Currently I am....

appreciating all the snow days and 2-hour delays we’ve been getting during this crazy winter weather.  Although some have been complaining about the distractions and inevitable make-up time later this school year, I’ve simply been thankful for the extra time to rest during my most recent UC flare-up. 

reading The Enemy by Charlie Higson (yes, that would be a sorta zombie book).  My reading habits have changed slightly since becoming a middle school teacher, but I’ve been enjoying my trip into YA fiction. 

listening to a lot of Katy Perry lately.  Ava got Prism for Christmas, and we’ve been rocking it at the house quite a bit.  I didn’t want to like "Roar," but I really do.

tasting kale.  In an effort to increase my overall health, I’ve been attempting to eat healthier, and kale is something I can easily incorporate into my daily diet.  I’ve added it to salads, smoothies, even omelets.  Easy peasy!

learning that life moves in subtle waves, and I seem to be riding one of those transitional whitecaps this year.  I can’t exactly explain (and maybe it’s just my general health woes), but I feel decidedly different, and I’m trying to just roll with it.

noticing the precious piles of laundry that I’ve been folding, and how they reveal the true goodness of my life.  A pretty pile of little girl clothes, all sparkly and sweet.  A rough-and-tumble stack of little boy long-sleeved T-shirts that feature superheroes and Adventure Time.  Even a big overflowing wad of adult men’s socks.  I am blessed.

anticipating the mid-season return of The Walking Dead.  I still can’t believe some former students got me stuck on this series, but I am avid.

working hard every single day at school, even during those delayed days.  After teaching high school for nine years, it’s not easy to switch gears and masterfully educate seventh graders.  It is a challenge every day.

making an effort to read with each child, each day.  Ava has been devouring chapter books on her own, but I still like to try and read with her a little bit.  Also, Hudson has suddenly exploded on the reading front and has surprised us with his abilities.  His new Leap Pad Ultra has a lot to do with it, but he can now read nearly at Ava’s level.  I love that they can both read to me now!

watching lots of red carpets and awards shows.  It’s that time of year, and even the kids enjoy discussing the dresses as much as I do.

accepting that I will always have ulcerative colitis, that it will always catch me off guard, that steroids will always steal my vanity from me, but that I will always bounce back eventually.

organizing an impressive amount of license renewal materials.  If only a teaching license was good for—oh, I don’t know—forever?

planning a cool new pirate-themed bedroom for Hudson.

loving my Zumba classes as much as ever and hoping to get back into a routine.

buying two matching black bookcases for the playroom.  Each kid gets one to decorate just perfectly.

finishing up our tax paperwork and hoping for a big return.

embracing the cold, because it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

daring (at the same time) to plan for spring, for warmth, for health.

A Thrill of Hope

I sat gazing at the Christmas tree, its blinking lights symbolic of the war within me. BLINK. I absolutely love Christmas; it’s my favorite time of the year.  BLINK.  I suffer from ulcerative colitis; it cares not about holidays.  BLINK.  There’s nothing more magical and spiritual than celebrating our Savior’s birth.  BLINK.  Christmas with colitis?  BLINK.

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining

I played Monopoly with my daughter and read books to my son.  We snuggled on the couch and watched our favorite movies together.  I tried to pretend that I didn’t know what was coming, but I had been through it too many times to deny it.  After I tucked my little loves into bed, I let it wash over me.  The disappointment, the despair, the tears that could do nothing to thwart yet another UC flare-up.

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

In sixteen years, I’ve never asked WHY ME?  Not once.  Yet this Christmas I’ve never come so close to screaming those words aloud.  At the last second, I managed instead a strangled WHY NOW?

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

I wrapped gifts with Christmas music playing softly in the background and clung to my faith more tightly than ever.  I counted my blessings.  I reminded myself that I still had life, still had possibilities, even if my hope was fading.  I couldn’t cure my disorder, but there were medicines that could curb its symptoms.  Sure, the steroids might trigger the dreaded and bloated moon face, might add pounds to my weak body, might grow hair in unwanted places and flavor food with the taste of metal.  So what? I was alive.  I was happy. 

'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

I’ve always known this was my cross to bear, and for sixteen years I’ve borne it bravely.  I just never realized that I had yet to truly accept that this cross would be a lifelong struggle, or to realize that it might get worse as I aged, rather than better.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

Then I heard the song drifting through my holiday-laden house, and I truly listened.  Then my tears—bitter, desperate, despairing—turned to ones of hope.  He was born and died for me.  He would help carry my burden.  All I had to do was let Him.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

I am the first one to admit I get caught up in the holiday hype.  I will also throw myself the most lavish pity party when another UC flare-up visits me.  I am selfish, flawed, and often wayward.  I always say I know the real reason for the season, but I never really felt it in such a raw way until this year.

Fall on your knees

My hope did waver this year; it was a thin thread amongst my candy canes, winter  boots, and mounting depression.  I was angry about my health issues.  I was frustrated.  I was hopeless.  Yes, I loved my family and counted my blessings, but I was still lost.  It wasn’t until a simple song reached out to me, and He found me again.  That was my holy night, and I hope it gives me strength in the battle to come.  No, I know it will.

 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Snow Days Are...

 

Making magical memories where siblings (equal) best friends.

Letting imaginations run wild as backyard blankets of snow become unexplored kingdoms.

Discovering an untold wealth of creativity cloaked in the simplicity of white snow and colored water.

Whittling the world down to the beautiful confines of two children and endless smiles.

Yeah, all that & more.

Welcome, December!

But first, my sincere apologies to November.  That was such a busy, busy month that I never even considered blogging.  I had two weddings (one of which I was photographer!) and an Indy bachelorette party scheduled, plus several other minor events.  Every weekend was a flurry of activity, and I barely managed to keep up with both my personal and professional obligations.  Still, I was more than happy to share a wedding day with one of my favorite brides ever, and it was a pleasure to process all the photos from that happy celebration.

 

Isn't she lovely?

Of course, December has arrived beautifully, and today we're enjoying our first official snow day.  Hence the first real chance to update with a post. Honestly, I know I've likely missed so many wonderful opportunities to include, but I think it would just be easier to start from today.  Except for Hudson's Christmas program.  It was too sweet to overlook. 

 

He makes me smile.

Here's a few snapshots of our fun in the snow from earlier today.  From Saint Nick (who stopped by this morning with stockings full of goodies) to wrapping Christmas gifts, we've been filled with holiday cheer.  So as I watch snow blanket the backyard and prepare to start some taco soup, I am planning to return soon with regularly scheduled blogging at its best.

 

 

Happy December!

Autumn Activities

In the interest of time laziness, here are some quick recaps of our recent autumn activities:

Huntingburg Herbstfest



 

Holiday World Halloween Weekends

 

Mesker Park's Boo at the Zoo

 

 

October-Blessed

Yes, I could shamefully explain how and why I have managed to disappear from blogging for almost three months.  I could hem and haw about what we've been up to lately, and how I'm still trying to adjust to being back on a school-schedule.  Sure, I might explain that I've switched from teaching high school English to middle school Language Arts, and how that transition has monopolized much of my extra time.  Or how my colitis flare-up is finally settling down and allowing me to live like a normal human.

 

Instead, how about let's focus on the beauty of October?  KThanks.

 

 

 

No one says it better than Anne Shirley.  Seriously, though, it feels good to be back online and sharing life's little moments, especially during this awe-inspiring time of year.  We're currently on fall break (love those perks of a teacher's schedule!) and taking time to enjoy the year's last warmth before the breath of winter blows into us.  And yeah, I'll try to stick to a better blogging schedule from now on, friends.

 

 

Cheers,  

Insta-Summer

Well, we've hit that panicky end-of-summer point, where our fun time is quickly coming to a close.  We're torn between totally lounging at home and soaking up those last lazy summery days, or filling our remaining schedule with play dates and other activities.  It's always a toss-up, but this year we're essentially combining the two.  In fact, we've even managed to squeeze some back-to-school shopping (gah!) in there as well.

 

In the meantime, here's some insta-shots of what's been keeping us busy lately.

 

 

Besides catching a few games at the League Stadium, we also paused to enjoy the amenities at the nearby park.  I'm still a little skittish there, recalling when Ava broke both wrists on the monkey bars last year, but I tried not to let that stop our fun.

 

 

Of course, we've made excellent use of our Holiday World season passes.  This year, I think we did a nice job spreading ourselves around all the various attractions and swimming areas.  Never a boring day there!

 

Both kids enjoy the Jasper Riverwalk and its playground area, so anytime we're in Jasper with some extra time, we try to stop there for a bit.  That always gets a few smiles.  Plus, while in that part of town, we've also stopped at the theatre to catch some good movies: Despicable Me 2 and Turbo.

 

These shots (above and below) are from the Fourth of July.  We had a fun, family-filled independence day, sprinkled with all the traditional events: a cook-out, swimming, catching fireflies at dusk, sparklers, a fireworks show, and smores to finish out the night.

 

Our most recent stop was CMoE, another favorite of ours (below).  It was a beautiful day in Evansville, and although I was in favor of visiting the zoo, I was out-voted by everyone else.  We spent a few enjoyable hours there in between eating at Steak 'n Shake and shopping for school shoes at Shoe Carnival.

 

Although we're in that tricky transitional time before our lives switch into school mode, it's nonetheless been a lovely summer with a stretch of beautiful weather.  Here's to focusing on life's simple pleasures (sleeping in, Popsicles in the backyard, taking a walk in the evening) as we finish out these last few days of our summer break.

 

Enjoy!