what I need is all around me

Sunday blessings

One of the nicest things about this time of the year is the reminder to be grateful for things.  I've decided that through the rest of the rest of the year, I'm going to dedicate Sunday blog posts to those things I'm grateful for.  So much today...

1.  I'm grateful for a phone call from my grandma yesterday.  She's happy with me.  She sounds fantastic.  I love her so much.

2.  I'm grateful that Anna loves one of my favorite music groups, Gomez.  I'm even more grateful that in response to the lyric, "Where do you want to be....?", Anna ALWAYS answers "Here!"  So nice!

3.  I'm grateful for a wonderful black bean soup that I made today and we ate for both lunch and dinner.  Yum.

4.  I'm grateful that I managed to complete the basis for the December Daily scrap book I'm planning to use this Christmas season.  Here are a few of the pages

 

5.  I spoke to my brother and Cory about our upcoming trip to wine country.  I can't WAIT for that trip!

What are you thankful for?  What are your blessings today?

chores and little helpers

This week, we decided to spread the joys of daily housekeeping to our kids.  One kid helps me with dishes every night and the other kid picks up the living room before going to bed.  So far, no complaining.  Sam is on dishes duty and Mary's got the living room.  It's been good for the whole family.

Tonight, Anna wanted to get in on the action.  Actually, she asks every night if she can help wash dishes, but tonight is the first night I've let her.  It means pre-washing her dishes so they're actually clean and helping her rinse (read a TON more work) but whatever.  The time when a kid actually enjoys washing dishes is so short, you should really try and enjoy it, right?  And document it!

 

 

 

 

The last two photos are courtesy of bribery.  And I don't even feel badly about it since I haven't picked up a camera in FOREVER.  The downside?  Anna had an allergic reaction to the candy I let her have.  Whoops.  I know better than to give her straight Hershey's but how can you resist it when she's asking for some delicious trick or treat candy?  Clearly I NEED to resist because two seconds later she was all about her "itchy tongue".  Dang it.  

Mary started piano lessons again today.  She took a short hiatus while she decided whether it was really something she wanted to do.  We met with her teacher again today and came up with a plan that will {hopefully} make practice less stressful + tear-filled.  I can't imagine where in the world my children got the notion they had to be perfect right from the start.  That doesn't sound like me at all!  (Feel free to insert all the dripping sarcasm possible here)

I'm sadly sitting here watching what looks to be the last game of the World Series. Sigh.  I just hate it when the bad guys win...

and I pretend I take pictures!

Yesterday was one of those days where usually, cameras are out and moms are snapping a ton of photos.  Ooops.  I didn't get a single shot of our (not very fun) trick or treating experience NOR a single shot of Anna in her home-made and super-cute pop tart costume.  Oh well.  It is what it is.

I did manage to get a few (lousy) shots of the Step Up for Downs Syndrome event in conjunction with ASU's Homecoming Parade.  Honestly, it was pretty crazy and with three kids, all the "stuff" going on and trying to maneuver around with a wagon (filled with all those goodies I made), I'm lucky I got any photos at all...

 

Anna sporting the cute shirts we all wore, blowing some bubbles

 

Friends Carrie and Sue, getting a little face time with Finley

 

The Moore Family...they rode in this buggy to lead the group as the largest fundraisers.  Naturally this is the time Finley decided to crash.  :-)

 

On daddy's shoulders

Couldn't be more proud of Sam and Mary. Sam rode in the trailer following the walking group with a bunch of kids.  He did it as the oldest kid in order to keep everyone safe, and he did a GREAT job.  Mary helped me pass out extra goodie bags and water to fellow walkers!

Actually really looking forward to making this an annual event.  The weather was great and it was inspiring to see so many families out for the cause.  We also picked up a few copies of the DS Network's calendar because in the month of December, a very familiar face graces the month.  I'll post a link if possible in case you're interested in getting one for yourself!

focusing on the positive

It seems almost impossible, but each day at work is worse than the day before.  Today was no different. By the time I drove home, I was crabby, sad and frustrated.  Unfortunately, a very typical day.

So, what can a girl do except focus on the positive?  Even though it doesn't seem like it, I have so very much to be happy about...things like...

*My dad is in Florida helping my grandparents settle in for the winter.  I love knowing that he's keeping busy.  I love that my grandparents are getting help.  I love that we get to "babysit" Otis during the day while he's gone.

*Sam and Mary both got straight A's this quarter.  That means a pride assembly and a "Principal's List" award.  I'm so proud of them because they both have faced some challenges this year and their teachers sing their praises.  Love that!

*I made a really yummy dinner tonight.  Nothing fancy or complicated, but a meal that 1.  The whole family ate without complaint,  2. Jason and I really enjoyed and 3. Didn't take a ton of clean up.  What's better than that?

*I have some dear friends who understand how hard it is for me on a daily basis.  Friends who worry about me, pray for me and check on me every day.  I couldn't do it without them!

*I've discovered that playing with paper and photos and embellishments is very therapeutic for me.  Tonight I've been working on a project for a new friend (yes, Sue, I'm talking about you...LOVE that you're checking my blog and appreciate your emails!) and it provided a great diversion for me.  And bonus?  I love what I'm creating!  (Sue, you will too!)

*Love that my brother and Cory got to spend a fun weekend in Miami.  Love that Cory can give/take the way only a Yankee fan can.  Love that when I got a text at the end of the game last night, Jason and I both knew it was her, and when I finally checked it this morning, it simply said, "Sorry!"  She is one amazing addition to my life and I'm so thankful for her!

*This little beauty sent me a sweet thank-you text and her smile has stayed with me all day long.  Can you blame me?

Are you kidding me?  She might be the cutest little girl ever!  Love her.  Love her cute shirt.  Love her super cute chair.  And even more?  Love that she looks like her mama, one of my favorite people in the whole wide world!

All in all, quite a lot of positive to focus on.  I'm really, really trying!

a little girl and a dog

Even though Mary is the true dog lover in the family, the rest of us have been enjoying the newest addition.  Since my dad retired (kind of involuntarily, but I think he's beginning to be okay with the whole idea), he's been a bit lonely.  My mom thought a great Christmas gift would be a nice little dog.  Bonus:  It would make Mary (and Sam and Anna, but really Mary) super-duper happy.  The thought process involved getting a puppy, but they ended up with the sweetest little thing named Otis, who is four years old and CUTE and SWEET and NOT JUMPY/BITE-Y or anything else annoying.

Yesterday we watched him while my parents went to dinner.  Because my dad is heading to FL today, we wanted to acclimate him to our house, where he'll be spending his days.  (No, none of us could bear the thought of having him in his kennel for 10/11 hours a day, thank you very much).  The only real obstacle is our furry little "friends", Marshmallow and Daisy.  Because Otis is a Border Terrier, it's in his nature to attack things like guinea pigs.  Luckily, we've rigged a little "protection" to their cage and all is well.

While we "dog sat", we introduced Otis to a "DeHaai" toy...a super cute flamingo tug of war toy. (Yes, Mick, it's totally for you...do you have a name suggestion?)  OMG.  I don't know who had more fun, Otis or Anna.  I will say when Anna finally won (and I swear that Otis finally just "let" her win) she threw her hands in the air just like the professionals do.

Gotta say...I'm loving the dog.  Loving how cute and fun he is.  And really loving that he lives somewhere else!

Happy retirement, dad!  Seems like a winning situation for us all.  :-)

Labor of Love

I've spent most of my weekend doing two things.  Cleaning the house (an every week thing) and working on a very special project.  Let's just say I love the special project a whole lot more than cleaning anything!

As you may remember, the DeHaai-Lulloff family is participating in the Step Up for Downs Syndrome walk this Saturday.  We are all very excited to walk in honor of our sweet friend, Finley Moore, and to help raise awareness for DS.  (As a reminder, you can contribute to the cause here here.

I love doing little crafty things, and since the walk is during the ASU homecoming parade on Halloween, I thought it might be fun to make some goodie bags for everyone who is walking on Missy Fin's behalf.  (And not for nothing but clearly the Moore family doesn't have friends.  There are only 40 of us walking on her team...in matching shirts, no less!)  So I've been crafting all weekend long.  Printing out the super cute logo (made by someone Lindy knows but I'm not sure of her name).  Tracing the pumpkin outline.  Cutting out 40 pumpkins.  Cutting out/painting/attaching 40 stems.  Inking the pumpkins.  Stamping a thank you and writing a little message on the back.  Making mini goodie bags of goldfish crackers and Reeses Pieces.  Finally, putting together the goodie bags will all the wonderful goodies (including some fun pumpkin decorations just because) and tying them up with ASU colored ribbons (because we also love Jamo!)  Anna helped me fill the baggies and was so dang cute throughout the whole process!

Mary helped me with the custom water bottle labels yesterday.  In an effort to keep them from "running", we used packing tape to "seal" them, in case water might get to them.  Mary was a master at measuring just the right amount of tape for each label.  I assembled a bunch of water bottles (and no, we don't usually use water bottles...we all have re-usable bottles in our house), but this is a special occasion and we're doing everything we can to get the message out...people with DS are super-cool and have super-cool friends!

So anyway, the fruits of my labor:

All I can say is...so dang cute!  I love how cute they turned out.  I love how my whole family got involved in the process.  And I love that even Anna realized the reason we're doing this is because we love a little girl named Finley.

A labor of love!

one cute picture

It's been forever since I've blogged and there is probably a lot for me to update.  But instead, I'm posting this one picture.  It could be titled, "Content" or "Heaven" or "Pure Joy" or "Finally".

 

And no, he's not ours.  He belongs to my parents (bless their hearts!).  His name is Otis.  He's a four-year-old Border Terrier and Mary is in love.

changing weather

I keep telling my friend, Teri, how hard it is to be a parent these days.  Not sure if it's related to my work, my general malaise or what, but I've just been unhappy.  I'm finding parenting very hard.

Then, last week, the temperatures dropped below 100.  I was able to take Anna to the park after work one day, in an effort to get out of the house for a bit and give Jason a slight break.  It wasn't even miserable! Saturday morning I was able to do it again!  This time I texted my dear friend, Teri, and told her how easy it was to be a parent when it's 70 degrees out.

Perspective is a wonderful thing.  So is not sweating.

I used the park to bribe my littlest "treasure" into sitting for a few pictures.  Let's just go ahead and say it...she did not live up to her end of the bargain.  I'm sharing what I did get, though, and I'm feeling like they're better than nothing, right? 

Mary is always a trooper with photos.  There are days when I wonder when it'll end, when she'll suddenly turn into a teenage girl who doesn't like the way she looks and doesn't want her photo taken.  I hope beyond all measure that she never goes down that road.  More for her sake than for the photos I'll miss...

I really hate to complain because in reality, these are great shots.  But would it kill these girls to smile?

Apparently not :-)

Sunday afternoon

Anna did a little painting this afternoon.  I just love the way she holds the plate "like an artist".

 

 

ugh!

Let's just start off this post by admitting I'm a really bad blogger.  Okay, that's out of the way.  I know it.  I own it.  I'm not proud of it.

Moving on...My brother had a birthday this week, just a few days after my dad's.  I have to say, my brother and I are closer now than we have ever been and I am so very grateful for that.  I'm not sure if it's age, circumstance or his wonderful partner, Cory, but I don't care...I love having an almost daily relationship with my brother.  Hey, Mick.  I think you're super cool and I love you!!

My leg.  Wow.  It's not a thing of beauty.  At this point, I have serious amounts of bruising from my knee to my foot.  Just tonight I realized that my entire ankle is bruised and quite swollen.  As much as I hate being a sissy, I just am.  And I'm not playing softball tomorrow because I'm still in so much pain.

You can't really get the full effect from these photos but in looking at this, you can almost see the bruising at my ankle.  I swear it gets worse as the days go by (and the major amount of fluid from my "extra knee" works its way down my leg).

I've never been one to love my legs, but seriously?  Not a pretty sight!

In other news, I decided to take Anna to the park tonight.  The weather is finally cooling off, making it possible to actually do stuff outside.  While IMing with Teri, I decided to see if Anna wanted to hit the park. Sam decided to join us and after a little basketball, decided to be the ultimate big brother and do some sand castle building with Anna.  I really appreciate these moments for a lot of reasons.  Anna is so very three right now, it's pretty hard to really enjoy her.  Tonight I did.  Sam is such a tweener, you never know what you're going to get.  Tonight we got the loving big brother who wanted to make sure his little sister had a good time at the park.  What a blessing!

I'm trying to appreciate the daily things.  I have been down for a really long time.  In a funk I can't get out of.  Not something I'm happy about, nor something I'm proud of.  Each day I try to take a moment and just be thankful for what I have.  I spent some time surfing the 'net today (as I always do) and this quote from one of my favorite blogs struck a chord with me:

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.

Mary Jean Iron

Very well said.  And I'll try my hardest to appreciate the "normal days" in my life, even when they're less than stellar.