A Few of My Favorite Things

I recently watched The Sound of Music with Lula. I wanted to introduce her to a different Julie Andrews movie - who doesn't love Julie Andrews, right?! Once the songs started up, she was hooked. She hasn't asked to watch it since (she is keeping true to Mary Poppins), but it has been fun hearing her run around the house singing "Do, Re, Mi".


I love the scene where Maria wins over the Von Trapp children during the storm. Because I have noticed that my mood has been affected by the cold, gray days this week, I thought maybe a list of a few of my favorite things would cheer me up.


- Lula in her footie pj's. It could be because I rarely see her wearing anything... she is such a naked little one, but there is something ridiculously cute about her in those pi's. She puts them on after she wakes up, of course.


- Jeremy's new found love of baking. He is currently baking his way through Sur La Table's The Art and Soul of Baking. One thing I love about him is his willingness to try new things. He loves a challenge, always has some sort of project going, and is never bored. 


- Facebook. Being a stay at home mom, especially one who lives out in the woods, can be isolating. With infant twins, who are quickly approaching the 3 month mark, and a 3 year old, it is not so easy to get out and about like I used to. Not to mention the weather is less than inviting. Facebook helps me stay connected and allows me to have some adult interaction during the days we are home. Facebook has given me the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and has allowed me to forge connections with new friends. Gotta love technology.


- Nutella. 'Nuff said.


- Food blogs! When we moved to Spokane I discovered food blogs: Smitten Kitchen, Joy the Baker, Everybody Likes Sandwiches. Planning weekly menus and trying new recipes makes me very happy.


- These two incredibly happy, easy going babies, Xainte and Twila. I feel so lucky to be the mother of twins; it is such a unique experience. Especially after losing Clover in 2010, I know how lucky we are to have these baby girls in our lives. I can't wait to get to know them better.


- Long car rides. Let's face it, every car ride in Maine is a long one. I have been told that in Maine people don't necessarily know how many miles away something is, and because (at least where we live) there are no blocks to measure, distance is measured in the time it takes to get to where you're going. Long drives give me the opportunity to clear my mind, and are often when Jeremy and I have our best conversations.


- This moment right now. Twila and Xainte are sleeping peacefully. I am watching Lula and Jeremy bake focaccia bread together. They are two peas in a pod. Jeremy is a wonderfully attentive, patient, and loving father. Watching them together brings me more joy than I ever imagined I could know. 

In the time it has taken me to write up this list, the babies have started to stir and the sun has come out, Lula has covered herself in flour (picture a white beard on her little face), and my mood has greatly improved.  


Now, off to make outfits for the girls... but which curtains shall I use?

List Maker

I am a lucky lady to be home with my three girls. Our days are blank slates, filled with whichever whim we choose to follow. Some days are rather full, with play dates, play groups, or the bounce house (always a favorite!). When my husband has a day off, a trip to Portland to the Children's Museum and Trader Joe's is not uncommon. Other days are quiet and cozy stay-at-home days with craft projects, Mary Poppins, and popcorn. Because the twins are so young, and the weather is so uninviting in January in Maine, the quiet days at home have become more regular.


I love how full our life together is. I love waking up each morning knowing that the day will be whatever we make it. Because we have chosen to unschool (more on that later!), life will continue to be this way. We will not be governed by schedules or rules that have been put in place for the masses. We are free to live our lives the way we choose, on our terms. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that we all will be allowed to follow our own paths.


Life has slowed down over the last few months, and the quiet days and nights at home have given me time to reflect on how my life and my attitudes have changed since becoming a mother. The days are passing quickly, and I fear I am not taking the time to appreciate the moments that make each day so special. I am learning to take even the most challenging days in stride - remembering that each day is merely a collection of moments; some good, some wonderful, others not so much. Some days I struggle not to write off an entire day as a bad day because of a few difficult moments. So I have been making lists...


I love making lists. Grocery lists, lists of recipes I want to try, project ideas, dream vacations, how to organize Lula's craft supplies, goals for the near and distant future, books I want to read, vegetables I want to grow in this year's garden (this one is getting rather extensive!) lists for lists I want to make... you get the idea.  I make lists for the sake of making them, to organize my thoughts, not necessarily for the lists to be completed. Something about writing these lists, seeing the words on paper, calms me, helps me organize my internal dialogue. 
I have started this blog as a sort of extended, more detailed list; a way to practice gratitude and mindfulness in my daily life; to remind myself that beauty lies in imperfection; and most importantly, to celebrate my family by recording our journey together.