Adding to the List

Over the years I have accumulated a pretty interesting list of errands made for my husband. Today I add going to some guys house to buy traps from a craigslist ad to the list. Here is what I picked up, and he did get a good deal and I actually know what I bought. I bought two 330 connibear traps. My husband has renewed his trapping passion and has two Blessings out running a trapline with him. 

Now, back to our regularly scheduled school day.

Time Speeds By

See that precious, sleeping boy? He is now five. One thing my husband and I did differently with this one was not letting him cry it out when he was a baby. Guess who was the biggest force in our change? The oldest three Blessings, they did not want him to cry himself to sleep. They found that horrible so I listened to my children and their pleas to not let the baby lay in the crib and cry. 

We rocked until he started fighting that and then we took turns laying down and reading to him and then staying until he falls asleep. I have never regretted this. We had some rough times when naps were phasing out but over all I am not going to complain. Even though I do remember a couple of times being tired of staying there but now I would not give this up at all. 

Now I give him a time limit as to how long I am staying and promise to check back in when I am finished with a job I need to do but he is usually asleep before I get back to him. 

The time is short and I will enjoy every night when it is my turn to read and put our buddy to bed just as much as I enjoy when it is Daddy's turn to do the same. 

Parenting definitely goes through seasons and I am thankful to be able to parent this little guy as an older, more relaxed parent. Such blessings in the everyday. 

A Monday

Monday, I scheduled dentist appointments on a Monday, why?

Elisabeth is working on math here. She isn't miserable, she is concentrating. I promise. 

Benjamin painting, he has gotten person drawing down. He is getting those body parts added pretty well.

Afternoon at the dentist office for Blessing cleanings.

Judith working on Trailguide to Learning Paths of Progress

Benjamin plays 

Elisabeth reading a dental brochure.

I may have fed my family salmon dip and nachos for dinner tonight before heading out the door to take Judith to swimming practice.

Note to self: do not schedule dentist apapointments on Mondays. 

Perspective

Last night, last minute we called friends from church who live near us for a spur of the moment New Year's Eve bonfire and fireworks in the back yard at late thirty.
They came we oohed and awwed over the home fireworks show and then we came in and warmed up and talked a while. I really do enjoy these times of people in our home and after an evening like this I wonder why we do not do this more often. But that's not what this post is about.

As they were leaving their son, who is maybe 9?, told his parents that we were filthy rich because we had all this cool stuff. I loved getting that voxer message last night because it made me laugh and made me see the perspective of a child.

You see our home isn't large and fancy but it is cozy and welcoming. Our yard does contain many items but my husband is a man of many talents and outdoor hobbies. Therefore we have accumulated many items free or low cost for hunting, fishing, gardening, playing and survival. We are by no means filthy rich but we are thankful for a very full life. But more importantly we are thankful for the people in which we share our life and the reminder of a child's perspective.
 

On My Mind

I have so much going through my mind. I recently came across a blog with a subtitle something like intentional, professional motherhood. Those two adjectives really hit me like a ton of bricks. I have not been intentional or professional about my job here at home on the last frontier. I have been haphazard and unprofessional, in fact, I would have gotten fired if this were a paying job with a boss that isn't an unconditionally loving husband.

Today was my first day back as an intentional, professional Momma, and I failed, but I kept going. Yes, I started today. Living intentionally isn't a New Year's resolution, but a necessity and necessity calls for immediate action.

And I even began a new knitting project today. A Gap-tastic cowl, for me.

The menu

I have not made a full weekly menu in a few weeks. Finally, I spent some time planning today.

I am just listing dinners because, well, I don't want to type it all out.

Starting Sunday:

Sunday: Roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, rolls and brownies
Monday:Vegetable moose soup, cornbread
Tuesday: At church
Wednesday: Halibut, baked potatoes, salad
Thursday: salmon, rice, veggies
Friday: pizza
Saturday: burgers and baked fries

A Start

I an effort to be better organized I revamped kitchen central. New, big calendar, pads for list makongy, weekly menus and our 2013 calendar, which is on its way out.

The Downhill Slide

It may be forty-five degrees below today BUT we are now gaining daylight!!  Perspective people, perspective.

Today, the Day After Christmas

Today we relax. I'm guessing we will watch movies, keep the fire fed and enjoy the nothingness of the day...

...because when it is this cold I am thankful for a no where to go, nothing to do kind of day. 

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

For years I have been trying to find the best Christmas morning breakfast. Last year I made an egg bake and cinnamon rolls. This year I bought cereal, yep, I did. I stopped buying cereal about six months ago and have only picked up an occasional box in that time. I decided to go the easy route. It isn't so much the food they need but they do need a present Mom. And I am probably the only one who really even thought about what we would have for breakfast.
Merry Christmas!!