Christmas time

Gabe here.

Well, tonight we had a little Christmas party at our house. We started things off right with a good supper of steak and 'taters grilled by yours truly. It was good, but then maybe I don't have to say that?

The last week or so has been a hustle and bustle with final Christmas preparations, and secretive gift buying and hiding. It may be somewhat of a rarity among spouses (ahem), but Jenny and I actually don't usually know what we will get from one another for Christmas. The main project that has occupied my time over the last week has been the designing and building of these chairs.

It was a fun project, but don't ask me to make any more for awhile. I made them from Southern Pine scraps that were available from the truss shop, and then "caned" them with para cord for the seat. Just another of the myriad uses of para cord. They are a bit big for Gwen yet, but will be about perfect for her when she's wanting to sit and write as she grows older. The plan is to eventually have a table to match. I'm just glad I had the happy inspiration to make two of them at the same time, instead of trying to make another to match next Christmas.

Gwen is very happy with her toybox built by Grandpa, and has been busily putting things (including herself) into it and taking them back out again. Between the new chairs (which she greeted with "Neat chair!") and the toy box, she is quite content with her lot in life. Myles loves to sit on the chair (when someone is watching) or to stand by it. He cried when we took him off to open his other gift. If you want more pictures of our evening, or of our other December activities you can see them by clicking this link.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My New Job

I found this article interesting. I would venture to guess that most stay at home moms don't sit around trying to figure out how much money they would be making if the got paid to do what they do, because, as this article points out, they are reaping other rewards.

It is easy for me to get caught up in the whirl of work and wet diapers and whiny babies, and forget about why I'm here and what really matters. Does it really matter if the floor didn't get swept today and that the bathroom is long overdue for a cleaning? Is it more important to get the laundry folded or to sew a new dress for my little girls dolly? It is sometimes so hard for my to discern between needs and wants and which priorities are most important.

I would like to live in a calm and clean environment, yet I really would like to get some sewing projects done. Should I even be taking the time to post on this blog? Ahhh.... I wish I had all the answers and was always full of energy and vim and vroom. On gray rainy days like today I just feel like sitting around and sleeping and it seems like I don't get anything done. I really must go check on the babies and put my laundry away.

Sleep baby, sleep...

Here it is... the little bed that Gabe made for Myles. It is so nice, and I have gotten much more sleep since we have this. Gabe made a fourth side for it, that is supposed to be attached with hinges, but it is not on the bed right now. I am so proud of Gabe for doing this for me :)
I love having my baby right next to me, and I love not getting out of bed 5-10 times per night. I know that some people think that babies should NOT sleep with their parents or in their parents bedroom, but this is what works for us, and what we like to do.
Myles is nine months old, and we had struggled and fought and cried and tried to get him to sleep well at night in his own crib. We did try letting him cry it out, although we stayed with him, and gave him his paci every now and then. That didn't work. This mom doesn't do well with that sort of thing. I was so, so weary and out of my head, until we finally got smart, and found this solution.
So... what do you all think? Is co-sleeping a horrible thing? What works for you?

December

It is snowing! The first time this year, and I don't have much faith that it will amount to anything. I have mixed feelings about the snow, because Gabe is working for Matt this year with snow removal, so he is committed to that.

Last night, we went Christmas caroling. In my opinion, we were a little out of season and early for such things, but it was realistically cold, so that helped. We had fun. We took the babies all bundled up in their warm coats and hats. I found a coat for Gwen at my favorite store yesterday... it was an answer to prayer.

Then we all met at the gym and had sugary snacks and hot drinks and fellowship. To be quite honest, this was one of the first times I felt this warm feeling of "belonging". This is something I have cried and prayed about for a long time now. I am learning that if I am willing to get out of my comfort zone, that there are all kinds of friends to be had. In other words, if I want to have friends, I must show myself friendly. The other thing that helps is to get rid of my expectations, and meet people on the level that they feel comfortable.

I suppose that this sounds like Greek to some of you... but this is what I have been pondering somewhat lately.

This last week, I was without my computer and internet for about three days, and I was most embarrassed at how much I missed their company. I got more done than usual. I washed my living room walls and cleaned corners and cobwebs and dust and dirt and washed curtains and found a fine, black film on everything. This is because we have a wood stove. I would say that the wood heat is worth the dirt it creates, wouldn't you?

I am attempting to get my Christmas decor up. I need some beautiful, lush greenery to put up, but now it is wet outside, so I don't know if that will happen today. I considered buying the fake stuff, but then my thriftiness kicked in and I rejected that idea. It is so much cleaner and tidier though.

Sometime I would like to take a picture of the bed that Gabe made for Myles and write about it here, but that will have to wait. Does anybody care about seeing it anyway?

Now I would post this, but I would like Gabe to read it first, so you all shall have to wait a bit.

Lisl, are you not proud of my for taking the hint and expounding upon my life?

Love,

Jenny