today.  Note to self: don't let your computer crash...EVER.  And if you do, make sure you have EVERYTHING backed up.  Thankfully, in the end, not much was lost.  I had all my photos backed up (I am pretty good with those) but many of my files were not.  The Apple guys were able to restore most of it.  The only files that weren't recoverable were things that were actually lost before my computer crashed...not sure if that was due to some foreshadowing of a hard drive failure or if my two year old was playing in my office again. Anyhow, its all over now and I will be even better about backing up my files. Because that was NOT FUN.

Jason's work year is also winding down.  His last big event of the year was last Thursday (for which I made almost 300 cookies and packaged up 120 cute little cookie packs!)  Now that the craziness is over we can start thinking about SUMMER. Oh, blissful summer.  Three more weeks...I can't wait!  It will go fast though because there is a LOT to cram in the next few weeks.  Good stuff, though.  Good stuff.

This past weekend was great.  Jason took Friday off of work and so we enjoyed a three day weekend together.  It was great.  The kids have a new favorite activity: baseball.  Jason cut them a bamboo bat (how appropriate for Indonesia) and the kids have had a blast playing.  Maggie has also had a great time retrieving!

 

Have you ever seen such a cute self-dressed fielder??

 

 

And do you see little Levi making little catcher gestures??!?!
     

Today

FOR TODAY..

Outside my window...darkness   

I am thinking...how glad I am that my computer is finally back (even if I have tons of stuff to catch up on.

I am thankful for...a supportive and helpful hubby

From the learning rooms...kids are enjoying question and answer time at dinners.  Alaina is reading everywhere she goes.

From the kitchen...140 cookies made for the sports banquet...100 to go.

I am wearing...Comfy clothes.  What else?

I am creating...memories

I am going...to watch one Girlmore Girls and then bed...hopefully by 8:30!

I am reading...Too many things at once

I am hoping... to wake up with a better attitude than I go to bed with

I am hearing... nothing.  BLISS.

Around the house... Quiet, but lots of little reminders of the little people that share my house.

One of my favorite things...early bedtimes for the kids + time with the hubby at night

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dinner with staff tomorrow, sports banquet Thursday, Jason off on Friday! Catching up with work and graphic design projects in between.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

How about an oldie...since I don't have iphoto up and running yet. A year ago today.  Some things never change.

Today

Today I would really love to share photos from our weekend excursion to Malaysia, but my iMac is still in the shop and the color on my laptop (at least for Photoshop) is really messed up.  I learned very quickly last year that I can't edit on my laptop...so I will ever-so-patiently wait for my beloved iMac to return from the doctor and then I will share.  I will say, though, that we had a FABULOUS weekend.  I didn't even really want to go, but I am so glad I did.  Stepping away from every day life to spend concentrated time with the people you love is one of life's greatest pleasures.

So instead of a pretty picture recap, I'll just share this little list that I enjoy reading on other many other blogs. Taken from The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...Rain...I thought it had stopped.  But the rainy season has decided to stick around a bit longer and I wonder if life will ever be dry again.

I am thinking...that I am very excited for Jason to be home.  Two eleven hour days in a row makes me miss him so much.  Looking forward to a day off of work for him tomorrow.

I am thankful for... The opportunity to raise these four amazing kids.  Even when the days are long and hard, I am so very blessed.  I know not everyone has this opportunity and I will not wish it away.

From the learning rooms...quietness.  We have, for the most part, ended our school year.  We will start again in July. Reading and math books will continue to come out, though.  It's only been a week and I already miss it all.

From the kitchen...Indonesian chicken, rice, and kangkung.  Really looking forward to dinner.

I am wearing...My "comfy clothes."  Perfect for the cleaning and sorting that went on today.  One room down...a bunch more to go.

I am creating... Nothing.  With my computer gone, I feel like part of me is gone too. However, it has been good for me to see how much I depend on it and how much I get done in other areas of my life when I don't have it.  Sorry MacBook, I just don't love you the way I love your big sister.

I am going...to bed early tonight.  At least I hope so.

I am reading... Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna.  A truly amazing read. I read in three years ago and it did not have the same effect on me.  Back then I was in a very different parenting stage (mostly worried about feeding, sleeping, clothing, sheltering, and keeping little ones safe).  We are now into heart-shaping and God-pointing and this book is EXACTLY what I need right now. I love a book that really challenges me and makes me think and DO.

I am hoping...for some clarity in some big decisions we are trying to make. And peace in the times of waiting.

I am hearing... rain outside my window and "the littles" playing "mom and dad" with their babies in the stroller in the garage.

Around the house... A few boxes are starting to surface as we separate stuff to throw away, give away, and keep.

One of my favorite things... The cool breeze that blows when it is raining.

A few plans for the rest of the week: A family day tomorrow and then some much needed work Friday and Saturday.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Caleb is very into setting up "surprises" for the other kids on Tuesdays (when they go into school for a class and he gets to stay home.  I thought it was sweet that yesterday he went and picked flowers for the girls' seats because, "girls like flowers." I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing my kids caring for each other and thinking of ways to brighten another's day.   And I LOVE seeing how happy it makes them when they have done something special. It truly is more blessed to give than receive.

Mini Mid-Life Crisis

I broke down last week.  Not in tears and sobs, but more in a "what in the world am I doing in life?" sort of emotional stare.  So many questions and dreams and longings and leadings and proddings and musings over the last few months have resulted in a mind that won't quit going and a heart that keeps aching. Last week, it just all came together and I felt worn down and without a plan.  I know that the desires of my heart are just to obey, but sometimes I just stand there with a dumb look on my face asking what in the world I am supposed to be obeying.  I have felt like I am traveling without a map -- yet with such a burning passion to end up at the right place.  I have no interest in seeing what others do and measuring my progress against that standard.  I just want to do what I am supposed to be doing, where I am supposed to be doing it, and the methods I am supposed to be doing it with.  And if I am completely honest, I think my past rears its ugly head and I also just want my Daddy (big D) to be proud of me.  I never managed with that with my earthly daddy and so I know I am a little too preoccupied with "getting it right."

Thankfully, God in His wisdom let me get to this point and then gently laid His hand on my heart and calmed me down. Almost immediately I was able to go back to the things that I know are true and the ways that I know He has led me and found a renewed sense of peace and purpose.  I may not know what the days and years ahead will look like, but I was reminded of my place in those days and years and I am passionate to live up to my fullest potential. I have a LONG. WAY. TO. GO. but at least I feel like I am back on the path, being sure that while I can't see far up ahead, I can see what is right in front of me.  And so I will just take one step and wait for the light to go ahead.  

I think my mini-midlife crisis is now over. At least for this week.

And Two More Pages...

...because I am stressed. And when I am stressed, scrapping always makes me feel better. It doesn't solve all the issues, but I feel like I can now start my day.