2014 :: The Big And Little Of It All

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What a year it was.

Not fantastically amazing when I think about the year as a whole... 

But then there are all those hundreds of little amazing things along the way...

And when you really stop and look back at all of those little and big moments, 

You realize it was a pretty fantastic and amazing year after all, filled with ups and downs, good and bad.

And like most years, filled with lessons that maybe we didn't necessarily want to learn,

 but did anyway, and are probably better for it.

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Between school happenings, Birthdays, holidays, family time, work, 

learning to play a first instrument, trips, friends, family adjustments and growing and learning so many new
 things this year, there are a few things that have left an imprint on me this year for sure.

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When I pause to think about the "bigger" things that happened this year, a 

couple of things immediately come to mind.

My dad's stroke in November is undoubtedly at the top of that list.

I've thought several times since then that one day I will sit down and write a post all about that...
 but then I just can't bring myself to do it. One day though.

We had our first trip to the ER with one of the kids in May when Miss Charlotte
cracked her head open on a big rock while running outside wit her cousins in the dark.
Luckily it was just a cracked head that needed six stitches and my girl was a trooper, but wow, seeing all
 that blood and feeling so scared and helpless is a terrible feeling.
And all I could think of is all the mama's out there dealing with seriously and critically ill children.
My heart goes out to all of them so much.

I went back to work this year, like at a job outside of the home.
Part-time working, but working every day and it has definitely been an adjustment for all of us.
Lots of adjusting +  juggling... a big change for all of us, but mostly a good one.

Wyatt turned ten in October and that's still just kinda hard to believe and for this mama to deal with some days.
I look at how tall he is and how smart he is and how he just knows so much and I'm like: "What the hell?"

 { Some big and little snapshots form the year }



I am so thankful for this past year, for all of the big and little moments.
I am thankful for all of the hard stuff... and the good stuff, too.
I'm thankful for these two little people I get to try and raise every day.
I'm thankful for my family and for friendships and for all that I have learned this year.
Thank you for everything, 2014. 

I am ready to put this past year behind me and looking so forward to a fresh start in the year ahead.
I know it's really just the turn of the calendar page in some ways, but it has significant meaning to me.
A new beginning. A restart that I so very much need. I am so very thankful for that.

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Here's to 2015 and all that it may bring.

Snapshots From The Christmas Tree Farm.

I told you I would do it Sunday, come hell or high water... and we did.
I just talked about my serious lack of Holiday spirit here if you want to read it.
The Christmas tree was found, cut down, purchased and put up... and I have the pictures to prove it.

First a few pictures with my big girl camera because I have been so bad about getting it out and using it but Sunday I got

a few before I started having trouble with it. Boooo.

It was cold and windy so we found our tree pretty quickly and then headed into the barn for hot chocolate and popcorn.

And a few iPhone photos, of course.

I love this one of Charlotte sizing up a tree and the one of the two of them together.

It was a really dreary day... gray skies and cold. 

No snow this year though which hasn't been the case for the last few years anyway.

The tree is decorated, the Christmas music is playing, I am starting to feel it a little bit more.
A little bit, I said.
Bing Crosby might just end up doing it for me.
Also-- this view with the lights and the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree doesn't hurt, either.
Sigh.


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Most Unique Halloween Costume /// Laura Ingalls Wilder

So I think I have shared plenty of Halloween pictures on Instagram and I know in our minds Halloween is long gone, but
I had to share a couple more plus Charlotte's super exciting news.
My kid's school still celebrates Halloween when it seems like most don't anymore and let me
just say, that I  L  O  V  E  that.  Like a lot.
This year they had a short musical program for 2'nd, 3rd and 4th grades(so both of my kids were in it) and then they have
the Halloween costume parade.
Usually the parade is outside and the kids walk around the block in the neighborhood and everyone gets to see them, it's a
long-standing school/neighborhood tradition.
This year the weather wasn't great, a little chilly and windy, so it was in the gym instead.

After the parade they have parties in the classrooms and then the costume judging.
I think the teachers and/or staff do the judging and then call the winners over the intercom.
I left right before the end of the day and missed that part and had kind of forgot about it although I don't think Charlotte had.

Here is Charlotte as Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I think this is my favorite costume so far, I just think it is so cute + just perfect for her.
My mom made the dress and apron, Charlotte gpt to pick the fabric herself, which was quite the chore, she knew exactly
what she wanted and was not really taking our suggestions at all.
That girl has her own opinions on everything. 
But in the end it turned out great and she was VERY happy with her dress.

The bonnet we borrowed from my cousin which was exactly what we were looking for and
really completed the whole costume I think.
I have had that vintage lunch pail laying around here for years and we grabbed some old books and tied them together
for her to carry.
Obviously she already has the hairdo down to be Laura, right?

A couple different people asked if the costume was mine from when I was a kid, but it wasn't.
This costume was all Charlotte's idea.
We  certainly love the Little House books and the show in this hosue and I love that this is what she
wanted to be, just perfect for my little reader + book lover.

{nevermind the chocolate on her apron from the school party ;) }

After school I was sitting on the porch watching for the kids to come up the street and saw Charlotte
runing as fast as she could to the house.
She won the costume contest for most unique costume, she was so excited!
I was excited for her too,  just thinking how that would've felt in 2nd grade, to win in that category for the whole school, to have
your name called over the intercom and to win a prize.
It was a good day and a great Halloween indeed.


Have a great day everyone !

Ten Years Old.

This happened today.
Wyatt turned ten today.
TEN.
Ten freaking years old.
First child in the double digits you guys.
I'm not gonna lie, all week I have kinda felt like laying in bed crying, downing a bottle(or three) of
wine or just pulling the covers over my head in complete denial.

It's a lot.
All of the emotions. 
Allll of them.
But I have been trying really hard(because it really is something that I  have had to make a conscious effort to do) to not let
this milestone Birthday get me completely down.
Funny how Birthdays and kids and the years can do that to us, huh?

So in the spirit of keeping myself out of the  f  u  n  k,   I willl just say this-
This boy is the one of the two best things that has ever happened to me.
He was wished for and prayed for and everything in between.
He is beyond special and we are celebrating ten years of my sweet little(not so little) Wyatt James
all weekend long.

Tonight's plan includes take-out pizza, popcorn, movie candy and The Bad News Bears.
Blow up bed in the middle of the living room, pajamas and Legos for days... It's his idea of the perfect night and it sounds
pretty good to me, too!
Happy Weekend to you, hope it's a GREAT one!


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#Chicago

I am just getting around to blogging about our quick little Spring Break trip to The Windy City.
Here's a quick look at our weekend in Chicago,  a week and a half ago now, via my iphone....
Insta-Chicago, if you will.
We packed  a LOT into just a few days, a lot.
We all had a lot of fun, the kids were really good and we can't wait to go back this Summer.
By Summer, the Ferris wheel at Navy Pier will be open then and I promised Charlotte I would ride it with her then.
I don't love rides but I think I can handle a Ferris wheel. I think.
 But maybe I shouldn't promise.

My kids LOVE the city, they are awesome little travelers and it is so much fun visiting new places, or just places completely

different from where we live,  with them.

I love seeing all of these things with them, through their eyes.

We had been planning to go since after Christmas and because of so much snow and bad

 weather,  we decided to wait until it was just a little bit  nicer anyway.

I'm so glad we waited until there was no snow and it was still chilly but not freezing. 

We catch the Amtrak about 45 minutes from home and take it right into the City.

The kids love taking the train and so do I, no traffic to deal with and it is just so easy + relaxing.

And cheap. 

If you get your tickets in advance it is so affordable to take the train, much less than driving...

and that's probably even with paying for overnight parking at the train station.

I think Amtrak should send me + the kids around the country this summer and I

 will blog and Instagram our trip along the way.

Wouldn't that be awesome?

I'd totally be down with that.

I  LOVED when we were getting ready for bed the night before we left and the kids

 were SO EXCITED about our little trip and Charlotte said:

"Mommy I love when you're on the train and all the sudden you get close tot he city and 

you start seeing all the buildings and you look up and they are so tall and there are so many.

That is so awesome!"

Now that just made my heart happy.

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