So I haven't blogged since October. I can't say it was for lack of material -- the kids are growing like weeds (especially LB) and we have had quite a few adventures in our first winter in the Frozen Frontier. I'm not sure why. It has certainly been a time of adjustment for me -- a bit lonely, a bit homesick, a bit of difficulty "settling in" here. Every day I see gorgeous snow-capped mountains, and they alternately appear to be a) A majestic display of God's amazing creation, or b) a wall closing me into a frozen wasteland away from everyone I love (outside my immediate family here). Depends on the day. :-)
We have adjusted to the cold. It was kind of surprising the first time we all thought 12-15 degrees felt "warm" after a week of 0 to -3. We're all getting pretty used to driving in/walking in snow, especially the packed snow and ice mixture that coats most parking lots, sidewalks, and our driveway. Even LB is managing well; it used to be he would just point at the ground when we got out of the car and say, "Fall down!" like it was an inevitable outcome, but now he can manage it holding hands pretty well.
The wildlife remains a continual source of entertainment. The girls are turning into expert moose-spotters, and we frequently see large female moose and their calves in our neighborhood. We've only had one bear sighting, but I'm sure that will change once they come out of hibernation. There are also ravens the size of small turkeys -- beautiful to watch in the air, but rather intimidating when they cluster in parking lots next to my car. :-0 Once the spring comes we will head back down to Potter's Marsh, which is a large marsh about 5 minutes from our house that teems with wildlife -- swimming salmon, eagles, moose, bear, over 150 kinds of birds, and we even saw a great blue heron last summer. It is a fun place to walk around since you never know what you'll see.
LB will be 2 next month. How did that happen? He is all boy and loves his trucks and blocks, though he does have some love for princesses and plastic high-heels. ;-) He is saying EVERYTHING; I contemplated a blog entry of all his words, and realized it would never be done! We are up to 3 and 4 word phrases at times too. His favorite things lately are to climb "up on couch!" and throw pretty much anything. He comes up to LS's nose, even though she is 3 years older, and eats as much at a meal as his big sisters. In fact, he seems hungry all the time, and if he wants food, he'll randomly shout names of meals ("Dekdast! Dinner! Yunch!") until someone lets him know when the food's coming! One night as we sat at the dinner table and got ready to say grace, he exclaimed, "I pray! I pray!" So we all bowed our heads, and this is what we heard: "Dear Jebus, Mommy, Daddy, Emma, Lilly, Help please, Amen." He is my Sweet Baboo!
He recently realized the joys of sledding. He hated the snow initially, because it came up to his thighs, so he was either stuck or getting a faceful. We found a good sled with a seatbelt, and after crying through his first few sled runs, the tears turned into shouts of "My turn! My turn!" He is using the potty at least 3-4 times a day and is SO proud. "I go potty!" He especially adores his "Buzz Yightyear" pull-ups.
The sweetest times with him are at bedtime. Nearly every night he runs to the rocker glider in his room and sweetly says, "Mommy rocky singy??" He climbs into my lap and we rock and sing a few songs together. He sings along to Twinkle Twinkle, the ABC song, and even his "special" song that I only sing for him, Jim Brickman's "Valentine." He also loves to dance to music on the radio, but if he catches you watching, he will run and hide his face!
BS said to me the other day, "Mommy, Kindergarten is almost over!" It's hard to believe she's more than half way to the first grade. She has loved school this year and it has been both wonderful and difficult to see her independence develop. Last week she asked, "Mommy, how do you look for a person to marry?" Ugh, not yet!! She is reading up a storm and really making progress in math and telling time. This week she starts violin lessons, and we've promised to teach her to ice skate soon. Next month is her first school field trip, and I'm trying to not already be anxious about the idea of her on a school bus without me or a seatbelt!
I think LS has enjoyed being the "big kid" at home when BS is at school -- LB follows her around like a baby duck and does whatever she wants, most of the time. ;-) I think she is ready for kindergarten, though I think it will break LBs heart to be home all alone next year. She loves to count and recently topped 200. She remains the "quiet" one compared to her big sister, but when she chooses to talk, it's always a winner. She was watching football with Daddy, and when the players leaned in to shake hands after the coin toss, she said, "Daddy, are they gonna kiss?" She starts piano lessons this week, and we can't wait to see how it goes. I think she has been looking for her own way to shine, and has been asking for lessons since she turned four, so I think she's ready. We recently started having "special nights" for the girls where they each get to stay up with us for about 30 minutes past bedtime and do an activity of their choice with us, enjoying some undivided attention from Mommy & Daddy. LS has been choosing to play games with us, and has been kicking our behinds at Candy Land and Froggy Boogie. ;-)
My job has provided a lot of sanity, especially since Hubby is working harder than ever most months. He's been made Medical Director of the ER in addition to his normal clinical shifts, so there are lots of projects pulling him in. He has been gone at night a lot, and the "witching hours" from about 4:30 to 6:30 are the hardest when he's not home. I'm trying to look at it as practice for the inevitable deployment that is likely headed our way either this spring or next fall. I have enjoyed getting to know everyone at my office and am starting to build continuity relationships with some patients, which is what I love most about FP. Since I'm right next door to LB and LS's school, it really eases my mind that I could be there in a flash if they need me.
We are gradually getting plugged in at our church, and I've made a few scrapbooking friends too, so I am hopeful that the long dark winter will yield fruit this spring. We are all looking forward to being able to stretch our legs in the sunshine without requiring 3 layers of clothing first!
2 comments:
So glad for the update! Will continue to pray for more of those "a" days...and fewer "b" days!
(((HUG)))
Erin
Hey Susan! It's so great to get an update about life! Wow, have the kids grown, or what! I'm praying that the lack of sun doesn't get you down. Love you!
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