Around Here Week 50: 12/08-14

A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute.

Intentional Outdoor Hours:   629+ hours (of 1000)
Held steady this week with not enough to push me over the hour mark.

Reading The Astonishing Color After by Emily X.R. Pan. and The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer still and enjoying them both -but just moving really really slowly.

Chopping my hair off on Sunday because I'm pregnant and annoyed by it being one more thing I have to wrestle every day (hahaha, besides this belly into clothes and my little kids into socks and shoes and my big kids into the darn shower. sheesh!) I got about 8inches cut off and was immediately relieved. So less heavy, so much less to deal with. woohoo! Some people have noticed and then lots of people haven't noticed at all (!) B explained, "it's weird because it was so much cut off, but also somehow you look exactly the same still." niice.

Reminding myself of all the ways my husband is everything I love as I bite my tongue and find chores to do in other rooms as he butchers his deer on.the.kitchen.counter. Lord, patience is what I need - always patience, please.

Eating pizza, sipping hot chocolate, and watching the Polar Express with our besties as is our December tradition. We headed out to the Fiores' house to enjoy the evening and it was so nice to spend time with them for the evening and to keep the tradition alive!

Clapping for Grey and his school mates at the 4th&5th grade winter concert. We had the full crew in attendance (both sets of grandparents and aunts!) while the kids sang a medley of Christmas tunes and we all got to see Grey wear real pants (!) and a tie. A Christmas miracle in an of itself!

Debating whether to bail on Christmas cards or not. I tried to get a pic of the kids and that was a total fail (kids fighting with each other, dogs smacking kids off the face with the tail so that kids start crying...not holiday magic at all). And we are so close to Christmas at this point, getting them printed & delivered doesn't even seem feasible.....but there might be another option that I have in my back pocket. I'm not giving up on it yet because with every card we receive in the mail my soul aches to send ours out....so we'll see if I can pull something together in time!

Snagging gifts here and there - thank goodness for online shopping. I have lots of stuff ordered and I feel like I'm in okay place for being gift-ready so far. The big kids are kind of hard to buy for this year because they're in a weird stage of not wanting toys but also they definitely aren't getting tech-y stuff either...so then what? I'm using Gemma's enneagram to help me buy for her (she's a two too), so she's getting a cozy blanket and a succulent/cactus kit to take care as part of her gift. Grey wants a hunt in Alabama with his dad (LOL) but then I remembered months ago that he mentioned wanting a chin-up bar for his bedroom door - so that's ordered! He's getting a trail cam and waders too for his outdoor loving heart. The babies are still easy and Melissa & Doug toys are my favorite; puzzles, wooden food toys, and a car track rug. Target had an awesome sale that I was able to snag everyone's "Something to wear" items including three pairs of leggings for Grey to wear under his mesh shorts all winter (ugh).

Opening gifts immediately after school because Grey and Gem cannot wait to give their Santa's Workshop surprises for anything. They both had the workshop visit in school on Thursday, and everyone had to open them that afternoon! They were so sweet with their choices and they both picked a little something for their new baby brother too.

Swimming! Gemma's friend Mya had her birthday party at the Somerset indoor pool on Saturday and was so sweet to include Rusty and Violet on the invite. They felt so special to be included and get some swimming in even though it was freezing cold outside (blew Rusty's mind!) Gem got to have a sleepover afterwards and it was peaceful sleeping for the other two because nothing wears kids out better than swimming!

Winter sporting with the start of basketball games. Grey had three nights of practice and then on Saturday he had two games in the morning followed by his travel team practice. It was a long day of basketball for us to watch all day - and he was so pooped on Saturday afternoon but happy tired.

Teaching the Spanish Alfabeto to Spanish 1 including a recorded voice assignment that they both hated and loved. We had a listening "spelling" test at the end of the week and played lots of games to practice the letters. Spanish 2 continued El Silbón chapters 5-9 and Spanish 2 Honors created "invisible characters" for our class story. The reveal of the characters were hilarious and I was reminded again on what a valuable exercise it is to create characters through calling out suggestions in the target language ("la cabeza - "grande o pequeña?" Tiene un bigote? ..etc) while another classmates draws the character to match their thoughts. Spanish 3/4 Honors started watching Navidad commercials and completing worksheets to go along with them as we decide which Spanish Christmas commercials we like the best in a tournament style bracket.

Making chicken, potatoes, and brussel sprout Italian bake, crockpot swedish meatballs, pork roast and sauerkraut, crockpot salsa chicken over rice, and having appetizer night (chicken fries, soft pretzels, and cheese sticks!)

Around Here Week 49: 12/1-12/7

A glimpse into what it is like to live in our home just this minute.

Intentional Outdoor Hours: 629+ hours  (of 1000)
Up one hour this week. I know my soul could use more time in the outdoors but between the cold temperatures, chores, and runny nosed kids around here - I can't get my act together. Still proud to be ending the year with more hours than last year, but it ain't over yet!

Reading The Astonishing Color After by Emily X.R. Pan. and The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer.

Celebrating our three and a half year old! Rusty had has half birthday and we sang and measured his height. He is so very proud to have the half added on there and will correct anyone and everyone if they say he is three; "No, I not three! I three and a half!"

Watching all the Christmas movies. The girls loved A Cinderella Story Christmas Wish (they call it "Sexy Santa" movie - HAH) and we also watched The Knight Before Christmas and The Holiday Calendar over the course of the week. We are watching the classics too like Home Alone and The Grinch too. Basically we've sworn off any television/movies that are not holiday themed around here.

Waking up to all kinds of surprises from our elf Marco. He's pretty low key, but still knows how to make quite a mess that has the kids smiling and shaking their heads. He helped St. Nicholas leave candy in our shoes on December 6th and turned our milk green (classic Marco!) on Saturday.

Getting holly jolly in the classroom. I let my Spanish 2 students pull out all the Christmas decorations and do whatever they thought looked best, Spanish 3/4 hung snowflakes from the ceiling (and they broke a table while they were at it?!) and I changed my laptop background to a fireplace to keep it cozy. We are tying up loose ends before  winter break in my two clubs; Spanish club deposited all the fundraiser money and ordered our club tshirts this week while Prom committee deposited their first week of prom raffle ticket money and made some calls to potential caterers.

Cheering for the end of Brandon's deer season as he got a buck on Saturday. Grey and his Dad were out with him for the day. Grey got to shoot twice at doe (he missed!) and then when the three of them were trying to push deer, B had an opportunity at a six point. Grey was so excited and proud - he came home and recounted the whole story to us.

Giving Gem a hug after she completed her first reconciliation on Saturday. She was a little nervous beforehand, but then felt great after she finished. The third grade students and their teacher (our Miss Hannah!) put on a little celebration afterward with cake, juice, and a craft. Next step - first Holy Communion next spring!

Visiting Abba, Chum, Kitty, & Uch at the downtown Christmas market where they were selling their homemade goods! We got to spend some time in the shop, peek in all the windows of the miniature houses in the park, and even see Santa! Rusty was brave and sat on his lap and then when Santa asked what he wanted - Rust panicked and started looking around the park for ideas. He said, "ummm, a house" (as in a miniature house) and was Santa was like..."well, I'll have to see about that" Only pretty sure he didn't think Rusty meant a mini house and Central Park Santa definitely thinks we're homeless....so thanks, Rust.

Winter sporting with basketball season for Grey. Still only in the practice mode, but he had one practice each for three of the teams he's on (he actually on four, but one didn't start yet). He loves it and it keeps him motivated in school - so I guess I can just shrug and carry on.

Teaching four days this week since here in western PA we get the following Thanksgiving off for deer season (hah). Our winter break is so close and the kids are already antsy pantsy, but I am determined to keep as close to business as usual because first, we have things to learn! and secondly, the days honestly go by quicker if we are on task and working. So Spanish 1 worked through Somos Unit 4 (quiere ser, habla, toma) and did a level-up reading/writing exercise. Spanish 2 started El Silbón de Venezuela Chapters 1-4, Spanish 2 Honors worked on Somos Unit 12 and learned about personal belonging vocab, and Spanish 3/4 Honors finally got to watch The Curse of La Llorona after finishing our novel.

Making taco turkey over baked potatoes, kielbasa and mac & cheese, fridge clean out day, frozen pizza, and chicken and gravy over mashed potatoes. We also made a Walmart pick-up grocery order to hold us over until the holidays arrive.

Evelyn at the end.

Evelyn awoke in an unfamiliar bed to light streaming through the window, dance music playing in another room, and knew immediately the truth – she had died.

Moments ago, she had been at home after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer surrounded by her children and grandchildren at age 89. A long, beautiful, interesting life; Evelyn knew how lucky she had been to find love, to raise children, to have a career, and to have more memories that included laughter than tears. She had the blessing to say goodbye to those whom needed to hear it to continue through the journey of life.

Evelyn sat up with no pain and an odd feeling of relief.  Blissful acceptance washed over her and she could finally appreciate that she had done all that was needed in her living life so that her kids were going to be okay. The memories they had shared together would be enough to carry them through. This had been her biggest worry at the end, but her shoulders relaxed- all of her seemed to relax with the innate understanding that they were going to be all right without her.

The light streaming in the window blocked out any other view, but Evelyn was less concerned about the outside as she was drawn to the door where the music floated to her on a wave. She glided over and gently turned the knob to open to a wide ballroom that was filled with soft light and melodic dance music. As Evelyn’s eyes adjusted, they widened with the understanding of where she was and with whom upon her death.

They were all there. All the Evelyns, from all her life, at all her various ages. She glanced around the ballroom looking at each one, recognizing each laugh line and freckle because it was one that she had watched evolve over all of her life in the bathroom mirror after applying her nightly moisturizer before bed and calling out to her husband at 38 years old, “Leo, sometimes I don’t even recognize myself in this reflection!”

There was the 23 year old Evelyn who lived in New York City teaching inner city students how to find the main idea in a paragraph. She was so thin from all that walking and living on her own in a Brooklyn apartment eating mostly toast for dinner. Full of passion and big dreams, she was armed with a subway pass, four dollars, and a coloring page in her bag signed in crayon with the name of her favorite second grader, Anthony.

There was 14 year old Evelyn who was looking around like she was waiting for something to happen. Life was always moving too slowly for her and she could never wait to grow older until exciting, real things would happen to her. She still had her hair purposely down and in front of her face. She wanted to be noticed but also froze at anyone actually noticing her. She had chapstick in the back pocket of her jean shorts and was dreaming of the day that she would have enough things to keep in a purse.

The Evelyns aged 6 to 12 were grouped together in a circle dancing and giggling to the music. They danced with abandon, with their eyes closed and heads back. The music seemed to fill their veins and no matter how silly their dance moves, there was nothing to do but smile as you watched them because they moved in the relaxed and careless rhythm of knowing your whole life still stretched out before you.

Someone pushed past Evelyn as she was running toward the dancing circle. The runner looked back and smiled with a big missing-two-front -teeth grin while apologizing. Evelyn called back, “it’s okay” to that 7 year old Evelyn.

Evelyn at 38 who had five children was sitting close and encouragingly rubbing the back of Evelyn at 29 who had a toddler, and a newborn and dark bags under her defeated eyes.

Evelyn at 58 looked lost and vacant in the middle; as though she couldn’t see or hear anything else in the ballroom. That Evelyn had lost her own mother and father only four months apart that year. There was only one Evelyn next to 58 year old Evelyn, it was Evelyn at 86 who had lost her husband of 61 years. Her eyes were lost too, but there was something there; a fullness and a hint of gratitude for a life of memories with a partner who carried the burdens and shared the joys.

Evelyn at 20 who was fresh back from her study abroad in Scotland was recounting every detail to a star struck 16 year old Evelyn in a corner booth over a shared order of loaded fries. Evelyn at 25 - the newlywed - was talking excitedly with Evelyn at 24 who was planning her wedding while sipping fruity drinks at the bar. A weeping Evelyn at 34 with the new kindergartener was hugging tightly to a weeping Evelyn at 46 with the high school senior. Evelyn at 62 was rocking and kissing the head of newborn Evelyn with tears in her eyes; she had learned that her youngest daughter had miscarried that year.

Evelyn- the real Evelyn- the Evelyn of 89 wobbled and weaved through all the Evelyns of her life. She smiled and nodded at them as she passed and recognized each of them. There were Evelyns who lived through the best years of her life and Evelyns who had endured some of the worst, most devastating moments. They were all there, even her – the Evelyn who had made it all the way through life.

She looked over them, all there together in one space. They were the only person who had gone through that one precious life with her; every step, every good morning and good night, every meal, every kiss, every tear, every memory.

She did the only thing there was left to do. She started with the Evelyn right in front of her – 17 year old Evelyn with puppy dog-love eyes for her high school boyfriend and the words “History vocab test” ink pen tattooed on her hand – she pulled her in close for a hug and whispered “Thank you.”