I Don't Need a Glass of Wine.

I need a cup of strong coffee. 

These pictures are fuzzy and so is my memory. Homelife is stressful these days, and DEFINITELY more challenging than last year. Two toddlers means someone is always in danger, making a huge mess, soiling their drawers, rejecting their nap, throwing their food, or worse yet, silent in the adjacent room. Toddler silence may as well be a funeral march; it only signals impending doom. I have had to let so many commonplace components of my "old life"  slide. And, importantly, not because I choose to play with the kidlets or to have a bubble bath in lieu of maintaining what used to be, things slide because I have no choice but to watch them fall right over the edge into the abyss as I cling to a series of motions that just try to keep the train on the tracks. 

Things That Have Slid: 

(Including but not limited to)

Appropriately-timed hair highlighting sessions.  

Shower grout mildew elimination (ew). I am shamed. Our shower looks like a tic-tac-toe board.

Ironing. I don't think I have ironed anything in a year. 

Scratch baked goods. I used to scorn tube dough. Humility!

Thoughtful presents. This year The Counselor received a delicious heart-shaped pizza from Jet's. It was awesome, but there was nary a handmade card in sight.

I guess its good to be out of your own head, feeling unselfish and whatnot. But here's to easier days and an end to 60-day balance notifications (!) somewhere in the near future. 

 

2015: I Resolve

1. To focus my energy on what matters, and to better identify the things that do not. 

2. To utilize more efficiently my time, for the primary benefit of my family's well-being. 

3. To purge our home of unnecessary items, and to avoid replacing those things with other impulse purchases.

4. To avoid indulging in activities, statements and projects solely for the accumulation of praise.  

I think that's a good start. 

It really is...

...a wonderful life. 

This Christmas will go down in the books as one of the best ever! Just add toddler for a joyous holiday season. 

...and marshmallows!

Christmas is for Kids

But adults are the real winners. 

 

Merry Christmas!

Congratulations, JerBear

Today, my husband met his billable hours requirement. This is a badge of honor for lawyers. Good job, honey!

He met his requirements, even though I made him come home early last Friday, because our babysitter had to leave early, too.

Summer > Winter

Wouldn't you agree?

Blue Steel

Cold as ice, Samantha Jane Morris.

Jimmer is Two!

Yes, the coolest cat in town is two. Time flies. Jimmer loves peas with a little ranch dressing, milk and the venerable cookie. 

We love Jimmer pulling on our hands to show us something, his affectionate head butts, and his love of reading stories before bed. We love reading stories, too!

Samantha loves Jimmer's big hugs and hand squeezes. Most of the time. 

Happy birthday, James! You are the sweet in our tea and the pie of our eyes. 

April

So sorry, 2014 has been a bloggy dead zone...

And truth is, I'm not really engaging in any new commitments. Just the usual things.

1. Keeping Jimmer out of the pond. 

2. Teaching Samantha about puffs.

3. Keeping the boss happy with an occasional dinner.

And all the usual dentistry stuff, too.

This year, for Lent, I gave up purchasing myself anything material. Exclusions include food and drink and work-relate necessities.

I'm doing good! Its kind of relieving to go to the mall and realize that everything is off limits. There is some stress involved with the stress of the unnecessary purchase. 

And I just don't have time for that.

Ain't nobody got time for that. 

Samantha Politely Declines:

Cold breastmilk

Cold formula

Breastmilk/formula combinations of any kind, at any temperature

Reheated formula

Any formula other than Alimentum

The last two ounces of a bottle of any fluid or size, no matter how hungry she seemed at first 

Applesauce at the end of a meal

But she does love kisses. :)

There is Nothing Worse

...than trying to be a good parent when you are sick.

And your husband is away for two days for work.

And you are scared to sleep in your house alone.

So you don't sleep well, and like I said, you're sick.

And your darling minions are up early and full of energy and need mama.

And you have a work day with a sitter prepared and a big long list of things to catch up on.

But all you want to do is sleep.

And you are stuck at a Panera with the slowest WiFi you've ever seen.

But you can't go home because, well, the minions.

There is nothing worse.

Except for hyperbole.

You've heard it before, but..

.

Mother, O' Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth.

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due,

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek - peekaboo.

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew,

And out in the yard there's a hullabaloo.

But I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow,

But children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

(Song for a Fifth Child ~ Ruth Hulbert Hamilton)

Back in the Saddle

I won this sweet yoga mat in a raffle sponsored by the cutest blog: www.vintagesimplylove.blogspot.com The blog's writer, Janelle, might be the cutest, sweetest human being ever. And she has excellent taste! 

You can get your own "the mat" here.

I am so excited! I never win anything! Hopefully this will spur me back into a yoga routine...or a workout routine of any sort. Just before our wedding, I was doing this great yoga class at V Power Yoga...let me tell you, I was fit.  And I loved it. Much better than the 13-mile days I put in during the summer of 2005 for the Columbus Marathon. The first and only marathon I will ever run. Actually, I really haven't run since that marathon. Lesson learned.

I did some vinyasas today during naptime and when James was playing quietly. It felt good. I miss the flexibility I used to have! Good thing it can be regained...unlike the four minutes of my life I lost watching this. 

(Toddler not included.)

December to Remember

It's amazing that December is here already. The past months have flown by; these days it's hard to get my teeth brushed, let alone blog. I fully expect this to get worse. 

At least our tree is up on time. As I reflect on the passing Thanksgiving season, I am grateful for all those who are supporting us in this season of our lives. I am also grateful for the energy to continue to pray for the ever-growing number of friends and family who are ailing. It is good to know that our God is the great physician. 

And as far as doctors go, it seems that our celebration of His big Ob/Gyn doctor visit is just around the corner? 

See You in Four or Five Years

You're still the one, darling! I love you and still want to spend all my time around you. See you in four or five years when I am not up to my elbows in baby wipes.

Bestie.

Drosophila. Hot feet. Hair extensions. Obscure Richard Adams quotes. Star Trek. Makeup. Willie Nelson. Baby animals. Handlebar mustaches. 

Some friendships just keep on giving. 

Your vestigial wings won't ever hide your bright eyes and big heart. 

:)

Two Under Two: Week Eleven

We work hard for the money.

Two Under Two: Week Ten

We are coping with Jeremy's work-related absence the best we can. 

We miss you, Daddy! Really.

Nolan Anthony

Here's looking at you, kid.

Look at that sweet baby. My lovely sister, Kelly, welcomed her fourth lovely child on August 23. 

Kelly is good at lots of things.Making babies is certainly one of them.

And yes, you are correct, dear reader, I blogged about her birthday (September 9 

and anniversary (September 2) first though out of chronological order.

I was waiting for good, in-person SLR pictures, honest.

I think I got one.

And what a busy guy he is. So fast and furious the nurse had to catch him. 

Handsome like his daddy, quiet and strong like his mommy. 

Go get 'em little guy! Its your big day.

You have lots of adoring fans cheering you on.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord.

 "Plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

Jeremiah 29:11

And why not a Novena for good measure, courtesy of my cousin, Amy:

To Christ the Great Physician
We know that there is one physician:
Both flesh and spirit
uncreated, yet born
God in man
True life in death
From both Mary and From God
Subject to suffering and then impassible
Jesus Christ our Lord!

We ask O Great Physician, for spiritual, physical, and emotional healing,
especially my intention of Nolan Anthony Rindler.
You of both flesh and spirit

May we spend all of our days in your healing presence
You the eternal Son born for us

Grant us the healing benefits of your Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection
You who are true God and true man

Grant us your true life in the midst of death
You, the true life in death

Grant us to follow your example and that of your Blessed Mother
You, from both Mary and from God

May our suffering be for our growth; free us, we pray, 

from that which we cannot
bear
We ask You, O God the Word who became man to suffer

We ask you to grant us this healing if it brings us closer to you,
Jesus Christ our Lord!

Its Your Birfday!

...and your anniversary!

Happy Birthday to my wise, un-opinionated, beautiful sister, Kelly. Happy Anny to the cutest couple to ever come out of the Univeristy of Toledo, Al's, the Town Tavern, Jed's Sports Bar, Auglaize-Mercer-Shelby Trifecta of Catholicism, draft beer, and high school sports. 

You guys make it look so easy. 

:)